Category: flash

Happy Holidays

On By Jerry BrothertonIn flash, Short Stories11 Comments

There seems to be a controversy among many of you, demanding that we put ‘Christ’ back in Christmas. I would like to attempt to explain difference between “Merry Christmas” and “Happy Holidays”.

Christmas is the act of honoring God and the birth of our Savior. It is about helping our fellow man in their time of need. If it is your intent to donate your purchases to charity or volunteering at your local shelter or even helping the elderly by providing some friendship, then I say to you, “Merry Christmas and May God Bless you.”

However, when you come through the checkout lane with your cart filled with decorations, candy and ornaments or you push and shove your fellow shoppers just to get to that one toy so you can give it to someone that doesn’t really need it, just so you can have some self-gratification on December 25th; then you my friend are celebrating the man-made HOLIDAY created for the soul purpose of profit. Quite the opposite of the Christmas spirit.

So please do not proclaim to the world that the people of retail are Devil worshippers or anti-American when they say to you, “Happy Holidays”.

Words are just words; it’s our actions that will bring Christ back to Christmas and it’s up to each of us to keep him in our hearts.

 

Coincidence, Fate, or the Hand of God

On By Jerry BrothertonIn flash, Short Stories2 Comments

Just a few miles down a dust covered road from my hometown of Wakenda, the Missouri river rolled its muddy water eastward. It offered life to the small farms struggling against poverty. It offered money to the barge owners that floated its turbulent waters. It offered hope to those that moved their goods to better markets.

But to one young boy standing silent on its bank staring into the murky water… it offered a promise. It promised to cool the sweltering Midwest heat that was beating down on his shoulders with the fierceness of Hell itself. It promised to take away his pain and give him peace. It promised him that he would never be hungry or ridiculed for being different. It promised him he would never be rejected. The hypnotizing swirls called to him; whispering to him a promise of freedom.

What a simple thing it would be to do, he thought. Just slide one foot closer to the edge. Just one small step and let the water surround him. With a smile of contentment on his face, he turned to take one last look at his friends as if to say goodbye. That’s when he realized he was getting a bite on his fishing line.

“Holy shit,” he said as he reached down and cupped one hand around the pole and gave it a jerk. Ten minutes later, he was holding the largest catfish any one had seen in years.

One moment…

A single point frozen in time…

Placed there, perhaps, to change one person’s world…

 

There is more to a poem than a rhyme

There is more to a day than just time

Through all the hatred, laughter and sorrow

There will always be hope of a better tomorrow

My Apologies

On By Jerry BrothertonIn flash, Short Stories17 Comments

Let me begin by offering my sincerest apologies.

As most of you know, I work in retail. Well, I can tell you that the retail world comes filled with its ups and downs for sure. Either everyone believes that Trump is the new Savior or perhaps they are convinced that the world is coming to an end. Whichever the case may be, they are definitely stocking up. Although I’m not really sure why we would need so many Fidget Spinners, Fingerling Puppets, or Hatchimals in the New World Order. Maybe I’ve just been so busy that I didn’t get the memo.

At any rate, November found me totally unprepared. So I was unable to spend the amount of time I would have liked with my fellow bloggers.

It appears that December is going to follow in November’s footsteps as extended hours and unusually large crowds vie for my attention. I know that I have missed out on some wonderful blog posts from my fellow WordPress friends. Please forgive my silence and negligence. I will attempt to catch up when the world slows down and people regain their sanity.

Until then, I would like to send you belated blessings for the Thanksgiving holiday and wish you a safe and joyous Christmas season.

He Shall Return

On By Jerry BrothertonIn flash, Short Stories10 Comments

My king is gone and my heart quakes at his memory. Men have forgotten what it was to have him in their depths. We are stone and no longer feel our hearts beating in our breasts. There is no one we could call to be a leader of men. Without guidance we are little more than animals. We squabble and fight; turning on our brothers because they do not have the same veneer. We kill each other for scraps of nothing. We are consumed by hate and blackness. The true courage of men has failed.

But hear me all you Heaven and Earth. Rejoice… for as long as there is but one left that keeps kindness in his heart, he will come again. His return will begin in the small deeds of man… in forgotten things and insignificant actions. Kindness will spark the kindling of Love and it will spread like wildfire through the souls of men.

There are No Atheists in Foxholes

On By Jerry BrothertonIn flash, Short Stories12 Comments

“It isn’t the battle that scares you the most. There’s no time to think about death. It’s the quiet times before the fight that makes you shiver. That’s when you think about Heaven and Hell and second guess if you’ve made the right decisions in life. Even those who claim there is no God will still pray.”

An unnamed soldier

78th Engineer Battalion

1975