Fiction
my personal fictional stories
FIKA
The raindrops hitting the window caused Natalie to linger in her morning slumber longer than normal. Her only motivation was remembering her fika later that day. She hadn’t visited with her best friend, Georgia since she had up and moved to Wyoming.
The call came last week when Georgia announced she would be back in town for the weekend. She was eager to meet up with Natalie over a cup of coffee and catch up. Life for Natalie was a roller coaster of emotions and non-stop running. Georgia’s life had changed dramatically since she had decided to suddenly move to Wyoming.
Georgia had dreamed of being a writer since she was young girl. She would search for four-leaf clovers and make wishes from dandelions gone to seed in hopes of life not passing her by. It seemed life had different plans for Georgia as a car accident took the use of her legs. For months she labored through intense physical therapy, yet feeling like there was no progress. Her friend, Natalie had encouraged her day by day to keep fighting.
After a year of therapy, the doctors informed Georgia that though some progress had been made, she would never have a full recovery of the use of her legs. She would need a wheelchair the rest of her life. She was devastated and felt like giving up. In her mind, there was nothing to live for…she would never have independence, daily life would be a struggle, and she couldn’t inspire anyone when she barely had a thread of hope herself.
Sophia, one of the fellow rehab patients, reminded Georgia that she didn’t need the use of her legs to be a writer. It was as if Sophia had slapped her across the face as if waking from a deep sleep. She was right! Writing required the use of her hands and fingers, not her legs. From that day on, she was determined to start a new life somewhere else with a past goal…being a writer.
Natalie nervously wondered how Georgia would have changed since she saw her last fall. It had been two years since her accident and a year of her living in a new town. She sat down again, drinking her third cup of coffee since she arrived at the bistro. As she straightened her napkin again, she looked up and saw Georgia wheeling herself through the door. She stood up and walked over to give Georgia a hug.
Fika – (noun), of Swedish origin; a break from activity during which people drink coffee or relax over conversation with others
What is your favorite coffee/tea shop to meet friends and catch up?
Poetry of Rain
I noticed the young girl standing on the porch watching the rain pouring down. Unsure of whether I should approach her and disrupt her solitude, I took the risk and sauntered nonchalantly up to the steps. When I reached her, I caught the soothing sound of poetry being quoted beneath the splatter of raindrops.
“Who wrote those beautiful words,” I asked?
“Just a girl I know,” she stated quietly.
“She must be quite the writer,” I replied.
“Really? You really think so?” I mean, “yes, maybe, I don’t know…” as she quickly dropped her head.
As I walked away, I could see her beaming with a glint of hope in her eyes. Instantly, it confirmed for me that she had written those words moments before while contemplating why life often felt meaningless.
Sehnsucht
His calloused hands were lined with years of hard work. He was nearing his ninetieth birthday when the order came from the government to “stay home.” The nurses tried to explain that the nursing facility was on lockdown. They tried to help Mr. Damon understand that he was not allowed to leave the facility but worse yet, his dear wife was not able to visit him either.
The dementia that had settled in his mind over the past year made it extremely difficult for him to comprehend all that was going on with the new restrictions. Agitation was a common occurence when things didn’t go his way. But this time appeared to be very different.
Mr. Damon simply stared out the window as fresh tears streamed down his cheeks. But the nurses couldn’t offer him any reassurance on when the lockdown would lift.
He began experiencing sehnsucht because of the heartbreak and confusion. Though his mind was failing him, he was aware enough that he longed to hear his wife’s voice. The nurses quietly left his room as there was nothing they could say to ease the pain on the old man’s face.
Sehnsucht – (noun) German origin, a high degree of intense desire or longing for something or someone with an uncertainity as to when it can be attained.
These times in our nation are certainly making history. There is no definitive end in sight so many of us are having feelings of longing for things and people that we are missing. Hopefully when our lives return to a “new normal,” we will be more intentional to spend time with the ones we love. Who is one person you can’t wait to spend time with as soon as you are able?
Collywobbles
The experience of collywobbles was nothing new to Naomi. Her sister had to practically drag her past the gentle sounds of the carousel and hold her hostage while they waited their turn on the ferris wheel. Eating that delicious funnel cake moments ago probably wasn’t the wisest choice before riding high up in the air in a circular motion. Too late now.
The girls carefully chose the seat that appeared steady and climbed inside. Naomi’s nerves continued to spin, and the ride hadn’t even begun. After the attendant double checked the bar for security, the wheel began its ascent.
As they rose higher and higher in the sky, the butterflies in her stomach changed from fear to excitement. The wheel suddenly stopped. The sisters realized they were temporarily suspended at the top of the ferris wheel. As the other people ended their adventure back down at the ride’s exit ramp, the wind picked up speed. The seat began to sway back and forth as Naomi kept her eyes focused straight ahead. The thought of looking down at the crowd below made her slightly nauseous.
Just as quickly as the ride began, it was all over. Naomi had survived the scary experience of the ferris wheel. Now, she couldn’t wait to get back on and go again.
Collywobbles – (noun) a state of disorder in the gut, such as “butterflies” in the stomach. Colly is of old English dialect meaning coal dust. Blackbirds were known as colly birds. It is most likely a nonsense word taken from colic and wobble.
Each of us probably have experiences in life that we dread but end up surprised by the adventure and joy we feel. What story can you share about experiencing the “butterflies”?
Ubuntu
Though exhausted from his latest project with Habitat for Humanity, Samuel wasn’t giving up. He was meeting his friend, Mosi later today to plan the meal preparations for the downtown soup kitchen. The kitchen was holding its monthly “pantry stock”, and they were desperate for volunteers.
Many people in the town of Pullman, Alabama considered Samuel to have a heart of gold. He was consistenly thinking of others before himself. He loved giving back to the community where he had grown up. His South African roots taught him the philosophy of ubuntu and how each of us are part of a bigger whole. We are connected and defined by our compassion and kindness to others.
As a young boy, Samuel watched his grandfather work hard in their small town and give back to his community regardless of what was expected. He promised himself to always look out for those who needed a little extra help or simply needed a kind word. He wished to grow up and be just like his granddaddy.
One wouldn’t hear Samuel patting himself on the back because he was also raised to have humility. He gave from the goodness of his heart, knowing life would be sweeter regardless of whether the giving was ever returned. Samuel shared this African philosophy with all the children that came through the soup kitchen.
Ubuntu – (noun) prounounced oo-boon-too, from South African heritage, a belief that we are defined by our compassion and kindness towards others.
Each of us have opportunities everyday to impact someone in a positive way. It may be as simple as a hello or a thank you. Kindness grows and spreads quickly. What is one small act of kindness you could share in your community?