To join in, check this out:
http://jfb57.wordpress.com/2014/09/01/100-word-challenge-for-grown-ups-week146/
This week’s prompt: …with your going comes the past…
ALWAYS
Busy hands, but racing heart—nothing helped—washing; ironing; packing. Tears leaked and memories replayed.
‘When I grow up, I’m gonna marry you.’ The scrawny blonde boy with bruised knees and scabbed elbows; dirty nails and muddied shoes—perfect. My heart twists still.
“Let’s go, Ma. We’re ready to roll.”
I grab the snacks and wink. “What’s the rush? You heading somewhere special—college maybe?” With your going comes the past, but though soon you’ll be a man, you’re still my precious boy.
“Hey. Put me down!”
“Swing your partner, dosie-doe.”
“Enough.”
“I’ll be home for Christmas.”
Not Thanksgiving?
“I’ll be fine. Don’t worry.”
“Never.” Always.
How the Cookie Crumbles 
September 2, 2014 at 6:15 pm
Touching! You captured it.
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September 3, 2014 at 6:10 pm
😀 Thank YOU. It’s the mother’s heart (my granny self still remembers) 🙂
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September 4, 2014 at 7:09 am
It’s something we don’t forget!
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September 4, 2014 at 10:24 am
❤ ❤ ❤
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September 2, 2014 at 6:28 pm
As many are going through this right now, it is perfect. A great piece of writing in a few words.
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September 3, 2014 at 6:11 pm
Thank you, Darlene, for your lovely words. ❤
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September 2, 2014 at 6:29 pm
I think you captured many parents emotions a t this time of year when so many are off to school, off to college and now sending their own off to school. wonderfully written as always Tess.
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September 3, 2014 at 6:12 pm
Thank you. Thank you. I’m glad it’s not me (again) sending my daughter out there. Been there, done that.
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September 2, 2014 at 8:09 pm
Oh those tender moments in life. Very, very good.
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September 3, 2014 at 6:15 pm
Rebecca. You are most kind. I’m glad I’m done with all that…although my granddaughters are growing up… Sigh.
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September 2, 2014 at 8:12 pm
I’ll be facing this in another year. I think you captured it perfectly. Sniff.
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September 3, 2014 at 5:52 pm
Thank you, Carrie. I keep reading about all these young adults going away to college and university. I feel for the moms. Sniff. I’m glad it’s not me anymore.
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September 3, 2014 at 6:16 pm
I remember the past and now’s the time for so many mothers (and fathers), almost makes ME blue too.
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September 2, 2014 at 8:41 pm
I can so relate to this. “If you love something, set it free…… ”
But how hard it is to deal with the emotions that come with this expression of love.
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September 3, 2014 at 5:53 pm
I remember when I sent my daughter out into the world, then I turned into my mother. Could figure out what HER problem was back then but learned later. 🙂
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September 4, 2014 at 4:47 am
Ah, the ‘revenge’ of the generations 🙂 Iwas the same 😆 My poor Mom!
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September 4, 2014 at 10:22 am
~(~_*)~~ ❤
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September 3, 2014 at 6:17 pm
Yes, it’s so hard, but a mother is like a lioness. Talk about true grit. 🙂 ❤
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September 2, 2014 at 8:46 pm
A poignant story played out over and over. The “never” part is sooo real.
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September 3, 2014 at 5:56 pm
Thank you for reading and commenting. So many families are sending their kids away to school. Sniff. I had my turn LONG time ago. My daughter is now married with two girls.
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September 2, 2014 at 9:34 pm
Really great and intense start that sustained all the way through. Great job!
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September 3, 2014 at 5:57 pm
Thanks so much, Paulette. It’s an emotional time for lots of parents right now. ❤
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September 2, 2014 at 10:18 pm
My online writing blog is thinking of doing this. I feel like an old hand at it, after seeing you participate–and doing so myself at least once!
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September 3, 2014 at 6:00 pm
Great idea! I believe we need more participants. Join the party. ❤ ❤ ❤
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September 3, 2014 at 2:12 am
It still brings tears to my eyes when I remember my kids leaving! Very poignant Tess, thanks.
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September 3, 2014 at 6:19 pm
Me too. Sigh. Thank you, Gilly. Such is a mother’s heart. ❤
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September 3, 2014 at 5:16 am
Mine are grown. There’s a bittersweetness to it. My son has had a bit of trouble adjusting, some psych issues. I hope one day he will be able to overcome, but I love him regardless.
Thank you for visiting The Diary of Debauchery.
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September 3, 2014 at 6:24 pm
Sorry to hear that. Most kids can’t wait to get away from under your roof / thumb. 🙂
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September 3, 2014 at 5:41 am
Aw Tess…… that sure captured a moment of parental bliss/fear/love/sadness/joy. You are the emperor of the 100 word story.
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September 3, 2014 at 6:26 pm
Ah, Colleen. Sweet of you to say. Thank you.
I just thought of all the households who have had kids and parent busy since the weekend, loading up the car. I’m surprised a picked a boy, since I had a daughter.
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September 4, 2014 at 6:02 am
🙂 That is interesting….. Ah well…. boy or girl. We love them the same as “parent”. 🙂
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September 4, 2014 at 10:22 am
*nods* ❤ ❤
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September 3, 2014 at 8:17 am
Heart-wrenching. Wonderful dialogue. Beautifully told story of a mother’s bravery at letting her child go with love, joy and pride yet holding in the deep pain and sorrow of doing just that. Hoping already for a soon homecoming. I’ll be with my boys this weekend down in Brighton for an early birthday get together and when we leave I’ll be saying “So when are you next coming home?” It never goes away does it…? ❤ ❤ ❤
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September 3, 2014 at 8:46 am
Ya know, Tess, it almost reads like a poem. Very well done.
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September 3, 2014 at 6:27 pm
Thank you, Glynis. You are way kind. A poem. Hmm. We don’t usually cross paths but maybe one day down the road I might learn something new. ❤ ❤
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September 3, 2014 at 5:38 pm
You rock at these short writing challenges Tess. Nice work! 🙂
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September 3, 2014 at 6:34 pm
Hi, Geraldine. Nice to see you. Thank you so much. ❤
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September 3, 2014 at 11:04 pm
Is is always never or never always?
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September 4, 2014 at 10:17 am
She says never (and lies), because she thinks always. ❤
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September 4, 2014 at 2:31 am
Great writing as always, Tess ❤
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September 4, 2014 at 10:19 am
Thanks ever so much, Hope. ❤ ❤ ❤
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September 4, 2014 at 3:00 am
A moment in time beautifully caught. xx
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September 4, 2014 at 10:19 am
Thank you, Willow. A moment not easily forgotten by a mother’s heart. ❤
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September 4, 2014 at 2:44 pm
You put it so beautifully!!
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September 4, 2014 at 3:07 pm
Thank YOU, Willow. ❤ ❤ ❤
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September 4, 2014 at 3:10 pm
My pleasure! ❤ ❤ ❤
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September 4, 2014 at 6:04 am
You took me back to when my eldest daughter left home, I stood in the laundry with her just washed clothes in a basket and I held them to my face, saying I won’t be running a wash with her stuff again 😦 Kids leaving for school, college, or home..all teary moments. Sorry so long replying, you are the 100 worder expert 🙂 x
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September 4, 2014 at 10:24 am
No, Jen, no expert but I thank you for your kind words. It’s a mother’s heart I wear on my sleeve. ❤ ❤ ❤
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September 4, 2014 at 6:36 pm
That’s why we get along so well ❤ x
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September 5, 2014 at 10:55 am
❤ ~(~_*)~~
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September 4, 2014 at 6:09 pm
Things I remember…. how gently you crushed my heart…
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September 5, 2014 at 10:54 am
~(~_*)~~ ❤
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September 5, 2014 at 11:33 am
Dropping by to see how your morning is going (✿◠‿◠)
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September 5, 2014 at 8:17 pm
I’m lovely. And you? That’s a cute icon. 😮
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September 5, 2014 at 9:45 pm
Great, I am doing good. Thank you, I just shared alot of the faces on blog, snag what ya want 🙂
http://glowacademy2015.wordpress.com/2014/09/05/faces-for-blogs-and-facebook/
I am trying to move my blog to blogger LOL.
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September 7, 2014 at 4:34 pm
Don’t you like WordPress? I’m not technical and don’t know anything about Blogger…. 😮
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September 7, 2014 at 6:20 pm
I like wordpress better, though blogger is funner to make templates for LOL
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September 8, 2014 at 2:26 pm
Why make work?
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September 5, 2014 at 4:58 pm
It’s hard to set your children free into this world, knowing what we know. However, we want them to have the best experiences possible. It’s a tough balance and you’ve done an exquisite job of wrapping it up and presenting it to us as a gift. Thank you.
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September 5, 2014 at 8:39 pm
God love you, Sheri. When I write a good piece, I don’t do it alone. Without HIS help, it wouldn’t be possible. Thank YOU dear heart. ❤
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September 6, 2014 at 6:40 am
Great take on the prompt. Mine hasn’t left home yet but your 100 wc sets the scene perfectly 🙂
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September 7, 2014 at 4:43 pm
Thank you, WW. I remember the time my daughter left home. I was in a daze and loopy for weeks. ❤
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September 6, 2014 at 11:05 pm
Your witty writing style can take us through the ages; with a minimal amount of words, life passes. 😉
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September 7, 2014 at 5:05 pm
Thank you for your witty comments. You make me smile, Debby. You’re a generous soul. ❤
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September 8, 2014 at 12:02 pm
Thanks for your warm and fuzzy comments my friend. 🙂 ❤
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September 8, 2014 at 2:43 pm
❤ ❤ ❤
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September 7, 2014 at 7:00 pm
Awww, whether the first day of kindergarten or off to University it is the sending them off. You captured that feeling just perfectly. ❤
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September 8, 2014 at 2:28 pm
Thank you, Val. My two little granddaughters got me going and I also remembered when my daughter left home.
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September 8, 2014 at 8:46 pm
Love it. Brief and poignant; thank you for liking my post on letters. I can identify with much of yours- 65ish, single now, loving writing and totally committed to it… and yes, I plan to live as fully as, until…shall enjoy reading your blog.
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September 9, 2014 at 2:01 pm
That’s how I see life as well. Feed your passion(s) and live as fully as you want to.
Thanks so MUCH for visiting and reading my blog. ❤
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September 27, 2014 at 12:17 am
What a great piece, Tess! Seriously, you captured a mother entering a new phase in her life: trying to let go of the boy, knowing that he is on his way to independence and manhood. There is so much to life about this story – the boy picking up his mother and twirling her about (rather like the about-turn of life as we go through various stages), the boy promising to be home for Christmas (not Thanksgiving? – what a nice touch), the nostalgia. Really, a super job!
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September 27, 2014 at 11:27 am
Thank you, Kate, 10,000 times. Those were my feelings. I don’t know why it had to be a son. I never had one. Somehow the picking up of the mother almost broke my heart when my fingers typed the words. If it had been me in real life, I’d be awash in tears. ❤ ❤ ❤
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September 28, 2014 at 1:36 pm
Proves you have great empathy and imagination – which makes you such an effective writer. 🙂
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September 28, 2014 at 5:06 pm
Sigh. You are way too nice, but I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
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September 27, 2014 at 12:21 am
Reblogged this on Odyssey of a Novice Writer and commented:
Just one hundred words to tell a story, and what a job she’s done! Enjoy Tess’s poignant story. Note how well she underplays the emotion and how, in doing so, she pulls us in.
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