Turning the Page: 5 Minute Freewrite, Prompt: Solitude
The solitude was quiet. No, it was deafening. After so many years with so many children underfoot and the incessant, constant noise… good noise, bad noise, happy noises, singing, dancing, running, fighting, chaos, siblings TV shows, music… all noise that was now silent.
There had been moments of quiet, of solitude over the years, thanks to her wonderful husband who seemed to know just when she was at the breaking point and totally overwhelmed. He would take all the kids and load them up for a trip to the zoo or the movies. Just somewhere to get them out of the house for an hour or two.
Now she walked through the house in silence. Her feet barely making a whisper on the carpet as she walked through the house, looking for things that needed to be done. Smiling at the kids rooms, still partially put together, some taken partway down as the kids moved on and took their favorite things, moved a bed into their dorm room or new apartment. Took their crazy painted dresser from childhood, because in this family, who ever really grew up? She smiled at the crayon scribbles on her youngest son’s wall. It had been hidden by his bunk bed for years. Who knew what he had been trying to draw there?
It didn’t matter now. It would be covered with paint when the new owners took over. Their days of needing a huge 5 bedroom house were over. It was just her and her husband now.
She shut the doors as she went. The kids would be by this weekend to pick up their things. She knew there was going to be a weekend full of reminiscing, laughter and tears all mingled together to make for one bittersweet weekend.
She finally came to their room, half packed up, boxes stacked in the corner. Time to move on.
Her body filled with a low hum, a vibration of excitement. It was time for the next chapter… and she couldn’t wait to turn the page and see what the future held.
Prompt: solitude
Set your timer for 5 minutes
Start writing
Use the hashtag #freewrite
Publish your piece
Animated Banner Created By @zord189
art and flair courtesy of @PegasusPhysics
solitude.
no solitude.
no solitude fear.
no fear.
Nice.
I like it!
Thanks for commenting,
@byn
Well done piece. Life is complicated. I think hardly anything comes with only one emotion. You caught that very nicely. :-))
Thank you. As a mom to five kids (most of whom have grown and moved out) I tried to put a more hopeful spin on the "empty nest" than I generally see in other places. It's hard to capture so much... time and emotion in five minutes!
I appreciate your comment!
@byn
beautiful story and I loved the ending.
It's wonderful to see you writing again but don't overdue!! just get well summer is on its way. soon!
Thank you. I managed to sit up on the couch for a large part of the day yesterday AND today! Progress!
But yes, I'm taking it easy. I promise!
Beautifully written piece. Sweet memories of the past made sweeter by the wonder of what the future might hold.
It's your friendly free write encourager here with today's prompt:https://steemit.com/freewrite/@mariannewest/day-132-5-minute-freewrite-wednesday-prompt-gardening
Thank you for the lovely comment!
This actually brought tears to my eyes @byn. The details are all so vividly sketched.
Feel better soon :)
Thank you so much. I appreciate such awesome support! <3