The Eight Sentences:
[NOTE: Outrageous punctuation in effect to trim this down to 8 sentences from nineteen!]
“You remember what I told you about sunsets, don’t you?” Lilly had asked.
“Yes, ma’am, I do, I’ll never forget it,” Claudia replied.
“Well, Dr. Thibaut’s passing was a beautiful clear sunset, no clouds to be seen, but a beautiful afterglow,” Lillie put her coffee cup on the table, raised her glasses and wiped her eyes with the ever-present white lace handkerchief.
Claudia thought a moment and at the risk of sounding like a challenge, pressed ahead with her question, “Do you think that people can have a cloudy life — one that would have beautiful clouds at sunset, but, aaah, still have had troubles?”

Joe Btfsplk
“Honey, no life goes by without problems–we all have our clouds. Remember that man in Lil’ Abner?” They shared a laugh and Lilly continued, “I’m sure Dr. Thibaut had his concerns, but they would have been those wispy little clouds that the wind carries away with ease. Sure wouldn’t have been anything like a mushroom cloud,” she winked at Claudia, reached out, and hugged her tight.
The Back Story:
The late Dr. Thibaut had been Claudia’s adviser/supervisor in her quest for a master’s degree. Claudia had visited his residence often enough to get acquainted with “Miss Lil,” his housekeeper. In this scene, they discuss Dr. Thibaut’s life and Claudia finds a moment for introspection with an analogy involving clouds and sunsets.
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20 responses to “A Cloudy Sunset”
chellecordero
November 10th, 2014 at 02:33
I adore the analogy to clear skies, it’s very optimistic and poetic way of looking at a life. Good snippet.
caitlinstern
November 10th, 2014 at 01:38
Interesting and beautiful comparison. If clouds are what makes a sunset really beautiful, because they reflect the light, do troubles do the same in a life?
ED Martin
November 10th, 2014 at 00:43
Beautiful analogy.
Linda Hamonou
November 9th, 2014 at 21:15
And a cloudy life isn’t that bad, you can’t have the rainbow without the rain.
FCEtier
November 10th, 2014 at 08:01
Linda, that sounds like something Dolly Parton says. Are you a fan? 🙂
Patricia Preston
November 9th, 2014 at 19:48
What great prose. I really enjoyed the interaction and Lilly’s thoughtful wisdom.
FCEtier
November 10th, 2014 at 08:02
Thanks Patricia!
elainecsc2013
November 9th, 2014 at 19:38
I love the cloud analogy and your dialogue is great.
FCEtier
November 10th, 2014 at 08:03
Thanks Elaine. I enjoy writing dialogue and often rely on my wife to make sure it has an appropriate feminine touch.
siobhanmuir
November 9th, 2014 at 15:23
“Into every life a little rain must fall and losing one you love is like a storm. But storms are passing.” – Michael W. Smith. Great snippet and great wisdom in the analogy, Chip.
FCEtier
November 10th, 2014 at 08:04
Thanks, and I appreciate having that quote. Will refer back to it.
nicolettehugowriter
November 9th, 2014 at 15:05
You write great dialogue FC. I love the metaphor in here too – great snippet!
Author Charmaine Gordon
November 9th, 2014 at 13:59
Always the clouds to interfere on a sunny life. This hit me where it hurt.
Frank Fisher
November 9th, 2014 at 13:07
I love the whole clouds representing problems in life. I use this analogy in my own philosophy and everyone indeed experiences cloudy days. Great snippet!
EE Giorgi
November 9th, 2014 at 13:03
great snippet and awesome sunset photo !! 🙂
veronicascott
November 9th, 2014 at 12:43
I do like the metaphors with life and the clouds – excellent excerpt!
Joanne Stewart
November 9th, 2014 at 11:02
Agreed. That picture is stunning. Love their chat about clouds and sunsets. Tweeted and pinned. 🙂
Teresa Cypher
November 9th, 2014 at 09:53
I like your cloud analogy worked in. And that photo is stunning! Nicely done, Chip. 🙂
FCEtier
November 10th, 2014 at 08:05
I waiting until the sun was below the horizon and probably took a hundred shots to get that one. Thanks!
Sarah W
November 9th, 2014 at 08:58
I remember Joe! Some days, I am Joe.
This is a lovely and humorous bit of retrospection, Chip. And I like Miss Lil. 🙂