“He’s gone Edwin, there’s nothing we can do about it. But, he has also left much behind. I see in you his intelligence, his determination and industry. He lives in you Edwin and always will.” The old man draped a heavy arm around the young man.
“You did not cry at his funeral eh, bottled it in, unhealthy. That’s why your eyes turn red whenever you recall your father. You’ve to grieve for him, it’ll relieve you…and release him.”
“Release him?” Edwin turned his watery eyes to his grandfather.
“Yes Edwin, grieve for him and let him go. People believe…I believe that otherwise the departed one remains earth bound.”
“But the priest said –”
“The priest is probably right but I speak from what my granddad once told me, oh so very long ago.” His grandfather sighed as he recounted.
There was a high-pitched screech and they both looked up. It was a hawk, riding on the warm air currents.
“Let it out Edwin, you’ll feel better eh.” The old man shook Edwin gently. “Let it out. I’ll never tell. You have my word, not even to your mother.”
Edwin stared ahead, felt his grandfather’s hand stroke his back. He turned and buried his face in the old man’s shoulder. His grandfather held tight as Edwin’s body shuddered.
The hawk glided in lazy wide circles over them. After several slow circuits, it screeched again and flapped away. The two men watched until the bird disappeared into a speck and was gone.
(An excerpt from my novel
Beck And Call,
A Business Thriller Set In Singapore)
****************************************
Beautiful writing, Eric! Very touching, and the visuals are outstanding. I shall respond in depth via your lovely comment pertaining to my recent blog.
Take care,
Paul
Dear Paul,
I read your reply to my comment. Thank you dear friend for trusting me so. As I mentioned in your post, if you wish to remove that reply from the public eye, feel free to do so.
All good blessings,
Eric
Very impressive and profound writing. Thanks for visiting my blog. I look forward to reading more of your work. I’m a follower now 🙂
Great that you found it so. Your poems are unique and I plan to return to read more. Cheers, Eric 🙂 P/s Thank you for subscribing.
Cannot wait for the whole thing!
Hello Polly,
Glad you liked it. I’ll be posting more excerpts over the next few weeks.
Meanwhile, the novel is also available in print copy and eBook. Check out this link > http://wp.me/P1YE83-33
All good wishes, Eric
Thanks Eric, I’ll get on the case 🙂
I remember the “Hungry Ghost”celebrations in Singapore. I never quite got to understand the belief that ghosts are confined to this earth unless released. Perhaps you could unpack that belief for me?
Of the dozens of beliefs held in the sub-continent, one belief is grieve and let go, or the departed spirit remains earthbound. There is quite a bit involved to recount here and I address this fully in my forthcoming novel, Fallen Grace. Cheers, Eric
Thank you Eric
Thanks, Eric. I appreciate this, and, can share that I have actually felt closer to my mom, her presence, since she passed away. That was over 20 years ago, and it remains the same. I especially noted it right around the time of her passing, it was all rather surreal…her presence was crystalline the week of her passing. The grief came, yes, but with it was this marvel-ous presence.
This is wonderful Barbra,
We meet loved ones in our dreams and the thoughts carry over and linger during our day, I believe. Though this does not occur for everyone.
All good wishes, Eric
nice excerpt..:)
although just a few lines but so powerfully charged with feelings and is so thought provoking..may I know the name of you novel from where you quoted these lines..looking forward to reading it!! 🙂
Hello and thank you Shalini.
This extract is from my novel: Beck and Call – A Business Thriller Set in Singapore.
Available in print and eBook versions. Check it out here > http://wp.me/P1YE83-33
All good wishes, Eric 🙂
we too believe in letting go the grief for a loved one, or else it keeps him/her tied to earth. very beautifully written piece.
In the novel, Edwin is of mixed parentage. His grandfather is of Indian extract – obviously, I took great care of the words and thoughts such an elderly man would use…Peace, Eric 🙂
You captured an important idea in this short vignette: dealing with grief rather than denying or disposing of it–yes, it’s so hard to do, but absolutely essential if we ever hope for healing.
Pain must be confronted, not avoided, I reckon. You might want to check out this related post, Pain Therapy > http://wp.me/p1YE83-ey
All good wishes, Eric
‘You’ve to grieve for him, it’ll relieve you…and release him.’
Very true!
Thank you @ D
I often wondered about stoic faces…There is a time to hold our emotions to be strong for others but there is also a time for our own healing, I reckon.
Glad this post resonates for you.
Luv and hugz, Eric
Yes it does… thanks!
Very nice.
Thanks 🙂
A touching piece of writing. It is so important to grieve. Apparently when we cry, it releases toxins from our bodies. I think I will write a poem about it.
Thank you Fiona – yes, I believe crying heals. You might want to check out this post > http://wp.me/s1YE83-cry
I look forward to your poem. Peace, Eric
(P/s Looks like your blog is down, as I’m unable to view it)
My parents and ministers comforted me in similar fashion in my childhood losses of great-grandmother, great-uncles and great-aunts. Once I could “let them go”, they started to leave with me very comfortingly and joyfully in my heart, in my spirit. I still walk with them, but they are not “held” or “bound” to me. Bless you for sharing this little excerpt for your novel, which I am now eagerly awaiting publication.
Yes, once we “let them go” they return, this time bearing only fond memories for us. I shall post several more snippets. Luv and big hugz 🙂
P/s Oh, the book is already published and available on line > simply click on the book image seen on the left. You can also check out chapters in the ebook.
Dear Granbee – my comment went into your spam again, I think…
I read it … the words stopped …. and I didn`t want it to stop 😀
I really look forward to read more, Eric!
~ Sirenia ~
Thank you Sirenia – I will be posting more excerpts over the next few weeks. Meanwhile, you can also read complete chapters by clicking on the book icon (on the left margin) and checking out the ebooks on line. Have a great weekend. Luv and peace, Eric
Oh Eric this is wonderful, can’t wait to read more both the excerpts and your book.
This excerpt is also something I truly believe in..
congrats my friend
hugs:)
Thank you, Soma – not always easy to weave these into what is basically a business thriller to begin with…Glad it resonates.
If you click on the book icon on the left and go to the any eBook link > you can read selected chapters. In any event, I’ll post more excerpts.
Peace and luv, Eric 🙂
It took me a year to realize this truth…and finally I was able to ‘let go’. I bet this book is a good one Eric…sounds like it to me! You ‘do you’ beautifully!! 🙂
Thank you Jeannie – when confronted with loss, sometimes we erect walls that might not be the best for our mental and physical health and ‘theirs’.
Luv and hugz, Eric 🙂
P/s Small confession (and feeling a little shy) – what do you mean by the last phrase..
Eric,
Looking forward to reading your novel. You are such a gifted writer and I always enjoy what you post.
God Bless Ya!
Sandy O
Thank you Sandy.
Most days, I can’t wait to get my ‘work’ out of the way so that I can plunge into writing…glad it touches people. Have not run into that writer’s block wall yet 🙂
All good wishes,
Eric
P/s Both print and Ebooks are now available – just click on the book icon on your left (Do forgive me this sales pitch – usually leave it to my distributors)
You are forgiven Eric! All good writers should also be good salespersons. . .hahaha
Hello Sandy – I posted a comment on your blog and it went straight into spam. Someone in WP does not like me 🙁
Grief comes in its own time… Thanks for the reminder
Very true hatchling this – grief deliberates, at its own time, relocates.
Thank you. It’s a nice thought putting words from a book on your blog, never thought of it. It gives … well in this case words that I feel but haven’t thought of it myself 🙂
with love
You’re welcome 🙂
Hopefully, my novels entertain but for those who prefer to pick up some fairly thoughtful stuff…I try to weave these in without derailing the storyline.
Peace, Eric
A very short book, judging from this excerpt. 😛
Congratulations on the publication of your book,dear Eric, I’m looking forward to more excerpts.
Love and hugs
Steph
Don’t forget to read that comment!!
Thank you 🙂
I’ve read that comment and replied…
Luv and hugz, Eric
I meant the comment on my post ‘The Hug award” made by Granbee.
Love and hugs
Steph
Very interesting, look forward to reading it all.
Thank you.
I shall be posting more excerpts over the next few weeks.
Characters in the novel speak of things that hopefully get people to reflect and also to inspire sagging spirits…Though touted as a business thriller, it is also a family saga.
Cheers, Eric
P/s Your blog is off-line, it seems