“How long will you be away?”
Pa patted Patience’s head. A rare affection from someone whose love was measured in ensuring there was grain and cloth and warmth enough for the lot of them.
“As long as the Lord deems right,” Pa responded.
“Hopefully the Lord deems it right quickly,” Patience blurted, bracing for reprimand. Children ought not question God’s plan.
“Amen if so,” Pa murmured, surprising her. He shouldered his rucksack, touched her head again. “You are the eldest. Help Ma and tend your siblings. And,” he added, “keep the tower lit, may its light lead me back home.”
For Rochelle’s Friday Fictioneers
Photo prompt: Dale Rogerson
Na'ama Yehuda 
A lovely tender moment between father and daughter. Sweet.
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Thank you, Dale! Great photo brings up good muses! 🙂 And … I’m thinking of how many families need still, to say goodbye for unknown duration, often in clear danger and with little choice in when and how and if they will be back home. Patience and light and voice. May we hold on to and find them all.
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Thank you, my friend.
And yes, too many have to go far to make things work at home.
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Indeed, and sometimes even so that there will be a home. Sweet moments and knowing that someone leaves a light on, make the impossible, a little less so. xx
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Exactly. How heartwarming it must be to see the light and go home towards it
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May all who are gone, come home.
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Touching story. May Pa find his way home right quickly.
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Amen to that! Thank you for reading and commenting!
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The drawing of Pa’s character was lovely
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Thank you, Neil! I was hoping his persona will find a way to manifest some, even in a few words. 🙂
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So lovely Na’ama
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Thank you! I’m glad you thought so! 🙂
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You’re welcome 🥰
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A touching story, beautifully written. I love the idea of a beacon to lead Pa home. Very nice!
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Thank you! Glad you liked, and I loved the light in the tower concept. It’s such a archetype – from lighthouses to beacons to porch lights – that it obviously guided my muse here (as it had before, for example, in “Emilia” – one of the books I’ve authored). Different stories, of course, but the motif of light-as-guide runs deep. 🙂
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I found myself thinking of the American civil war! Perhaps the photo of the church intervened.
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Yes, I can see why this was in your mind! 🙂
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Na’ama Y’karah,
This feels like there’s more story between the lines. Poignant and well told.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Yes, definitely more story between the lines – for isn’t there always?… And sometimes more than other times … Thanks!
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I feel bad for Patience. May father return home soon.
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Yes, it sounds like she (and her Mama) have their hands full … but I hope that she is also feeling cared for, and that her Pa will soon return home…
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