I cup my mother’s hand and hold it tight. She stares at me with unknowing eyes, scared, reluctant or too weak to squeeze the hand in return. “Ma?” she asks.
I rub the wasting arm, glad that even a shard of a memory is poking through. It’s been a while since she’s asked for anyone. “I’m your daughter,” I answered. “Do you need something, Mama?”
The words come slowly to her. “Just sleepy.”
I smile, hand her a baby-doll, and tuck her in with a kiss on the forehead. “Then rest, Mama. I’ll be here when you wake up.”
***
This was written for the 22 January Carrot Ranch prompt, “Shards.” I realized after this was finished that I’d only written about a single shard, but… darn. Hopefully good enough?
Let Me Tell You the Story of... 
Yep it worked. I think as writers we keep some of those fading memories alive.
I didn’t ask soon enough for some… so I can’t ID some of the photo’s left to me. I’ll just have to make up some new stories…
Very well scribed. Such a difficult time in life to portray with such tenderness.
Thanks! One of my friends’ mother died recently of alzheimers, and I wrote this in dedication to their relationship.
Very, very tender. Really struck a chord with me this morning.
I have the feeling this flash might make more sense to you than it does to me.
I can see that. But somewhere deep inside you have an understanding and it shows through!
Very touching. I was in a similar situation recently, not the same but similar, and you captured it beautifully.
Thanks! I hope that it may give people a smile. There’s still dignity and love in every stage of life, even when it’s hard.
❤ I lost my grandmother to Alzheimer’s recently. This is lovely.
Thank you – and may your memories of your grandma be well-cherished!
VEry nice and well written. You and I had a similar idea with a mental shard rather than an actual physical one.
I thought a mental shard could be equally interesting, and the story ended up far sweeter than I could have planned!
Even one shard matters, which is the essential point of your tender flash. Just one shard we can still hold on to. Besides, there’s no way to go wrong on the prompt — follow where it leads. 😉
Thanks! And double thanks for the approval of singular shard, haha!
Every shard of creativity counts!
Your story was all the more poignant for the single shard. ~nan
Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it.
So much sadness and love expressed in 99 words. Beautiful piece.
Thank you!