Like us on Facebook
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 © Rowena Curtin
Genre: Non-Fiction
Word Count: 100
ON THE EDGE
She stands on the edge of the pool, her head filled with the events of the weekend. Terrorism. Rage. How long can her world exist?
Securing her goggles, she calculates the distance. Twenty-five yards each way. Fifty yards is one lap. Thirty-six laps equal one mile.
Earlier this morning she messaged her cousin who has been in and out of bomb shelters, sleeping in her street clothes.
Reports of atrocities bombard the internet and fill the swimmer’s head. Life goes on as planned on this side of the planet.
She dives in, and for a while, she’s immersed in peace.
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields-Addicted to Purple 
When circumstances are out of your control, it’s good to try to find your inner peace.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Sadje,
True. And that’s exactly what this piece is about. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
Indeed! You’re welcome
LikeLike
Immersing herself in another reality
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Neil,
This reality is pretty hard to understand. One needs brief escapes. Thank you for understanding.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
I wondered what you could possibly write after the events of the weekend – and you wrote the only possible response. The horror is too great to be understood and rationalised in any way whatsoever. Well done. I hope you have better news of your friends and relations.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Sandra,
I wasn’t sure I could write anything this week. Then this came. The only things that came to mind. Thank you for your kind words and your understanding. It means a lot.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
Thanks for sharing, Rochelle. The events are horrifying and sickening. Nobody wins. I can only imagine what it would be like worrying about family and being unable to do anything. I hope your loved ones are safe.
Thanks for showing up this week.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Taninille,
Thank you for your kind words. So far, Wendy’s alive and kicking. And as far as I know, friends and acquaintences are as well.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
These events have been almost continually occupying my thoughts, but when the time came to write, something shifted inside of me. I guess like swimming, I use writing to get away for a while.
LikeLike
Dear James,
It’s that way for many of us—Isreal ever in the forefront of our minds. Glad you have your respite in writing.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
My thoughts and prayers are with your people, Rochelle. Don’t know whether you have heard about the violent Palestinian protest outside the Sydney Opera House, which had been lit up in sympathy with Israel. Jewish people had been warned by Police to stay away the area impinging on liberty. Ugly stuff especially for Australia and not how we see ourselves. I have no idea what people are going through, but I care,
Love,
Rowena
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Rowena,
Thank you for that. Sadly there are protests and threats around the globe. I took part in a Jewish festival yesterday and the security was pretty heavy. Fortunately, there weren’t any ugly incidents. Mainly support of Israel. Thanks again.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
In this weeks terrible events, one must find a brief respite from the realities of insane terrorist activities. I’m am so glad that you have, if only briefly, that time. We can only hope that relatives, friends and innocent people can remain safe.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Jan,
We can but watch and pray. Thanks, m’luv.
LikeLike
This brought tears to my eyes. I’ve yet to hear from my friends who were on a mission trip. Prayers are raising, and I’m doing my best to filter news so I’m not overwhelmed and useless. Diving into prayer, scripture, and art. Prayers and hugs for you and your family… and ALL of Israel! Shalom, Deep, deep Shalom. Bear
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Bear,
Thank you for signing your name as you did come up anonymous. SMH I’m so sorry about your friends. May their memories be for a blessing. It’s hard to watch from afar, isn’t it? Thank you re my little piece.
Shalom,
Rohelle
LikeLike
My heart bleeds for Israel–again! Poignant story this morning, Rochelle.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Many thanks, Linda.
Shalom in the truest sense,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
A good commentary on what we can do in this current situation. Empaths/Empathic people definitely need peace as they’re feeling everything that’s going on around them.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Miles.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
We all need to find an escape from the troubles and concerns of things we cannot understand or control, Rochelle. I’m glad you have yours.
Hope your loved ones remain safe.
Jen
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Jen,
Thanks so much for your kind comments and throughtfulness.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
When facing intolerable reality, finding shelter from the storm of it is sometimes all you can do. May the killing and retaliation end and opposing forces find a way to peace ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Lisa,
Amen to that. Sadly Hamas wants one thing only and will murder their own children, by putting them in harm’s way, to get it. Thank you for your kind words.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
Rochelle,
You are very welcome.
Shalom,
Lisa
LikeLike
How true a story. Well done.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much, Connie.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
There is both a sense of hope and helplessness in your story that says, life must go on.
I may not participate this week for various reasons.
Best regards,
James
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear James,
Thank you for your kind and thoughtful comment. Hope your week is going well.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
Querida Rochelle,
A sympathetic story full of a caring compassion.
Undoubtedly, we are feeling the pain of those in
the midst of such horror. Prayers seem hopeless
as we all feel very helpless. Lovely tale of emotions.
Abrazos y Carino,
Isadora😎 💜🙏🏻💜
LikeLiked by 1 person
Querida Izzy,
So true. Thank you for such a thoughtful comment. Much appreciated.
Shalom y abrazos,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome ….
LikeLike
I can feel in this the helplessness you feel and the ever present worry about family and friends in such a dangerous predicament. Swimming provides a respite for a time. Such a sad world we live in.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for your thoughtful comments, Margaret. Much appreciated.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
If only things could be decided by flipping coins instead of wars 😐
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Bernadette,
Alas, human nature being what it is…:(
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dealing with reality can be difficult at times. It’s important to find healthy ways to address and manage these challenges to ease the pain and maintain your well-being.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Plaridel,
Exactly. It doesn’t do any good to stew over things we can’t do anything about, does it? Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Rochelle,
I can see why this one wrote itself, so to speak. I hope your cousin remains safe. Effing wars are endless.
Shalom and lotsa hopeful love,
Dale
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Dale,
So far Wendy’s alive and kicking. For this I’m grateful. Thank you for your understanding comment.
Shalom and lotsa hopeful hugs,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank goodness for that. May she remain free of the fighting.
LikeLike
One must find a way to move in exceedingly difficult times.
So many broken hearts.
May movement bring peace and compassion, humanity and an end to atrocities. It is an impossible time.
May we find a path. And build fewer fences.
hugs,
Na’ama
LikeLiked by 1 person
Na’ama Y’karah,
My heart goes out to you and your family. I have a cousin there…you have a community. May peace and humanity prevail.
Shalom,
Rochelle
עם ‘שראל חי
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well told, my thoughts are with you…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Michael.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
Words fail me.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Dahlia,
Your unspoken words come through. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
A sad world we live in, Rochelle. It is all so depressing even to those of us with no family ties in harm’s way.
I am out of the water for a few weeks due to getting my old eyes fixed. Anyway, 20 laps is all this old man can muster, but not until November.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Bill,
After I wrote this piece I came down with some kind of a bug and spent a few days out of the water, too.
It’s hard to watch what’s happening. Thank you for your kind words.
20 laps is still good. 😉 Hope your eyes heal well. Congrats on the new book.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am doing well/fine.
May peace be with you and yours.
Bill
LikeLike
Wonderful way to deal with the current day horrors. Thanks for putting it into words.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Dawn.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
Special beyond words, Rochelle.
This week has left me numb.
What a glorious story to help
soothe our broken hearts.
Peace, dear Rochelle. ✌🏼
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Nancy,
Thank you for such and encouraging and validating comment. It means a lot.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
All we can do is try to find Peace in the ever-changing storm that is our world. It’s a blemish on all of humanity. I can’t believe we call ourselves civilized when we are clearly still so savage. I hope your cousin is well and remains so.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Nobbin,
My cousin is alive and well. Thank you for your comments. I can believe what humans are capable of. Savage is definitely the right word.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
I don’t have the words to say … so horrible what’s happening. 💔
LikeLike
Dear Brit,
Your uncomment speaks loud and clear. Thank you so much.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh Rochelle, I hope they are all OK. You can only wait and pray. This piece is beautiful.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much, Laurie.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s a great picture of just taking a moment out of the anxiety and worry just for peace. We all need that sometimes, and more than just sometimes. Hope you’re having a good week.
-David
LikeLiked by 1 person