Blizzard Of Tears
For a Moment the World Stops
Snow falls softly, in a gentle blanket all around us. The world is quiet and serene. I could sit here forever and watch as the snow obscures the shadows and shapes of everything. There are no sharp edges in this world, the snow has softened and rounded them all out. There are no bright colors, the snow has turned everything white. There are no cars driving past or people racing about, the snow has driven them inside to hide. There are no sounds interrupting our thoughts, the snow has swallowed them up in silence.
He wraps his arms around my shoulders, pulling me tight against him, as we sit in silence on our porch and watch the snow slowly change everything about the world we know. It seems fitting that the weather would want everything to stop with us. Our world is different forever now, not just this one moment. It seems so unfair that life should just go on and I can't imagine having to get up and go back to anything normal. I nestle my head into his shoulder and tears slip down both our cheeks.
I imagine how it would be if the snow never stopped, if it were to bury us here on this porch in its soft embrace. But the flakes are already starting to slow. We have this moment to grieve but when the storm ends life will begin again, for us. If only it could for our sweet boy, too.
About the Creator
A. J. Schoenfeld
I only write about the real world. But if you look close enough, you'll see there's magic hiding in plain sight everywhere.
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More stories from A. J. Schoenfeld and writers in Fiction and other communities.
Safely Home
As we leave Grandma’s house the snow packing the roads makes the tires of the truck slip and my heart climbs a little higher into my throat each time. I look at Dad behind the wheel in the seat next to me. He smiles at me encouragingly as he turns onto the freeway. As we approach the point of the mountain, I feel the back of the truck wiggle precariously behind us. I might only be ten, but I understand all too well how dangerous snow can be. I lost my cousin four years ago on a night like this and ever since I have secretly been terrified of riding in cars in the winter. Again, I look over at Dad and see his strong jaw isn’t clenched in nervousness, his knuckles aren’t turning white from the strain of holding the wheel. He actually appears completely relaxed. He glances over to me long enough for his eyes, full of love and reassurance, to meet my own. My heart stops pounding and the knot in my stomach loosens. No longer terrified, I am now able to enjoy the beauty of the silent blanket that is covering the world around me. I watch the flakes fly at the windshield like stars streaking past a rocket ship and enjoy the remainder of the ride home. Finally, after nearly twice as long as it normally takes, we pull into our driveway. Dad got us safely home and I now know he always will.
By A. J. Schoenfeld2 years ago in Fiction
The steps to losing a child
Step One: Lose a child. Not what anyone wants to happen and nothing you can do to change it, but you can go through steps to becoming happy again. You can go through steps to loving again. You can go through steps to become a new you because after losing a child you will never be the same person you once were.
By Tabitha Hinkley4 days ago in Fiction
Comments (12)
aw... everyone is right. that opening paragraph is stunning... even tho i was concerned about what came next, it felt soothing like a gentle lullaby. i love how snow seems to sanitise things and so your descriptions really set things up for the reveal. understated and genuinely moving. masterfully done! just sorry I only read it now! congrats on your runnerup place! deserved it!
well done
Oh my _! I actually felt tears, rather, have them now. It takes a lot to stir me into such emotion. May I ask if it is true?
Beautiful story. I love it! Congratulations! 😊
This is so beautiful and heartbreaking. Congrats on your runner-up win!
White-motif grief is always more serene. Congrats!
A beautifully written heart wrenching encapsulation of grief. Well done!
Absolutely beautiful writing. I like your approach.
I like the constant repetition in paragraph one, and how it shows the all-powerful effects of snow to clear and stop and smooth. The ending is a great contrast with this, and your lines are filled with imagery. “ It seems fitting that the weather would want everything to stop with us.” 👏 Well done!
Sad. I love the way that you use the repetition of snow in your first paragraph. It almost lulled me, like it was hypnotic.
Congratulations A. J. on your win in the Snow Micro challenge!!!
Congratulations on the runner up win!!!♥️♥️💕