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A dead woman lays in her coffin.

Her makeup and hair are tidy and in place.

Her children can’t agree on whether they like it.

Makeup artist Sasha gives them a surprise they’ll never forget.

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The coffin was open. Dena Mistry lay in it. The funeral home had ensured that the dead woman looked her best. The funeral director had appointed an accomplished makeup artist. Sasha could do wonders. Dena’s two children, a daughter and son, were relieved that their mother would be buried with her makeup and hair in […]

A Dead Woman’s Makeup by Terveen Gill — Gobblers & Masticadores

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23 Comments on “A Dead Woman’s Makeup by Terveen Gill — Gobblers & Masticadores

  1. I was struck by the biases of the children, who seemed to not even recognize their own mother unless her physical appearance matched their preconceived notions of who and what she should be to them. When the make-up came off, it was as though they saw her for the first time, but by that point it was a little too late. It’s unfortunate that we focus on physical appearance and biases to the extent that we don’t even recognize each other anymore. Wonderful writing as always, Terveen. You really know how to expose the depths of humanity in your stories. 🙂

    • It’s so funny, Mike, how we disguise people in our own judgments and opinions. And when they show a side that we can’t relate to, then it’s their fault more than ours. Haha! Isn’t that crazy? It’s sad that hardly anyone takes the time to know and understand, but then each has a life they must answer to. A tangled web where even light shudders from being trapped. Dark…dark…dark… Your reflections always give me so much joy and peace. You reside upon a plane of understanding that is so tough to get to. Be well and keep enlightening. Thanks so much, Mike! 🙂

  2. There was so much to unpack in this excellent story, Terveen. I guess that is one of the complexities of family relationships; it takes an outsider to bring some middle ground. I have been to a few Irish Catholic wakes in my time. The arguments were not about the how a face looked, more about the clothing the deceased wore. Nobody was going over to the other side in a shabby dress or suit. Interesting how different cultures view death.

    • Life, at times, appears rehearsed and so superficial. As if digging beneath the surface requires too much effort and what we may find is not what we would like to accept. I’m not sure about the other side, but this side better get their act together. Thanks so much for always sharing your thoughts and experiences, Davy. 🙂

  3. What a surprise ending. You did it again. I was thinking of some extraordinary feat of cosmetic wonder to satisfy the unhappy kids, only to realize that I was all wrong. It is a pleasant shock indeed. Go ahead, Terveen, shock me again and again.

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