The Scent of Change – A Six Sentence Story
She hated the smell of Christmas.
Once upon a time, though, that wasn’t so. Christmastime had always provided a heady mix of memories, happy evenings spent listening to the pop and hiss of the fire as it warmed the room and all within it, breathing in the woodsy outdoors of a sledding day brought into the center of the room on snowy branches turned green and sparkling with lights and ornaments that reflected the crackling firelight.
Like her memories, the ornaments were a jumbled mess of handmade expressions of love and the store bought kind she always thought of as “fancy,” the pastel sugar-frosted ones with cut out spaces for Santa, snowmen, and angels. Christmas was always like this – a collection of perfect moments captured forever in their annual certainty.
But now, Christmas was different – still filled with the sights, sounds, and smells of years past yet empty in the moments where their smiles belonged, cut out spaces filled only with the certainty that Christmas would forever be changed.
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Each week, the lovely and talented Ivy Walker hosts a link-up challenging writers to spin a tale in six sentences – no more, no less.
This week’s cue is PINE.
Click on the link right here to link your own post and read more Six Sentence Stories from some wonderful storytellers.
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Although we do not know what has transpired in this woman’s life that has so strongly changed her feelings about Christmas, but in some ways I understand and can relate. Christmas is a highly emotional time and very memory-connected, and some memories are better left alone. Great writing, Lisa, you conveyed the sense of loss powerfully.
That’s true, Josie – holidays are often highly emotional times. And thank you! <3
This is lovely Lisa. I have only remained on the outskirts of this weekly prompt up until now. I am glad I stopped by to read your holiday themed post though. Every precious word you use here is a perfect representation of this time of year. The scents are unforgettable and the meaning within every hanging ornament is real and pure. Maybe I will join in sometime. Brevity has never been my gift, but I make it a continual goal for the coming year. Have a lovely weekend.
Oh, definitely join us, Kerry! It’s a lot of fun and great practice. As for brevity…the rule is six sentences, but nobody said they had to be short sentences. 😀
One of my favorite parts of Christmas is taking our all of the ornaments and remembering the people, places, and events associated with them. Each one has a story.
Pastel sugar frosted…great visual
Thanks. Inspired by actual ornaments.
I really need to try these writing prompts some time. Great work!
Thanks, Megan. It’s really a great challenge.
Consider this an invitation, Morgan…Ivy
Memories of Christmas past linger in all of us I think. The excitement of having children, no matter the ages, in one’s midst on holidays brings back an assortment of memories during the playing of games, their sharing their own memories of times in and with the family, eating favorite dishes, etc.
With loss, whether it is one’s memory, or the loss of people in the family, holidays don’t feel the same. Sometimes it takes a long time for some individuals to feel more than a sadness during a holiday, especially if the loss happened during a holiday.
This happens a lot. You captured it perfectly.
Yes. And thank you. <3
Wow. What a poignant story. Love it.
Thank you, Michael! Sorry it took so long to see your comment – it was stuck in spam approval land. Thanks for visiting!