Carrot Ranch Flash Fiction: The Day the Earth Turned Brown

Posted byLucciaGrayPosted inCarrot Ranch Flash FictionTags:, , ,

I’ve just returned from a family holiday, and by family I mean three generations: Grandparents, my husband and I, our three children, and three grandchildren. It’s amazing how our children and later our grandchildren change our lives.

My outlook on life first changed when I had my children, in my twenties. At that time, I stopped thinking of myself, and started thinking of other people who needed me. I wanted to build a comfortable and secure home for my children. Looking back, I suppose I was a stressed working mum, trying hard to make ends meet and find time for my children.

Now my outlook has changed again after having my grandchildren, in my fifties. I don’t want to get too sentimental, but suffice it to say that when I look into my grandchildren’s eyes, I feel fortunate, stress-free, and safe, because the future is in their hands, and they are surrounded by love and optimism. I feel as if I have a foot in the future, their future, a future I can only imagine.

I also find it easier to make ends meet and make time for my children and grandchildren; one of the advantages of getting older…

Greeny-brown eyed grandson
My greeny-brown eyed grandson
My honey-brown eyed grandchildren

 

I’m in a romantic and sentimental mood, as you can appreciate, so I’m afraid my 99-word flash is a bit mushy. I hope you enjoy it!

 

Brown

I used to think blue was the most beautiful colour in the world.

When Tim’s intense blue eyes first looked into mine, I soon realised I wanted to gaze at them forever, and he always said my clear blue eyes were like pools he wanted to sink into eternally.

I assumed our son would have blue eyes, so I was surprised when they were brown; a soft, honey brown. Tim says our son will be tall, dark, and handsome, like his father. Now every time I look into our toddler’s eyes, I remember the day my world turned brown.

 

This was written in response Carrot Ranch Flash Fiction Challenge.

April 1, 2015 prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less) write about the day the earth turned brown. How did it happen? What else might be going on? It can be dramatic or even humorous. It can be the greater globe or a localized occurrence. It can be an aftermath or a revival. Follow where the prompt leads you.

Respond by April 6, 2015 to be included in the weekly compilation. Rules are here. All writers are welcome! http://carrotranch.com/flash-fiction/

How have your grandchildren changed your lives?

 

Published by LucciaGray

Writer, blogger, teacher, reader and lover of words wherever they are. Author of The Eyre Hall Trilogy, the breathtaking sequel to Jane Eyre. Luccia lives in sunny Spain, but her heart's in Victorian London.

19 thoughts on “Carrot Ranch Flash Fiction: The Day the Earth Turned Brown”

  1. What beautiful brown-eyed grandchildren! I’ve heard amazing things about grandparenthood and see embody that with your words and flash fiction. The continuation, the love and support. How connecting and how hopeful it can make a person feel about the future!

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  3. What beautiful grandchildren, Luccia. I’m sure they give you lots of pleasure, pleasure you also give them in return. And what an interesting take on Charli’s prompt. I wouldn’t have thought of brown eyes. And how interesting that both you and Tim have blue but your son brown. I have red hair and both my children are redheads. My son has a redheaded partner and they have two redheaded children with blue eyes. (The mum has blue, my son green). My grandchildren remind me so much of my own children, it is amazing. They are delightful.

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    1. My grandchildren also remind me so much of my children 💗 I’m glad you also have wonderful grandchildren. They are such a blessing💖
      My flash was fictional. My husband has green eyes and mine are honey. My children have two green and one honey coloured eyes. It’s unusual but I have some friends who both have blue eyes and their children have brown. My grandchildren, so far, have brown eyes. There’s a terrific film with Sam Neill called Skin about two white patents who have a black child in South Africa 1950s. It’s based on a true story. I’ve used it in class for discussions on race, racism, and family relationships.

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      1. Silly me. Of course it was a fictional response, and I read it as a real story. But maybe I’m not really sorry as I found out more about you and your lovely family, and maybe fact is better than fiction. And your fiction was pretty good!
        I haven’t seen the movie “Skin” but it sounds very interesting. I imagine the discussion you would have with your students would raise many important issues. What wonderful things I am learning about you as a teacher. Thank you for sharing. 🙂

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      2. Thank you, Norah. I’m also learning a great deal from your enthusiasm as a teacher:) There’s always some fact in fiction and some fiction in fact! That’s part of the fun! Thank you so much for your support🌹💖

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  8. Pingback: The Day the World Turned Brown « Carrot Ranch Communications

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