Monday, August 13, 2012

Unforgettable


This is a blogfest to celebrate the release of my short story. "Secrets of the Ash Tree" which is being published Sept. 4th in a fantasy anthology called Open Doors. For this blogfest I want you to post about some strange and unusual place, person or thing you have visited. Something that has left a lasting impression, one that you can not forget. Join us here and don't forget to stop by other unforgettable stories:
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Asking you to write about someplace or person that has left an unforgettable imprint on your life is a tall order. I know this, and I myself have had so many places and people that I will never forget so it is hard to pick just one to tell you about. Most of you that know me have heard all about the story of how I met two of my lost children for the first time again after 30 years. You probably think that is what I am going to write about now, but I have a different story to tell you. I am going to tell you about a time when fate went to Greece disguised as a man wearing a long black coat. My sister in law and I met him there on vacation 15 years ago. A vacation that changed both of our lives, and I am certain that Fate knew we would be there.

On vacation in Greece with my Sister-in-law

He was just a tall shadow standing behind a good looking young Greek man on the other side of a small fence that bordered the sidewalk from what would become our local pub. I noticed him whispering in this young man’s ear as I was sitting with my sister in law and two young English guys, enjoying a drink and the warm night air. It was our first night in Greece and although we had not planned to go out, circumstances led us to being there. We did not know it at the time, but this young good looking Greek man standing there watching us, should have been going home that very same day. He was on vacation as well, and although he was part Greek, he was actually from Australia on vacation and helping out his cousin, working on a boat. He had felt compelled to stay so when the shadow man had approached him that night and whispered in his ear saying, “Talk to her, you have to talk to her,” he didn’t hesitate.

That was the first time we saw the man in the long black coat, but we saw him many times during the next two weeks. He would seem to appear out of nowhere, leave a message about love, and quickly disappear back into the crowd before anyone could respond.  Needless to say, our “girl’s” vacation turned into the romance of a lifetime, involving my sister in law and this young Greek man. I did everything I could think of to stop this hand of fate, but it would not be so. You probably are asking why I should stop such a wonderful holiday romance. The answer is simple, because she was married and had two small children.

As fate would have it they continued their love affair long after she had returned home to her husband and children. He flew to Norway after her and I hid their secret as best I could until a photograph of them betrayed her. The secret was out, but fate was not finished with these two. To make a long story short, today they have been happily married for 10 years and are living in Australia. I often wonder how fate led us to the circumstances that changed so many people’s lives. Some people do not believe in fate but I do, and I know what it looks like, unforgettable and so was my time in Greece.

I am looking forward to reading about your unforgettable moments in life, and to see just how much fate had to do with them.

28 comments:

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Siv .. fascinating story - and more importantly am so delighted to read your Norse mythology and Norwegian Folklore will be out soon - but congratulations on having the first chapter published in Wayman Publishing ..

Great news and have been enjoying your tour around with your children - must have been lovely for you all ..

Cheers Hilary

The Armchair Squid said...

That's quite a story. Congratulations on your upcoming publication.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

It so often doesn't work out, so glad that it did for your sister-in-law.

L. Diane Wolfe said...

Does that mean she's no longer your sister in law?

Thanks for hosting the blogfest.

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said...

She will always be my sister more than anything else. She is my husbands sister though so as long as I am married to him she will legally be my sister in law :)

shelly said...

That is cool, Siv. This is really a great blogfest. My fate was to write and learn despite my odds.

Sir Poops and Hair Ball would like to interview you for What's Your Nosh. You'll be hearing from them soon.

Shelly
http://secondhandshoesnovel.blogspot.com/

Melissa said...

Congratulations on publishing your story! Woot!!! :D

Nancy Thompson said...

Darn, wish I'd known about this blogfest earlier! Your story is incredible. I believe fate does have a way of working things out. It did for me!

N. R. Williams said...

Hi Siv
A surprise. I can't imagine such a thing in real life. Nice to see you.
Nancy

Unknown said...

Karen, your comments do not come to my mail and I do not have your email address, nor can I find it :( It is still not too late to join in. I would love to hear your story!

Roland D. Yeomans said...

Life is never simple, is it? Nor is love. Being a softie, I grieve for the children of the first marriage.

I am so happy that your first chapter is being published in an anthology! Way to go!

Maurice Mitchell said...

Siv, that's a great story. Really conveys the mood.

Unknown said...

Great story. Sometimes fate sends us to the right people long after we've thrown in our lot with someone else.

I'm doing my post tomorrow so I can't wait to see what you think of mine. And I have truly enjoyed reading about your children.

Liesel K. Hill said...

Hi there! Cool blog fest! I'm a new follower via GFC. I found you via Alex Cavanaugh's website which posted about your blog fest! I'm in! I look forward to your posts! :D

Michael Di Gesu said...

How incredible how mysterious strangers enter our lives and effect them so drastically.

I, too, believe in fate, Sis... not surprising, right?

Timing is EVERYTHING...


What a great story!

Anonymous said...

Amazing story. I don't know how I'd react to a mysterious man in black.

Congrats on your upcoming release.

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Lynn Proctor said...

such an interesting story, but it makes me wonder about her first husband, what happened to him

Michael Offutt, Phantom Reader said...

I will be thinking about entering this. Congratulations on your story. That's so exciting.

Unknown said...

Just got my "Unbelievable" post up! :) Lots of fun reminiscing.

Here's the link:

http://the-open-vein-ejwesley.blogspot.com/2012/08/3-things-i-wish-id-known-about-writing.html

Shannon Lawrence said...

Wow, quite a story! I do believe in fate, and it certainly sounds like they were meant to be together. Congratulations on your release!

Unknown said...

It's that "Sliding Doors" thingy, isn't it? If you weren't there, at that time... I'm glad your sister in law's happy though :-)

Cherie Reich said...

Oh, wow! Such a neat love story! It'd definitely be unforgettable.

Ella said...

Congrats on your short story! Wow, this is quite the story and would make an amazing book ;D How dark n' mysterious and profound!

Ciara said...

I guess I'm too late to sign up for the 4th. I'd be happy to shout on the fourth, though.

Elliot Grace said...

...intriguing story, and a hearty congratulations to your upcoming release ;)

El

Anonymous said...

Way to pull us in! Well written my friend. Sorry I haven't been by earlier it's been crazy here. I'll tell you later.