Our Mantra
The next photo is the PROMPT. Remember, all photos are property of the photographer, donated for use in Friday Fictioneers only. They shouldn’t be used for any other purpose without express permission. It is proper etiquette to give the contributor credit.
PHOTO PROMPT © Rochelle Wisoff-Fields
Genre: Fiction
Word Count: 100
NO GREATER GIFT
Jangled from my pleasant dream, I fumbled for the phone on the nightstand. It fell to the floor. I tumbled out of bed and picked it up. “This better be important.”
Jared’s choked voice snapped me to attention. “Mom I—I had an accident—I…”
Trembling, I dressed and headed for the hospital.
Hit by a drunk driver going 90 mph, Jared’s car had been reduced to mound of mangled steel and shattered glass.
Tears streamed down his bruised cheeks. “Your Mother’s Day present. It got broken in the crash.”
“Nonsense.” I embraced him. “It’s right here in my arms.”
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields-Addicted to Purple 
A mothers’ day present for every day
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Our children are our gifts, aren’t they, Neil? Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle, a heart tugging story you have spun.
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Dear Neel,
Happy to tug. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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When tragedy strikes, the things that matter come sharply into focus. Terrifying and emotional.
I hope everything is okay with you and your car…..
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Dear Karen,
This particular story is loosely based on facts. Our sons have had a few fender benders and two out of three have survived some bad ones. I remember looking at one of the cars my youngest totaled. (It wasn’t his fault.) A hunk of metal can be replaced. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
PS The other driver who hit my car didn’t speak English or have a driver’s license. Fortunately the woman who was crazy enough to loan him her car did. Perhaps a story for another time.
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Oh man. Every line of that made me gasp.
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What a sweet story! I had a similar thing happen to me once, so it’s especially true to life.
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Dear Josh,
Every parent’s nightmare. A hunk of metal can’t compare to a child, can it? Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Great story. Nothing like a little rain to make you appreciate the sun (or I guess “son” in this case 😉 ).
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Dear Trent,
I love a good play on words. Thank you. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Oh, how terrifying such calls are. One of the reasons I don’t have a phone, too too many ‘death’ calls. Even the sound of a ringing phone terrifies me anymore.
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Dear Jelli,
Every parent’s nightmare, that’s for sure. Thank you for reading and commenting.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I don’t look forward to when my kids can drive, not because I don’t trust them, but because of some of the drivers on the roads. Chilling tale, glad of the outcome on this one.
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Dear Iain,
There are a lot of crazies on the road…more than ever. And too many young people (and older, too) think they are capable of texting and driving. I don’t get that.
When her daughter got her license, a friend of mine said that she was glad her daughter could drive. It left her more free time to call the emergency rooms.
Thank you for your comments. My husband and I are also thankful.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A great lead in to Mother’s Day. I remember this situation. Even the policeman said their story didn’t go with the facts. The bottom line is, insurance can take care of the car but their is no insurance for fixing a person. Especially family. Good story.
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Dear Jan,
This is more than one story rolled into one, although I clearly remember the one of which you speak. I’m grateful our sons are grown and healthy enough for us to be at odds with them. 😉 Thank you, m’luv.
Rochelle
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Poignant, timely.
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Thank you, Frances. 😀 Glad you stopped by.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Oh, how lovely! Well written and, well, just lovely!
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Thank you for such a lovely compliment, Lish. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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My pleasure.
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Utterly touching, that’s how you learn about priorities… and of course there had to be guilt… but that’s how you learn in life.
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Dear Björn,
Too often, our priorities are skewed, aren’t they? Thank you for your kind comment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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So well done and your conclusion so true.
One dark night friends helped a young man who hadn’t seen the STOP and went through a dead end into a small ravine. He was okay, but shaken up and rather gloomy. “What’ll my folks say?” My friend said, “Listen, your folks could be calling the funeral home right now!” That straightened out his thinking a bit.
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Dear Christine,
I hope the boy’s parents were able to let him know they were thankful to have their son alive and well.
Although my story is fiction, we’ve gone through a few accidents with our kids. Fortunately none of them incurred serious injuries. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A heart-tugging story, Rochelle. My daughter got hit by a drunk driver. She and her friend were in the car. It was a good thing they both had seat belts on. That man didn’t have a license either and was driving a friend’s car. It bent her car’s frame but the kids were okay. Good writing as always. 🙂 — Suzanne
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Dear Suzanne,
These days if drunk drivers aren’t bad enough, we have texting drivers. I’m glad your daughter and her friend weren’t hurt. Scary experience though. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Every parent’s nightmare does not always end so well, does it?
Wonderfully crafted, Madame!
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Dear Dale,
You hear too many stories on the news of fatalities. And I can think of a few others where I knew the kids involved. Thank you, my friend.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Way too many, indeed!
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A heart-wrenching story, squeezed the tears right from me — good thing I haven’t put my mascara on yet! And what a true lesson, about what is really important, and how almost losing it makes that so crystal clear.
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Dear Joy,
Tears are the ultimate compliment for this story. Thank you. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Some things are worth more than any present.
My FF is called Whoopsie!
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Dear Keith,
It’s times like these that remind us of what’s really important. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochele
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Oh my, that was incredibly sweet.
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Many thanks, James. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A story that makes me want to hug my own son close to me! So glad you’re all intact after such stressful experiences. Long may it continue. Those late night calls … Never good. All the best to you and yours and take care out there 🙂
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Dear Lynn,
Much of this flash is fiction…well, some, at least. 😉 Fortunately none of my sons have been severely injured in a car accident although one of them did indeed total a car in a crash that wasn’t his fault. However, the hanging mirror is a picture from an accident I had last spring when an SUV took out the whole side of my car while trying to pass in a single lane exit ramp.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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That sounds terrifying! Glad the car came off worse than you did!
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It was more frustrating and maddening than terrifying. But I am thankful that I came out without a scratch. 😉
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Yes indeed. A great deal to be grateful for with that outcome 🙂
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Rochelle, could you please pass me a tissue, sob.
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Dear Louise,
What higher compliment than tears? Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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So pleased this story had a good outcome. Very sadly in my family circle I have seen the three close friends die following individual car accidents.
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Dear Michael,
The fact of the matter is that most of us know someone who died in a car accident. Sorry for your losses.
Thank you for your comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Drunk drivers have taken so many lives. I am glad this story ended well.
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Dear Bridget,
If drunk drivers aren’t bad enough, texting drivers have become even more of a threat. 😡 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I fear you are right
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No kidding. After an accident as terrible as that, the best mother’s day present is a living child. Great story Rochelle. This one hit home.
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Dear Eric,
Every parent’s nightmare is to get “that call.” Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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This is such an amazing story. Wow! What else could serve as a gift to a mother? Absolutely loved this. Quite different from your usual stories.
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Dear Yuhu,
I try to break out of my box from time to time. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Sweet story. That ringing phone in the middle of the night is always frightening to mothers whose children are old enough to be out on their own.
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Dear April,
Indeed, the ringing phone in the middle of the night is feared as a harbinger of bad news. I’ve been relieved at times when it’s simply a wrong number…irritated but definitely relieved. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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so true, gifts can be replaced, lives can’t
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Nope, human lives cannot be replaced. Thank you, Claire.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Hi Rochelle, everything’s been said, so I’ll just say that this was a very touching piece.
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Many thanks, JS. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Loved the last line and always echo it 🙂
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Thank you, Dahlia. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Love it so much Rochelle. We often tend to not understand the things that last. Thank God she understood!
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Dear Sabina,
As has been echoed many times, things can be replaced…not children. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Exactly right. Unfortunately, the world today is losing sight of this!💐
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Such a sweet ending. I’m glad he’s okay 🙂
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Dear Ali,
I’ve always been thankful we’ve been spared fatalities involving our children. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Wow! Your mind must have been picturing a thousand worse scenarios on that drive to the hospital.
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Dear Liz,
Fortunately, the drive to the hospital in the story is the part that’s fiction. Our youngest did total one of our cars in an accident that wasn’t his fault. I remember looking at the twisted metal and feeling thankful that he wasn’t seriously injured or worse.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
This story cuts straight to the heart. A son is irreplaceable, but a car is just a car. I remember when my son had a prang just after taking his driving test. Fortunately it dented the car but not him, but my mind was full of what-ifs and plenty of thankfulness that the guardian angels were on his side that day. I’m glad they’ve been on your sons’ sides, too.
As you can see, I am around for this week’s FF, as my planned weekend break has been postponed.
All best wishes,
Sarah
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Dear Sarah,
I’m always happy when you’re able to join. I know about busy-ness. I’m digging deeper into preparing for an art fair and putting the coffee table book together. It’s proving to be an involved, if not, highly satisfying endeavor.
And yes, the cars can always be replaced. 😉 Prang? That’s a new word to add to my vocabulary. 😀
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
I’m sort of drifting between projects and yet feeling busy. Breathing spaces and thinking time are both things that other people don’t envisage as work, so they love to fill those gaps with jobs for me to do!
I’m not complaining about the gardening though, as I can still think while working 🙂
I’m so pleased that your present endeavor is highly satisfying. It’s a good place to be in 🙂
Hopefully, we’ll speak later this week.
All best wishes,
Sarah
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Ah, very nice. That phone call is every parents nightmare.
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It is indeed, Cindy. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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True emotion here Rochelle. Absolutely better to be holding him than worry about a silly car
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Dear Laurie,
Our children are irreplaceable, aren’t they? Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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😍😘😢❤
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😀
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Dear Dr. Fictoria Roseannadanna (if that is your real name–sounds rather fictitious to me),
A mother’s worry is never done. Offspring can be such a joy, but they’re such a pain in the neck (and lower parts as well). Turning them loose with a vehicle is a scary endeavor. I recommend enrolling Jared in an Offensive Driving course. Throw a wig and a little make-up on him and send him to the Maybelline school. He’ll come back a new man.
Happy Mother’s Day,
Rachel Crofton
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Dear Rachel, you ignorant slut,
As my daddy always said a mother always worries. Why? I’ll tell you why. Because they never write and they never call. That’s why! Thank you for the beauty tips. I’ll pass them along.
Shalom,
Dr. Fictoria Roesannadanna WF
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A scary, yet tender story. Some of the best flash fiction brings forth some sort of emotion and you did that here. Nice job!
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Dear Michael,
Thank you for such an affirming comment/compliment. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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In the end that’s all that matters. Brilliantly told as always, Rochelle
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Dear Michael,
Cars are temporal possessions…not so our children. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Hi Rochelle! Such a sweet last line. My son is very accident prone. I always keep my fingers crossed. Written beautifully.Touched the heart. Shalom.
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Dear Indira,
We never stop worrying about our children, do we? Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Beautiful story!
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Thank you, Sascha. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Oh my!! What a story, Rochelle! Ever since my children were old enough to drive, I would keep my cell phone next to my pillow… The accidents they have had only damaged a hunk of metal and not their bodies. The drunk driver story hits home for too many, unfortunately.
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Dear Oliana,
I don’t think there’s a parent of a teenage driver who doesn’t have these thoughts and worries. Thank you. So happy to see you back. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Beautifully told as always Rochelle
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Thank you, TRG. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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What an impactful ending!
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Many thanks, Shivamt. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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So much story and so full of emotion. Love this happy ending and Jared’s out of proportion concern for a broken present.
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Dear Sarah Ann,
I’m sure Jared was terrified of what she would say about the car. 😉 Thank you for your kind words.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Aww that’s so beautiful 🤗 sometimes the greatest gifts aren’t costly 💐 Beautiful 💕 Found you through Sreeblog. Good blogging 😊
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Our children are priceless. Thank you, whoever you are. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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