PHOTO PROMPT © Rochelle Wisoff-Fields
That’s all that’s left. Pitiful for a life of so many years. His final weeks had been humiliating, degrading, miserable. She wished she could have changed that.
‘But you could have,’ an accusing voice whispered. Guilt burned her soul. ‘Would it have been so difficult to visit more often? He was always so thrilled to see you; his withered face brightened at the prospect of a couple of hours’ company. Weary, when you left, but rejuvenated, contented. Selflessly, he never expected anything from you. He accepted his lot without complaint. Too late to change anything now.
I’m so sorry, Dad.
Word Count: 100
Written for Friday Fictioneers – a 100 words story based on a photo prompt. Hosted by Rochelle. Read the other entries here.
Clare Hempstead 
Oh, that’s so sad. But maybe a lesson to all of us to cherish those we love. Well written story.
Susan A Eames at
Travel, Fiction and Photos
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Thanks Susan.
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Beautifully done. Sadly we put off what we shouldn’t…
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Thanks Dale. Very true and when it’s too late, there’s nothing you can do no matter how hard you wish it.
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For sure. I’m still kicking myself for not getting my grandmother’s and my father’s stories down.
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Fortunately, I got mum and dad talking about their lives a few years ago and wrote it down. Some of it is fascinating – My Dad’s Great Great (possibly one more Great!) Grandfather was once arrested on suspicion of being Jack the Ripper! He was a butcher on Whitechapel Road, London and was walking home with a bloodied apron!
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Very sad and very true, Clare
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Thanks very much, Neil.
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A tender story and reflective of the hectic lifestyles we are encouraged to lead these days.
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Thanks Iain and the distance we live from our loved ones.
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That brought tears to my eyes, having gone through something similar with my dad before he passed away suddenly two years ago.
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Sorry, it affected you this way. My dad passed in August 2017. I live over a hundred miles away, but now I feel that was a pathetic excuse not to have gone more often. I’m not making the same mistake with my mum – it’s knackering, but she needs support.
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The sad thing about regret, is that it always comes when we’re too late to change things. Beautiful story.
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Thanks for such a lovely comment and you’re right, it comes too late to alter things.
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Very sad. How many have heard those words in their minds after the death of an elderly relative?
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Thanks Draliman. Probably too many!
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A poignant piece and a reminder we should all heed.
Click to read my FriFic!
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Thanks Keith.
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A thoughtful and thought-provoking little piece.
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Thanks Penny – much appreciated.
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Penny said it better than I can.
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Thanks Michael.
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Oh no! I hope she is able to forgive herself, gradually.
A poignant and true to life story, Clare.
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Thank you Moon.
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A sensitive, thoughtful take on the prompt. I wonder how many of us can look back with a completely clear conscience. Well done.
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Thanks Sandra.
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Dear Claire,
Such a poignant piece. True to life…how easy it is to put off those visits. Well written.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks Rochelle. Life is lived too fast sometimes.
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Oh my….that hurt my heart 😦
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Thanks for your comment – sorry to have caused pain!
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she did her best under the circumstances. her dad would understand.
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Thanks Plaridel.
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It is a convicting story Clare. Forgiveness is an important element of life. Thanks for the reality check.
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Thanks for reading and commenting.
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How heartbreaking. It serves as a reminder to cherish our loved ones while we still can.
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