This short story dramatizes a young girl's first encounter with mortality. It was first published in Spindrift in 2003 and was reprinted in 2025 in the Maryland Medicine Journal.
When I read this gem of a story, Toby, my mind went back to William Faulkner‘s short novel “As I Lay Dying.” You probably remember one chapter, it may have been chapter 4, but I can’t recall just now, which was just one sentence: “My mother is a fish.” That always struck me as so profound. The metaphor, the sensory experience, all mingle together with the love for the grandmother. And scents (the sardines, Tabu, etc.) are so intimately connected to memory.
So well done, Toby, again. I just love reading your short stories. Please keep them coming!
I enjoyed the reality of this sweet story that celebrates the memory of a loved one especially grandparents. My Grama is on the 8th floor and often speaks of the time of her "travel" in a nonchalant way and I deny it with a laugh. I'm not ready quite yet. For now, I'll keep cherishing my conversations with my Grama just like this sweet child did with her sardine smelling grandmother.
Thank you Zusi. I think that everyone can identify with the love between generations. I was also trying to show the awakening in the understanding of the process of loss.
Step by step. So wonderful
Beautiful
When I read this gem of a story, Toby, my mind went back to William Faulkner‘s short novel “As I Lay Dying.” You probably remember one chapter, it may have been chapter 4, but I can’t recall just now, which was just one sentence: “My mother is a fish.” That always struck me as so profound. The metaphor, the sensory experience, all mingle together with the love for the grandmother. And scents (the sardines, Tabu, etc.) are so intimately connected to memory.
So well done, Toby, again. I just love reading your short stories. Please keep them coming!
This is such a sweet story. It captures a child learns a lesson about love of a grandparent.
Thanks Sydelle. Hope all is well.
I enjoyed the reality of this sweet story that celebrates the memory of a loved one especially grandparents. My Grama is on the 8th floor and often speaks of the time of her "travel" in a nonchalant way and I deny it with a laugh. I'm not ready quite yet. For now, I'll keep cherishing my conversations with my Grama just like this sweet child did with her sardine smelling grandmother.
Thank you Zusi. I think that everyone can identify with the love between generations. I was also trying to show the awakening in the understanding of the process of loss.