Wednesday, December 20, 2017

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Post 1654. December 20




Every day, just before opening my cafe I would hear the tap-tap of her umbrella on the window.

‘Hello dear’ she would say as she walked in and hung her knitted hat and brolly on a hook.

She always did that!

She would study the menu for ages before calling me over. ‘Dish-of-the-day and a nice cup of tea dear’ she would say.

She said that every time!

One day, last February when I delivered her meal, she was sleeping.

She never woke up.

Her knitted hat still hangs on the hook. It’s not my cafe anymore, but it’s still there. I like that.

She probably would too.


Thank you, Rochelle, for hosting and Björn Rudberg for the photo. I helped myself to just one of the hats!

55 comments:

  1. Touching piece Keith. It would please her to know she left a mark. Merry Christmas to you and yours.

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    1. I'm sure she would. Enjoy the festive season Iain

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  2. Dear Keith,

    Lovely story. Every restaurant has its regulars. As an employee at a few establishments, I looked forward to their daily visits. I did have to look up brolly. ;) I learned a new word.

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

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    1. In one of my pubs I had a walking stick hanging on the wall which belonged a deceased regular, and that's what inspired me to write this piece. Thanks Rochelle. I'm going to need a brolly today!

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  3. A respectful tribute to her. I'm sure she would like that. Good one.

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  4. Alas - that is life.

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  5. Very sweet. Glad to see the new owner respected the tradition.

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  6. It’s really nice when people care to remember or respect those that are no more. She definitely sounds like it would have been a pleasure to know her.
    Lovely story.

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    1. As mentioned above, this is based on a true story. Thanks moon

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  7. Another lovely tale from you.

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  8. I loved the heartwarming ending. Good one, Keith - Russell

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  9. Oh I do like this story... I have a feeling that the narrator might have taken over the role of ordering today's special too.

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  10. She knitted her way into hearts, that's a good thing.

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  11. That is a most sweet piece, Keith! I love that he left a part of her to be displayed.

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  12. Keith, what a delightful story. I like the way she speaks, it brings a vision of someone of a "certain age." Cheers! And Merry Christmas

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    1. I'm not sure what that says about the writer! Cheers Alicia and Happy Christmas to you and yours too.

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  13. I loved reading this story, perfect for christmas

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  14. Awww, sad and sweet. Good one, Keith.

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  15. So poignant and touching Keith.

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  16. Moving story, Keith. She sounds like a wonderful cheery old lady.

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  17. Very sad, poor lady. It's nice that a piece of her remains in her favourite cafe.

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    1. A fitting tribute to a loyal and much loved customer. Thanks Alistair

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  18. A tender story for Christmas. Well done.

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  19. At least she managed to leave her mark on the world, even if it is a soft and fluffy one.

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    1. I like soft and fluffy, don't you? Cheers Alice

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  20. what a tribute that the new owner of the cafe kept. she must be haunting the place for all we know.

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    1. ...in the nicest possible way I'd like to think! Thanks plaridel.

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  21. Aww.. the story made me happy and sad at the same time. There are still few people around us who care.

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  22. Beautiful. So nice that the new owners left her hat there as well. I agree although it is sad it is at the same time uplifting.

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  23. We had a restaurant in our small town. There was a very elderly gentleman who used to come in all the time. When he died, at 103, they put his coffee mup on a stand with an engraving in front of it - hung it on the wall. Funny, just this second - I smelled brewing coffee...
    Mine: https://kindredspirit23.wordpress.com/2017/12/22/tend-to-your-knittin/
    Scott

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  24. Oh, I loved that story, Keith. It was sad but somehow uplifting too. Well done.

    I'm going to resume writing stories with FF in the New Year.
    Happy Christmas!

    Susan A Eames at
    Travel, Fiction and Photos

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  25. Nice sentiment, Keith. Have a good Christmas

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  26. A lovely story of the memory of a person, Keith. It fits this season well. Good writing. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 2018. :) --- Suzanne

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  27. I loved imagining the woman and especially her hat hanging after she was gone. A sweet story about the transience of life. Happy New Year!

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