I became immersed in silent peace with Dale’s photograph, along with its seasonal touch of the inviting Christmas tree lights. The picture shows a thaw in the weather and a respite from the hard frost; but for how long? Winter can be mild or hard, and in the Spring, we forgive the past harsh weather as the appearance of flowers lighten our mood.
This week, I have taken my inspiration from Franz Kafka.
The German novelist Franz Kafka writes about his father in “Letter to My Father.”
“What was always incomprehensible to me was your total lack of feeling for the suffering and shame you could inflict on me with your words and judgments.”
Thank you, Rochelle for this week’s prompt for Friday Fictioneers, other stories can be read HERE.

Time Thaws the Torment
I took the shortcut from the railway station along the path I used twenty years ago.
It was then I vowed never to return, but here I was.
Sat on my heavy rucksack, I looked across at the place, my childhood home once full of boyhood adventures.
I loved this country and our family’s farming life.
Come home, my mother said. It’s Christmas. He’s gone, bless his soul.
Was it him who drove me away, or my stubborn pride? A lifetime of agony and tormented pains.
Forgiveness lightened my backpack as I strode with definitive certainty.
I had returned home.
The mother certainly seems to believe it was the father who drove him away. An atmospheric piece, James
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Thank you.
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Dear James,
How sad when there are rifts in families. I’m glad your story ended on a hopeful note. Nicely done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thank you.
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very poignant with just a lovely uplift at the end – perfect for the time of year and especially in the times we are living through. I am waiting for the uplift.
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Thank you, Diane, for your encouragement.
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Dark shadows might still be lingering around.
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There may be, thank you.
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Ahhh, the relief and release of forgiveness. It certainly lightens the heavy load we carry without it.
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He may never know the answer to that question. Wonderful writing and I definitely feel the Kafka in it.
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I am humbled by your praise, thank you.
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You’re very welcome, James.
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It is especially painful from an immediate family member so it is understandable if his ability to forgive only kicks in so very slowly
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The father and son relationships being strained is apparently a common situation that is often ignored. Thank you.
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Not all families are loving and understanding. Good for him and his mother that she reaches out. Great story, James.
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Many thanks.
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A perfectly heartwarming Christmas story, James.
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A lot of emotion in 100 words. Nice work!
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It’s like he’s come full circle. Life is strange.
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How sad that his father died before the son grew up enough to forgive him.
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Full of feeling! Families are the source of much love and much pain.
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“Forgiveness lightened my backpack”…I love that.
Good story, perfect any time, especially Christmas. Thank you.
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Thanks, Dawn. I find that when a problem is solved, I feel lighter. Just me.
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Not just you.
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The past is a hard thing of which to let go. Forgiveness is a big step.
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Christmas should be a time for mending bridges, not building them, but so often …
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Reads like lines from a literary novel! Happy Christmas!
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thank you. Enjoy your Christmas and New Year celebrations.
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I like what you did with this, James. My first thought would have been Bukowski, but Kafka works as well. Well done. 🙂
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Thank you Bill. I must read some of Bukowski and perhaps work the influence into some future stories.
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somehow i could relate to this story. well done.
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What a beautifully written tale of coming home, James. Loved this.
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Thank you, Dale. Keep warm and enjoy the Christmas time.
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Will do! Hope you so as well 😊
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It was definitely him. Mother knows best. Home is where the heart is (even after many years). Nice one. 👍
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Thank you.
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Beautifully written, James, lucid, full of insight and deeply humane.
Kudos
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Thank you, Penny.
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Oh this is lovely. A moment of indecision and then a definitive choice. That with wslking the path… a terrific piece about inner turmoil and families.
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Thanks, Laurie. I am pleased you were drawn in by the story.
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