Comment from schatzling

Excellent

AMEN to that. You can always plant new flowers to enjoy and water and nurture.....but you cannot plant a new you....once broken; hard to repair.....one wilted; hard to nurture.....once abused too often; never quite the same. This says it all. I enjoyed how you used the flowers .... nicely done.

 Comment Written 03-Dec-2016

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reply by the author on 03-Dec-2016

Thank you again. One more true story in the life of judy. I hope somehow the flowers lived because that sixty word story was true.

Comment from AnnaLinda

Excellent

jusylee72,

Congratulations on your third place win
in the 60 word dash prompt! Your entry
surely holds an important point for (women)
who are being abused while their children
witness it.

Your concise form worked well to convey
your message.

Linda

 Comment Written 24-Nov-2016

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reply by the author on 25-Nov-2016

Thanks linda. I lived this live once. I am so happy I left. I really did plant those flowers and I never went back

reply by AnnaLinda on 25-Nov-2016

good for you! -and your children too.

Comment from Phyllis Stewart

Excellent

Excellent job of writing a whole story with so few words. We know what she is doing and why, and we wish her the best, sad that she has to leave her home. But I think she'll be back if she reports the abuse during a divorce hearing.

 Comment Written 24-Nov-2016

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reply by the author on 24-Nov-2016

Thank you Phyllis, I lived this once, and I never went back. I hope the new tenants loved the flowers..

Comment from Lynar

Exceptional

Thank you for selecting Spring Vintage Border.
Your story words and border flowers were an
excellent choice. Great story.

 Comment Written 24-Nov-2016

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reply by the author on 24-Nov-2016

thank you so much. I truly appreciate you. Beautiful artistry.

reply by Lynar on 25-Nov-2016

You are very welcome.

Comment from robyn corum

Excellent

Dear Mystery Writer,

This story said a lot in just these few words. It's hard to leave a real big impression in just a few words, but you have. I'm very pleased to have read this and wish you much luck!

 Comment Written 23-Nov-2016

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reply by the author on 23-Nov-2016

thank you so much. I lived that life years ago never again.

Comment from frogbook

Excellent

Wonderful use of your 60 words to tell a sad and all too frequent tale, though this one gets away. Great phrasing ad surprise ending. An entry sure to do well.

 Comment Written 23-Nov-2016

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reply by the author on 23-Nov-2016

Thank you so much. I actually lived this 60 word story. I wrote a poem about it too. The Day I left. Thank you for understanding my Frog. Love hearing from you.

Comment from davisr (Rhonda)

Excellent

Amazing story about one woman's decision to flee abuse, even though it mean leaving something she nurtured behind. You'd be surprised how something, even that simple, is really behind a person staying with abuse. You have to be ready to lose everything but your kids to do it.

Great job,
Rhonda

 Comment Written 23-Nov-2016

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reply by the author on 23-Nov-2016

We are on the same wavelength Rhonda. You truly do understand.

Comment from Dean Kuch

Excellent

I guess it's safe to assume that the flowers are going to die then?
Poor things.
Well, as I always like to say, "Better them than me!"
I've never understood why women stay with abusive spouses who beat and belittle them. Unless they have no other choice or alternatives they can explore.
Most say they do it because they love their man.
But that begs another question.
How can you possibly love someone who doesn't love and respect you in return?

I simply don't get it.
Warmest regards. Yours is a good story.
~Dean

 Comment Written 23-Nov-2016

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reply by the author on 23-Nov-2016

You don't stay because you love him
You don't stay and expect him to hurt you.
I wrote the following when I got out of a second marriage that damaged us all
Please read this. You stay because you have no self esteem. You have been taught to take care of things. You grew up unable to talk back. It is when you accept yourself and grow up that you actually leave. I understand abuse better than anyone. Please read what I wrote the month I actually left. That was the beginning of my writing and colors it to this day. I love your honesty. There are three more stanzas to this but for now please just read this one.

Why Does She Stay?
.

Why does she stay?
The people say
Surely she could walk away
I know that I would know to leave
The lies my mind would not believe
The children are the ones who hurt
When Mommy gets her just desserts
Stupidity not dignity
Must be that woman's destiny
She has problems so they say
Then turn their cheeks the other way
And all the wise men Close their eyes and pray
They she will know how much she's sinned and learn how to obey
They can't see
The Ties that Bind
The Vows believed
The truthful lies
The sorrow deep within his eyes that she believes will change
In deep despair her sadness dwells
She follows him straight into hell
For comfort is a woman's way
and giving is her notion
The girl child taught to love a man
Her heart an empty ocean.
For Forgiveness comes to easy
To the one who can't admit
Life is not pretty picture
on the mantle where it sits.

reply by Dean Kuch on 23-Nov-2016

Thanks for sharing that with me,
I deeply appreciate it.

Comment from WalkerMan

Excellent

Yes, this is a too-common scenario and the right decision to put a stop to it by leaving, taking the children to protect them also, and well expressed in these few words with apt illustration.

 Comment Written 23-Nov-2016

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reply by the author on 23-Nov-2016

thank you so much. I so appreciate your words.

reply by WalkerMan on 23-Nov-2016

You are welcome. No one should linger in an abusive situation. -- Mike

Comment from winnona

Excellent

A well-written short story. I think you completed the challenge of the contest. In a few words, you managed to tell a powerful story. Well done. the story flowed from beginning to end.

 Comment Written 23-Nov-2016

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reply by the author on 23-Nov-2016

Thank you , Winnona. I always appreciate what you have to say.