4 September 2020

Published September 2, 2020 by rochellewisoff

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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 © CEAyr

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Genre: Historical Fiction

Word Count: 100

THE WOMAN WITH THE TORCH

 March 1887

Dear Father,

            The sun has long set on Glasgow. My eyes are weary from study and my heart is heavy with longing for you and my sisters.

My mind swirls with new knowledge of the human body. How fearfully and wonderfully made are we. My cup overflows.

            Precious Father. Had it not been for your encouragement, becoming a physician would be an impossibility for a wee lass in this man’s world. As God is my witness, it shall not always be so. I promise to do my best to make you proud.

            Your loving daughter,

                        Elsie Maude Inglis

With her many accomplishments, it was difficult to squeeze the magnitude of her influence into 100 words. So I chose a small but important piece of her life. To quote Elsie Inglis

“If I have been able to do anything—whatever I am, whatever I have done—
I owe it all to my Father.”

Dr. Elsie Inglis

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103 comments on “4 September 2020”

  • Rochelle, You really made her come alive to us through her affectionate letter. I love the allusions to the Psalms, a hint of what motivated her intense desire to become a doctor, perhaps. No doubt the “wee lass in a man’s world” must have made her father proud. We(e) daughters owe our fathers a lot when they simply love us as individuals and encourage us in our endeavors. 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

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      • Dear Trent,

        From what i read, Elsie and her father had a very special relationship. According to her sisters, it wasn’t that he treated her any differently than he treated them, but there was a bond. The world’s a better place thanks to his encouragement. Thank you re my story.

        Shalom,

        Rochelle

        PS Not sure what the problem was with InLinkz but I have linked you. You’re #39. Sorry I didn’t get to it sooner.

        Liked by 2 people

        Reply ↓

        • I am sure they had a special relationship, and it is just that encouragement that I was thinking of. Sometimes in these patriarchies, you have fathers that understand that their daughters are just as talented as their sons, and it often makes a difference.

          Thanks about the link! I think the problem is my computer – I am using an old laptop (my “vacation” computer). I have never used the Inlinkz with it, so I think it will be fixed once I’m back home.

          Liked by 2 people

          Reply ↓

  • Love where you went with my photo, m’lady,
    A great tribute to a remarkable and brilliant lady, whose father was a pretty impressive dude in his own right.
    Been travelling again, but will try to post later.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply ↓

  • I recognized a passage in your story from the bible as it is one of my favorites. What a blessing to have a parent so encouraging. They say one regards God in the same way one regards their parents. This story could be a prayer as well. Nicely done, Rochelle.

    Liked by 2 people

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  • Well done epistolary piece, Rochelle.

    My education continues. Thank you for that.
    I am sitting here thinking back to my first female physician experience, which was about 100 after this letter is dated.
    Today, it seems like half of my medical provider encounters are women, and that is the norm. ’tis a good thing for women, the medical profession, and in my opinion, for patients and society in general.

    Peace,

    Bill

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply ↓

    • Dear Bill,

      I relish such comments as yours. 😀 Our dentist is a woman and so is my GP who I’ve been seeing for over 25 years. Growing up it wasn’t so.
      On that note, when my father passed away in 1984, sine he wasn’t affiliated with any synagogue, he was assigned a new rabbi, a delightful young woman. She asked if I had a problem with her being a female. I told her Dad was delivered by a woman doctor in 1914 when it wasn’t popular. That he should be sent off in the same way was fitting.
      Thank you for your kind comments.

      Shalom,

      Rochelle

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply ↓

      • I went to a panel discussion about prayer about two years ago. The Rabbi was a drop dead gorgeous blonde (I hope that’s not sinful of me) well dressed and an excellent speaker. That was my first. How the world changes. 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

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  • Wow, was there anything she didn’t do? A real trailblazer. I’m glad her father was forward-thinking and encouraged her to become a doctor rather than marry one and keep house for him.

    Coincidentally my mum qualified as a speech therapist in Glasgow back in the 1800s or whenever it was (hope she’s not reading this heh heh).

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply ↓

  • What a lovely inspiring bit of historical fiction. The family support is always a big help. Thinking about support, it must be close to sixty years since my Aunt became a doctor encouraged very much by her family.

    Liked by 1 person

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  • What would ensuing generations do without those few, courageous women to lead the way? Almost unimaginable that a woman could achieve so much at that time. You manage to bring another sparkling gem into the light, Rochelle. Thank you

    Liked by 1 person

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  • Dear Rochelle,

    Beautifully written and inspiring piece. I always look forward to reading your historical fiction. Thanks for sharing the link. Elsie Maude Inglis was a remarkable woman. True to her word, she made her Dad proud. It’s wonderful when a daughter can say of her accomplishments, “I owe it all to my Father.”

    Shalom,
    Adele

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply ↓

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