In Her Memory

In Her Memory      ( Sami Khalil )

She gave his heart a pulse!

Before she knew her little dreams, he had grand ones for her.

As the grandfather endured abysmal nights by his granddaughter’s bed, she lay dying from a severe strain of the Flu. He lamented her death eventually in unison with his daughter’s memory that passed away too from domestic abuse, and where his son-in-law, the faceless coward, is serving life sentence in jail.

Those small hands were cold and shaky, holding his, before exiting the traffic of death, in redolent vigor. Grief held his words hostage in his throat, with befuddled drowners of sleepless nights. He stayed in the doldrums a while, until the decision to honor her remembrance, and get those hope engines thrumming again.

He took up woodworking classes at Shelton State Community College and, upon graduation, set out to buy some fancy tools from a ‘Big Box’ store named Lowes, to pursue his dream of compassion.

He hung his negative past behind, just as the new tools were hung in the space of her absence. Her voice echoed with them, as he fashioned marvelous ‘Doll Houses’ to bestow on needy families’ young girls every Christmas. Love should be the devotion that defines our heart, and the happy consolation that imprints our hands in giving, he thought to himself.

Every smile they brought to a child’s face, lit up a bonfire celebration in his mind. He stamped every one of them with her name and the date of her death. After Christmas, he noticed a beautiful cedar tree, with blue buds, sprung out of nowhere, upon his garden loam with gales lacing soft laughter.

He gazed at it in awe while taking it as a sign from above.

He named it the ‘Angel Tree’!       

              

Reviews

[Jennie Baron]

Charming story, heartwarming and full of hope in the face of death! It's uplifting to have read this.

[Sami Khalil]

If a poem does what is intended to be, then the fruit of joy is earned by the writer. The message is loud and clear and very empowering to those people who are in agony or despair. May God bless you.

[Jennie Baron]

And you also!

[Sami Khalil]

:)................

[Moonie]

You've created magic with only a few words. Love the beautiful end! I agree with the message you've tried to deliver, we must learn to express our sadness in a fruitful way. Very emotive write, with a positive end.

[Sami Khalil]

Wow!
"we must learn to express our sadness in a fruitful way"
You are indeed wise. Thank you so much for all. Glad you like the poem and message.

[That1Nerd23]

Oh my gosh! I love this! This is such a good, creative, heart-felt write! I so happy I was able to experience these words and the raw emotion behind them. You are very gifted with story expression and emotion. Keep it up!

[Sami Khalil]

Wow! Thank you so much dear poet for this awesome review and liking. All rich blessings.

[That1Nerd23]

You're welcome!

[Sami Khalil]

:).....................

[wordman]

this is a beautiful story sami,you brought it back to life,
the tree is magnificent,,hell i just spent ten days in the hospital with the flu

[Sami Khalil]

Wow! It is bad this year. I'm so glad you are doing ok. We missed you on the cafe. If I knew , I would have come from here to visit you. Thank you for all. Herb tea, local honey, vitamin C and B12's

[wordman]

got it all,thanks,it got bad for a while,it could have went either way

[‘Thoughts In Time..]

Beautiful and I agree love should be the common denominator for everything-love the angel tree if only we could be like the tree - never fighting just accepting🌹

[Sami Khalil]

Wow! So true and well articulated. Thank you so much dear poet for this lovely review and kindness. Be blessed.

[‘Thoughts In Time’🌹]

Blessed is He that believes without seeing🌹

[Sami Khalil]

All true and right on...

[andrew mitchell]

A somewhat sad write with a positive ending, very creative and a pleasure to read Sami.

[Sami Khalil]

Thank you so much sir Andrew for this splendid review and kind visit. So glad you like it.

[Coyote Poetry]

A wonderful story shared. Artwork and story. I enjoyed this one my friend. Thank you Sami for sharing the outstanding story.
Coyote

[Sami Khalil]

Thank you too for taking the time and thank you for your kindness. Glad you like it.

[Coyote Poetry]

I did. We create memories and story. Keep people and places alive. You are welcome Sami.

[Sami Khalil]

:)..................

[barleygirl]

You've chosen stunning artwork to adorn your story. I love this line: "Grief held his words hostage in his throat" . . . a powerful story, told with so much intensity, sharing many poignant details that help us understand where the narrator is coming from, and where he is going, all this packed into such a short read, it's very amazing how you do that! An uplifting inspiration for anyone who needs to find some endeavor to pour his/her pain into, a way to transform grief into contentment (((HUGS))) fondly, Margie

[Sami Khalil]

"anyone who needs to find some endeavor to pour his/her pain into, a way to transform grief into contentment"
Wow! What a great message and way to lift people up from grief and do something positive to others. Thank you so much Barleygirl for all...

[.]

A very poignant short story, Sami.

When we lose someone to passing we find that we are prepared to do anything to keep the memory of the departed alive. The grief of loss is a tragedy in itself but it also pales into comparison with the thought of losing the memories of the departed as well. So we hang a picture. Paint a mural. Write a poem. Make a film. And immortalise their memory forever, so we will never, ever forget. And as is the case in your story, if our loss and grief can bring a smile and happiness to another while also maintaining the memory of the departed, then we have succeeded beyond expectations.

This is a very heartfelt write. Lovingly written in your unique style of fine languaged writing. As always, wonderful work, my friend.

[Sami Khalil]

Wow! I'm blown away by your poetic words and truth. You say things in a great perspective and wisdom. OMG! I love it. Thank you so much.
Note: Waiting on your new posts to visit and enjoy.

[Sami Khalil]

"The grief of loss is a tragedy in itself but it also pales into comparison with the thought of losing the memories of the departed as well"

[.]

It could be awhile for my next write. Looking into another poetic style to try out. I am sure it will come someday!

[Sami Khalil]

Just try. You will like it. LIke myself, I like variety and not stick with one thing. See you soon...

[Lydia Shutter]

Such a heartbreaking and heartwarming story, Sami. Filled with strong emotions and proving we can overcome anything if we have the right attitude in life. This one touched me and, as always, the artwork is so beautiful. Lydi**

[Sami Khalil]

Wow! So true and well articulated. You are right on message. So glad it touched you and so happy you for the visit. Blessings of Yahweh...