PHOTO PROMPT © Trish Nankivell
Once a week for twelve weeks each year for the last decade we gathered. Damaged goods some might say. No matter what else was swirling in the loo in each of our lives, we knew we could depend on her benevolent smile and her gentle voice to rest in when we were so weary with the meanness of the world.
Each week in our sacred space she teased the poison out of us like a healing poultice.
Covid took her in May. She died alone. There was no funeral.
She left no forwarding address, but I know where she is.
[100 words]
My story today isn’t fiction. She used to call angels sent to earth to help others “Jesus with skin.” I miss her.
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields is the hearth-warming host of Friday Fictioneers.
Tao Talk 
Sounds like the sort of person you feel like knowing them was a gift
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yes, very much so. The worst part is only finding out a few days ago. I sent her a Christmas card last week and got one back from her husband with the news.
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I’m sorry for your loss. And for his
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Thanks much, I’m sure he is lost without her 😦
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A wonderful tribute
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Thank you, Neil.
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No matter what else was swirling in the loo in each of our lives
Nice line.
The last line was a hearwrench. A very soul searing story! You nailed the pain through this story. I needn’t say any more.
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Neel, thank you for your kind words.
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Ah, that was so poignant! Beautifully done, Jade.
Susan A Eames at
Travel, Fiction and Photos
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Thank you, Susan.
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A very touching story Li
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Thank you, Sadje.
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You’re welcome.
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Touching tribute. Sorry to hear of your loss.
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Iain, thank you very much.
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So touching and heartfelt, this is an incredibly beautiful tribute. I am so sorry for your loss. ❤️❤️
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Lucy, thank you for your kind words ❤ She was an incredibly beautiful person.
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Touching and sad.
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Thank you, Fandango. The worst Christmas card message ever. When can 2021 be over.
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Sounds like someone all of us should have had in our lives! I am sorry for the loss you are feeling, Li.
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She was an extraordinary individual who touched a lot of lives. Thank you for your condolences, Punam ❤
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You are welcome, Li. Happy New Year. Sending you hugs and best wishes. ❤️
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Happy New Year, my friend ❤
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A person who was a gift and perhaps continues to be one still. Here’s to angels on earth, good people doing good things, and those who use their lifetime to improve the world. Amen. I’m sorry for your loss … I’ve known a couple of people like that, who had since moved on (Pre-Covid). The loss is always palpable, and even more so for the grief of now, when so little is as one expected it to be. XX Na’ama
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Well-said Na’ama, I raise a glass to them. It hurts beyond hurting, and to know she could have no visitors at the end and no funeral service tears me apart. Thank you for your kind words, Na’ama ❤
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I feel you. xx
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Poignant tribute
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Thank you, Ceayr.
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Very moving tribute!
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Irene, thank you ❤
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Dear Lisa,
I’m so sorry for your loss. “Jesus with skin on” I love that term and have known a few who embody it. Your tribute is moving and touched me to the core.
Sending hugs.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle, thank you for your kind words of condolence ❤
Shalom,
Lisa
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I’m so sorry Jade. but I’m sure you are right about her forwarding address. (K)
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❤
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Such beautiful writing, but so sad. Sorry for your loss. I loved the piece though.
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Thank you, David.
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I’m so sorry, Lisa, for your loss especially during this time of year. She sounds like a rare gem, someone with a loving healing touch. You wrote a beautiful tribute to her life, and I imagine she must be smiling now. I love the last line. Take care!
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Many thanks for your kind condolences, Brenda ❤
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Sorry for the loss Lisa…
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Thank you, Max. Just adds icing to the cake of 2020.
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Yes I know Lisa…I’ll be glad to see this year gone for good.
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Sorry about your loss. It has been a hard year in many ways.
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Thank you for your condolences, Trent. Yes, it has.
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This brought tears to my eyes. So heartfelt. Reminded me of our dear neighbor lady who was a “Jesus with skin” type of person. Just last week, as I fear for my hubby while he was in hospital, she was so encouraging to me. He came home well, and the next day, she passed. We’ll never understand in this life why God calls home some, and not others. I wish I could literally give you a hug right now. Many prayers for you, too. ~Shalom, Bear
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Bear, thank you so much. It is a great mystery isn’t it. I’m glad your husband pulled through. Your kind words are appreciated ❤
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She will be missed by a lot of people besides you. Happy Christmas.
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Yes she will 😦 Thank you, Liz.
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Sounds like she was a very special lady and you were blessed for knowing her. So sorry for your loss.
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Thank you, Adele, she was.
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You’re welcome, Lisa.
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I suspected this might be based in reality. People like that that are special.
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That might be the worst part of this monster we call COVID, the isolation. It’s taken so much from us. Next to the people we’ve lost, our security is the biggest. Every time we’re around anyone, there’s a possibility of them infecting us or us infecting them. As someone who, thankfully, hasn’t had it, I can only imagine, but the suffering it inflicts is one thing. Suffering alone has to make it much worse. I’m so sorry it took your friend. My goddaughter has it currently. She young and strong and assures me she’s all right. Her entire family has it or has had it. So far, they’ve all pulled through.
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Thank you for your thoughtful comment. Glad your loved ones are making it through ok.
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Such a loving tribute to an extra-ordinary person. She may be gone but the gift she gave endures forever.
Merry Christmas, Lisa ♥
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Thank you much, Jolly ❤
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We are made by those who touch us, losing the good, touches us with sadness, we honour them by our good deeds.
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Wise words, Michael.
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This was beautiful especially since it was real. It is ironic how the ones who help others the most, die alone. Sounds like a therapist-come-spiritual-healer. I’m sure you feel so connected to her still 🙂
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Yes, she was and she is, gone but never gone. Thank you, Fatima ❤
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She sounds like she was a very special person.
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She was 😦
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I’m so sorry for your loss. This is beautifully written.
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Thank you, Laurie.
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Each Christmas as I write cards to people I no longer see, I wonder if I’ll get a message similar to the one you received. A touching piece indeed.
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I hope it’s the first and last 😦
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What a lovely and meaningful story MsJadeli. Stirs many emotions.
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Thank you very much.
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