I have been thinking and writing a lot about "going home", which is odd, since I AM home, here in the town I was born in. I am thinking that "going home" might be a metaphor for missing my mom. She's been gone seven years and I am still her little girl.
Yes, I believe you are right. James Ron. And as we age we come to realize that family is EVERYTHING. The time comes when amends could / should be made..
I returned to my umpteenth “home “ last year. Three months summer vacation. Not really where I could hang my hat. Too many years past. The summer heat turned to cold temperatures of fall. Time to return to SoCal and look for a place to rent, good luck. I’m getting older and sleeping on a couch sucks. It’s a temporary home; at least not a park bench yet.
Wow, Rebecca. Thank you so much. I originally posted this in three different installments as 50-word stories. But I felt something was missing, so I put all the pieces together and added a few more thoughts. I think it makes more sense now. Thumbs up to Substack for allowing us to revise after the fact.
And gosh, yes - but now I’m imagining a Substack where posts aren’t editable after they’re published - it’s the stuff of nightmares! I only ever spot my typos, dodgy punctuation and poor choices of prepositions AFTER posts go live! 🤣
Parents and their children - so many expectations and conflicts and misunderstandings. It is amazing any of us survive! I think John Lennon said All You Need is Love.
A lot of tension and emotion in this one. The ticking of the clock on the mantel, the awkward attempts at conversation. Coming home was a good start but much work remains to be done.
I like the way you have combined these segments and still maintained the two POV's. Great story, Sharron.
Thank you, John. I never know how these short things will speak to my readers, of if, indeed, they will speak at all. I appreciate it that you took a second look. Not sure, but I think this revision hangs together better.
Call a cookie a bisquit and the ground shifts. We're not in Kansas anymore Toto.
Right you are. The lemon biscuits are on a saucer in Fife, Scotland. Oooh. How I wish I could walk there one more time...
Great story Sharron. Loved it. - Jim
Thanks, friend.
It's never too late to go home. A compassionate look at a mother and child reunion, from three perspectives. Beautifully done, Sharron!
I have been thinking and writing a lot about "going home", which is odd, since I AM home, here in the town I was born in. I am thinking that "going home" might be a metaphor for missing my mom. She's been gone seven years and I am still her little girl.
Hugs, Sharron. Home indeed is way more than just a place. xxx
Once estranged, it is not easy to go home. Liked this, Sharron!
Yes, I believe you are right. James Ron. And as we age we come to realize that family is EVERYTHING. The time comes when amends could / should be made..
RE-awakening or returning can be hard, sometimes impossible…. I love the way you set it up.
Thank you, neighbor, for giving this little revised story a second read.
You[ve always got a surprise in store--and I love it! Keeps the synapses firing
Thanks so much, Jill, for stepping over here to read at 🌿Leaves. The Substack universe is so huge. I am glad you found my little piece of it!
Beautiful. So much pain and redemption portrayed in just a few words.
Thanks, Sue. The themes of redemption and of returning home keep rising at 🌿Leaves lately. Maybe it is time I visit my therapist....
Or visit that person you're thinking of, even if they're in the ground.
I returned to my umpteenth “home “ last year. Three months summer vacation. Not really where I could hang my hat. Too many years past. The summer heat turned to cold temperatures of fall. Time to return to SoCal and look for a place to rent, good luck. I’m getting older and sleeping on a couch sucks. It’s a temporary home; at least not a park bench yet.
I wish you the best of success in finding your new house. Stay positive!
Oh gosh, there's so much emotion here - both repressed and released. A brilliant, brilliant three-part story.
Wow, Rebecca. Thank you so much. I originally posted this in three different installments as 50-word stories. But I felt something was missing, so I put all the pieces together and added a few more thoughts. I think it makes more sense now. Thumbs up to Substack for allowing us to revise after the fact.
Such great work!
And gosh, yes - but now I’m imagining a Substack where posts aren’t editable after they’re published - it’s the stuff of nightmares! I only ever spot my typos, dodgy punctuation and poor choices of prepositions AFTER posts go live! 🤣
I hope they were able to take a few more steps toward connecting because they certainly seemed to want to in their hearts.
Parents and their children - so many expectations and conflicts and misunderstandings. It is amazing any of us survive! I think John Lennon said All You Need is Love.
This is such a beautiful and moving story, Sharron. It’s never too late to go home and/or try again.
Thanks, Justin. This theme of loss and returning has been in my head a lot lately.
Love this revision as much as I loved the original.
Thank you for the double read, Meg. That is over and above the call of duty!
Good stuff Sharron. Inspiring compassion ❤️🩹
A lot of tension and emotion in this one. The ticking of the clock on the mantel, the awkward attempts at conversation. Coming home was a good start but much work remains to be done.
I like the way you have combined these segments and still maintained the two POV's. Great story, Sharron.
You have a great talent for subtleness, Sharron. It is applied expertly in this quiet tale of the enduring power of love.
Thank you, KC, for finding something of worth in my stories. They are not always written with expertise, but always heartfelt.
It’s always good to revisit these folks. And a bit frustrating!
Thank you, John. I never know how these short things will speak to my readers, of if, indeed, they will speak at all. I appreciate it that you took a second look. Not sure, but I think this revision hangs together better.