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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 © David Stewart
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No heroes this week. Just a slice of life.
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Word Count:
YOUTH HAS NO AGE
A cool breeze ruffled Elise’s hair. She hugged herself to stave off the night’s chill. Calliope music and the cloying scent of fairy floss did nothing to lift her spirits.
She slipped her brand-new Medicare card from her purse and scowled at it.
Ben wrapped his arms around her. Colored lights limned his silver-white hair and twinkled in his mischievous hazel eyes. “It’s only a number, honey.”
“Yeah. A really big number.”
“Pfft. Come on, Birthday Girl, let’s go for a whirl on the Ferris wheel.”
She stood on tiptoe and kissed his smile. “You know I’m afraid of heights.”
Click picture to view my ever-growing art page. Thank you.
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields-Addicted to Purple 
I really like his attitude. I hope he can lift her spirits. Lovely story.
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Dear Gabi,
I think he can. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Numbers are important. But they can’t measure everything
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And I’m one of the 4 out of 3 who struggle with Math.
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Laughs
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I like the obsession with Medicare cards 🙂 My hub took printouts of the health insurance policy, and scanned soft copies, just because his pulse dropped below 70 🙂
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Dear Reena,
My normal pulse is below 70. Once I was sent to the ER because my pulse was 40. Normal for me. Thank you. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I agree. Daily checks are a kind of mental health issue.
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Afraid of heights and he wants to uplift her spirits!
Maybe the lights and other attractions will cheer her up.
So glad that she has such a positive and supportive partner, who is wise and making an effort to make her feel nice.
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Thank you for a lovely comment, Anita.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I stopped counting a few years ago! A birthday trip on the ferris wheel will help 🙂
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Dear Iain,
A ride on the Ferris wheel would only terrorize me. 😉 And note my “mantra” Growing old is inevitable. Growing up is optional. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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When you have a birthday in December, everyone in officialdom takes you for being a year older right from 1st January – they just look at the year of your birth. However, you do get plenty of time to get used to the next milestone before you get there. There’s always an up-side. And she sounds like she’s got a keeper there. Lovely story.
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Dear Sandra,
You and my husband share the exact same birthday…same year. 😉 But he’s the one who starts adding a year January 1. I’m the age of my last birthday until the eve of my next one. Thank you re my story. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I am sure that “his mischievous hazel eyes” is the perfect description, and I am 100% sure he understands her fear of heights…
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Dear Trent,
The mischievous hazel eyes are true story. 😉 And he does understand (and tease her about) her fear of heights. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I figured that much of this story does not fit the “fiction” category
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Birthdays get better as we grow older 🙂
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Let’s stick with that sentiment, Joy. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thats quite a romantic story. A medicare card for birthday is an odd gift though.
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Dear Mason,
The Medicare card is our “gift” from the government when we turn 65. Kind of sobering when it comes. Thank you re my story. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Oh I see. Living in the UK we don’t have such a thing. Thanks for the information.
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What a beautiful slice that was, too! 🙂 I remember Gr. Grandpa saying that the medicare and social security numbers were the work of the devil. Sometimes I wonder if he was right. Shalom, Bear
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Dear Bear,
My jury’s out on Medicare. 😉 Thank you re my story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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By the time I’m old enough for it, it won’t exist. Of that, I’m almost certain. sigh….
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I sometimes question if society didn’t have the “youthful” push if getting older would be that big of a deal. It should be about how we live our life. Health is worth more than age.
Sweet story.
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Dear Tannille,
My motto is at the top of the page, “Growing older is inevitable. Growing up is optional.”
I’m still able to workout and swim. I’m doing what I enjoy so I’m not complaining. Thank you re my story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
I can imagine it is a shock to receive this card telling us we are older than we really feel… But hey, it ain’t but a number, I say! Love Ben for urging her on.
Shalom and lotsa young-at-heart love,
Dale
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Dear Dale,
Medicare has its good and bad points. You know my philosophy on aging. 😉 Off to work out now. Thank you.
Shalom and lotsa hale and hearty hugs,
Rochelle
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It does and I do. Enjoy Jane and your elliptical!
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What a lovely flash. I laughed at how she has to reach for his height. Sounds like he’s brought her spirits up already.
I saw the eggs and got a story this week!
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Dear Dee,
So good to see you this week. I’m glad the photo struck a chord with you. 😀 Standing on tiptoe to reach is the story of Elise’s life. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Aw, it is indeed just a number. This week I narrowly missed out on the latest vaccine rollout, so I find myself wishing my number was just a bit bigger! 😉
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Dear Jen,
There are some advantages to the higher number. 😉 I’m up to date on my shots. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Oh, how those numbers torment us. That’s why I stopped counting (and maturing 😉) at 12.
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Dear Nobbin,
I’m 18 with several years experience. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I just passed that milestone! The alternative of not making it to 65 seems scarier than a Ferris Wheel. But, I’m not thrilled about Ferris Wheels. lol
Nice moment captured Rochelle.
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Dear Susan,
It’s a little farther behind me. For me 65 was anticlimactic really. I took an early retirement due to tremendous job stress. (No regrets). I’ve always been afraid of heights and never been on a Ferris wheel. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
What a tender tête-à-tête! Knowing one’s loved makes all the difference. ❤️
Shalom,
Dora
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Dear Dora,
Love does make all the difference. ❤ Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Medicare number is quite helpful. Fear of heights…..not so much. Good story says the silver white haired, hazel eyed support that will keep you safe. Good story.
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Dear Jan,
Elise always feels safe with her silver-haired, hazel-eyed hottie…through all of life’s ups and downs. Thank you, m’luv.
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Missed last week’s FF … so was NOT going to let this one slip by!!! Left mine with the froggy.
As for age, and princesses with Medicare cards … it really is just a number. I’d stay away from taking age norms too seriously … 😉 Here’s to good hugs at any age! 🙂
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Na’ama Y’karah,
Well you know my philosophy 😉 it’s across the top of my page. Thank you for your encouraging words and hugs. Muchly appreciated. 😀 Glad to see you this week. You left a Ya’ama-shaped hole in the squares last week.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Oh, my Ya’ama shaped hole must’a been oddly shaped … 😉
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Oops I guess I melded Na’ama and Yehuda. You get my meaning. 😉
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Totally get it! No worries. I rather like Ya’ama because it sounds like Yummy … 😉
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Lovely story, Rochelle, and beautifully written. I like the indirect way you tell us how old Elise is. I hope she had a great evening with Ben (how delightful to be wrapped in his arms like that…)!
Shalom
Penny
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Dear Penny,
After 50 years, “Elise” still enjoys being wrapped in “Ben’s” arms. 😉 Thank you for your sweet comment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Real life is just as meaningful as any number of fantastic fiction. This is very sweet, and since I share your height (or lack thereof) I can’t help wondering if this is based on your real life?
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Dear Linda,
You could say it’s based loosely on real life. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
What a sweet slice of life and Ben, what a terrific guy 🙂
Shalom,
Adele
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Dear Adele,
“Ben” is pretty terrific. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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What a lovely, heartwarming story. He really understands her and how to tease her out of despondency.
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Many thanks for your generous comments, Jenne.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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The secret is once you hit 50, when you hit 51 you say, I’m celebrating the first anniversary of my 50th, etc., and all they hear is 50. I like how she gets up on tiptoes to kiss his smile.
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Dear Lisa,
I usually say 18 with xx years experience. 😉 Thank you. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle, that works too!
Shalom,
Lisa
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A very sweet story, Rochelle, and beautifully written. I also really like the title. Age is just a number (I keep reminding myself), and doesn’t reflect who we are. Everyone needs a Ben in their lives.
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Dear Brenda,
I’m one of the lucky ones…we’ll celebrate our 50th wedding anniversary in November. Not without ups and downs. 😉 Thank you for your sweet comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A very sweet story which communicates a loving relationship. Strong images and atmosphere. Nice! And I’m with you – growing up is optional. 🌷
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Dear Earthskyair,
Growing up is highly overrated, isn’t it? I know people much younger than I chronologically who are older than I. How sad. Thank you for your kind words re my story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Your usual sensitive touch with what can be a awkward time for some.
Thank you, m’lady, for your hard work over the years which make FF the best challenge on WP.
And, on a personal level, thank you for your support, encouragement and friendship.
For me, it’s time for a break, but never say never.
Bon courage.
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Dear CE,
As you may or may not have guessed, this story is based on fact. And I refuse to grow up. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it. And, yes, I’m terrified of heights.
Thank you so much for your participation and support. Your kind words and friendship mean a lot. There’s always a place for you among the squares.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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They sound like a sweet couple! I wouldn’t fancy going on a Ferris Wheel, though.
I like “fairy floss” rather than candy floss 🙂
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Dear Ali,
Love doesn’t have to die over many years. 😉 Actually we call it “cotton candy” over here, however I like the sound for “fairy floss” better so I borrowed it.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Happily, she’s not afraid of his height, even though she has to stand on tiptoes! A lovely story Rochelle.
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Dear Keith,
That’s as high as she likes to get. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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She can hide her face in his shoulder!
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Perhaps. 😉
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I totally agree. age is only a number as i pointed out in my blog. ::
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Dear Plaridel,
We do put too much importance on numbers, don’t we?
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Fun story for sure! Thanks for hosting and or a fun story that did NOT involve alien eggs.
Shalom,
Ronda
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Dear Ronda,
The number of alien egg stories is nothing to yolk about. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Oh now he’s a keeper. I hope he can give her a distraction tonight!
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Yes, Laurie. He’s definitely a keeper. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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What a sweet, touching story, Rochelle. I love the line “Calliope music and the cloying scent of fairy floss”. Nine words to just put you right there in the fair atmosphere. You are a master of this type of story.
-David
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Dewar David,
Thank you for your generous compliment. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Sweet story and I feel based on a real life couple 😉
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Dear Subroto,
Hm…it just might not be all that fictitious. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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What a tender and touching story of enduring love. How special is that, whatever one’s age.
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Dear Francine,
True love stands the test of time. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A very soft and tender story to remind us of the need to be positive and look at the brighter side of things, Rochelle.
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Dear Neel,
Thank you for your kind comments. I hope you and yours are staying safe. The reports coming from India frighten and concern me. Stay well, my friend.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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