The photo reminds me of a house we once rented in France. We had a very enjoyable holiday but as we left I mentioned to the owner that she should really tell prospective holiday makers that part of the house is overlooked by the neighbours.
With a Gallic shrug she replied ‘but Madame, that means the house stays cool in the summer, why is this a problem?’ Hmm…
Copyright Jan Wayne Fields
Genre: Fiction
Word Count: 100
Setting The Scene
‘Darling, the Meissen table centre.’
Not again
‘We had to sell the Meissen.’
‘Who?’
‘Mother, we had to sell it all.’
‘Sell what? Oh poor darling, put out the Lalique the one with fairies.’
How many times will we have to do this?
‘That’s gone too. James has been ‘investing’ your money, hardly anything left.’
If I could get my hands on the bastard
She stares at me, narrowing her eyes.
‘My dinner table must look beautiful.’
We wait for imaginary dinner guests. When she sleeps, I put away the remnants of her golden days, praying she will soon forget them.
and read more stories, you know you want to…
Thanks to Rochelle for overseeing production and to Jan Wayne Fields for setting the scene. (See what I’ve done there, of course you do)
40again's Blog 
A sad story really well told.
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Thank you Claire 🙂
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How sad, Dee, and all to real. I have to admit I didn’t even notice the view from the window. 🙂
janet
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Too real. My fingers are flying faster than the keys today.
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I think this kind of situation happens in many families, the urge to care for an ageing loved one in their own home, without professional help, creates huge stresses and strains. Worryingly nowadays professional care
Is stretched to the limit with the growing ageing population.
Thanks forreading Janet 🙂
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I’m so incredibly sad for this mother. Well done!
Chris
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Thank you 🙂
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Very sad for both the mother and the son. Well, maybe not for the mother because she doesn’t know. A sad tale for the son. Excellent!
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Its mother and daughter, interesting tbat you thoughy it was mother and son, perhaps it was the language – that may have been a better story. The son ‘James’ was responsible for tbe lack of money.
Thank you for reading and for your comments.
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I just went back and reread and I probably assumed it was a male because of the picture of the man standing at the window. Thanks for letting me know! 🙂
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So very sad. I hope indeed she does forget those golden days, for her own sake. Nicely done.
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I hope so too, thanks Sandra.
PS- nothing in tbe Feb issue, Dee
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Have you got yours then? The last one I received was January. Thanks for looking anyway.
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The latest one I have has Martina Cole on the front cover and is dated February. Is this tbe same as yours? Sorry if I’ve misled you.
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Yes I’ve got that one. I suppose it will be the March issue then, which comes out in February. Perhaps you could check then if it’s not too much trouble.
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No trouble at all, looking forward to reading your story 😊
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Yes sad. Makes me think she’s living on memories and lack of memories at the same time. You set the scene well in this piece.
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Thank you so much. Must be so upsetting to care for a loved one who isnt sure where or who they are.
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This illustrates dementia even without noting your blog tag. Well done.
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Thank you pleased you liked it.
Dee
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Ohh, that is so sad! My heart went out to the mother. Actually, it is the entire family that suffers, isn’t it?
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Yes, you are right it is. Though one family member usually ends up shouldering most of the responsibility.
Thank you for reading
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Dear Dee,
The end of life is often a sad affair for all concerned. You have painted this scene with deft brushstrokes and an eye for beauty amidst the madness.
Aloha,
Doug
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Dear Doug
‘Beauty amidst the madness’ … I like that very much.
There are often flashes of humour too in situations like this, when you can ‘see’ the person they once were.
Sad affair indeed.
Thank you for reading Doug your comments are very much appreciated.
Take care
Dee
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Story filled whit sadness and frustration, well done.
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Thank you, you got it in one sentence😄
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How sad. Nicely written.
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Thank you 🙂
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Have you met my family? This one struck very close to home.
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Thanks for reading, it struck a chord with quite a few people, sadly lots of families have to deal with this.
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I like how you’ve shown the struggle this daughter is going through to care for her mother, and the phrase ‘her golden days’ is very nice. I wrote about a James and a mother too, and I couldn’t help imagining that my character could very well develop into the James in your story.
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Thank you for your kind comment. Must read your story, sounds interesting…
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Dear Dee,
My sister-in-law tried desperately to keep my MIL at home until it became obvious she wasn’t equipped. Mom is not the person we knew. It’s hard to see.
You set this scene and cast the characters with a balance of poignancy and humor. Brava!
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle
Sadly many families are affected and try their hardest to do the best they can in very difficult circumstances.
So sorry to hear about your MIL, it must be very difficult for thr family.
Takr care
Dee
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Two very different kind of suffering here, and you’ve depicted both very well. I’ve been through this scenario in real life, caring for a relative in such a condition. And, yes, there is sometimes humor as well, and that can help immensely.
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Humour always peeps through, even in the most trying of times. Thank you for reading Sandra, good to hear from you.
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I love your header photo.
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Thank you 🙂
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So said and real. It is all too difficult for a child to deal with, the randomness of what a parents remembers and what is forgotten. Touchingly done.
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Thank you. It is a sad situation played out in too many homes. Thanks for reading.
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The title of this says it all. Setting the Scene, hoping it works and doesn’t confuse. Well told.
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Thank you 🙂
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Well written story, Dee. I wonder what James was “investing” in–drugs, alcohol, gambling?? My dad suffered from dementia. He would often insist that Mom set extra plates for imaginary dinner guests. Your story hit home.
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Thank you Russell.
James had supposef to have been investibg his mother’s money, but had been gambling instead I think.
Sorry to hear your dad suffered in this way, its hard for the rest of the family too.
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Dear Dee, Such a sad tale that so many people have to live with every day. Well told! And I love the comment about your house in France and the priceless comment! Nan
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Thank you Nan. I often wonder if the owner of the house in France ever mentioned the proximity of the neighbour’s house 🙂
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How sad, Dee, that the daughter is left to care for her mother and the son is taking advantage and making matters worse. This is a bit of reality. Well done. — Suzanne
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Thank you Suzanne 🙂
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I can see this happening day after day after day. Well done.
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Thank you Kathy, lovely to hear from you
Dee
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