The spring season always brings about a change, weather it is the flowers that suddenly want out or wardrobe pieces that move from the back to the front of the closet. The Fairfax family has always used this time to capture the essence of their aristocracy with a family portrait. It has been a long-standing tradition that stretches back generations beyond the current soil, to the other side of the pond.
On portrait day, each respective patriarch rounds up his brood and heads to the manor all dressed in their best. The little ones are meticulously groomed and the women are modestly adorned with either a single string of pearls accompanied with a brooch, or white gloves. Those who stray away from this rule are strategically hidden in the last rows.
Infighting, resentment, betrayal, and buried secrets keep them at odds for 364 days of the year. But on portrait day, there is a ceasefire and grimaces are replaced by the forced smiles of a proud family, even if only once a year.
© LaRonda Moore
[173 wds]
Inspired by FFfAW Challenge #108.
Photo courtesy of Louise with The Storyteller’s Abode.
At least, the Fairfax family honor or respect enough the tradition of “portrait day”, for in many other families, there will always be one or two members who cannot bury the hatchet enough to be civil towards each other on any special day.
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So true and sad. Thanks for your thoughts Mae – always so insightful!
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Well, at least they do come together for that one day. 🙂
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LOL -Right!
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Great smoking guns, what a family. Let me get as far away as is possible. Well done you.
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Lol! I know Michael. They have a lot of drama – thanks for your thoughts!
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Nice story! It’s amazing what goes on behind the scenes of a portrait. I love how you explored these characters.
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I appreciate the feedback Jade!
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Excellent idea well written, I imagine a lot of aristocratic families are like this!
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Thanks Iain! This was the first idea that popped into my head when I saw the picture.
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Loved your take on the prompt LaRonda! I imagine that is true for many families. They fight each other all year but come together as a family when they need to. Great story! Please include the prompt photo with your story in the future. Thanks!
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Thanks Joy! I did include the photo…it is the featured image. Just realized that they don’t show on the post with my new theme 😦
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Wow ! This is quite a unique intake on the prompt ,like the concept of portrait day !:)
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Thanks so much!
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