I stood looking out over the river, “It’s been a good, long life with no regrets.”
I hated to leave my little piece of heaven. The stairs were too much though. My 115-year-old body and mind were tired. It might be nice to have daily help and company, and my granddaughter adored this place. I was content to leave it in her capable hands just as my grandmother had done for me. Generations of our kind had lived here. We thrived from this river, the source of our powers.
But my granddaughter was ready to lead, and I retire.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
The passing on on life’s responsibilities… even at this ripe old age. Loved it!
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Thank you so much.
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This was just simply a beautiful story! 🙂 thank you!
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Awe-thank you so much for your comment.
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Wonder what living by the river has done for that family. 115 years old! I’d settle for 105.
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Agree! 100 will even be fine with me.
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It’s all about the cycle of life and passing things on to new generations… and maybe a little something in the water. 😉
Great story.
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Exactly! Thank you:)
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There must definitely be powers associated to that river… can I be her great-great granddaughter? Lovely story and yes, unanswered questions is always the way to go…
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Yes, you can be the great-great granddaughter for sure! 🙂 I think the river is selective on who it gives its blessings too. Only those with a pure heart. Oh, yes, there are so many ways I could continue on with this story line considering all the questions!
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Which is fabulous!
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I agree-bad people would only abuse the gifts. Bad people suck.
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There are so many layers and a subtle magic weaving through them. Great story, and what a life: 115 years and no regrets, that’s remarkable.
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Yeah, I really can’t imagine no regrets with that many years. I am not even at half of that and I have a few here or there. Thanks:)
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Nice story; makes me wonder about their ‘powers.’ Some sort of river god? Interesting.
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Yes, there is so much more I could say on this story:)
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Isn’t that always the way:)
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Oh, and thank you for your comment. I appreciate the feedback!
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Interesting character you created here.
And I like that you leave so many unanswered questions.
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Thank you. Unanswered questions do leave people wondering. Make me want to write more though…
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I have to admit I was waiting for a twist. 115 years old? But even without a twist, I was not disappointed. A nice, somehow soothing, emotional piece of writing.
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Thank you. A twist was indeed the idea…but I couldn’t smash it into the 100 words. Sequel!!
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Her longevity and your talk of power make me wonder if she is more than human.
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I wasn’t completely sure which way I preferred. But, I was going with a mix: a human who was nurtured to live longer because of her closeness to the river and respect for it. Like a wise old healer in ancient times that lives from the earth. Indeed, there are lots of questions here that could take me into a longer version of this story!
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The question is can she go on living without the river, or does her power have to go back into the river to feed her great-grand daughter?
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ooooohhhh. Good question. I was thinking at first, that the river provided her some boost in extra life and longevity. I was reading a book by Phillipa Gregory a while back that spoke of woman that descended from the myth/legend Melusina, a water goddess. When they would get near the water they could hear things and sense more. However, it is not immortality. Well, at least not in my story. She will have to pass as is the natural order of things. But in the river…may be the best way. I am loving all this feedback for such a little story.
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I love the extension to the next generation! How she looks out and is content with leaving it to her granddaughter. It makes me wonder about her daughter, or did she have a son and it only go to the next female generation? So many inquiries, but also so much depth! Great job!
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Great questions! I was just commenting that I may have to make this a bigger story….and you have throw out some ideas for me to work with.
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Wow! 115! They should bottle that river water and sell it 🙂
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I know! Maybe I should elaborate the story later. It may be a secret or only effects this family. Otherwise, evil doers would have drained it all to make money off of it, and eventually ruined it. Isn’t that were we get the phrase…’this is why we can’t have nice things’ comes from I guess.
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I need to relocate there…I am already losing my sharpness…and everything else. 🙂 Enjoyed your story, Michelle!
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You and me both! Let’s pack it up and live by the river of youth.
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I am already packed! 😀
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lol-Let’s go:)
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I really enjoyed reading this.
A magical tale.
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Why thank you:)
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XD
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A well lived life and an enduring legacy… hmmm, I feel magic in the river!
I enjoyed your tale, thank you.
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Thank you:) How sweet of you to comment!
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Very old and everyone’s time comes but she has the satisfaction that family tradition is being maintained. that’s the way it was always supposed to be for her.
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Yes, that is a good long time indeed. And to have no regrets! Now I wish I had a magic river to feed my soul and body. 🙂
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Wonderful tale… and a great idea to skip a generation every… 115 is a lot of year, I hope her granddaughter can be as able.
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115 is a lot of years! I’d live next to that river if it slowed my aging too. Thanks for the comment:)
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At 115, her grand-daughter is probably no spring chicken either. Nicely done.
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Good point. Perhaps great granddaughter would have been better? Thanks:)
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Dear Michelle,
At 115 and a sharp mind, I’m guessing she’s not the average human. Nicely done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A bit above the average indeed! Thank you. shalom to you as well.
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115, I’d be ready to retire too!
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I know right? I figured I needed to make her very old to show how the river helped her live so long.
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