Before I get rolling with the A-Z blogging challenge, I thought writing a flash fiction piece would be fun. This one comes from the prompt over at Carrot Ranch: In 99 words (no more, no less) write a story about fingers that fly. Think about the different ways we use our fingers and what happens when we add speed.
Enjoy!
Fading Squares
When I was a little girl, I watched Grandma crochet. The hook and yarn moved through her flying fingers with such ease she could hold a conversation as she worked. She connected the squares into blankets or placemats, or single ones became coasters.
As I grew up and she grew older, her squares took more effort, until one day, they weren’t squares at all. Her mind wouldn’t let her fingers fly any longer.
So I sit with her now, her hook and yarn in my hands, creating the squares she once made.
Her smile tells me I’m doing well.
This story was inspired by an article I read about the effects of Alzheimer’s on a woman’s mother, who had been an avid crocheter. Her squares over time offered a very visual representation of how the disease progressed.
The story stuck with me. I can only hope that despite the final product, the woman’s mother is able to get some of the joy she once did from her craft.
Read the article here: http://people.com/human-interest/crochet-patch-alzheimer-s-disease/
Allison Maruska 
This was a tender and beautiful piece. And thank you for the link to the story that inspired you and for giving me something this morning to be grateful for.
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Thanks for your thoughtful comment. I’m glad you liked the story. 🙂
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That was such a delicate and sweet piece.
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So poignant, and such a lovely act by the daughter.
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Glad you enjoyed it. 🙂
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There’s a satisfaction in passing on a craft, to see it become a legacy. Nice flash, Allison. Have a great A-Z April!
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Thanks! 🙂
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Well told. A sad end for so many.
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A lovely piece, Alison. As I sit here at the lap top my other half is at the other end of the table sowing up and stuffing some knitted animals created by children in the group she instructs in weekly sessions at our local library. No signs of Alzheimers, thank all that’s holy, although the arthritis is beginning to make her fingers fly less quickly than they once did.
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What a neat thing for her to do. I hope the arthritis doesn’t hinder her too much.
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A lovey flash, Allison. That picture is a very visual depiction of the impact of Alzheimer’s on the brain. Really frightening.
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It is. Frightening and heartbreaking.
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Ah!
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I read that as a scream at first then realized that probably wasn’t right. 😆
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