The day has come, I’m not quite sure I’m ready. I hear him moving on the wooden floor-boards above. He’s changing his clothes; dressing to play the part. A day, an hour, a moment longer, that’s all I need to say my goodbye; but then, is there ever enough time to lose the one you love? The back buzzer sounds, the last bit of my solitude drifts away. I open my eyes. Sunlight streams through the curtains, it illuminates the subtle cream tones of the room with sheer radiance. I hear him descend the steps, pass the guest area and head for the service entrance. My heart breaks one final time before the day intrudes.
As I hear them rustling in the hall, I close my eyes once more and draw deeply of the air. Roses. More roses are arriving, and orchids – they smell of coconut, and warm vanilla. As the florist brings them in, I can’t help but gush, it’s all so beautiful! A riot of colors and odors that mingle as he artfully spreads them throughout the room. Alstroemerias arrive next, they are beyond stunning – the huge cascades crafted in what she knows are my favorite shades. A surprise, a parting gift.
The final piece is carried in. It is exactly as we discussed, but more beautiful than I dared to hope. A magnificent spray of the darkest midnight-purple Calla Lillies masterfully arranged with nine strands of crystals representing her tears; one for each year we spent together. Each miniature flower a work of art, the entire arrangement a blanket of love to warm my coffin.
© Copyright 2014 Nina D’Arcangela. All Rights Reserved.
Welcome to my April AtoZ Blog Challenge post! I hope you enjoyed my ramble, and come back for more! Don’t forget to visit the other bloggers participating by clicking on the badge to the right, or simply using this link. :}
Nina D'Arcangela
Sotet Angyal 
April 14th, 2014 at 9:07 am
Such blooming colourful imagery to contrast the subject, nice.
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May 20th, 2014 at 3:03 pm
Thank you very much! :}
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April 14th, 2014 at 10:02 am
Hi Nina! Yet another post you’ve provided that will get my Monday rolling in the best of ways! I had a feeling where this might be heading, but it hardly mattered; you have a way of carrying the reader away, and in LAST it is no different. Heartbreaking and yet quietly provoking; your superb prose never misses its mark!
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May 20th, 2014 at 3:02 pm
Hi Joe! This one wasn’t meant to be a surprise ending, just a lovely observation of what a drifting soul might perceive after death while awaiting the goodbye of their loved ones. I prefer to see myself this way than as an angry or bitter soul regretting my passing, or being unaware of it. Thank you once again for your kind words, and for following my blog so devoutly! I am truly grateful. :}
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April 14th, 2014 at 11:51 am
Another engaging write…how well you convey the scene.
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May 20th, 2014 at 2:59 pm
Thank you again for your very generous comment! I think my strength lies more in the details than the overall story. At least that’s the way I perceive it. Thank you again for loyally following my posts! :}
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April 14th, 2014 at 12:51 pm
Yeah I got it from the beginning but really well done – and gorgeous flowers
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May 20th, 2014 at 2:57 pm
Yup, Sue – I would have gotten it from the beginning too… Thank you for the kind words! 🙂
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April 14th, 2014 at 1:33 pm
Oh God. How brilliantly sad.
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May 20th, 2014 at 2:55 pm
Sir Morose, thank you for reading my snippet! It is sad, but in a way, it’s also beautiful! (my apologies for the late replay, life is only now allowing me the time to do so) 🙂
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April 14th, 2014 at 5:41 pm
What a brilliant way to write about this, but oh so very sad!
TaMara
AJ’s AtoZ wHooligan
Tales of a Pee Dee Mama
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May 20th, 2014 at 2:52 pm
Hi TaMara! Thanks for dropping by my blog and reading, and for the kind words! It is sad in a way, in another, I find it uplifting to celebrate the inevitable with the one you love. 🙂
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April 14th, 2014 at 7:31 pm
Lovely.
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May 20th, 2014 at 2:50 pm
Thank you very much, David! My apologies for the late reply – I’m only getting the opportunity to address the comments now, and I apologize for that! 🙂
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April 19th, 2014 at 3:03 pm
Interesting juxtaposition of the haunting reality of death and the beauty of the flowers.
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May 20th, 2014 at 2:49 pm
There is beauty in everything, even in the loss of life – in this case, the beauty of two loved ones sharing the planning of the ones funerary arrangements. The final gift we can give to someone we love, beyond memories. 🙂
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