The following photo is the PHOTO PROMPT. Where does it take you? Tell me your story. 😉
NOTE: All are welcome to participate but please tell the story on your blog page not in my comment section.
Copyright – Dawn Q. Landau
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Word Count: 100
BY WAY OF JERICHO
“They say the minerals are curative.” My sister pointed to a picture of the Dead Sea. “Come with me.”
“You want salt?” I said. “I’ll buy you a box of Morton’s.”
“You know what I mean.”
“I’d rather visit Australia.”
“Be a pal. Think about it.”
___________
“I knew it wasn’t a cure,” my sister whispered from her hospice bed. “I just wanted to visit the Holy Land before I died.”
____________
The water’s buoyancy made it fun for us to swim but I’ll always prefer the Hebrew name Yam HaMelach, Sea of Salt, to Dead Sea.
I swim with her still.
.
.
.
“We have returned to the cisterns
To the market and to the market-place
A ram’s horn calls out on the Temple Mount
In the Old City.
And in the caves in the mountain
Thousands of suns shine –
We will once again descend to the Dead Sea
By way of Jericho! “
-from the song “Jerusalem of Gold.”
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields-Addicted to Purple 
How heart-wrenchingly sad – no-one can replace a sister. A great memory though.
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Dear Liz,
Pure fiction here. I have one sibling, a brother. I cherish him though.
Thank you.
shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle, Lovely, heartwarming story and song insert. I’ve read about the Dead Sea but never actually been there. Well written, thorough, and enjoyable as always. 🙂 —Susan
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Dear Susan,
The Dead Sea was fun to ‘swim’ in until I got a snootful of salt water.
Thank you for your comments and compliments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Love your story Rochelle and the picture is great! Salt Water isn’t any fun to swallow or go up your nose – but you can stay afloat a long, long time. I’m sure you are still swimming with her. I’m sorry. Nan.
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Dear Nan,
the salt water in Yam HaMalach goes above and beyond. I got a snoot-ful of it and it burned through the top of my skull. Aside from that the float was fun.
This really is a work of fiction. I’ve never had a sister although I have friends who are as close as sisters. The fact that it came across as truth is a high compliment.
Thank you.
shalom,
Rochelle
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Color me embarrassed, so silly of me to jump to conclusions. But, your story sure rang as the truth! I really enjoyed your story. We used to take the kids to beaches in Alabama every summer and we usually swallowed a large amount of salt water and you’re right – it burns all the way to the back of your head. Great story!
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Dear Nan,
Silly girl! Please don’t be embarrassed. You couldn’t have paid me a higher compliment.
I’ve been swimming in Florida, California and St. Thomas. The Oceans don’t begin to match the saline content of the Dead Sea. Take it from one who’s breathed in and swallowed salt water. 😉 The Dead Sea out-burns them all.
Thank you again, Nurse Nan.
shalom,
Rochelle
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I am glad this is fictional…Very sad and touching story.
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Thank you, Loré.
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I can so understand the point of having to return to a place like this.. and what a beautiful picture.. stunning actually. I might have to ponder that one for a while (and I’m glad it’s fiction too).
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Dear Björn,
Of course the picture isn’t actually in Israel. It’s just where the prompt took me. 😉 I look forward to seeing where it takes you.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
It is no wonder that some readers, drawn in to your story by your evocative words, feel the loss of your sister and seek to console you. It’s one of the signs that you’ve hit your mark. Think on this during those moments when you think you can’t float.
Aloha,
Doug
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Dear Doug,
It’s supportive words like yours that keep me afloat when I feel I’m sinking for the last time. Many mahalos my friend.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Really lovely story Rochelle, written with feeling and very convincingly. Well done.
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Dear Sandra,
I look forward to your affirming comments every week as much as I look forward to your stellar writing.
I’ve already received condolences on the loss of my sister. 😉 That in itself is a high compliment since I have one sibling and he’s definitely not a sister.
Thank you.
shalom,
Rochelle
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Beautifully written.
Poignant.
Just wonderful.
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Dear Elephant,
Such kind words. Thank you. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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That’s a moving journey, taking us from the comic to the sublime.
(You can have one of my sisters if you wish. No problem. I have two. But not my brother. I have only one.)
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Dear Patrick,
Thanks for your generous offer, but no thanks. I rather liked being the princess. 😉 And a brother I already have.
Glad you liked my story.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Nice story.
Who would not want to spend their last days not only being supported, held, and uplifted in a buoyant seasoned sea, but more so, one in a buoyant seasoned holy land.
I’m glad the healthy sister relented. As I’m sure whe was, too.
great pic, Rochelle.
Randy
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Dear Randy,
Yam HaMelach was fun and being in the land was amazing experience. Something I’ll never forget and hope to one day repeat.
Thank you.
shalom,
Rochelle
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Nice (though sad) take on the prompt! 🙂
I’m struggling with this one. I tried visiting the copyright link to get some background to the photo, but the link doesn’t seem to be working.
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Ah … there is an extra “http” in the broken link up there. Pasting http://talesfromthemotherland.me/ into my browser works fine
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Dear Zombie,
Thank you for kind comments and for catching my error. This isn’t the first time. I’ve repaired it.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Very moving story
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Thank you, Siobhán.
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Beautiful smile, lovely story.
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Thank you on both counts, Dawn. 😉
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So beautiful, Rochelle.
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Thank you, Lisa.
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Rochelle, you deftly caught a moment many of us have experienced even though not in this situation. Beautifully rendered.
janet
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Dear Janet,
It’s true, we all will experience loss of a loved one.
Thank you for your well-seasoned comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I liked your take on the prompt photo. The pic of the Sea of Salt was an added bonus.
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Dear Ted,
Your words are music to my eyes. Glad you liked both my story and my extra photo. Floating in Yam HaMelach was great fun.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Wow! I could have sworn you had a sister from this but the depth of the emotion captured here could be that for a sibling or merely a loved one. Very nice.
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Dear Amanda,
Although I’ve never had a sister I have lost two parents and several friends. It’s just one of the ‘benefits’ of longevity. As writers we draw from that deepening well of emotion, don’t we? I’m pleased it rang true for you.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Every immortal must face loss and grief…..oops i meant mortal 🙂
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very realistic. I just found out that Beth Olam, the name of a one.episode character from “The Odd Couple”, is Hebrew for house of heaven (paradise) . It’s always good to find out these foreign phrases.
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Dear Larry,
I, for one, am a logophile in more than one language, Hebrew being one of them. I realized my dream of Bat Mitzvah in 2001…many moons after my twelfth birthday. 😉
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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this was heartbreaking and beautiful. for a while i thought i was reading a light story.
it’s really amazing how everything changed on the third to the last line… i’m glad that your character decided to accompany her sister.
and a great photo of you too! thanks for sharing. 🙂
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Dear K.Z.
I heard a quote from Spike Lee on the subject of movie making. “First you make them laugh, then you make them cry.”
I think the sister would’ve had a life of regrets had she not gone. Glad you liked my photo.
Thank you.
shalom,
Rochelle
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There is such emotion in this story, so gently balanced, that I wondered like others whether this was a true story. I’m glad it wasn’t, but this is just more proof of your brilliance. You bring characters, both real and fictional, to life with your words. A rare skill even among great writers.
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Dear Jen,
Your glowing words warm me. All I can say in return is thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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This hit me on a few emotional levels. Fiction or not, well done and thanks for making me stop and think about issues that other people face.
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Dear Allan,
You’ve paid me the highest of compliments.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Beautiful, story, Rochelle. It’s amazing what we’ll do for our siblings.
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Dear Alicia,
I think they both knew the end was near.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Wonderful, Rochelle. Sometimes there’s no cure, but there is saying goodbye in way that will always be remembered. A touching tale.
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Dear Eric,
And that my friend, is my story in a nutshell. 😉 It was their way of saying farewell.
shalom,
Rochelle
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I enjoyed that, thanks Rochelle 🙂
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Thank you, Carol. 😀
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I love that this photo took you to Yam HaMelach! It is a place of such wonder and mystery! I loved it. Tender, poignant story, Rochelle. I am never disappointed when I visit Addicted to Purple. 😉
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Dear Dawn,
Sometimes the muse takes me in unexpected directions. This story seemed to just download in a matter of minutes. Must be the influence of a great photo. 😉
Mi púpura es tu púpura. Always happy to see you here.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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she got her wish. what a gift from a sister to her sister.
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Dear Plaridel,
It was a gift the surviving sister will always remember. It was a gift, not only to her dying sister, but to herself as well.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I liked your story, poignant. Touching.
This is my 100 words relating to the photo prompt: http://uncertaintales.wordpress.com/2014/09/18/always-slaves/
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Dear Wildbilbo,
I’m glad you like my story.
The best way to share your story is to click on the blue froggy guy under the photo prompt and add your link to the list. As this is my comment section your story’s liable to be lost in the shuffle. Let me know if I can be of assistance.
Thank you and welcome to Friday Fictioneers.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Ah, thanks for that. 🙂
I will go and post it in the correct spot now.
Cheers
KT
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I loved the juxtaposition of the two photos and the story you crafted. I agree, it rang true, which is what every author seeks, but is so darned hard to produce.
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Dear Kirizar,
As soon as I received the first two notes of condolence I knew I’d hit the target. 😉 I’m pleased that it rang true with you, too.
I couldn’t resist pitching my own photo in. The Dead Sea was a lot of fun.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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What a moving ending to a very tightly-woven tale! Glad it isn’t true! It resonates, though.
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Dear Vijaya,
The fact that my story had people practically sending me sympathy cards is the highest of compliments. 😉
Thank you for your affirming comments.
shalom,
Rochelle
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Poignant, tender, and truly moving, Rochelle. Look at you floating away. What a gorgeous photo of you! I swim with her still…This speaks volumes, you being the water baby that you are. You must hold her dear. How can I write anything now? Ha ha.
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Dear Amy,
I’m pleased to see that my story had a ring of truth for you but I must confess that it’s a work of fiction. The only truth of it is that I enjoyed swimming in the Dead Sea. 😉 Yes, I am a water baby. 😉
One of my fondest memories of Israel was snorkeling in the Red Sea in Eilat.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Sad, but at least the sister got to visit the Holy Land.
I’ve never been but floating in the Dead Sea does sound like fun (until, as you’ve said in other comments, it goes up your nose!).
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Dear Ali,
I did have a great time floating in the Dead Sea. I went with a group of good friends which added to the fun.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I have r ead about the Dead Sea & its therapeutic properties. Would so love to be there.
No one can drown there. It’ll be fun to swim, Rochelle!
Enjoy like the sisters 🙂
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Dear Anita,
I suppose if one tried hard enough he or she could drown, but with the high salt content in the water it would be a painful way to go. It is a lot of fun to float along in it though. I hope one day you get to go, too.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Very interesting take on the picture…I have one in mind but it has not gelled yet! I like the emotion you raise in your story…even though it is sad.
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Dear Claudia,
Writing is all about feeling, isn’t it?
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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One of the very many places I’d like to visit.
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Dear Phyllis,
It’s a wonderful place, full of history and spirit.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle,
That is such a beautiful story. My sister visited the Dead Sea and she said it was the most wonderful feeling to walk around in and this reminded me of that. It feels so real the way you told it, with the humor and the poignancy of missing her sister. It really struck a chord with me.
Anne
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Dear Anne,
I loved floating in the Dead Sea. You really can’t sink.
I’m pleased that my story rang true for you.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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That is so sad. She must have suspected.
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Dear Alice,
In my mind, they both knew. I think the surviving sister’s protests were a smokescreen for her fears and feelings.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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So poignant.
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Thank you, Sarah. And again, welcome to Friday Fictioneers.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A sad tale, made all the more impressive as it does not echo real life. Good Job!
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Dear Weltchy,
Your kind words buoy me like the warm salt water of Yam Hamelach.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Touching Story, Rochelle.
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Thank you, Vinitha.
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A beautifully written and emotive story, Rochelle.
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Thank you, LHN.
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Very lovely and sad, Rochelle. A beautiful last line.
Claire
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Many thanks, Claire.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Wonderful, touching, painful story.
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Dear Joseph,
Sweet words to read.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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🙂
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Beautiful story, Rochelle. I, too, thought it was nonfiction and had to re-read where you put the genre. This story already has and will continue to touch many people. 🙂
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Dear Leigh,
I lost a friend to cancer three years ago. So perhaps we can call it a tribute to Bev. Death of loved ones touches all at one time or another if we live past infancy, doesn’t it? Glad this rang true.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Puts me in mind of a warm, healing bath…for the spirit, as well as the body. hugs for sharing sentiments that run deep…
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Dear Millie,
Thanks for the hugs (I’m always up for those) and the kind words.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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If one had a sister, this would be a wonderful tribute! So well done as always Rochelle.
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Dear Jackie,
Thank you for the kind words. And again, I enjoyed your story this week. So happy to see you back after your (too) long absence.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thank you again Rochelle. I missed you and doing the stories. It’s always such great fun and I learn so many things from you. My pleasure to be back.
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Dear Merriam,
How old were you when you got that snoot full of salt water? Aren’t you the one who said I had taffy for brains? This is a very real story and highly believable. Well done. You deserve a Keebler cookie.
yours truly, Ernest
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Dear Ernest,
I was old enough to know better. 😉 I don’t remember saying you had taffy for brains…salt-water taffy, right?
Thank you for the cookie and the kind words.
Shalom,
Merriam WWF
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I love the dialogue – so sisterly. And Australia’s a great place to visit (and to live, by the way). Marg
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Dear Margirene,
Australia is on my bucket list. I hope to realize that dream one day.
Thank you,
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Hoping something is true. Knowing it isn’t. I chuckled at the “You want salt?…” line.
Ellespeth
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Dear Ellespeth,
It’s always gratifying when a piece of fiction I’ve written is taken as fact. Glad you liked that line. 😉
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Love the story and poem. You look very happy, floating in the photo. 🙂
Lily
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Dear Lily,
Floating in the Dead Sea was a lot of fun.
Thank you.
shalom,
Rochelle
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A good memory!
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Thank you Scott. It is a lovely memory.
shalom,
Rochelle
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The one last request. That would have been mine, too. Sweet.
BTW, I didn’t go in that day the pic was taken. I was tired of being wet and filthy by then! 😀
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Dear Kent,
I don’t even remember who took the picture, do you?
Thanks for floating by with sweet words.
Shalom,
Cousin Shelly
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glug glug …
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Rochelle,
What a sad story, although it was good she could see the Holy Land. I’ve always wanted to go there and go swimming in the Dead Sea. Maybe some day. Liked the picture of you there. 🙂
-David
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Dear David,
The Dead Sea was truly amazing…until I got a snoot-full of salt water. 😯 I hope you get to go there. It was the trip of a lifetime. I even was able to use my minimal Hebrew. Sticking notes in the cracks at the Wall and snorkeling in Eilat in the Red Sea were my two other favorite things.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I read in your comment that it’s a fiction. You wrote it so beautifully, you made me recall my dearest sister. Very moving indeed. Very sad.
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Dear Indira,
My heart goes out to you. When I was eight, my aunt died and my mother never recovered from the loss of her only sister. I also lost a good friend to cancer three years ago. So while the story is fiction the sentiments and feelings are not.
To have others mistake this for a true story is the highest compliment I could receive as an author.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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You depicted the sentiments so beautifully. I salute you for your each FF story.
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