Image courtesy of Jennifer Pendergast
You loved playing dress up, twirling in my far-too-large wedding dress until your heel caught in the lace and you tumbled onto the dried grass.
‘Mummy.’ Your lip trembled and I plucked a buttercup, shining gold in the sun, telling you it was a magic flower. All was well in your small world once more.
I blink. Somehow time has slipped passed. Weeks, months, years.
You rush towards me. This time it’s a gown and mortar board that swamps your still-small frame.
‘Mum!’ You’re nervous. I push a buttercup into your hand.
‘Collect your degree, darling.’
Your world is larger now, but I’m still here. Always.
‘Buttercups’ was written for Friday Fictioneers. A weekly 100 word story challenge inspired by a photo prompt. Hosted by Rochelle.
fabricating fiction 
What great memories! Well done.
Thanks – not my memories – not yet anyway, but perhaps approaching.
The buttercup motif is a lovely one. Should that be “swamps” not “swaps”?
Yes – thanks Neil!
Dear Louise,
What mother of grown children can’t relate to this lovely story? Tomorrow is my eldest’s birthday. I still see him as that sweet boy with huge brown eyes. Well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
Thanks Rochelle. I’ve not had the university experience yet but think it’s approaching!
What a beautiful story full of love!!! All time favorite!
Aww so pleased you liked it.
Unconditional love, rarely lost if first found!
Very true Michael.
What’s with everyone breaking hearts today? Fantastic story. Now I want to go back home. Look what have you done 😦
Thank you!
So beautiful it brought a happy tear to my eye. Also made me so envious to have someone love someone so very much, especially a mother.
Happy tears are good!
Always and ever! 🙂 ❤
Such a beautiful story! I agree with Rochelle.. how can we mothers of grown children not love this?
Thanks Dale. It’s hard when they grow I think.
That is so heartbreaking. I’ve raised three children and now have two grandchildren. It’s astonishing how quickly time passes, and then it’s gone. There are days I’d give almost anything to turn back the clock and have my children be children again.
Me too James. They were the best of times.
That is gorgeous Louise, a lovely expression of the little things that make each family relationship unique and special
BTW, I read ‘The Sister’ and really enjoyed it 🙂
Thanks on both counts Siobhan. So pleased you enjoyed The Sister.
Lovely little capture of a mother’s love. Nice and warm, like the prompt photo. 🙂
Thanks Iain.
Aw! Mine are just getting to that age.
One of mine too.
You captured the mother/daughter relationship with skill. As a mother of a daughter how could I fail to love this story?
Thanks so much.
A lovely story, just right for the prompt.
Thanks Sandra. A lovely prompt.
Aww, this story just shone like sunshine. I adore the title, Buttercups.
Thanks Jade.
Oh, just lovely Louise. I remember doing that as kids, as if anyone was going to be proved not to like butter! A huge landmark and a glorious one – how very quickly time moves on. Gorgeous
Funny – I just put the butter test in my new novel!
Ah, that’s a sweetly innocent memory … But perhaps not in your novel! 🙂
Death by buttercups…. ah it’s a sweet moment in it.
Nice to hear, and intriguing too … 🙂
This was just lovely. Can’t stop myself from reading it again and again!
That’s so kind – thank you!
Sweet romantic story, Louise. I liked it.
Thanks!
Beautiful story…and one of those that leaves you with a wonderful feeling long after the last word. Thanks for the great read 🙂
Thanks so much Cheryl 😃
Delightful, just delightful.
Thank you!
Beautiful and poignant! Love the buttercup motif. It brought a smile to my face.
Thanks!
Sweet story! I was expecting some tragedy at the end 🙂
Oh even I wouldn’t do that!
🙂
aww I love this!
I am glad the mother remembered / managed to bring a buttercup along to graduation! With all the chaos it brings…
You’ve got me hooked with this flash fiction business!
It is addictive!
I can relate to being the mother of a graduate, although my son boycotted the big occasion and had his certificate mailed to him, as he hates a fuss being made. Funny fellow, but it didn’t stop me being proud of him!
What an amazing achievement Sarah, you must be so proud.
Lovely story. It’s always nice to have someone who’s always there for you
Yes. Thanks.
Beautifully written with magical imagery.
Thanks so much.
i love the interplay of buttercup in the story. simply wonderful.
Thanks very much.
Tender tale teases tears. Nice!
Love a sentimental tale.
Me too. Thanks.
A beautiful story. The buttercup is a genius touch!
Thanks Clare.
Lovely. Keep that field of buttercups going – he’ll need them, as we all do, from time to time.
We do. Thanks Patrick.
You left me in a sweet daze long after the written word. So sweet and wonderful.
Thanks you!
Beautifully rendered passage of time.
Thanks Joseph.
I loved the way you did that in so few words, from childhood to a adulthood. Lovely. Once a mother…My ‘children’ are over 30 and I still feel they need me!
We always need our parents no matter how old we are!
Wonderful depiction of the sweet heartaches as kids grow up.
Thanks for reading.
Touching story that pulls on the heartstrings of every mother.
Thanks Isadora.
Hi Louise! Thanks to you I have joined the Friday Fictioneers 🙂 Wonderful little story you’ve written, cleverly spanning so many years. I like the way a buttercup is picked and handed over on both these occasions and used as the title too X
Oh yay! Hopping over to your blog right now!! X
You’ve made me think of my little girl, almost 40. I’m here. Always.
Awww – lovely Mum ❤️
Such a lovely, heart-warming story. The buttercup as little ritual is a great touch.
Thank you!
Beautiful, Louise. 🙂 — Suzanne
Thanks so much Suzanne.