Dr. Martha had answered all the messages with great care, with a special personalized touch of appreciation and gratitude. There was so much that close associates had added to her life in the last thirty-five years. She had chosen to remain single, and devote her life entirely to work.
Back home, she looked at the remnants of her sixtieth birthday celebration, on the table. All this adulation may not be there next year, as she moved to her hometown after retirement.
The canvas would change from a hospital to an old age home, and she had to paint life afresh.
(100 words)
Inspired by Rochelle Wisoff at
Creative Experiments and More 
That was beautiful, Reena. Well done. :o)
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Thank you so much!
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Sorry, sent too soon. The last line gives hope, though, that starting life anew, she will have continued fulfillment.
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Thanks!
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Beautifully written, Reena, with a huge sense of sadness about what her life will be like because she devoted her life to work and never had a family.
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What a sad tale, Reena, such scope in so few words. A whole life. Ended… beginning anew. Beautiful.
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We live many versions of life, from birth to death.
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I’m sure Dr.Martha will have more friends and who knows she may find love there 🙂
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Next year Dr. Martha will be celebrating her b’day with a new set of people in Retirement Home with laughter therapy and yoga.
http://ideasolsi65.blogspot.in/2017/08/prompt-dale-rogerson-she-practiced-neck.html
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A new beginning with many years of reflecting on her past ahead of her. Delightful
Click to read my FriFic
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I’m sure she’ll do well in her freshly painted new life.
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There’s an underlying sadness here. And, like Neil, I liked “paint life afresh.”
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Giving up an institution one has spent a long time in, is never easy.
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There was sadness in this. It made me wonder if she is suffering an illness going from working right into a retirement home.
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A doctor can take up a new assignment in an old age home. All possibilities are open.
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Retirement at 60 – a dream for many… too young for a retirement home, surely?
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I agree with you. But the retirement age in India is 58 or 60. And there are singles who prefer the cosy environment of a friendly home, rather than staying alone. Social friend circles have created closed homes, meant only for their fraternity.
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True…
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Well written and poignant. It’s good that she has happy memories of her colleagues.
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Thank you so much!
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Sometimes it’s difficult to imagine your life after retirement. My father, who is going to retire in a few days, says he just cannot sit idle, he will do something else. Your take on the prompt reminded me of what he would be feeling right now.
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An old age home at sixty? I hope she finds something more to fill her life.
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We need to plan for it before hand. Thanks for the comment!
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Fresh paint for a new life!
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I just turned 63 and I wish I could afford to retire.
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Many of us do. Cheers 🙂
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Now she’ll have time to write her memoirs. 😊 A good ‘slice of life’ scene.
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Good idea! The problem is in finding the readers though.
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Well, if she’s been a doctor, she should have lots of contacts. But yes, marketing is “a whole ‘nother ballgame,” as we say.
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What a fantastic attitude!
This is so similar to my mom’s story. She’s just like this — her cup runneth over, no matter how difficult life gets. I admire this type of heart, filled with unrelenting joy, so much.
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Happy to hear that! We draw inspiration from people around us.
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It seems to me that her work was a vocation and where she belonged. This was her family and such a hard thing to leave it behind. xx Rowena
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It can happen, when we are attached to our workplace. Workplaces manage without us.
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Dear Reena,
I retired going on two years ago. My life couldn’t be busier. Nicely done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Wishing you a lot more of everything, Cheers 🙂
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A bit sad.. hope her new life is as beautiful as the flowers.
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Sweet and sad. Nicely told.
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Lovely life-like story, Reena.🙂
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A very nice “starting over” theme. Very good, Reena.
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Thank you so much!
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As long as she is happy and comfortable with her life and decisions. Well written, Reena.
Click to read my piece – Moving In
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Thanks!
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I hope she succeeds finding a new meaning in life, and maybe some real friends.
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The future that awaits us all in the end. She seems satisfied with a life of rewarding work though.
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I liked “paint life afresh”
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