Karen
growled and muttered an assortment of foul words in her car, driving
over speed limit. Her visit to Mom and Grandma had not provided the
affirmation and comfort she had hoped it would.
Bill had packed up his stuff in the night and was gone before she woke up. Note: I’m outta here, bitch…and the last word was written in bold letters. Now, Karen needed to share her pain.
She
had been in Mom’s kitchen, sipping on peach herbal tea. Mom was
kneading bread, taking loaf after loaf from the oven. These would go to
the homeless shelter. Grandma was sitting quietly while knitting baby
blankets for preemies at the local hospital.
Karen had been trying tell of her woes and ask for advice when the litany began.
“You know, honey, the darkest hour is just before the dawn. You’ll do fine.” This one came from Mom.
“Such is life,” Grandma added. “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger!” She dropped a stitch, but caught it time.
Mouth open, Karen had looked from one face to the other, listening with disbelief.
“Yes, sweetie. God has a plan for you…you just don’t know it yet!...and then…It is what it is…Time
heals all wounds…Life doesn’t give you things you can’t handle…It could
be worse…It wasn’t meant to be…There are plenty more fish in the
sea…Everything happens for a reason..
When Karen’s grandma said “If you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen”…
| Source |
The
italicized, underlined, and high lighted phrase is from Wednesday Words, where
bloggers can play and experiment with the words or prompt. This is
from April 2015.
This is a repeat post from 3 yrs ago. I fell recently and the digits are limited.
the darkest hour IS before dawn. I can attest to that, I go out in the middle of the night with the dog and don't even need a light, but by 5 am is is black dark until day breaks.. I love this story
ReplyDeleteI used to be awake at dawn.
DeleteHow I detest platitudes, too, Susan, but this is one clever story. Blessings!
ReplyDeleteSo glad you enjoyed it. Writing is the joy I find.
DeleteI know someone who speaks in platitudes. Nothing original just platitudes. Unfortunately, I avoid her.
ReplyDeleteEmpty words are the sign of empty brains.
DeleteWell, that was one way to make Karen figure it out for herself.
ReplyDeleteYup. She needed to get her house in order.
DeleteCharity for all but her...
ReplyDeleteSorry you fell!
Often the way of parenting, not listening to the pain.
DeleteI agree mindless platitudes are useless, but in this case they have forced Karen to sort things out for herself, which might have been the intention all along.
ReplyDeleteThat session in the kitchen was not aimed at her need to step up to the plate.
DeletePlatitudes hardly ever help. Mom and Grandma should have paused and listened. They might have caused her to be in an accident. Would they be willing to pay attention then?
ReplyDeleteExactly. They would have no problem with sympathy when she ends up in a hosp. bed.
DeleteSuch a time would not call for platitudes, I agree. Good use of the prompts, though.
ReplyDeletePlatitudes belong on one of those office prints of pretty mountains. Delores (creator of Wed.Words) would be proud.
Delete