Terveen's W.O.R.D.S and Writings And a little more
Sweet January by Terveen Gill — Gobblers / Masticadores
Reading Time: < 1minute
Please read Goodbye Sweet January, a flash fiction story written by me and published by Gobblers/Masticadores. I hope you enjoy it!
A mother’s heart can never give up.
Thank you Ms. Manuela Timofte and Mr. Juan Re Crivello.
The sky bled into the water, just as her womb had bled the day January was born. Her first and only child had been covered in blood and the remnants of a nine month cocoon. The nurse had leaned in with her bundle of joy; the first kiss, the most ancient […]
24 Comments on “Sweet January by Terveen Gill — Gobblers / Masticadores”
Your stories are so strong! This one really got to me. Children have their own personality from the word go. I have realized that with my son, there is a lot you can influence with nurture, but there is always the nature, the temperament and you can only hope it’s not like January’s dislike for the world. I have witnessed a similar personality in my wider circle of acquaintances and unfortunately with the same end. Parents can help and try a lot, but sometimes they can’t reach. I love the way you make use of the months. Your story has a deeply poetic feel. You really know how to stab your reader right in the heart and then slowly turn the knife. I’m hooked!
Thank you so much, Britta. 🙂
This piece comes from a tender corner of my heart. I agree with you completely. There are some things that are beyond a parent’s reach, and every child is born with a unique disposition.
One cannot change that. And the more one tries, the more one is defeated. I’m sorry to hear that you knew someone with a similar story. There really are too many.
Writers often write what they know and what they fear. Every story is a bundle of emotions.
I’m glad you felt the stab. That means I have achieved what I wanted.
Your support and encouragement is deeply appreciated. 🙂
I find it interesting that January and July are opposite to each other. Like life and death, like love and envy/hate. And the question how do we safely reconcile the opposite in order to move constructively forward…? Why give the sunny, July baby the name of deepest winter month… , can we understand this and bring it to light?
Like the deep winter month, your question is also deep with a hint of darkness. There are always two extremes, like black and white, and the sufficient greys in between.
Reconciliation is a form of sacrifice and it’s never done without leaving a defining mark or a distinct scar.
Sometimes, leaving things to the hands of time and the call of fate is the only thing one can do. And understanding is usually shaped by the circumstances we face.
Thank you for such a thought-provoking comment. 🙂
This was as usual a gripping read. Loved the way your character evolves and the story begin to take shape before breaking whatever notions we as a reader have created about it…
Wow, congratulations on the publication of such a wonderful story. I actually know a mother who told me the story of her daughter who’s rather rebellious. She’s a Malaysian immigrants and her teenage daughter couldn’t fit in very well. She ended up with boys who took her to joy rides and died in a car crash. It was so sad. That’s something a mother would not recover from and she said that a part of her died forever with her daughter.
A mother’s worst nightmare. And the more some try, the more the child rebels. I’m not sure every situation is the same. But helplessly watching your own child destroy themselves is like dying a little every day.
May the mother find peace and not blame herself. It’s not her fault.
In William Shakespeare’s play, King Lear, the immortal bard wrote, “How sharper than a serpent’s tooth it is to have a thankless child.”
As the parent of a child who is no longer living, I can tell you that I would rather have a thankless living child, than the reverse, because that is the sharpest tooth that cuts the deepest.
People often catch up with this phrase, “God works in mysterious ways” & stories like these make me question that.
Well uhh, who are we to question their will. Or we’re taught this way.
Example of a fierce perfection, Terveen. We know that the narration is way beyond the price of platinum if it felt alive.
Congrats on the publication.
Best wishes,
Tanishq.
I think we often refer to God and His ways when we can’t explain things in a logical manner. I wouldn’t call it shifting the blame, but it’s letting go without too much thought and trouble. Maybe it’s the smart thing to do.
Thank you so much, Tanishq. I appreciate your wishes and support. 🙂
A sad and tragic story that will surely resonate deeply with any parent.
I remember my father giving me the book ‘who wants to talk about Kevin’ before I had children and I wondered if he’d done so to put me off having children, it scared me so much! He assured me he didn’t and is no a happy grandfather 😂
I loved the use of rhyme, surprising to find it in a story but very effective, I love being surprised 😊
Thanks so much, Rae. 🙂
Nothing really prepares a person for parenthood. It’s a new and unique experience each time. Children come with their own temperaments and parents must accept and adjust to these tiny little beings. It’s definitely a tough job and its reward is hopefully a well-rounded individual.
Grandparents are the cherries upon these cakes. 🙂
Terveen is an Indian author based in Chandigarh, India. A qualified Computer Engineer, she uses tools such as feelings, thoughts, and actions, and codes them into stories that reflect the complexities and absurdities of life and beyond.
A thorough professional, her passion for writing is neatly packaged within her expertise and versatility. Nothing can escape the scope of her words. She's the author of graphic novels, short stories books, and writes and directs short films.
Your stories are so strong! This one really got to me. Children have their own personality from the word go. I have realized that with my son, there is a lot you can influence with nurture, but there is always the nature, the temperament and you can only hope it’s not like January’s dislike for the world. I have witnessed a similar personality in my wider circle of acquaintances and unfortunately with the same end. Parents can help and try a lot, but sometimes they can’t reach. I love the way you make use of the months. Your story has a deeply poetic feel. You really know how to stab your reader right in the heart and then slowly turn the knife. I’m hooked!
Thank you so much, Britta. 🙂
This piece comes from a tender corner of my heart. I agree with you completely. There are some things that are beyond a parent’s reach, and every child is born with a unique disposition.
One cannot change that. And the more one tries, the more one is defeated. I’m sorry to hear that you knew someone with a similar story. There really are too many.
Writers often write what they know and what they fear. Every story is a bundle of emotions.
I’m glad you felt the stab. That means I have achieved what I wanted.
Your support and encouragement is deeply appreciated. 🙂
I find it interesting that January and July are opposite to each other. Like life and death, like love and envy/hate. And the question how do we safely reconcile the opposite in order to move constructively forward…? Why give the sunny, July baby the name of deepest winter month… , can we understand this and bring it to light?
Like the deep winter month, your question is also deep with a hint of darkness. There are always two extremes, like black and white, and the sufficient greys in between.
Reconciliation is a form of sacrifice and it’s never done without leaving a defining mark or a distinct scar.
Sometimes, leaving things to the hands of time and the call of fate is the only thing one can do. And understanding is usually shaped by the circumstances we face.
Thank you for such a thought-provoking comment. 🙂
This was as usual a gripping read. Loved the way your character evolves and the story begin to take shape before breaking whatever notions we as a reader have created about it…
Thank you Deepak. 🙂
It’s a sad turn but life can be crushing.
Glad you liked it.
Thats the bitter truth…agree!!
Congrats on the pub, Terveen. I loved this story. 😊
Thank you so much, Jeff. 🙂
Means a lot.
You’re welcome, Terveen. Always. 😊
Wow, congratulations on the publication of such a wonderful story. I actually know a mother who told me the story of her daughter who’s rather rebellious. She’s a Malaysian immigrants and her teenage daughter couldn’t fit in very well. She ended up with boys who took her to joy rides and died in a car crash. It was so sad. That’s something a mother would not recover from and she said that a part of her died forever with her daughter.
A mother’s worst nightmare. And the more some try, the more the child rebels. I’m not sure every situation is the same. But helplessly watching your own child destroy themselves is like dying a little every day.
May the mother find peace and not blame herself. It’s not her fault.
Outstanding piece of writing. It is heartbreaking to have a child like January. Nurture can’t possibly change what nature has destined.
I agree. Some things aren’t changeable. It’s just how it is. Good or bad.
We can only watch and see. Thank you so much. 🙂
In William Shakespeare’s play, King Lear, the immortal bard wrote, “How sharper than a serpent’s tooth it is to have a thankless child.”
As the parent of a child who is no longer living, I can tell you that I would rather have a thankless living child, than the reverse, because that is the sharpest tooth that cuts the deepest.
Powerful piece of writing.
Thank you so much, Rhyan.
The hurt is unimaginable. The wound never heals. It is a personal loss beyond comprehension.
Wish you well.
People often catch up with this phrase, “God works in mysterious ways” & stories like these make me question that.
Well uhh, who are we to question their will. Or we’re taught this way.
Example of a fierce perfection, Terveen. We know that the narration is way beyond the price of platinum if it felt alive.
Congrats on the publication.
Best wishes,
Tanishq.
I think we often refer to God and His ways when we can’t explain things in a logical manner. I wouldn’t call it shifting the blame, but it’s letting go without too much thought and trouble. Maybe it’s the smart thing to do.
Thank you so much, Tanishq. I appreciate your wishes and support. 🙂
Love your metaphorific styles and similes. You are so talented!
Thank you so much! 🙂
I appreciate your kind words.
A sad and tragic story that will surely resonate deeply with any parent.
I remember my father giving me the book ‘who wants to talk about Kevin’ before I had children and I wondered if he’d done so to put me off having children, it scared me so much! He assured me he didn’t and is no a happy grandfather 😂
I loved the use of rhyme, surprising to find it in a story but very effective, I love being surprised 😊
Thanks so much, Rae. 🙂
Nothing really prepares a person for parenthood. It’s a new and unique experience each time. Children come with their own temperaments and parents must accept and adjust to these tiny little beings. It’s definitely a tough job and its reward is hopefully a well-rounded individual.
Grandparents are the cherries upon these cakes. 🙂
Congratulations dear Terveen! This was a brilliant piece of writing. Well done dear. ❤️❤️👏🙏
Thank you Diana. I’m glad you liked it. 🙂