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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.
I was going to post a rerun because I’ve been under the weather this past week. I’ve since rallied a bit and am on the mend. The photo is mine and my following tale of woe will explain.
Genre: Hysterical Non-Fiction
Word Count: 100
PITY PARTY – TABLE FOR ONE
Rochelle’s hot tears trickled down her cheeks. “I missed my kindergarten party on the last day because of measles.”
“Seriously? This still bothers you? That was over sixty years ago.”
“Don’t you see? It’s come full circle. I’m missing another party. It’s enough we had to cancel our fifty-year reunion last year due to COVID. We worked hard to make our fifty-plus-one reunion a huge success without virus worries.”
“It’s a great party.” Annie smiled from her square. “You should be proud.”
“This sucks. It’s not how I planned to spend my evening.”
“You mean on Zoom?”
“Stricken with COVID.”
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields-Addicted to Purple 
Ach, that’s such a shame, and such rotten luck! A good excuse for another reunion for 50 plus two? Hope you’re feeling better soon Rochelle.
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Dear Iain,
You know my philosophy: when life hands you lemons, write a story about it. 😉 As I write I’m feeling waaaaay better than I did last week at this time. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Glad to hear it 🙂
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You got better then. I hope you do again soon
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Dear Neil,
I’m steadily on the mend. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Aww, so sorry Rochelle. Hugs.
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Dear Sadje,
It happens and this time it happened to me. Thank you for the hugs. I’ll take all those I can get. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Take care.
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Ugh.
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Ugh is right, Danny.
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COVID the spoiler, get well soon Rochelle
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Dear Michael,
COVID is a spoiler indeed. It could’ve been so much worse. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Well told, Rochelle. I can understand the resonance with your missed childhood party because of measles. I hope you’re well on the mend, and are fully back to health quickly.
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Dear Penny,
There just seemed to be such an irony there between this party and that party so long ago. So when life hands you lemons…write a story about it. 😉 I am getting better every day. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Get well soon Rochelle. This COVID thing is heartless.
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Dear Vartika,
Heartless indeed. And it could have been so much worse. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A good non-fictional story of the past week. You did so much work for it as I can attest. Although you were heartbroken at missing it, the committee was wonderful in the effort they made to include you. It turned out well in the end.
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Dear Jan,
My friends did come through for me, didn’t they? Great group of ladies. Turned out well in the end? That depends on your perspective. I’m still getting over the disappointment. Thanks, m’luv.
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Dear Rochelle,
The Universe can be such a bitch at times. It’s all about the timing, isn’t it? Bummer and balderdash and all those other expletives that, when you had the energy, you have surely cried through your tears. I feel your pain, my friend.
Shalom and lotsa healing love,
Dale
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Dear Dale,
I had many days of emotional tantrum. Why me? It’s so unfair!!! And all the expletives that I couldn’t utter. I know you feel my pain. Thank you for being my friend through it and not reminding me how others have it worse.
Shalom and lotsa grateful hugs,
Rochelle
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I would never do such a thing!
💕
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So sorry you had to deal with the NASTY! Please take good care of yourself!Seriously?
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Seriously? Someone actually scolded you by reminding you others have it worse than you do? Good grief. That ranks right up there with “Eat your liver! A starving Korean orphan would give anything to have it!” I never understood how my choking down the vile stuff would help that poor Korean orphan.
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Dear Linda,
Actually I was reminding mySELF that others had it worse. 😉 No need to take up an offense. Although last week at this time it was pretty painful. And I didn’t feel like it could get much worse.
I wonder if starving kids would be glad you have liver. Thank you for your kind words.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I’m glad it wasn’t someone else. Now I don’t have to go find that non-existent person and say a few pointed words 🙂
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My husband’s milestone birthday was celebrated online, because close friends stay abroad, and no one could travel during Covid.
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COVID has ruined our plans universally. Thanks for stopping by, Reena.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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One thing you can say about Covid is that it’s damned inconvenient (better than dead now that we are vaxed, but still…) Sorry you got got Covid and missed something you were looking forward to. What a thoughtful friend to include you in the class photo ❤
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Dear Lisa,
Actually it’s not the class photo, rather a picture of the reunion committee in the photo booth. At any rate, it was very sweet of them. I hated missing the party but would rather miss than be a super spreader.
I am vaxxed and boosted so I was more than disappointed to come down with it and it wasn’t fun. However, I did get the drug they’ve been advertising and it seems that I had it a pretty short while before testing negative on Wednesday. 😀 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle,
OK on the committee vs. class. Good to know about the drug if I do get it. You’re welcome.
Shalom,
Lisa
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Thank goodness you are on the mend. Ignore the saying ‘bad things come in threes’ and keep your fingers crossed for your 100-year reunion!
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Dear Keith,
I’d say we’re more likely to plan a 55th reunion than a 100th. 😉 As it was the list of deceased students was, sadly, a lengthy one. At any rate I did a COVID test Wednesday afternoon and it came back negative. 😀 A little better each day. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I’m the biggest baby when I’m sick. It’s far worse if I have to miss out on something. I don’t understand why we pretend like COVID’s over. Just because people are tired of it, doesn’t mean it goes away.
I hate to plagiarize a balloon, but get well soon. I hope you don’t get saddled with any of those nasty lasting effects.
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Dear Nobbin,
Thus far I’m still plagued with a bad taste in my mouth from the drug I took. (Still it worked fast and I’m grateful). A bit of mild fatigue.
I like to be left alone when I’m sick. But I was a baby about missing my reunion. 😦
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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i hope it’s only fiction that she got covid. anyway, on the reality front, get well soon. we don’t know what we can do without you. 🙂
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Dear Plaridel,
Nothing in my story is fiction. All true. I am, however, on the mend and my COVID test Wednesday was negative. All good. Thank you for your sweet comment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Pity Party Shelley (that’s P.P. for short–pun intended)
Enjoyed your tale of woe. At our age, we can’t afford to miss too many reunions. I’m sure the ol’ gang from Walla Walla Bing Bang Art Institute were as heartbroken as you were. At least you had Zoom and were able to regale them from a safe distance.
I hope you got a buzz from the wine I drank on your behalf–I know I did. (hic)
Best wishes for a speedy recovery,
Red-nose Rusty
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Dear Red-Nose Rusty,
Yes the gang from Walla Walla Bing Bang was indeed heartbroken. They’d brought a brand new box of crayons (64 count) and book that hadn’t been colored in yet. I hated to miss that kind of partying down. Zoom wasn’t quite the same. Thanks for the buzz.
As of Wednesday, I’m COViD free. Tested negative. Yippee! Still a few residual issues. But it’s gonna get better. Thanks.
Shalom,
Pity Party Shelley W(T)F
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Dear P.P. Shelley W(T)F,
Perhaps Hannukah Harry will bring you a box a crayons (with the wrappers still intact) and a new coloring book this December. I know that’s a long time to wait, but the anticipation will only make it better.
Glad to hear you’re doing better.
Red-Nose Rusty
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Get well soon! Beautiful bouquet and balloon.
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Dear Frank,
The bouquet and balloon certainly brightened an otherwise miserable day. Thank you. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Hope you feel better soon Rochelle.
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Thank you, Di.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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So sorry you couldn’t be there in person but happy we have the technology we do that you didn’t have to miss out completely. So glad you’re on the mend my friend. 🌼
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Dear Andrea,
We are fortunate to have the technology. Definitely on the mend. Thanks, my friend. ❤
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dearest Rochelle, wishing you comfort and healing. Glad you’re on the mend. Way to rally your Fictioneer(ish) muse!
All My Best,
Stephanie
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Dear StepHonie,
When life hands you lemons, write a story about it, right? Of course right! As of Wednesday I tested negative. Still not 100% but getting better. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Hope you are feeling much better now Rochelle.
Lovely story.
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Thank you, Chioma. 😀 ❤
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Oh no, Rochelle, what a disappointment for you! I’m glad to read that you’re on the mend though. Here’s to a complete and speedy recovery (raises coffee cup).
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Dear Gabi,
It was a bitter disappointment. I won’t lie. At least I’m in the negative zone and not too much will pass me by. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Welcome back to wellness, Rochelle.
If there has been one discovery I made during the pandemic restrictions, it is Zoom.
Great story.
Peace,
Bill
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Dear Bill,
I hope to be back in the pool next week. I’m planning to do shorter sets so I can take breathers in between and see how that works. That way if I have to cut it off I won’t lose count. That made sense, right?
And yay for Zoom. Thank you re my story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I use a mask, snorkel, and lap counter. I’m not a great swimmer, I’m fond of breathing, and can lose count quickly. 🙂
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I count backward in Hebrew and Spanish. No snorkel. I think it would make flip turns awkward.
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Sans flips too. Still, it’s all a great workout.
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Lovely story! Glad you are on the mend, Rochelle.
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Many thanks on all counts, Neel. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Oh no 😦 I’m glad you’re on the mend.
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Dear Ali,
Last Saturday was certainly a drag. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
I’m sorry to hear that you got Covid but am thrilled that you’re on the mend. Praise God!
Shalom,
Adele
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Dear Adele,
The worst part of COVID for me, besides the sore throat, was the timing. I am definitely on the mend and back amongst the living. Thank you. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Querida Rochelle,
BUMMER ,,,, all of the planning and excitement squashed by that lil bugger
COVID. I hope they have another reuinion next year. I had a missed birthday party story but I couldn’t write about it. It saddens me every time I think of it. My high school was changed into a Yeshiva School for Boys. LOL I guess there aren’t going to be any high schoole reunions in my future.
Do feel better soon. It’s a screwy virus. just when you think it’s gone you have your energy zapped. Rest and have a lil tea and brandy. Hugs … have a happy weekend.
Abrazos y Carino,
Isadora 😎 💜 😍
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Querida Isadora,
A boys’ Yeshiva? Seems a divine change. 😉 Surely you had a class with which to reconnect…maybe not in the building.
Interestingly, I tested negative last Wednesday and have been feeling better. Now the last couple of days I’ve developed a cough. What’s up with that?
At any rate there are some lovely friendships that have developed out of the reunion even though I wasn’t there in person. Mil gracias para sus palabres amables, mi amiga.
Shalom y abrazos,
Rochelle
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I’m really pleased to hear your health is progressiing nicely. I had a cough for
awhile after I had COVID. Eventually, it went away. You may feel exhausted for no reason from time to time. I did. Everyone gets different after effects despite what the medics say. Just keep resting when you need to. The body finds a way of healing itself. 💜
My high school days are a huge story, but no there weren’t any way to reconnect with school members. Some things may be best left in the past. Memories have a way of creating beautiful vignettes without going back to the location.
You may not have been able to attend your reunion, but the friendships you’ve made will far outweigh that loss. Enjoy!
Your very welcome on my comment. Thank you for hosting right on through, despite feeling ill. 🤗
Abrazos y Carino,
Isadora 😎❤️
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That’s rotten luck. It’s a weird and horrible virus. My two grandkids are right in there with it too – one’s just a week out of isolation and the other’s still really unwell. Take care. Thanks for sharing your flowers and balloon with us.
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Dear Margaret,
It was a bitter disappointment for sure. However, I was sick enough to know better than to try to don a mask and go. The first four days were the worst. Happily, it’s in the past and I’ve been able to return to the pool and normality.
The lilies in that bouquet are still blooming. Such a sweet gesture from some wonderful friends. ❤ Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Oh bummer Rochelle !
Still, look at all those faces! So many people to help you celebrate and in a few weeks you can reschedule and really live it up.
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Dear Laurie,
I don’t know about rescheduling the reunion. It was a lot of work. However, this group is determined to stay in touch. In fact I met with three classmates yesterday for lunch. So good things are coming from it despite my bitter disappointment. Thank you for reading and commenting.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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That sounds wonderful. A terrific lunch hopefully
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