PHOTO PROMPT © Ted Strutz
Under normal circumstances, at life’s end funeral and burial arrangements would have already been finalized and notarized. These were not normal circumstances. I was only forty years old. My sons learned that the dental hygienist was an anti-masker in her off hours and had infected dozens during their routine cleanings. I was a ghost by then.
Unconscious for days in ICU isolation, I woke long enough to say good-bye to my boys through the plexiglass – and to scrawl, “Bury me organically and plant tree” on a scratchpad — before the ventilator breathed my last.
Now I’m an oak tree.
[100 words]
Learn more about Capsula Mundi here.
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields is the educational host of Friday Fictioneers.
Tao Talk 
What a story, Li and capsula mundi sounds like a wonderful idea.
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Thank you, Punam. I think so too.
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You are welcome.
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I think I’d like to come back as an oak tree. At least I would be allowed outdoors and wouldn’t have to worry about my teeth.
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ha ha! True!
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That’s a pretty good thing for stardust to become
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Thank you, Neil.
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Oaks are good. :)
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:) I like the idea of my kids still being able to hug me.
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Yep. Perfect and far better than a tombstone. IMO.
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As strong and steady as she was, she deserves to be an oak tree, hopefully a silent refuge for her sons.
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<3 Indeed.
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Anti-maskers are killers.
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So much information in this well self-contained short story!
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Thank you, Irene. I wondered if I could fit what needed to fit in there.
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If I were to become a tree, I could not chose better than an oak to be.
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:)
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it’s nature’s way. like they say, the end of life clock starts ticking the moment we’re born.
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An oak tree would be great…my preference would be a Palm Tree though…to feel those ocean winds everyday.
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That would be real nice also. Aren’t palm trees the ones that grow coconuts too?
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YES! I remember as a kid the first time I saw one…love at first sight.
I have asked and read about growing them here where I live. People do have them here. In the winter you have to cover the bottom 8 foot with a blanket…I just didn’t want to do it to the tree…but I was tempted!
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I think you should! I have seen where tropical fruit trees are grown in Canada. When cold weather comes they lay them on their sides and cover them up. You might try growing one in a container?
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I’m talking about a full grown Palm Tree…maybe you are also…but yea it would make me feel so good every day. Some people in Brentwood…which is right outside of Nashville grow them near their pools.
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What a lovely idea :)
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:)
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Very interesting short story
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A tree is good. An anti-masker is bad. (K)
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That’s why I haven’t been to the dentist in 15 months. Great story, Li.
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Thank you very much, Fandango.
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A very apt tale of our times, and who wouldn’t want to be an oak? Great stuff, i’m now going to google the title…
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Click on the link at the end and it takes you to a whole site about it.
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I had a look, I quite like the idea of being arranged foetus like in a massive tear drop shaped seed, buried in the ground and as my body decomposes adding nutrients to a massive oak tree. But I also want my ashes shot up into the sky in a firework like Hunter S Thomson
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That could be fun also! Maybe they can turn one of your limbs into ashes for space and “tree” the rest?
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I’m going to be hung drawn and quartered ethically and ecologically!!
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LOL!
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I could think of nothing better than ending up as an oak tree. And this has done nothing for my fear of going to the dentist in these difficult times. :)
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I actually had just gotten back from the dentist when I wrote this :) Thank you, Sandra. Neither can I (about the oak tree.)
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I can think of nothing nicer to come back as!
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Dear Lisa,
That was a different take on the prompt. Nicely done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle, many thanks.
Shalom,
Lisa
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Unusual write on the photograph this week, Lisa.
I like the idea but would like to come back as a beautiful big orchid.
Everyone would see me and ooohhh and aahhh. Yes, let’s make it happen.
Be Safe 😷 Isadora 😎
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Great comment, Isadora, and love the thought of you as an orchid. You stay safe also, my friend.
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This is so very sad… very sad…
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My heart goes out to the hundreds of thousands who have died unnecessarily :(
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Indeed. I soooo miss my godchildren. It’s not the same not having them chatting with me after school, or in the mornings. The holidays didn’t feel like the holidays, either. and still, I see people who can’t wear a mask…it sickens me to no end.
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A scientist, she was not. Perhaps as an oak tree she’ll have time to reflect.
Tragic in many ways.
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Thank you for reading and your comment, Susan.
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I love this idea. Made me think of an episode of Six Feet Under. Way more organic to plant a body to let it become one with the earth…
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Dale, imagine if every person did this what it would do to help our Mother Earth. I loved that show and watched it when it was way back on showtime.
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Returned to nature. The cycle of life…
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A very sad tale when you consider how many unnecessary deaths have occurred. =( But, I really like the idea of planting a tree as one last effort to improve this place before we go. Like so many of the others, I want to be a strong oak tree. Well done on the story!
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Thank you for reading and your comment, Brenda. Indeed!
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Nicely laid out and important to stick for the closing. :D
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Thank you, Oneta!
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What seemed to start out angry ended up so pretty! Definitely sang to the Druid in my blood. Good job putting so many events into such a small space.
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Many thanks, Eugi :)
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Well told. Tragic story, only slightly relieved by the idea of the Capsula Mundi.
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Hoping it becomes just a faded memory at some point…
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Oh my gosh. This is grabbed me and won’t let go. Now a tree – is such a peaceful end to such a horrid death.
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Thanks, Laurie. Yes.
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Fascinating, I didn’t know about Capsula Mundi. As someone once said – remember that the mighty oak was once a nut like you.
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LOL
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There are worse things to be than an oak tree, for me all trees link together three worlds.
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Much worse things, I agree, Michael. What 3 worlds do all trees link together? My guess is earth, sky, and water but not sure what you’re 3 are.
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You really have a great talent for writing! I loved this story!
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:)
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