PHOTO PROMPT © Rochelle Wisoff-Fields
Memory Treasure
‘Mother, let’s clear out this junk.’
‘It’s not junk! Look, there is the mantle clock I bought in 1983, you were only seven then, that’s probably worth a lot of money now! And that tatty blanket was Sam’s favourite. Remember the chaos it caused when we lost in the town centre that day? There would have been many sleepless nights if it wasn’t for that kind-hearted lady who found it. And those slippers are all I have left of Buster, he only peed on them a few times. One man’s junk is another man’s treasure, my mother always said.’
***
This piece was written for the Friday Fictioneers hosted by the lovely Rochelle Wisoff-Fields – Addicted to Purple.
Each week a photo prompt is given and the challenge is write a flash fiction piece of no more than one hundred words.
Find other Friday Fictioneer stories here.
We should empty our closets and keep the memories in our minds and hearts.
“He only peed on them a few times” Ha Ha! x
Ha! Glad you liked it Anna x
A lovely snippet about the treasure we all accumulate over our lives. Nicely done.
Thank you.
Thanks for opening your closet
This is the second story based on the prompt that references 1983. Is there something in the photo I missed (having written a time travel story, the year might be important)?
True story. After my Dad died, my brother and I had to go through all of the stuff he’d kept stored for years and years. I found the old, metal oscillating fan I remembered from my childhood. Turns out when I was born (in July), Mom’s hospital room was hot. Maybe back then they didn’t have central air. Dad bought that fan for Mom’s room. That was over sixty years ago.
It didn’t work but he still hung onto it. Of course, he hung on to everything else, too.
Sounds like my dad. He hung on to everything, we’d find broken kettles and the like in the cupboard under the staits. Ha.
I don’t know why 1983. I just plucked it out the air. Maybe it’s some kind of cosmic sign.
Thanks. Thought I might have missed a calendar or newspaper or something similar in the closet.
I like the way you bring these memories to life. Nicely done, Jenny!
Thank you!
Hoarders have their own justification. You just can’t argue with them.
Very true.
One man’s junk indeed…
This made me smile. Don’t we all have things that no one else would recognise as special?
Susan A Eames at
Travel, Fiction and Photos
I think we most definitely do. Glad you liked it.
I think I know this story…. my mother hoarded… and then she got dementia and forgot why she kept the things… still she hoarded.
Hoarding is a strange affliction/need. My dad was like that too.
Brilliant last line.
A lovely read and thanks for the giggles too.
Thank you!
One man’s junk – another man’s past. Good one.
Thanks Sandra.
Memories or not, I’m not sure I’d keep those slippers! Nice one.
Click to read my FriFic!
Ha. Thanks Keith.
Quite right too Mum – tell your son to keep his hands off your memories.
Agreed, Liz. I’ll never forget my mom saying, “You’re throwing my life away!” when my sister was trying to help her declutter.
My mom wasn’t one to old onto things, but grudges, well, that is for another prompt. I have learned a bit though about letting go of things. I still have a long way to go though to be minimal or a non-clinging junk gatherer.
Good for you Susie. It can be hard letting things go.