Coincidence in 160

“What’s growing out of the pot mom gave us?”, I asked.
“It's a bleeding heart,” replied my wife.
“Don't you think that's appropriate
considering her condition?”
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Back Story: When my mother and step father moved out of their home a month before my mom was given just a short time to live, she gave us several flower pots. Only one of them had anything growing in it. We were going to pull out the small green leaves that pushed through the soil but decided to see what it might be - weed, flower or Audrey 2? When it reached the point of blooming we discovered it to be a Bleeding Heart. It seems appropriate considering it is congestive heart failure that is taking my mother. What we thought may be just a weed is now a cherished addition to our garden. Thanks, Mom, for giving us another touchstone. She is still hanging in there and has the help of a great hospice group and many friends. Thanks also to you, my fellow bloggers, for your kind words and support.

Where there's Smoke, there's 55

Billowing smoke rose steadily

from the back of the house.

Flames occasionally added

spikes of yellow and orange

to white clouds.

Mixed with the flames and smoke

was the distinct smell of burning flesh.

It was a horrifying scene

that had the family in tears.

Dad had burnt the hamburgers to a crisp once again.

Mom

She gave birth to me.
Cleaned my scraped knees.
Wiped my little boy tears.
Taught me that cooking, laundry
and sewing were as important to independence
as any of the tools my father handed me.
Took me to football practice
and bass guitar lessons.
Schlepped my band to gigs.
Supported me in all my dreams.
She gave of her heart.
The heart that fails her now.
Our time is precious and it is coming to an end.

I love you, Mom.

Practice what you preach - 160

He looked at signs about earth friendly products
as the last sweet bite of Chantilly cake
passed his lips.
Why had Whole Foods
served it in a plastic container?
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On again off again 55

The lights flashed on and off.
Oddly at first,
then in an almost timed pattern.

On.

Off.

On.

Off.

It was mesmerizing to him.
Sending him into a trance like state.
Hypnotized to the point
of near hallucination,
he was finally brought back
when he heard her speak:

“Stop that blinking. You're making me crazy.”

_______________________

This is a Flash Fiction Friday 55.

If you want to know what the hell that means visit g-man.
The challenge is on.
______________

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Follow your Heart

Staring at the bottom of his coffee cup he thought to himself, "I'd better get busy". But doing what? He made a list - Organize the garage; Put up the fountain; Spot clean the carpet; Tighten every knob on every drawer in the house; Keep the kitchen clean; Trim the hedges; Clean the barbecue; Start networking; Dust; Clean the bathrooms; Get the spa working - had another sip of coffee and recalled the conversation he had the previous night.

She held his face tenderly in her hands and gazed deeply into his eyes. "You need to decide what you want to be when you grow up," she said. "Look into your heart and figure out what makes you happy and pursue it. I will support your decision no matter what. You don't have to rush out and take the first crappy job that comes along. You've done that and been miserable. I don't want you to be miserable anymore. I love you."

He looked back at his list. Crumpled the paper into a ball and started a new list.

. Love your wife with all your heart and soul
. Give of yourself to your children
. Spend time with your aging and ailing mother
. Walk that big headed stupid dog we love so much
. Make your work light - but do it
. Listen to your heart not your head
. Place the ghosts of the past behind you

"That's a good start," he said out loud to the dog snoring at his feet. "Time to go for a walk, clear the head and figure out what we want to do when we grow up. I wonder if it's too late to become an oceanographer?"

Leash in hand. Door open. The world beckoned.

Signs of Spring in 160

Winter's cold
was yielding
to the warming sun,
as Mother Earth
tilted on her axis.
Bare branches blurred
in soft green and pink edges.
Teasing Spring’s arrival.
________________________

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Last Rites 55

As they pulled the plug
I felt a sense of relief.
Breathing stopped being mechanical
and the universe expanded before me.
This world had run its course.
It was time to take the next big step
into unknown territory.
Fear.
Excitement.
Anxiety.
Loss.
Freedom.
One certainty –

I would never go to that horrible job again.
_______________________

Last Tuesday I gave last rites to my job of six and a half years. It started as a sales job with a small locally owned company and turned into a political nightmare after we were purchased by a multi-billion dollar conglomerate that wanted a melting pot of PC purity so anyone with an opinion, personality or sense of humor was quickly squashed, fired or left. I was fired. Now I am free to pursue my number one goal - Happiness.
_______________________

This is a Flash Fiction Friday 55.

If you want to know what the hell that means visit g-man.
The challenge is on.
______________

Or if you want yet another challenge write a Sunday 160.

Like a text message, the Sunday 160 only uses 160 characters (including spaces)
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The Man in the Moon

Like a Cheshire cat it smiles down upon the world.

What does it know?

Is it laughing at our plight?

Or pleased?

We stand watching with our primitive minds.

Not knowing.

Ever in wonderment.

Feeling small at the scope and depth of the universe.

The Cheshire grin will grow to full wide eyes as the days progress.

Just a rock?

Or the glue that holds us to our muddy ball

and tugs our emotions as the view of white expands.

Valentine 160

She carefully removed

the wrapping and

opened the box inside

to reveal its contents.

“It's empty”, she said.

“No it's not”, he replied.

“I filled it with love.”

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HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY

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If you wish to take the challenge, here is a quick look at the rules.

For the original Sunday 160 post click here.

The Sunday 160 only uses 160 characters (including spaces)
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