Letting Her Go
October 11, 2017 at 11:40 am 58 comments
For Friday Fictioneers 100-Word Challenge: 13 October 2017
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Photo Credit: Douglas M. MacIlroy
It wasn’t the ending he wanted, but she was determined.
“It’ll be for the best,” Andrea told Robert as she tried to console him running her fingers through his hair.
Robert said nothing, his head down, looking at the floor. Once Andrea made up her mind, he knew there was nothing he could do.
Andrea had ovarian cancer that no longer responded to treatment. She decided it was time to take advantage of California’s right-do-die law.
Several years later, Robert went to their favorite hiking spot to spread her ashes. Finally, he had found the courage to let her go.
Entry filed under: Blogroll, friday fictioneers. Tags: 100-word challenge, fiction, love.
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Musings of a Random Mind 
1.
Björn Rudberg (brudberg) | October 11, 2017 at 1:20 pm
Oh I love where this took you, but what a terribly sad story.
2.
plaridel | October 11, 2017 at 3:59 pm
björn:
the idea came to me when i saw the bird being held seemingly wanting to be free.
3.
Iain Kelly | October 11, 2017 at 1:38 pm
A sad tale of a brave couple. As a firm believer in one’s right to decide, I admire them and your story.
4.
plaridel | October 11, 2017 at 3:59 pm
iain:
no doubt about it, i’m a believer, too.
5.
Irene Waters 19 Writer Memoirist | October 11, 2017 at 4:53 pm
A beautiful story although sad. If only our authorities would recognise that for some this is a valid choice.
6.
plaridel | October 11, 2017 at 7:53 pm
irene:
california is one of the states that has made it legal. it’s our right to go on our own terms.
7.
Irene Waters 19 Writer Memoirist | October 12, 2017 at 12:55 am
You are lucky you live in a progressive state. The Northern Territory passed laws allowing it in 1995 but being a territory the federal government stepped in and overturned them. We are now just starting to have the debate again but I fear our politicians are too conservative.
8.
plaridel | October 12, 2017 at 11:23 am
irene:
with healthcare getting more and more expensive, i bet it’ll come to pass in the near future.
9.
Irene Waters 19 Writer Memoirist | October 13, 2017 at 5:56 pm
It is sad when everything boils down to economics instead of what is the right thing to do for humanity. But you are right – it will probably pass eventually for that reason. I can remember years ago it was mooted that hospital admissions would be graded for economic reasons. Apparently hospitals in the States already used the model which was called the Apache grading. Too my knowledge it was never formally adopted by hospitals here but again I think with healthcare being so expensive it will eventually happen.
10.
plaridel | October 13, 2017 at 6:50 pm
irene:
it looks like healthcare being politicized, the future could be far worse.
11.
granonine | October 11, 2017 at 6:22 pm
So sad, and the imagery is perfect.
12.
plaridel | October 11, 2017 at 7:53 pm
linda:
what a great compliment. thank you.
13.
Dale | October 11, 2017 at 6:42 pm
Beautifully told, Plaridel.
14.
plaridel | October 11, 2017 at 7:53 pm
dale:
thank you. i’m glad you liked it.
15.
Dale | October 11, 2017 at 7:54 pm
I truly did
16.
plaridel | October 12, 2017 at 11:25 am
dale:
it’s wonderful.
17.
draliman | October 11, 2017 at 11:51 pm
Very sad, but at least she lived in a place where she could choose.
18.
plaridel | October 12, 2017 at 11:24 am
draliman:
in a way, she was fortunate in that regard.
19.
Moon | October 12, 2017 at 1:36 am
Someone dear had once said ” letting go is the ultimate form of love”
Beautiful story, Plaridel.
20.
plaridel | October 12, 2017 at 11:23 am
moon:
in some instances, i truly agree.
21.
pennygadd51 | October 12, 2017 at 9:01 am
That’s beautifully written. Very simply expressed, very moving and very profound.
22.
plaridel | October 12, 2017 at 11:22 am
penny:
it’s very generous of you. thank you.
23.
Varad | October 12, 2017 at 11:33 am
That’s incredibly brave of them. Great, evocative writing Plaridel.
24.
plaridel | October 12, 2017 at 7:26 pm
varad:
i appreciate your comment very much. thank you.
25.
Life Lessons of a Dog Lover | October 12, 2017 at 1:40 pm
Loved where the prompt took you and her her death being freedom. Well done!
26.
plaridel | October 12, 2017 at 7:25 pm
cindy:
your comment is much appreciated. thank you.
27.
rochellewisoff | October 12, 2017 at 2:04 pm
Dear Plaridel,
Love what you did with the prompt. This is what I mean about stepping out of the box and telling the story you see. Applause! And a beautifully written piece besides. Dabbing my eyes and shouting, “Bravo!”
Shalom,
Rochelle
28.
plaridel | October 12, 2017 at 7:25 pm
rochelle:
what came to my mind was one trying to hold on and another wanting to let go. i’m glad you liked it.
29.
Alicia Jamtaas | October 12, 2017 at 3:15 pm
You took this to an entirely different place than most who saw this picture. VERY nicely done. Like Rochelle, I’m dabbing my eyes.
30.
plaridel | October 12, 2017 at 7:24 pm
alicia:
it’s very nice of you say that. thank you.
31.
Keith's Ramblings | October 13, 2017 at 1:08 am
A gentle and tender piece, and refreshingly different from everything else I’ve read. Excellent
32.
plaridel | October 13, 2017 at 12:20 pm
keith:
i’m glad you liked it. thank you.
33.
Esha Mookerjee-Dutta | October 13, 2017 at 4:28 am
I couldn’t see this coming but must say, this was beautifully done. Loved how you used this pic as an imagery for a haunting love story.
34.
plaridel | October 13, 2017 at 12:20 pm
esha:
glad it still worked after taking a lot of details out to meet the 100-word limit. thank you.
35.
Norma | October 13, 2017 at 6:33 am
A beautiful and a sad story of love and loved ones. Loved your take on the prompt.
36.
plaridel | October 13, 2017 at 12:19 pm
norma:
your comment is much appreciated. thank you.
37.
rgayer55 | October 13, 2017 at 7:28 am
Wow, what a great story. Very touching. One of your best.
38.
plaridel | October 13, 2017 at 12:19 pm
russell:
coming from you, it was a great compliment. thank you.
39.
Sarah Ann | October 13, 2017 at 12:37 pm
Beautifully touching.
40.
plaridel | October 13, 2017 at 6:52 pm
sarah ann:
glad it resonated with you. thank you.
41.
prior.. | October 13, 2017 at 1:13 pm
so sad- but so meaningful too = and was just discussing the right to die topic with some students. I used to be against it – but am now for it – and this piece was well done –
42.
plaridel | October 13, 2017 at 6:51 pm
prior:
it’s a decision that should be made while still mentally competent to do so. it should be part of the will or something.
43.
prior.. | October 13, 2017 at 8:59 pm
that makes sense – and thanks
44.
plaridel | October 14, 2017 at 4:41 pm
prior:
you’re welcome.
45.
Tracey@MyBajaKitchen.com and TraceyDelaplainMD.com | October 13, 2017 at 1:46 pm
Great take on the prompt. He had to set her free.
46.
plaridel | October 13, 2017 at 6:51 pm
tracey:
he did it for both of them finally completing the circle.
47.
Liz Young | October 14, 2017 at 9:18 am
So sad. My daughter found it hard to let go of her father’s ashes too.
48.
plaridel | October 14, 2017 at 4:41 pm
liz:
i don’t blame her. i guess it would be a natural reaction.
49.
Sascha Darlington | October 15, 2017 at 12:49 pm
A very sad story. It’s always hard to let someone go. I like how you interpreted the prompt.
50.
plaridel | October 16, 2017 at 2:30 pm
sascha:
it’s always is, but it’s something we have to go through in this life.
51.
Sascha Darlington | October 16, 2017 at 4:30 pm
This is very true and more than once. It never gets easier, but then I guess it’s not supposed to.
52.
plaridel | October 18, 2017 at 12:10 pm
sascha:
sadly, it is.
53.
michaelwynnauthor | October 16, 2017 at 12:54 am
That’s an awfully sad story which you’ve done justice to
54.
plaridel | October 16, 2017 at 2:29 pm
mick:
your comment is very encouraging. thank you.
55.
Christine Goodnough | October 16, 2017 at 7:21 pm
Your story is really touching. As one who’s battled heath issues myself I can appreciate these feelings.
One thing I think needs to be clarified, though, with this right-to-die issue. Everyone has the “right to die” and if they are brave enough they can take their own life. ( Not to say It’s right.)
This “right-to-die” issue is really “the right to have someone else legally be able to terminate your life.” To me that’s a much deeper issue. Should a person have the right to make someone else responsible for their death?
56.
plaridel | October 18, 2017 at 12:09 pm
christine:
well said.
57.
wajihaa17 | October 19, 2017 at 9:33 pm
sad but beautiful
58.
plaridel | October 20, 2017 at 5:26 pm
wajihaa17:
i appreciate the comment very much. thank you.