A New Normal
“Dad wanted to be buried at sea?” you asked as we wrestled the mahogany canoe to the shore and waited for high tide to carry us out. I couldn’t find my voice, but nodded in reply.
“Did he really carve this boat?”
Choking on my grief, I answered, “He made it for you.”
“We waved goodbye to his ship from here.”
“I’m sorry Mom,” you laid your head on my shoulder, “I don’t remember.” Together we tossed the MIA bracelet and let our sorrow sink, drifting into a new normal.
For more flash fiction go here to Friday Fictioneers. We’ll give you 100 words to make your case.
What's for dinner, Doc? 
All they had to bury (at sea) is a MIA bracelet. So sad. Wonderful story.
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Yes, just a bracelet with his name. I wore an MIA bracelet in high school. The name on my bracelet was Maj. Robert Stackhouse. I probably still have it somewhere.
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I hope Maj. Robert Stackhouse has been found and is or were, hopefully, alive and well.
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Really touching Tracey.
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Thank you Louise.
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Oh this was touching. Buried at sea.. I think our stories went similar ways.
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Yes Bjorn. I think your character would rather have been buried at sea than live in his damaged body. There’s worse things than dying in a war.
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Dear Tracey,
A very touching story that sinks deep into the heart.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I’m glad you liked it.
Thank you Rochelle.
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Very touching. The part about the child not remembering the last goodbye was especially moving.
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Thank you Joy,
I envisioned the boy being 10-12 years old in this piece, having been an infant when his Dad left for Vietnam.
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For some reason I pictured the child (wasn’t sure if it was a boy or girl) as older, like a teen or young adult. But it works well at whatever age, really.
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So very sad, and well executed. Well done.
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Sandy,
Merci for commenting from the waterways of France.
Tracey
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Very well written, powerfully poignant tale,
Excellent.
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Thank you, I treasure your praise.
Tracey
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Goes to my gut as we just sent my husband’s ashes into the river…
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Oh Dale, I’m sorry for your loss. I just buried my sister so grieve has been on my mind.
Take care,
Tracey
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Thank you, Tracey. xo
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I hit send before finishing! So sorry for your loss as well. I cannot imagine losing one of my sisters.
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Each line reveals a layer of grief so exquisitely. If only sorrows can be sunk .the river bed would be full of it….Sorry for the loss of your sister. Take care.
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Thank you Ansumani.
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Very touching piece. Picturing the dad years ago carving the boat really brings it home.
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Thank you Sir
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You etched the story of loss so exquisitely. Condolences for the loss of your sister.
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Thank you. My family is trying to find a new normal. 😦
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A very emotional piece. The lack of closure on the MIAs is tough. How do you let go of that hope, never really knowing.
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Thanks Russell,
That lack of closure would be so tough.
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Very sad. I loved “drifting into a new normal”.
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Thanks Ali,
Grief feels like drifting to me.
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Very touching, Tracey, and a reminder of a long ago war that still has the power to hurt.
janet
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True Janet
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Touching and poignant piece, Tracey, on many different levels, past and present. You captured a lot here. Well done. I’m so sorry about your sister. Wishing you peace.
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Thanks Amy.
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Very touching and sad story, and so well told. I’m sorry for your loss, drifting through grief to a new normal–that describes that state of being ‘out of it’ perfectly.
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Thank you Gah
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I can’t imagine losing someone like that – just to be told that they’re missing, and never knowing what happened. Heartbreaking. Your story captures the grief and impact of losing a loved one really powerfully. Condolences for the loss of your sister. Take care.
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So sad and heartfelt. Nicely done.
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Thanks Erin
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sometimes that’s the best thing to do. just let go.
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True and glad to see you back Paridel.
🙂
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Shadows of Viet Nam still haunt us.
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Every war haunts us doesn’t it and yet we can’t seem to stop repeating history.
Thanks Dawn.
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this is so sad and beautifully told, well done
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Thanks for reclining by and for your kind comment.
Tracey
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A sad story. Personally, I found the 2nd person pov confusing, especially coming on top of the mum’s confusion and grief -which I liked.
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Thanks Jennifer. I think the second person POV works well here even though I hadn’t done it on purpose. *sigh
I learn something new every week at FF.
Tracey
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Great exploration of grief here – ‘settling into a new normal’ is a powerful insight.
Nice work.
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Thanks KT
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