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Contemplation – Friday Fictioneers

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Good Wednesday, my peeps. Let me begin by apologising for not getting to all the fictioneers’ stories last week. I shall still try to catch up, if I can.

Our leader Rochelle has chosen J.Hardy Carroll’s interesting pic this week. Care to see what you can come up with? Click on the frog below and add your 100-words worth!

Click me!

Contemplation

Whatcha doin’ lyin’ on the floor like that?

Contemplating.

Contemplating your potential death should that contraption fall on ya?

Hah! No, but yes.

What? Yes or no?

No, not worried about the contraption but thinking of death in general.

Why on earth would you?

 

Gasp!

 

Is there something you need to tell me?

Oh no! I’m not dying. Not yet, anyway.

Jeez. Then why would you?

I went to see this cool show called ‘A Night of Grief and Mystery’.

Optimistic title. I can see the attraction. Not.

It was fascinating.

Death?

More about the journey we will all take.

Ugh.

*************

My go-to buddy, Julie and I went to see this show last night.  It was so fascinating, combining Stephen Jenkinson’s story-telling with Gregory Hoskins Band. Could not help but make one think and want to discuss it afterwards!

And honestly, we did NOT know we were gonna be the dynamic purple duo!

109 thoughts on “Contemplation – Friday Fictioneers”

  1. Dear Dale,

    “If you are the dealer, I’m out of the game…you want it darker, we kill the flame.” Had to get that out of my system after following your link. 😉 I can see why this person is lying on the floor contemplating after seeing that show. Believable dialogue that drew me in.

    Shalom and lotsa hugs,

    Rochelle

    Liked by 2 people

    • Dear Rochelle,

      I just realised I haven’t added my link!!

      It was the strangest and coolest thing we have ever participated in.

      Love your quote

      Shalom and Lotsa love,

      Dale

      Liked by 1 person

  4. Great dialogue, and if it were me, I’d lie down on the floor next to you and we could have us a contemplation party (if there isn’t such a thing, it should be a ‘thing’ …
    Because death IS just a journey we are all guaranteed to take, and it IS a part of the circle of life (earworm included for no additional charge). So many people don’t want to even talk about it … and yet, why not?
    Interestingly enough, I just had a conversation today, with a 3rd grader, about death and illness (relevant in that kid’s life experiences), and about what can and cannot be fixed, and how old is “really old” and what “before their time” means (being a speech language pathologist, I do a lot of understanding how expressions were understood and clarifying what they mean, or don’t mean …), and what can be done when “doctors can’t help someone even if they try” (the kid’s phrase). It was not a gloomy conversation, but an important one. For all I know, we could’ve been lying on the floor staring through a skylight or on the grass staring at the night’s sky.
    XOXO

    Liked by 2 people

    • Thank you.
      It was most interesting. Julie and I are both widows – though she has since remarried. She was 40 and had a 2 and a 3-year-old at home. I was 50 and had a 15 and a 16 year old at home. This connected us even more than we had already been. A lady sitting at our table is in training to become a Death Doula… she asked us a bunch of questions and that was as cool as the show that followed!

      It is an important conversation to have. And why not under a skylight, or better yet, under the night’s sky…

      Liked by 1 person

    • Exactly so, Peter. Stephen was saying that the dying person should share everything he is going through, even if those don’t want to hear it as it is an act of love. Preparing the other for that which he was not prepared…

      Liked by 1 person

  13. Q,

    I think the idea of lying under that contraption whilst contemplating life and death feels akin to performance art for the brain. Your character was simply immersing herself in the mystery . . with the added bonus of testing the fates, LOL.

    It’s interesting how when you read a certain book, watch a certain movie or listen to something that provokes such questions . . . you start realizing how beautiful and ridiculous and sublime and absurd this long and winding road really is. Glad you girls went there . . . without the need for a contraption overhead. 😉

    B

    Like

    • B,

      Haha! I like that and yes, I think she was!

      That is exactly what the point Jenkinson is trying to make. When you realise the finiteness of life, maybe you’ll appreciate each moment for what it is. Cherish it, be fully in it.

      Yeah, so am I!

      Q

      Liked by 1 person

      • I like the idea the character has . .to step out on the ledge. Without really having to step out on the ledge. Genius!

        When people stop whatever it is they’re doing and they think to themselves “Hey, I am right here . . doing (fill in the blank)”, there really is a magical feeling to that. Unfortunately, we’re moving right along and not taking every moment to do such things.

        🙂

        Like

  15. As (comedian) Spike Milligan said: *I’m not scared of dying. I just don’t want to be there when it happens.* As with that quote, the fact of death doesn’t bother me. It’s a certainty from the day we’re born. But the means of it is what’s not so nice to contemplate.
    BTW, purple was the widow’s colour in Victorian England.

    Liked by 1 person

  19. A show that gives you heaps to think about! It’s certainly different. I followed the link and like Rochelle, I immediately thought of Leonard Cohen’s ‘You want it darker’.

    Okay, you get back up off the floor now!

    Liked by 1 person

  21. Death… been there, done that… ready when the good Lord calls me home. In fact, I wait in anticipation… very few things would I want to re-experience, but death… well, it will be welcome when it comes. Note: I AM NOT being suicidal! 🙂 Just at peace for that day. I remember it all too well. 🙂 ❤ Not enough words to convey it! ~ Shalom, Bear

    Liked by 1 person

  22. Lol, Dale! That is some weird show you went to. Personally I’m trying to concentrate upon living in the moment a bit more, instead of allowing myself to be pursued by the past from behind and by a shrinking future to the fore. There’s an anthem I used to sing when in the church choir, titled “Lord, let me know my end”. No thanks. I’d rather not, any more than I’d want to go to an honest fortune teller. I’m not afraid of death, but rather to any suffering that might lead up to it. If I could die in my sleep at the age of 98 as my granny did, without any illness preluding that moment, that would be ideal.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Don’t we all wish for an ending like Granny’s…
      This show was definitely outside of the norm. But at the same time, was truly interesting. I am in no rush to find out the hows and whens of my own demise!

      Liked by 1 person

  24. Great reflection. I also am not in a hurry to leave this imperfect world. But, as this author stated in one of the trailers, “You cannot correct old age”. Reflection of our demise, not the cause but the end result, can be a good thing. To look back, and ahead, we have an opportunity to see our past mistakes and grief, our good deeds and think of how we could change what we leave behind when we are gone. At least in the minds, of those who knew us and, perhaps, history as well. Is it ever to late to change? You have to wonder about that. I had never heard of this author, philosopher before but he has an interesting outlook on life and death. Thanks for sharing.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Thanks, Jan.
      He’s Canadian 😉
      His first book is entitled “Die Wise” – I bought it and have a feeling it will get hi-lited as I read.
      Thanks for reading!

      Like

  28. The topic reminds me of The Little Prince. Death gives life meaning through contrast. Especially if we have lost a loved one ourselves, it helps to talk about it through stories too. I can totally see you lying down looking up at the skylight thinking about death. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  34. Intriguing. That looks like an interesting, thought-provoking, entertaining show.

    Death is life’s one guarantee. As much as we try to hide from it, it’s inevitable. How can one avoid its contemplation?

    Has anyone ever seen Stephen Jenkinson and Willie Nelson together?

    Liked by 1 person

  36. Deep and delicious, like a peach, blueberry and apricot pie, that I baked in my deep dish pie plate.
    All fruits have lived a full and rewarding life, before being baked into my dessert! 😀

    Liked by 1 person

  37. Oh I Love it when a good play can make you think afterwards. Sounds like this play was one of those. Contemplating such big themes can make a person a little mad though. I always want to talk it through too. Fabulous piece this week

    Liked by 1 person

  38. Hola Dale,

    You and your friend look lovely.

    I like the light-hearted, chatty conversation even though it draws its curtains around death, which is inevitable.

    Some lovely inspiration this.

    Good to be back here after eons.

    Cheerio!
    N

    Liked by 1 person

    • It was. And yes, unless it is a week night and we have to work early the next morning. 😉
      But still. I love going to discover new things and Julie is the perfect one who is just as willing as I am!
      And, who’d a thunk I’d be able to mix the two? 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

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