While cleaning out boxes I found a photograph.
Its corners curled inward and yellowed from years of fingers rolling over it, smoothing it down, and bringing it close to get a better look.
The colours have dulled over time but the smiles of the people inside its border remain alive, glowing in the sunlight.
A bucket sits beside the back wheel of an old beige car, brimming with foamy suds, promising a wash as a little girl in a bathing suit winds her fingers around the nozzle of a twisted green hose, gleefully pointing it at her victim.
The photograph springs to life as the water sprays down on a man who is also laughing, relishing in this time spent with the girl, happy to be dancing in memories made in the chore of washing a dirty car.
So many happy memories.
From one photograph.
Memories between father and daughter.
My father.
His daughter.
Special thanks to Leigh Ann Torres who helped me edit this post.
I love this. Very short and sweet. You told us about a great memory in just a few lines. Good job with the prompt!
Thank you Elena.
Short and sweet indeed.
Beautiful!!! Now it’s captured by photo and in words!
It so is!
I’m a genius.
I love it! I’m inspired to do the prompt myself now.
I love how you captured the spirit of childhood.
And the modern you, finding the photograph, added such a reflective touch.
I love it when you visit!
Thank you…
A great post. It took me back to a few of my own memories of car washing. You have a way of capturing just the right details and you never say too much.
Another wonderful post.
This is what i try to do.
Say what I want, but in as little words as possible.
It turned out beautifully! Thanks for sharing such a wonderful memory.
THANK YOU for your help.
You’re a great friend.
Short and very sweet – great post! I especially like the description of the old photograph with curled corners. I could really see it.
I’m so glad the description jumped out at you like it does me.
This read like poetry and really shined a light on your relationship with your dad!
My favorite part: “The colours have dulled over time but the smiles of the people inside its border remain alive, glowing in the sunlight.” The words are strong, and the images vivid.
Lovely!
I love your writing so much Galit.
I’m flattered that you enjoy mine.
Thank you!
“The photograph springs to life as the water sprays down on a man who is also laughing, relishing in this time spent with the girl, happy to be dancing in memories made in the chore of washing a dirty car.”
This is such a great sentence. It shows how simple it is to take mundane tasks and turn it into something wonderful.
You said it beautifully!
Thank you.
This was great. From the way you described the actual photo to the people in it we could feel how much it meant to you. Loved it.
I means a lot.
Thank you for loving it as much as I do.
You always amaze me at how you can convey so much in such a short piece. I just want to read it over and over. Just lovely.
I’m all blushy!
Thank you so much for your kind words!
Love how the photograph springs to life because when it did in the moment, I was in it, watching the little girl in the bathing suit spray water on her father. Such efficient writing – concise and so sweet.
This is a lovely piece.
Oh, and”…the corners of the photograph curved inward and yellowing from years of fingers rolling it…” – what a great detail that adds such poignancy to your piece. I mean, don’t we all have those photos?
Thank you so much Melanie.
I’m so glad that the post jumped out at you like that.
Memories between father and daughter.
My father.
His daughter.
This is the sort of thing that I hope my daughter writes one day.
Your comments make me smile.
How absolutely beautiful and simple. xo
Thank you tracy.
Simple is how I roll.
I love the memories that “old” photos bring. maybe that’s why I take so many now… đŸ™‚
What a lovely piece.
Thanks Elaine!
Loved your piece.
I also take a lot of photos. I love looking back at them and remembering what I was feeling at that moment.
Your memory brings tears of joy to my eyes and love to my heart.
Thanks mom!
love you!! xo
You are so talented. You were able to express a flood of emotions in a short story. Great post!
Brilliant! It was so short but said so much. I could see the picture. LOVED it.
This was gorgeous.
What you have done in so few words, the feeling that you’ve evoked within those words, is so clever.
The last three lines are lump in the throat stuff.
And I love that your mom comments! Mine does, too.
what a sweet description and a tribute to the bond you have with him!
This was perfect, L. Really vivid and descriptive in so few words. Perfectly lovely.
every word was perfect, exactly where it needed to and it painted such a perfect picture of that little girl spraying her daddy.
Loved this.
Sweet capture. A moment brought neatly to life.