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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: Twilight Years of Life (07/02/09)
She really couldn't remember the early years of her life. Her memory wasn't as good as it used to be. However, there were some childhood events that stood out, like the time her mama gave her a much coveted bride doll for her 4th Christmas. And when she used to get up early so she could spend a little time with daddy before he had to leave for work. She remembers his smile as he called her his little “Jim- Jam”. But then along come the memories of struggling through the confusing times during the tumultuous teen years. Everything was so dramatic and intense. Oh those memories can be funny and even a little painful. But even the painful ones are so precious to her now.

Next she lets her mind venture into the contradictions that came in her twenties. The joy's of motherhood and the hardship of divorce. The tears trickle down her cheek as she shakes her head to get the pain out her mind. Now the memories are coming clearer as she lets her thoughts wander into the years of her mid life.Things were more settled then. Life was less complicated as she helped her children transition into adulthood. She recalls the bittersweet moments of realizing her children were leaving to start their own lives and she was moving into another era of hers.

The frail woman glanced down at her arthritic hands and sighed as she rocked back and forth in the rocker that had belonged to her mother. Ah Yes, her mother . How long had it been since she sat beside her mothers bed weeping as the precious woman who always gave her unconditional love lay there dying? Father had died some 20 years before mother did. Now she was an orphan.

The ache in her heart told her that she would always grieve for the loss of her beloved parents.
Would her children have such an ache when she completed her journey on this earth?
Her eyes felt heavy and she new she would soon doze off. She usually did about this time of day. Then after an hour or so she would awake, rock in her chair and live in her fragile memories until her daughter stopped by to check on her. This is how she spends the twilight of her life, Living in the past while she sits and rocks, waiting for her journey to come to it's end.
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This article has been read 992 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
BAYO OMOYIOLA, JR
07/09/09
Good inspiration. How lovely
diana kay
07/09/09
good descriptive peice
c clemons
07/09/09
How sad, descriptive though, good job.
Mildred Sheldon
07/10/09
Beautifully written and very descriptive. Good job.
Charla Diehl
07/11/09
How very sad to only live in the past--a tragic fact for many elderly people.
Allen Stark
07/12/09
Yes, how sad, and poignant.
Norma-Anne Hough
07/12/09
Moving account of an elderly lady's memories. Touching and beautiful.
Laura Manley
07/15/09
This story brings sadness to my heart, knowing many live this way. It is, however, a necessary story to bring to the attention of someone who may be on the verge of entering those twilight years, allowing them to prevent some of the pitfalls this person went through. Second quote marks are always after punctuation. Be sure to always proof and re-proof any entry in order to avoid forgetting a word here or there. Also, the word "new" in the latter part of this story should be "knew." Your spell checker wouldn't pick up on that. I think your story had a very important message, one that you presented very well. Laura