Everyday Grandad stood in front of the second hand shop.
‘Hey Grandad, how are you today?’
He’d look at me and say: ‘Good thanks, I’m ok today.’
‘What are you looking at Grandad?’
‘She was a beautiful bride, wore a dress just like that one.’
‘Yes Grandad, I’ve seen the photo.’
There was only one photo in existence.
‘We met at the Hydro Majestic, in the Blue Mountains.’
‘It’s a lovely dress Grandad.’
‘She was a beautiful girl.’
‘Yes Grandad.’ I’d turn him away, the pain of seeing him staring at Grandmothers wedding dress too much to bear.
Morpethroad 
Dear Summer,
It’s sad that Grandmother’s wedding dress was donated to a thrift shop in the first place. Touching story in the second place.
Shalom,
Rochelle
Thanks Rochelle, life can be cruel.
Dear Summerstommy,
A great story. Sad and sweet. Grandson shouldn’t be selling the dress. Sounds like an insensitive little…never mind. The last coma in your last sentence is superfluous.
Aloha,
Doug
Thanks Doug, comma use addressed.
Did you ever think that maybe it was the man who donated the dress and with age forgot about it? Even if how he speaks about his late wife, it has a tone of loss for her and maybe his memory…..
I think it’s a lovely story. Some seem to be questioning the selling of the gown but I focus more on the man’s love and missing of his wife. Maybe we should focus more on listening to the memories of those around us than worried about the material things.
Thank you BA, so happy you have seen my point.
I just try to focus on all the words and details. 🙂 Its beautiful and even if the Grandson sold the dress…it is your story to tell. Who knows…maybe the grandad had financial issues to help his own health and everyone did what they had to. 🙂 New story? lol
You are correct BA, who knows?? I’ll consider the sequel!!
That was heartbreaking, great job 🙂
Thank you Helen I appreciate your reading and your comment.
Oh how sad.
A good story though.
Thanks Rosy.
A sad, touching story — I’m glad Grandad has such vivid memories of Grandma. That’s deep love the two of them shared for him to talk about her this way.
Thank you Zooky, the piece was about love.
Sad to see how much he still misses her, but I’m glad they loved each other enough that he did! As for the dress, I have mixed feelings. First of all, maybe the son should buy the dress and give it to his Dad. Secondly, what does one do with a wedding dress? When we were getting ready to move recently, I thought about donating mine to a thrift store but Bill said I should keep it. I know one of our daughter’s won’t wear it because it’s not the right size and maybe someone who can’t afford a dress at the regular price could use it. It’s been hanging in either a closet or the attic for 29 years now. It’s really the love, rather than the dress that’s important.
janet
Thanks Janet. And yes it is all about the love.
the beauty of these shortest of short stories is that we can share what we want and let our readers draw their own conclusions. In this way (as well as many others), this is a beautiful snapshot of what it is to live, love and lose someone special.
Thanks Freya yes it is indeed.
Unusual perspective and I like that the grandson is not ‘all bad’.
Yours is an interesting perspective as well. The grandson loves his grandfather, he goes to find him each day, gently he leads him home.
It’s a sad story, but well written. It doesn’t really say why the dress is in the second hand shop so I think we all have our own interpretation. But like some I would rather concentrate on the lasting love and not on the dress.
Thanks Jackie, yes it is about how love lasts.
It is sometimes hard to listen to the eldery’s memories.
Thanks nessa yes I agree it is hard. Often they are laced with memory that we don’t relate too so listening and acknowledging them is all we can do. Thank you for reading.
Oh, that would be tough to have to see the dress in the window that way. I hope someone buys it very soon. Nice one!
Thanks Amy. One would hope so.
My question is not about the consignor of the dress but rather about the last sentence “the pain of seeing him staring at Grandmothers wedding dress too much to bear.” Why was it painful for him to look at his grandson? An interesting story with different options.
It was more the grandson seeing the sadness in his grandfather. Thanks for reading and your comment.
Nice bit of dialogue, telling a tale that is sad but true – too many of these moments keep coming up – confrontation with the past that keeps getting further away…
Thanks Laura a common theme in many posts this week. Nice to see you visit again.
Such a sad, sweet story. Excellent write.
Thank you Cubby…..That’s a lovely comment.
When my mother passed she had no insurance. To help with expenses I placed her clothes in the local consignment shop. I live in a very small town and her things were purchased by a woman or women that looked very much like her from behind. It was very disconcerting.
I can imagine Dawn. Some sad memories have been generated by this prompt.
I don’t have mine anymore…I donated it to a place that helps those that are ill have a gown to wed in. Not sure if it ever got used again. I can only hope so. Best cartoon on reusing a wedding dress though was a young girl shopping for a gown and wanting to pass it on to her own daughter (if and when). Friend asks why don’t you wear your mother’s gown? Gal replies; “And get caught dead in that old thing?”
Thanks for your visit. 🙂
Thanks Jules, I did get your hint…..
I still have my dress. This is sad and lovely write Summer.
Thanks RM, it’s attracted some varied comment. Was meant to be about love.
and it was 🙂
Enjoyed this. Interesting. The story raises the question of who put the dress in the shop and why. The differing answers will evoke different emotions. It’s like an opening from a bigger tale. Would like to read more.
hello Ann, the problem with 100 words is what do you leave out.I agree there is a untold tale in this. Not sure i want to go there though.Thanks for your comment.
People are still commenting……I will say my wedding dress is stored at my moms house. I should probably donate it 🙂
Yes, amazing isn’t it……..put in your what we call op shops.
We have consignment and thrift store. Although I MAY use the dress and create something for both my children when they get married. Something to have hidden somewhere. 🙂 I have my moms wedding dress as well.
I think that’s an excellent idea BA, can’t say I still have my wedding suit, a trendy pale blue suit, very hip in its day, thankfully its day is long past….
hahaha My ex wore his Marine Corps dress blues….hmmmmm….okay no ideas there. 🙂
Any ideas might be considered treason wouldn’t they?
Treason? Oh no…..just damage to someones personal property. 🙂
The US military sees a difference?