The flame flickered before me. My grandchild sleeps in my arms. Candlelight sets the mood, a time to reflect. Just a moment in time, lost in distant memories.
Memories return of my children once so small. The many joys we had, the fears we faced. Now grown, the house sits lonely but for the times my grandchildren stay. No longer young of body but young of mind, I enjoy this moment.
She stirs and smiles, “Nana?”
Gently stroking her hair, “Yes, sweetheart.”
As she snuggled closer I thought, “One more treasured moment.”
The flame flickered before me, a treasured memory added. Life is good.
Schools and students have permission to use this graphic for non-commercial, educational purposes.
Ross's Writing Blog 
Lynsey Summers
May 22, 2012 at 17:54
Beautiful.x
Ross Mannell
May 25, 2012 at 19:45
Thank you for the comment.
It’s intimate moments as in the story that make for great memories.
Middle-Aged Matron
May 22, 2012 at 19:01
I love this. Have been thinking a lot lately about how it will be when the children are grown and flown and how I must treasure their dependence while I have it.
Ross Mannell
May 25, 2012 at 19:48
Thank you for the comment.
The home can feel lonely when the children are grown but it’s part of the cycle of life. The arrival of grandchildren can breath fresh memories into the world.
Sandra
May 22, 2012 at 20:12
Very sweet and wistful. Enjoyed this.
Ross Mannell
May 25, 2012 at 19:50
Thank you for the comment.
The photo used to create the included image was of a grandmother and grandchild sharing a tender moment at a Christmas concert. I had been asked by a family member to photograph candid moments.
Older Mum (@Older_Mum)
May 22, 2012 at 22:14
Lovely. The relationship between grandparent and grandchild is just so special.
Ross Mannell
May 25, 2012 at 19:53
Thank you for the comment.
The grandchild/parent is very special. It enriches the lives of both grandparent and child.
Sally
May 22, 2012 at 23:19
A lovely, sweet story – thank goodness we can have memories to treasure.
Ross Mannell
May 25, 2012 at 19:55
Thank you for the comment.
While not having been a parent myself, as a teacher I have many fond memories of hte children I have taught, especially of those who have kept in contact.
jabbersville
May 23, 2012 at 01:59
A lovely piece and such a special bond.
Ross Mannell
May 25, 2012 at 19:56
Thank you for the comment.
A loving relationship is always special but there is something greater in the bond between a grandparent and child.
newpillowbook
May 23, 2012 at 03:20
So sweet.
Ross Mannell
May 25, 2012 at 20:00
Thank you for the comment.
The idea came to mind because of the prompt. It made me think of an idea I had for a photograph. Candlelight added to the gentleness of the relationship.
Sparks In Shadow
May 23, 2012 at 04:16
A sweet moment captured.
Ross Mannell
May 25, 2012 at 20:40
Thank you for the comment.
It’s those type of moments we treasure.
annahalford (@anhalf)
May 23, 2012 at 08:18
I love your interpretation of the prompt. You have written of the grandparent/child relationship a few times; always with great sensitivity and understanding. Just lovely 🙂
Ross Mannell
May 25, 2012 at 20:42
Thank you for the comment.
I suppose I have a leaning to the grandparent relationship because my age makes them contemporaries. 🙂
lorrainefort
May 23, 2012 at 08:36
lovely. I love those moments and you captured it perfectly. 🙂
Ross Mannell
May 25, 2012 at 20:48
Thank you for the comment.
Although the story was fiction, the photo used to create the added image was real. It captured a tender moment.
Words From the Moon
May 23, 2012 at 09:54
What a heartwarming story – lovely!
Ross Mannell
May 25, 2012 at 20:49
Thank you for the comment.
The grandparent/child relationship should always be heartwarming. 🙂
Susan Mann (@susankmann)
May 23, 2012 at 19:29
What a sweet piece x
Ross Mannell
May 25, 2012 at 20:52
Thank you for the comment.
The story was a sweet moment.
DancingInTheRain
May 24, 2012 at 15:00
This is lovely. Beautifully written. You could be talking about me and my small grandchildren, who call me Nana although we live in a non-English speaking country.
Ross Mannell
May 25, 2012 at 20:53
Thank you for the comment.
No matter what the language, the relationship between and grandchild and grandparent can be very special.
Annie Dennis
May 25, 2012 at 01:35
Beautiful.
Ross Mannell
May 25, 2012 at 20:55
Thank you for the comment. 🙂
jeanelaine
May 25, 2012 at 03:47
Lovely, and poignant. I really enjoyed this piece. Here’s mine http://jemcogdell.blogspot.com/2012/05/100-wd-challenge-43stranded.html Hope you’ll stop by
Ross Mannell
May 25, 2012 at 21:00
Thank you for the comment.
Because of the commenting I do for students in many schools, I’m often not able to visit many 100WCGU entries. Thanks for adding the link. I will visit your story. 🙂
Gilly Gee
May 25, 2012 at 15:59
So tender and beautiful.
Ross Mannell
May 25, 2012 at 20:58
Thank you for the comment.
It would be a tender moment. The photo used to create the added image is real and was taken at a Christmas concert. 🙂
Inside the Mind of Isadora
May 25, 2012 at 19:03
The blessings that replace loss.
Lovely,
Isadora http://insidethemindofisadora.wordpress.com/2012/05/25/the-flame-flickered/
Ross Mannell
May 25, 2012 at 21:01
Thank you for the comment.
Special moments as in the story are a blessing. They last in our minds throughout life.
ventahl
May 27, 2012 at 02:32
‘No longer young of body but young of mind, I enjoy this moment. ‘ This speaks to me more than all the other words. Increasingly, I feel like this.
Ross Mannell
May 27, 2012 at 06:27
Thanks for the comment.
Likewise, I feel this. The mind is young and active yet the body can sometimes remind me time moves on. 🙂
Anne Schilde
May 28, 2012 at 05:43
Beautiful! You had me at a moment in time. You won me when Nana stroked my hair. ♥
Ross Mannell
May 28, 2012 at 09:08
Thanks for the comment.
Tender moments are memory makers. The image used was based on a real photo of a Nana and small child. 🙂