She was a sweet and tender child and wise beyond her years, already knowing the importance of connection to others. Her delicate features, with excitement-blushed cheeks and bright, curious blue eyes made her sensitivity even more apparent. Innocent, rosebud lips finished off the charm. Long, honey-colored hair, worn parted in the middle, fell past her shoulders and hung straight and loose, complementing her slight frame. She was prone to brushing straggles of hair out of her eyes when it was worn down this way. Along with her favorite pink suede cowboy boots, her mother had allowed her to pick out the multi-tiered, purple, gray and white skirt that she loved. Her brown corduroy jacket topped it off because of the chill in the air. A tiny dab of her mother’s Shalimar perfume behind her ears made her feel extra special. The mild amber fragrance created a subtle aura around her. They were off to visit Pa-pa today.
She was only six but loved her Pa-pa devotedly. They had come for a visit today to the nursing home where he now resided.
His head hung slightly down as he sat in his motorized wheelchair, impeccably dressed in his black pin-stripe suit with pristine and starched, long sleeved white shirt and boldly striped tie. Still after all of these years, his black leather shoes were polished to a high gleam–important when callers came. His tall stature was evident even though he was sitting. His snow white hair and beard intrigued her and his wild, wooly eyebrows made her giggle. His aged face was speckled with numerous sunspots and the lines of years of hard work raising a family, ill health and losing his wife two years prior. A silver band still worn on his finger signified their long union. She loved to examine his elderly face and look into his wise eyes that still cheered up when he caught sight of her.
He offered her a peppermint from his pocket–he always smelled of peppermint and Old Spice aftershave. She ate the candy immediately–feeling the sensation of the cooling mint in her mouth–savoring it slowly.
She made sure his hearing aids were still lodged gently in his ears and brought him a pair of scissors he had requested that he used to cut the tags off the gift he had ready for her. It was a stuffed black and white striped zebra. She clutched the toy, her small hand encircling its body, feeling quietly delighted at the surprise.
She thanked him, speaking up as she knew to do, so he could hear her clearly. He hugged her gently and smiled, his voice a gravelly rasp, responded to her; “I love you.”
Monday Morning Writing Prompt: Description; http://liv2write2day.wordpress.com/2011/05/01/monday-morning-writing-prompt-description/#respond
booguloo
/ May 2, 2011Enjoyable story.
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Bodhirose
/ May 2, 2011Thanks. The challenge was a prompt by Victoria to describe the picture using all of the senses. If you’re interested in trying it–click on the link above. I would love to read what you may come up with.
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liv2write2day
/ May 2, 2011Ah, this warmed my heart, Gayle. One special thing about it, even if there was no photo, you made sure the reader is a part of the scene. Yeah!
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Bodhirose
/ May 2, 2011I feel so happy that it warmed your heart, Victoria. I was trying hard to pay attention to all the details–and senses. Thanks! xoxo
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Reflections
/ May 2, 2011Fabulous piece. I am always looking to broaden my horizons, both in reading good quality writing of others and in finding new prompts for my muse.
Thank you for sharing such a wonderful piece. I shall be following along with your blog. Thank you also for sharing the link to what looks like a wonderful weekly prompt.
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Bodhirose
/ May 2, 2011I’m glad you thought this wonderful and worthy of your time to read. Victoria offers great ideas for getting creative–I highly recommend her!
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chrisd
/ May 2, 2011There is something so precious, so poignant about the relationship between a grandchild and grandparent.
You did a lovely job communicating their special bond.
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Bodhirose
/ May 2, 2011I think so too. Something very dear about it. I’m happy I was able to communicate that. Thanks so much for visiting and reading, Chris.
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Inside the Mind of Isadora
/ May 3, 2011Gayle,
This was so heartwarming. It painted a beautiful picture of a precious granddaughter enjoying a special visit with her Pa – pa. Aging can be for some sad and lonely but you made it loving and sweet.
Good Job … as always ….
Namaste,
Izzy
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Bodhirose
/ May 3, 2011I’m happy that came across. I really enjoyed that prompt–thanks so much, Izzy.
Namaste,
Gayle
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trisha
/ May 3, 2011this is very beautiful and heart warming story gayle. i love the bonding between grandparents and grandkids. 🙂
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Bodhirose
/ May 3, 2011I’m glad you felt warm-hearted by this, Trisha. I think it’s a sweet bonding too–very special. 🙂
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trisha
/ May 4, 2011its the best bonding, even better than the bonding of parents and kids
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Bodhirose
/ May 4, 2011I’ve experienced it through my sister’s grandchildren–still waiting for my own. I’ve enjoyed it so much.
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trisha
/ May 5, 2011well, a loving person like you have tasted it already, i dont think you will love nicholas less than your own grandkids.
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Bodhirose
/ May 6, 2011No, I can’t imagine loving my own any more than I do Nicholas. He’s very special to me–and I think he knows that. I feel so blessed.
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trisha
/ May 8, 2011i know. loving people rarely differentiate between two small children.
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Bodhirose
/ May 8, 2011Thanks so much, Trisha.
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Explorations in Sacred Space
/ May 3, 2011Tears! Well done. Engaged mind and emotions. Painted a vivid story. Lovely! Thank you, Gayle.
JamieDedes
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Bodhirose
/ May 3, 2011Bless your heart–you are so sweet, Jamie. I’m thinking you must be a sensitive, tender-hearted person.
I’m happy the story was engaging–I was hoping so. You’re welcome. xoxo
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Blossom Dreams
/ May 3, 2011This made such pleasurable reading Gayle. Your lovely writing has inspired me to take a look at the prompt too! Thanks for cheering me up this evening and reminding me of my own grandfather.
Chloe xx
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Bodhirose
/ May 3, 2011I would love to read your take on this prompt, Chloe. So glad that this cheered you up–and thanks for your kind comment.
Gayle xoxo
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jgavinallan
/ May 4, 2011kêu, ku, cry. I did that in three languages. So heartwarming, so gentle and warm. My goodness, if I don’t stop I will start repeating myself. This was so sweet, yet intelligent.
Dẹp—piao liang—beautiful
byebye
Jaye
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Bodhirose
/ May 5, 2011You cried in three languages–oh my goodness. I’m so happy that you enjoyed this, Jaye. Thanks very much. xoxo
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James
/ May 5, 2011This drives me to real human heart wen look at pic of Pa-pa n tender child wishes million in my heart n say ooohhhh God, wat wonderful poetry.Gayle is quite fine,i can see live event and experience there,
dia i only comes for pictures scene.
James
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Bodhirose
/ May 5, 2011So happy you came to see me, James. This was a photo prompt to write a descriptive story/poem writing as much detail as to what you saw in the photo using all the senses. It was fun to do. I’m glad you liked it.
Gayle xoxo
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jgavinallan
/ May 8, 2011I reread Pa-pa—same thing happened.
Love from Jaye
xo
have a wonderful day
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Bodhirose
/ May 8, 2011You cried in three languages again!? What a sweetheart…
Thanks for the kind wishes for my day, Jaye.
Hugs,
Gayle xoxo
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