Thank you so much for reading and for the kind words, Barrie. I’ve been thinking a lot about some of those big existential questions lately, so I figured I needed to scratch out a story! ✍️
It’s not a surprise that the big questions are rattling around. It feels like a time of huge transition, a time of questionable actors with undue influence. It’s hard not to feel drawn to dystopian imaginings.
These are truly turbulent times. I’m thankful for this tiny safe haven—a place to share stories and experiences. Hope you are having an excellent day. I’m about to go dig (and slowblow) my way out…we had quite the storm last night! ❄️
We’re house and cat sitting for friends in the Ardèche, a hillier part of France than our spot 6 hours to the West. I’m reading and note taking with occasional distracted moments clutching the Substack app close! Gentle Monday’ing.
Although many think it is the beginning, it is really the end of the age. Can't you feel the earth quaking, the fires cleansing and the floods sifting through
the valleys. Everything will be new in short order. Just a little time is left for the wicked ways of mankind until the Prince of peace comes to make all new.
Thank you so much for reading and for your thoughtful commentary, Theresa. The state of the world (in countless ways) brought me to ultimately write this story. It does feel like we’re at a precipice, teetering before something that is out of humanity’s control. I’m holding onto hope, though at times it feels fruitless!
With God at your side,nothing is impossible and hopelessness is what led me to the Bible which is brimming over with hope in the form of the Lord Jesus Christ. Hoping your journey will find that to be true also.
Thank you very much, Mark. My perspective has shifted quite a bit, and it lands pretty closely with your line of thinking. We’ve got to hold on to hope!
Oooh, welcome aboard, Nevena! 😊 There are so many excellent fiction writers here. Let’s see…here is a short list of some of my favorites, in no particular order: Jimmy Doom, Sharron Bassano, Meg Oolders, Bill Adler, Clancy Steadwell, Jim Cummings, Mark Starlin…and so many more I’m not thinking of at the moment! Please give me a shout if you would like more names.
Thank you so much for reading, Zoe. Even in the bleakest of circumstances, I try to offer a sliver of hope in my fiction. So happy it worked for you! 🙏
Excellent little slice of life/afterlife. Right up my alley, my kind of thinking. These are things we all wonder about but we usually suppress them and keep them in our subconscious. Thanks for this, I, for one appreciate it.
And I sincerely appreciate you reading my story! Thank you. Your commentary hits the nail on the head for me. This topic is always floating around my subconscious somewhere, but lately it keeps being brought to the forefront. All of my thinking needed to find its way out in some fashion. When my wife took this photo last week, it was the perfect combination and dose of inspiration.
having read you for a long time, i do think that this represents you entering new territory. very beautiful. i particularly like the description of the world ending. i think that sort of instant death is something a lot of people imagine and wonder about constantly and you capture a version of it so well here
Thank you so much for reading, Clancy. I really appreciate the feedback as well. I’m reaching a point where I’d like to experiment a bit more on the platform. I don’t have any set plans or ideas, but I think I’ll start exploring other genres more routinely and see where the wind takes me!
Such a beautiful, hopeful tale, Justin. We needed it. Coincidence or not, it is an apt metaphor for January 20, 2024.
"....don’t cry ... this isn’t the end ... it’s the beginning ... the first leg of the journey ... better to see it through than hide in fear..." Keep the faith, friends
I’m so happy you liked it, Sharron. I intended the story to land on this date for a multitude of reasons, and I figured many readers would have different interpretations. I hope the world can collectively “turn it around”, and I believe it can. I’ve got to hold on to hope. Thank you as always for reading, my friend!
Inspired writing, Justin. Just enough ambiguity in the opening to leave room for the aftermath, the rebirth. "Another chance?" This made my heart leap and my eyes mist over. I won't forget this one, my friend.
You have no idea how much that means to me, K.C. Thank you. 🙏 I took a lot of time reworking this one and fine tuning it, and I’m thrilled it worked for you.
Incredibly sad but so hopeful too. It is hard not to imagine it all as real life. Excellent writing.
Thank you so much for reading and for the kind words, Barrie. I’ve been thinking a lot about some of those big existential questions lately, so I figured I needed to scratch out a story! ✍️
It’s not a surprise that the big questions are rattling around. It feels like a time of huge transition, a time of questionable actors with undue influence. It’s hard not to feel drawn to dystopian imaginings.
These are truly turbulent times. I’m thankful for this tiny safe haven—a place to share stories and experiences. Hope you are having an excellent day. I’m about to go dig (and slowblow) my way out…we had quite the storm last night! ❄️
Good luck with the snow blower!
We’re house and cat sitting for friends in the Ardèche, a hillier part of France than our spot 6 hours to the West. I’m reading and note taking with occasional distracted moments clutching the Substack app close! Gentle Monday’ing.
Yes, A beginning, not an ending, right? 1963 all over again.
Haunting and hopeful in equal measure. Superb.
Thank you so much, Chris! 🙏
Very good Justin.
Thank you, Pennie!
It's my pleasure.
Another great story son!! 👏 Sad but also hopeful. Your writing amazes me and so proud of you !! Keep them coming !!Love ya son !!
Thank you for always reading and cheering me on, Mom. Love you too! 💜
Although many think it is the beginning, it is really the end of the age. Can't you feel the earth quaking, the fires cleansing and the floods sifting through
the valleys. Everything will be new in short order. Just a little time is left for the wicked ways of mankind until the Prince of peace comes to make all new.
Come Lord,come. We need you so much.
Thank you ,Justin for the opportunity.
Thank you so much for reading and for your thoughtful commentary, Theresa. The state of the world (in countless ways) brought me to ultimately write this story. It does feel like we’re at a precipice, teetering before something that is out of humanity’s control. I’m holding onto hope, though at times it feels fruitless!
Thank you, Justin.
With God at your side,nothing is impossible and hopelessness is what led me to the Bible which is brimming over with hope in the form of the Lord Jesus Christ. Hoping your journey will find that to be true also.
As I get older and consider all I have done, death seems less ominous. And Hope says, a new adventure awaits.
Well done, Justin.
Thank you very much, Mark. My perspective has shifted quite a bit, and it lands pretty closely with your line of thinking. We’ve got to hold on to hope!
Every end is a beginning! It’s a bit sad and scary but also hopeful! I really liked it!
Thank you so much for reading my story and commenting, Nevena! Yes, exactly! I appreciate you being here! 🙏
I'm new, and I'm trying to find as many good fiction writers as possible! You'll be one of them - I'll be happy if you recommend more! :)
Oooh, welcome aboard, Nevena! 😊 There are so many excellent fiction writers here. Let’s see…here is a short list of some of my favorites, in no particular order: Jimmy Doom, Sharron Bassano, Meg Oolders, Bill Adler, Clancy Steadwell, Jim Cummings, Mark Starlin…and so many more I’m not thinking of at the moment! Please give me a shout if you would like more names.
Thank you again for reading my work!
That's great, I'll look for them! Thank you!
Powerful, scary while offering hope. Thank you.
Thank you so much for reading, Zoe. Even in the bleakest of circumstances, I try to offer a sliver of hope in my fiction. So happy it worked for you! 🙏
Right?
Right
Excellent little slice of life/afterlife. Right up my alley, my kind of thinking. These are things we all wonder about but we usually suppress them and keep them in our subconscious. Thanks for this, I, for one appreciate it.
And I sincerely appreciate you reading my story! Thank you. Your commentary hits the nail on the head for me. This topic is always floating around my subconscious somewhere, but lately it keeps being brought to the forefront. All of my thinking needed to find its way out in some fashion. When my wife took this photo last week, it was the perfect combination and dose of inspiration.
In the beginning the glass was full.
Half way the glass had fallen
And at the end dropped fallout rain.
Beautifully written, Richard. Those three lines are the perfect epigraph to this story. Thank you for reading!
Early morning brain jog around the night path ways to sleep that eludes. You inspire. Water on the Hudson. Floats my boat. Thanks.
So beautiful
having read you for a long time, i do think that this represents you entering new territory. very beautiful. i particularly like the description of the world ending. i think that sort of instant death is something a lot of people imagine and wonder about constantly and you capture a version of it so well here
Thank you so much for reading, Clancy. I really appreciate the feedback as well. I’m reaching a point where I’d like to experiment a bit more on the platform. I don’t have any set plans or ideas, but I think I’ll start exploring other genres more routinely and see where the wind takes me!
Thank you again! 🙏
Excellent story, Justin. Very good. Enjoyable.
Thank you so much for reading, Ben! 🙏 Happy you liked it.
Love this wow!!!
Thanks so much for reading and for letting me know, Vince! That means a lot to me. 🙏
Big theme few words a Mahatma of a flash story
Thank you so much for reading, Jill!
Such a beautiful, hopeful tale, Justin. We needed it. Coincidence or not, it is an apt metaphor for January 20, 2024.
"....don’t cry ... this isn’t the end ... it’s the beginning ... the first leg of the journey ... better to see it through than hide in fear..." Keep the faith, friends
I’m so happy you liked it, Sharron. I intended the story to land on this date for a multitude of reasons, and I figured many readers would have different interpretations. I hope the world can collectively “turn it around”, and I believe it can. I’ve got to hold on to hope. Thank you as always for reading, my friend!
My advice? Stay away from TV all day today.
Inspired writing, Justin. Just enough ambiguity in the opening to leave room for the aftermath, the rebirth. "Another chance?" This made my heart leap and my eyes mist over. I won't forget this one, my friend.
You have no idea how much that means to me, K.C. Thank you. 🙏 I took a lot of time reworking this one and fine tuning it, and I’m thrilled it worked for you.
I relate it to my spiritual understanding of rebirth.