Title: Sentinels
Source: Friday Fictioneers sponsored by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields-Addicted to Purple
Word count: 100 words
PHOTO PROMPT © Nick Allen
I will never forget the day the fire consumed everything. Dad’s business, his life’s work, reduced to ashes. Dad, in typical Dad fashion, found hope. He saw charred foundations that refused to succumb. Sentinels of fortitude.
Dad smiled, “It could have been worse,” he said, and I wondered what he thought might be worse than what lay before us.
“You are young, there is much you haven’t seen. No lives were lost, only things. It’s a minor setback, a test to determine our character, to measure our resolve.”
Today, I mourn my father. His words echoing in my broken heart.
__________________________________________
Keep on writing.
Jo Hawk The Writer
Jo Hawk 
Oh, that was so sad and yet lovely and thought provoking too. Beautifully done, Jo.
Susan A Eames at
Travel, Fiction and Photos
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Thank you, Susan.
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A wise man. Nicely done.
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Thank you, Iain.
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lost things aren’t important as we think they are, lost people and lost words create a huge void, I can read that so deeply in your message here.
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Glad you liked it. I see so many focused on material things. Glad the message was clear.
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He made an excellent role model
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So happy you think so Alice. Thank you for the kind words. 😊
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This is very good!! A very wise perspective that the Dad has! Was this fiction? For if not, I am so sorry about what happened to your Dad, but it does sound like you had a very wise Dad if it is true.
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Purely fiction. My father is well and I expect for him to be around for a long time yet. Glad you liked the story.😉
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Glad to hear that! 🙂
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Such wisdom, in the father… I wonder if those sage words helped whole the broken heart.
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I suspect they will, in time. Thanks for reading Magaly. 😊
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A wise father. I hope the son becomes as wise as his father was.
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I hope so too. Some lessons can only be learned by living them. Thanks for reading.
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A poignant piece with a timeless message.
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Thank you for reading and commenting. 😊
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A positive thinking man of character. A rare breed indeed!
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They are rare, and it is wonderful when you find one. Thanks for commenting.
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Dad sounds like he was a good role model.
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Thanks draliman, We need those guys in our life.
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It could have been worse, an adage that applies to most difficult situations. Nice one.
Click to read my FriFic tale!
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Thanks Keith. That saying does tend to crop up when things get bad. 😊
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A topical tale with a lesson for us all. Nicely done.
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Thank you Sandra. 😊
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Wise words from a wise man… very well written story this week. Just lovely.
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Jelli, your words are music to my ears and one of the reasons I love to write. Thanks for reading and commenting. 💕💕💕
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Dear Jo,
No truer words were ever spoken than Dad’s. Touchingly told.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thank you Rochelle. As usual you have a great photo for the prompt. 😊
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Exceptionally powerful story you’ve written, Jo.
The words our parents say can have a impact on our lives even when
they’re gone. His father seems like someone who would be able to see gold in a rock.
A man with a positive soul. My after thoughts, after I read your story, was of the people in California
who’ve lost everything. I hope they can feel a small bit of this type of positivity. Well written ….
Isadora 😎
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The California fires were in the back of my mind as I wrote this, along with other disasters. I am glad you connected with this piece Isadora. Your kind words are the best compliment. Thank you. 😊
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Very wise!
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Thank you Lisa 😊
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I love his wisdom.
We are forgetting it these days!👌
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Oh I hope we are not. I am glad you liked this story. Thank you for commenting. 😊
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👍
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If the fire was a test, it sounds like the father aced his final exam.
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Somehow I don’t think it was the first time he has been tested. Thanks for reading.
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I believe his fathers passing brings with it a better understanding of his fathers words concerning loss.. Excellent write.
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Thank you Violet, I think you are absolutely correct in your assessment. 😊
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Life is like that sometimes, all that can be done is to pick up the pieces and move on. A sad but heartfelt story.
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You are so right, James. It is not easy to move on, yet we have little choice. Glad you connected with the story. 😊
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A beautiful piece gently written. A wise man indeed.
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Thanks you, Brenda. 😊
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Attitude is everything and a lesson well taught!
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Thanks Dale. 😊
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He will never be gone and his legacy is wisdom. How wonderful to have a father like him. A sad but lovely story.
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Glad you liked the story Jilly. Thanks for commenting. 😊
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Such a lovely, poignant story. Dad’s character, viewed through the lens of a tragedy, from the narrator’s tragedy. Nice.
I see you enjoy fiction prompts. If you are looking for another, check out WhatPegmanSaw.com
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I am glad you like the story and thanks for the referral. I will check it out. 😊
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It’s all about the foundations. If they’re strong, you can keep building on them indeed.
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Very true. 😊
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First there’s time to mourn… then you go on… such is life.
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So true.😊
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Ooohhhh heartbreaking. What a fabulous man
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So glad you liked the story. 😊
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Nice piece Jo, a touching little tale. 🙂
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Thank you JW.
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