PHOTO PROMPT – © J Hardy Carroll
Heavenly Notice
Father Wiggan rose as he had risen for the last sixty years, standing first at the urinal then kneeling at the altar. Sister Loretta set the mug of aromatic coffee before him at the century-old oak kitchen table. He could smell the usual butter-fried eggs cooking.
Caffeine jolted last night’s dream of two small, glowing children climbing out of a grave. He was pondering it when Sister Loretta dropped the morning mail on the table.
Chewing egg and toast, his trembling hands opened a certified letter and read,
“Father Flanagan and Sister June will arrive month’s end as your replacements.”
[100 words]
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields is the host of Friday Fictioneers.
Tao Talk 
Oh no!
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Ah well, nothing lasts for ever.
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I think they had a good run. Thanks for reading and your comment, Someone.
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Even the grim reaper has become bureaucratised. I liked the description of the morning ritual
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Ha ha, Neil. on imagining the letter came from DEATH. (Pratchett reference) Thank you on the morning ritual.
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Oh no, but then I have many questions – is Siter Lorretta just a random nun or does she do this for the Father every day?? Was the dream a premonition? What’s he going to do, what is the Sister going to do? Also butter-fried eggs to deliciously naughty but for a man of the cloth?? 😃 Great write Lisa 🙌
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Ange, I am delighted that the story raised questions with you. It’s part of the fun of writing and sharing stories.
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😃🙌
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Uh oh! A premonition perhaps?
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Methinks so, and the letter confirms it. Neil thinks it’s from the Grim Reaper…
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Ominous!
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Thanks for reading, Dawn.
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That is sad. But such is the modern world—even priests are not immune from being put out to pasture. (K)
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I really have they have a pasture where he and the sister will be provided for.
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I think there are such places.
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The Last Breakfast methinks.
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Keith, very well may be. Great comment.
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“standing at the urinal” and “kneeling at the altar” God! What a terrific sentence!
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haha! Glad you like it, Liam. Thanks :)
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The sacred and the profane, equally mundane.
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<3
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I guess after sixty years, they deserve retirement. Do they want it? That’s another question.
The scene is so lively, with peeing, and praying, and then having breakfast… made me smile.
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:) Glad it made you smile, Gabi. Lovely comment.
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Wonderful details as always, Lisa. I don’t think the retirement news came as a welcome surprise, especially on the heels of a bad dream the night before.
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Brenda, thank you very much. I’m not sure either of them are prepared for a change.
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Even morning prayers must give way for the urinal.
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lol
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Dear Lisa,
I suppose retirement or being replaced could be seen as a death. Your story raises lots of questions. Good job!
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle, thanks so much. I see the dream as a premonition by the priest.
Shalom,
Lisa
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Oh shame!
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Thanks, Chris. I hope these 2 have earned a warm place in the sun somewhere.
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Oh dear
That’s a sad end.
Nicely described morning moment. I could see it all so clearly
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Laurie, thanks much.
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Such letters often feel like letters from the Grim Reaper! Nicely done Lisa.
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Dahlia, in essence the letter may be that very thing. Neil thought so also.
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I like the idea of a promotion. :)
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:)
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Loved reading the comments as much as the story. Now my mind is all over the place! Excellent, dear Lisa!
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Dale, I appreciate that you liked the story enough to read the comments. I like to do that also when I have time. Yes, the perspectives have been all over the place. What do *you* think is going on in it?
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It feels like the dream was a premonition that his retirement was imminent. How? Not necessarily death per se but death of the life he was living up till then.
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I see it that way also. Have a great day, Dale <3
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Sweet! You as well, Lisa. I am enjoying the last two days of vacation… sigh…
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