Jim opened the certified package from his friend, Steve, whom he had not seen in fifty years. There was a letter and a copy of The Imitation of Christ that Jim gave Steve decades ago. Steve saw the book while sorting through boxes and decided to return it after finding Jim’s address.
A few months before receiving the package Jim wondered how his life veered off course getting lost in a moral dessert. How did he get from being a teenager who could attend Mass with joy to become an old man who barely had a clue?
Jim cautiously opened the worn book and began reading smelling the fresh air of an oasis amidst its aging pages.
Linked to Six Sentence Stories where Denise offers the prompt “oasis”.
Poetry, Short Prose and Walking 
Very nice Frank đź’ś
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Willow!
LikeLike
A pleasure Frank đź’ś
LikeLiked by 1 person
Journey of a teenager to an old man – makes me thoughtful, what really happens to us through life – So perfect how you brought it alive.
LikeLike
The decades come together. Thank you, Pragalbha!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very welcome.
LikeLike
Serendipity! Liked the “fresh air of an oasis amidst its aging pages”.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you!
LikeLike
Beautiful use of the word Oasis Frank!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Mary!
LikeLike
Thomas Ă Kempis’ book has changed so very many lives~
LikeLiked by 1 person
It is a great book. Thank you, Larry!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve read it a few times. St Therese of Lisieux liked it
LikeLiked by 1 person
Full circle as they say. A poignant example of receiving “help” when least expected.
Love the last sentence, Frank.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Denise!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great image in the last sentence.
LikeLike
Love reconnecting after 50 years. Our memories are always with us.
LikeLiked by 1 person
When we remember we realize how close those memories are. Thank you!
LikeLike
not only do the decades come together, they fly by! Seeems just yesterday there were leaves on the trees and hair on my head…but alas, both are bare! Happy Thanksgiving and what a great six this is.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The time goes by rapidly and memories seem to return rapidly even when forgotten. Thank you!
LikeLike
very evocative Six… involves all the senses, which is the hallmark of an excellent story of any length
LikeLiked by 1 person
It may be good to involve all the senses. Thank you, Clark!
LikeLike
Oh WOWZA, this is Beautiful, Frank! Blessed Thanksgiving to you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you and may you have a happy and blessed Thanksgiving!
LikeLike
You’re welcome.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Combining the scent of an old book with the memories attached to the book can be sweetly intoxicating.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Smells often bring back memories for me. Thank you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sometimes we wander, but it’s so easy to go back, He always takes us in.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It is easy to go back. If we only realized how easy. Thank you!
LikeLike
“How did he get from being. . .to become. . .?” Reflecting on one’s life can be the first step in learning from the past and beginning to get back on course. It also helps when a friend follows a prompting to do something without even knowing what an impact that action might have. Thought provoking SSS.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Often we don’t know the impacts our actions have. Thank you, Pat!
LikeLike
In the desert of the soul, deliverance arrives in a certified, bonafide package. Nice!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Liz!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Makes me wonder if I have any forgotten memories I need to unearth. Great six.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I keep uncovering memories. Thank you, Lisa!
LikeLiked by 1 person
How nice! The oasis came to him, instead of him going in search of the oasis. Great six!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Dyanne!
LikeLike