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It’s been a dog’s age since I played. And this is the start of the tenth year of Sammi hosting this prompt! Whoa! Plus it’s nice and short, just like I like ’em. On top of that, today is the 13th anniversary of my father’s death. And do I have a lot of memories with him to cherish.
If one is lucky
life has generously
offered many moments
to be later
cherished as memories
Good Tuesday morning. I had this all planned in my head yesterday but then didn’t know how to get this going. So I used my late husband Mick’s technique and slept on it. It works wonders! Lisa or Li is the host of this week’s dVerse Prosery challenge. She has asked us to use the line: Bury me with the lies I told from Alejandro Escovedo’s song “Bury Me” in our 144-word story. The rules are to use the lines of this song, a form of poetry, right? in a non-poetic way. We cannot change the order of the line, nor add any words but we can change the punctuation. I so love this challenge and, once again, Mick was my muse. Words are different, but the story is the same 🙂
I remember our conversation like it was yesterday. We were watching some TV show, and you turned to me all serious – as serious as you can be, which was rare because you brought levity to everything, and you said to me, “I don’t want you to bury me with the lies I told, my truths, my failures. No, I want you to take my ashes and set them free. Set all the lies – they were the ones I told myself, you know – the pain, the sorrow, everything bad I carry inside me, free. Let them go so they can disperse and cause none what I had had to bear. Try to keep the happy, the good, funny. … Oh, while I am at it, have sexy waitresses serve wings and beer at my funeral.”
Sorry love, I had to draw the line. No sexy waitresses…
On Monday, Merril hosted dVerse prosery. I knew exactly where I wanted to go with this one but felt I had to wait until today. We were to use the following lines:
“The granites and schists
Of my dark and stubborn country.”
from Nan Shepherd’s, “The Hill Burns”
from In the Cairngorms (Edinburgh: The Moray Press, 1934)
https://www.scottishpoetrylibrary.org.uk/poem/hill-burns/
We must use the lines of poetry in a non-poetic prose piece of 144 words. This is where it let me.
Today, this eleventh day of December, is a regular day to most, but for me? It marks the eleventh anniversary of the day when the world I knew changed. Forever. Where things suddenly shifted like the granites and schists of my dark and stubborn country, or, to me, my world. No matter how much your mind can travel to thoughts you have no reason for having, you can never be prepared for the reality when it comes. I cannot explain the why of my thoughts. Premonition, maybe? A sense of knowing that things would not be forever, or at the very least, for another thirty years? Maybe it’s simply self-preservation to expect (or prepare) for the worst, so there are no surprises. So you can be strong. It worked twenty-nine years ago, to help me not lose my mind. It could help again. Right?
Good Thursday morning. I really wanted to write this yesterday as it really was the thirtieth anniversary of my first date with Mick but dang if time was not on my side! Rochelle has chosen one of her own photos which sparked a precious memory for me. I would have needed more than 100 words but the rules is the rules! Should you want to participate, please click the frog below and add your link. Lots of great stories are to be found. G’head, add yours!
Click to Link
I love to talk about our first date (thirty years ago yesterday) and how it never ended but do you remember our second date?
We walked halfway across the bridge to LaRonde amusement park, rode the rides – you even won me a stuffed leopard (still have) – but I think the best part was walking back over the now-closed-for-fireworks bridge (the wrong way at first) in the rain, laughing all the way. You then impressed me by having a sweater and blanket in the trunk of your car to warm us up. I knew then you were a keeper.
Dear Mick,
I’m sitting here, on this anniversary of your death, thinking of the quote I read not too long ago:
The hole never fills, but new life will grow around it.
Isn’t this a beautiful way to put it? Lisa just shared your picture with this note: I can’t believe that 10 years have passed already. Missing you 
You are far from forgotten, all these years later.
So what happened between December 21, 2019 and today? Holy shit! Hang on to your hat because 2020 and 2021 brought on so. much. stuff.
After the last Christmas party worked at the golf club (December 8), I got so sick and wasn’t able to work the last two on the 13th and 14th (actually was still sick when I wrote the five-year letter). Looking back, I think I actually had caught this virus, as taken from the World Health Organisation site:
On 30 January 2020 COVID-19 was declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) with an official death toll of 171. By 31 December 2020, this figure stood at 1 813 188. Yet preliminary estimates suggest the total number of global deaths attributable to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 is at least 3 million, representing 1.2 million more deaths than officially reported.
(By the end of 2021 – this number rose to 14.9 million.)
However, we were not prohibited from going on our planned cruise, and we had a grand time. I bunked with Mom, and Patrice came with us and hung out our kids’ room. Tracy and her gang and Lisa, Chris and Jay and Tasha. A crazy good time was had by us all.
We got back home and all hell broke loose on Friday, March 13th. Everything closed down. The world was in lock-down. This new virus COVID had spread everywhere and wreaked havoc. You would have gone nuts! Pretty much every country instituted curfews and you could only go out after 9:00 pm if you had a dog to walk. Any time we did go out to the necessary stores (like the SAQ) we had to be masked and stand six feet apart. When Costco opened, the lineup went all around the store to the back. Insane. We thought it would never end. Empty streets and rainbows in windows with the message “Ça va bien aller”. Weeks turned into months turned into years!
People went nuts and stocked up on toilet paper and various other products, leaving others scrambling to find some. Crazy people tried to make a buck selling stuff from their garages. Did not go well for those caught. So many people got into baking that stores ran out of yeast. Even I tried baking, once I found some. By my birthday, we were still not allowed to hold gatherings inside homes (outside, we were limited to varying numbers depending on the numbers of deaths reported) so Iain made me a fabulous beef Wellington.
On May 16, 2020, your mother succumbed to this virus. Even though she was in a protected environment at Lev Tov, and no one was allowed to visit, it was impossible to keep it out. Though she was no longer recognised us, I still felt awful that she died alone. So many people I know lost a parent during this time.
Companies had to scramble to make their business run from their employees’ homes. Restaurants were closed completely, except for those able to supply take-out meals; those who didn’t, did not survive. Hockey was played in empty arenas. Can you imagine? With no fans in the stands, you could hear the players yelling at each other! Golf clubs opened, being an outside sport, so when a friend put out a request for staff for the snack bar (making hot dogs and sandwiches), I answered. I worked Saturdays and Sundays from 7 am to 7 pm, eventually adding a third day. As I was alone in the little place and there was a plastic between me and the customers, I didn’t have to mask up.
Schools were closed and so many kids missed out on their graduations (Ariane missed hers.) I cannot tell you how glad I was to not have kids of school-age because they had to follow along online – a nightmare for teachers and parents, alike. Schooling through Zoom. Working through Zoom.
In July, you basically saved Sébastien’s life. He started complaining of pains and sounding “just like you”, as per Tracy, so she brought him to the Montreal Cardiology Institute and a few days later, he had triple bypass surgery. Thankfully, the blockage he had was found when it was and now he’s back up to snuff.
On August 15, 2020, Iain texted me at the golf club: Pat’s dead. Wait. What? He had gone camping with his aunt, uncle and cousin with his girlfriend. He dove off this high cliff that is a popular spot, surfaced and sunk – but no one realised right away. They only found his body the next morning. Just awful. Such a vibrant young man of 22. It was the saddest funeral I have ever attended which was during a tiny window where they were able to actually hold a funeral (everyone masked, of course). To watch Iain and his friends carry in that coffin into the chapel to Tupac’s song “Life Goes On” was just a killer. Jules and Marilyn are still struggling with this, four years later. Iain and three others all had tattoos done in his honour.
The borders were closed for months and months and months but then there was a loophole where we could fly into the States so in October, I hopped on a plane and made my way to Philly to visit my beau Marc. (Sorry for not mentioning him sooner. We met in 2018, (met twice), didn’t even get together in 2019 and then the pandammit hit and… shit. Plus, it took us a good while before we made things “official” 🙂 )
I got a job at MegaGroup in Boucherville, starting in October (was there for 1.5 years). We still had to mask up and it was half-staff on alternate days. Just before Christmas, all offices had to be closed again for a month or so, and we started working from home (kinda difficult when you’re receptionist) but I still had to go to the office and get mail, send out stuff, etc.
Of course, Christmas was a subdued affair. We had supper with Mom and Yvon – where Iain again made his Wellington. The Kiakases and Provenchers celebrated in their homes. Zoom became the buzz word and that’s how you had family get-togethers. One could never have imagined this until it happened.
2021 will be better, right? Wrong. Covid was still front and centre and we sort of got used to having to wear masks in public (even if it drove us nuts).
Our dear Yvon died on March 19th. He had been up and down for a few months prior and it just so happens we had managed to visit him (the kids and I) on his last day. It was a shock when my mother called me a half hour later to say he was gone. A month later, Samanta’s dad, Jean-Pierre, died on April 16. We ended up having a double funeral way later in August. As it was an outdoor gathering, there wasn’t too much hoopla to worry about.
Yvon’s last Christmas
And then in May, I had to make the hard decision. Zeke was having more and more trouble walking. We couldn’t even go around the block anymore. He never complained, and was always enthusiastic but his back leg dragged and you could see in his eyes that all was not well. I just couldn’t let him suffer. I found a vet that does house calls so we didn’t have to give him the added stress of getting into my car (not easy), waiting in a clinic and everything associated with it. The kids were with him and Iain even made him a huge steak first. And Jules and Marilyn came to say good-bye with Gaffe. The vet and her assistants were so gentle with him. They shocked me by sending a beautiful card with is pawprint, nose print and some of his fur. Just. Whoa.
By August, 2021, the borders were still closed to Americans so I once again flew down to Philly to visit with Marc. Things were a lot more loose in the States, tell you what.
We were not able to celebrate Christmas 2021 again, but this time because Covid hit both the sisters’ families. Fucking thing.
Nothing to report until September, 2022, where, with the worst of the whole Covid thing over, I decided to finally move forward with remodeling the house thanks to your mother’s estate. As a result our kids were “renovicted”. It was time for them to move out and fly the coop. The house was gutted and heated floors put in, walls removed or moved, new kitchen and bathroom. It is now amazing!
Your baby boy Aidan, is now your baby girl with her chosen name Ariel. She had announced this to me in the fall of 2019. It was quite the process and she had her bottom surgery in February 2023. She is happier now and I think she was so courageous to undertake this huge transformation in her life. Iain supported her from the get. (She, who was petrified of even telling him of what she wanted to do – goes to show).
As for Iain, he just finished a two-year stint in Windsor, Ontario, working (electrician) for a battery plant – he wanted to do another couple of years but he was laid off last week. He finally has a girlfriend, the lovely Kamylia – they’ve been official for just over a year now. I don’t doubt that she is not sad that he will be working closer to home! And now he can take his cat back, too. She’s been staying with me since he took the job.
And me? After changing jobs four times in two years, I am now pretty happy with my latest (1.5 years now) at a company called VDM Global. It’s in the tourism industry and it’s where I will work until I retire because I am done with jumping from one to another. Besides, if all goes well, I only have another 2-3 years to go.
Good grief. I hope to hell I have not bored you with my tale. But as you can see, a helluva lot happened in the last five years. I often wonder how you would have taken all the stuff that happened but knowing you, you would have taken it in stride – after your initial freak-out, of course. 😉
I’m sure I’ve forgotten bits and pieces but hey, you’ve got the gist of it all.
Just know, we are all doing quite well, you will forever have a place in our hearts, and we miss you still.
Lotsa love,
Rog
xoxo
Monday was Prosery Monday on dVerse where the host (Björn, in this case) chooses a line of poetry that we must then include in our 144-word prose – not poetry! I think he might have surprised himself by choosing a song by Taylor Swift. Let’s face it, songs are poetry set to music. And Taylor is a very prolific young lady! The line chosen:
“You drew stars around my scars”
comes from her song “Cardigan” – a song I know rather well and particularly like. Was hard to not think of it when I wrote my bit.
Life is good now. A shitty childhood that lead to making bad choices culminated in a do-or-die situation. I had created my hellhole and had had to dig myself out, alone, which was no easy feat, I can now acknowledge. I got clean. Separated myself from toxic people. Lived off bologna, rice, and pasta. Paid back every single cent I owed. Worked hard, and I rebuilt myself.
I didn’t realise how battle-weary I had become, doing it all on my own until I met you. No matter what, I’m a naturally happy-go-lucky person, living life to the fullest and when you came along, I was ready. With your gentle prodding, I shared it all. You listened and saw me and loved me for all that I was and you drew stars around my scars, just to prove it. Our love was real and true.
I forgot to add the song!
Love me the short ones, Sammi. Thank you kindly for hosting this party weekly. Should you wish to add your 19-word poem/story/essay/whatever… just click on the box below and leave a comment with a link to your story on Sammi’s blog.
Heart stops
finger naked
where diamond ring should be
Special gift from Mick
Despair profound
After
Two-day search
Found
**Almost three years ago, I freaked out. I probably removed my ring and put it in my jeans pocket. Mixed whatever I didn’t want to get all stuck in the ring. Forgot the ring was in my pocket and hung my jeans over the bedrail. When I searched through the pockets, it has obviously slipped out and hid in the folds of the bed spread. Two days of panic and despair and a ridiculous amount of relief when I found it.
For Monday’s dVerse prosery, Kim asked us to use the following lines from Leonard Cohen’s poem, Take this Waltz:
“And I’ll bury my soul in a scrapbook,
with the photographs there and the moss.”
We must use the line in its entirety, without inserting any additional words. We can, however, change the punctuation as we wish.
You loved to tease me about taking so many pictures, yet you gifted me a camera for one Valentines Day. You knew how much I loved to capture things we did, places we went, nature, the kids, everything. I told you you’d thank me for it one day. Isn’t that the way life goes? You just never know who will be around to enjoy those memories. I didn’t count on it being just for me. And maybe the kids. If ever they want to look at them.
I’ll continue capturing moments and I’ll bury my soul in a scrapbook, with the photographs there. And the moss will serve as a cushioned seat any time I or anyone comes to visit, wanting to reminisce about all the stories that make up who I am. Because it’s all good when put together in my life scrapbook.
It took me a few days to have a lightbulb moment on what to do with this picture by Roger Bultot. But light it did, with a memeory, so no fiction. And here I am, once again, on a Friday for Friday Fictioneers…. What the what? That’s just crazy, I know. As always, there is a big thank you to Rochelle for not giving up on us lot week after week. Should you be so inspired, or if you just wanna see what others have come up with, click on the frog below to be taken into a world of 100-word stories related to this pic.
Click to play
D’you see them? It’s those same racks! I swear they’re everywhere!
They are. Including our basement. And garage. And shed.
On those cooking shows, did you notice them in the pantries?
Every time you point them out. Every show.
I think they’re cool.
Really? You sure?
You’re such a smartass, Rog. Seriously, though, if PJC¹ or Couche-Tard² starts using ’em, I’m outta business.
Not gonna happen. These can’t hold a candle to the display cases you create, Mick.
Yeah, maybe you’re right.
No maybes about it. Yours have way more style and personality. And personality goes a long way…
*snort*
******
My late husband, Mick, created display cases and these were two of his major clients.
Of course, I can only find one display for one of the two stores, but here are a few others he created.
¹PJC is Pharmacy Jean-Coutu – huge pharmaceutical chain in Quebec, with some stores in Ontario and even a few that made it south of the border.
²Couche-Tard is a chain of convenience stores, usually part of the Esso gas stations.
A word prompt to get your creativity flowing this weekend. How you use the prompt is up to you. Write a piece of flash fiction, a poem, a chapter for your novel…anything you like. Or take the challenge below – there are no prizes – it’s not a competition but rather a fun writing exercise. If you want to share what you come up with, please leave a link to it in the comments.
This was supposed to go out yesterday but one thing lead to another and before I knew it, it was bedtime! It seems that this time of year, a certain someone takes over my muse. Yesterday was the eight-year anniversary of Mick’s heart attack and well, hell if this prompt didn’t apply. So, thank you, Sammi, for once again, bringing forth a word that I can use…
There’s nothing quite like
that person
who’s joie de vivre
is so infectious
They remain engraved
in your memories
long after they’re gone
Proof of how much Mick left his mark on any and everyone who met him, his (our) friend Leonard Yelle wrote this on his FB page yesterday:
“About 7-8 years ago I was misbehaving at my company’s Christmas party telling the band that it was a coworkers birthday. . As the band in the restaurant played happy birthday to my confused colleague my phone rang. It was my buddies wife Dale informing me that her husband had suffered a terrible heart attack. I left the party trying to understand it all. I went to see him the next day but he never came out of the coma.
Every year, at this time, Leonard changes his profile pic or cover image to the following:
Writing on the Edge of the Wild
Art and the philosophy of life
Science, Philosophy, Desire
Movies, Shows, Sports, Stuff…and Other Stuff
Reflections on Life through poetry, essays and photos
Random thoughts, life lessons, hopes and dreams
Art Towards a Happy Day
Adventures about pet therapy, dog rescue and urban life in the 'Burbs
You have reached a quiet bamboo grove, where you will find an eclectic mix of nature, music, writing, and other creative arts. Tao-Talk is curated by a philosophical daoist who has thrown the net away.
An Old Plumber, An Ex-Carer, An Amateur Poet, Words From The Heart
An insight to a heart mind and soul.
Ramblings
🐘 Nancy is a storyteller, music blogger, humorist, poet, curveballer, noir dreamer 🐘
Growing Your Own Produce and Remedies
Meditations on Life and Parenting
Living From the Center of Your Being
Books by author Diana Coombes
A Dalectable Life 