Reviews from

Christmas Roses, Part Two

Christmas day unfolds
Comment from WalkerMan
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

Once again, you wrap up a good story in a delightfully heartwarming way. Clearly, Sarah's sons agreed with their father's last instructions, which they had been faithfully carrying out for years. Evidently, they decided it was time to deliver his final love letter -- acknowledging, but freeing her from, living in her fond memories, and urging her to find another love, rather than wither away in loneliness. In the end, she wisely follows his loving advice, which seems to have opened a whole new phase of happy life for her. Superb, aptly illustrated, and "Auld Lang Syne" is the right music to fit the connection to It's a Wonderful Life.

 Comment Written 15-Nov-2020


reply by the author on 17-Nov-2020
    Dear Mike, thank you for the wonderful review and generous stars. I'm delighted you enjoyed my love story and the ending. The song choice was an older version by the Canadian Tenors, but I love their sweet sound.
    Sending you my best today and blessings always,
    Sal :))
reply by WalkerMan on 17-Nov-2020
    You are most welcome, Sal. "Auld Lang Syne" is a good choice; though personally, I prefer the complete song in original Scottish lyrics (the way I have it in my book). It's hard to find a good recording of that, however. -- Mike
Comment from RGstar
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

What a lovely thing...I don't know much, but what I read was beautifully coined.
A little bitter-sweet when the twist came, but so is life and its realness, and you hit home today...simply beautiful.
My best wishes...a lovely thing.
RGstar

 Comment Written 15-Nov-2020


reply by the author on 17-Nov-2020
    Dear RGstar, thank you so much for the complimentary review and generous stars. How kind you are! I'm delighted that you enjoyed it. Sending you my best and blessings always,
    Sally XOs....
Comment from fm wright
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

Your presentation is beautiful. Your story first brought a tear to my eye, then a smile to my lips. I truly like the way you ended it. To me the ending was quite a surprise. Really well done.

 Comment Written 15-Nov-2020


reply by the author on 16-Nov-2020
    Thank you for the wonderful review and generous stars, Faye dear. I'm so glad you enjoyed this and we're blessed. I cried writing it, especially the letter from John. I hope to have more good writing coming by years end. Many will be savoring holiday traditions and the simple joys of Christmas and the holidays this year, I think. Sending you my best today as always and blessings for your day
    Sal XOs...xo.....
reply by fm wright on 16-Nov-2020
    My best back to you. I look forward to each and every posting of yours, as it is always a treat to read your writing.
    XOs,
    Faye
Comment from poetwatch
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

Thank you, Sally, for reminding me how it was to spent Christmas with the family. :) As children receiving the gift was awesome as we grew up my brothers and sister always had each other in our hearts. The stocking were slim, but there was lots of love to share. Good story. Thank you for sharing.

 Comment Written 15-Nov-2020


reply by the author on 16-Nov-2020
    Thank you for the lovely review and kind compliments, dear poet. I'm delighted you enjoyed this.
    Blessings always,
    Sal XOs.....
Comment from Robert Zimmerman
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

Hello Sally.

This is a very warm story that shows the unselfish love a husband had for his wife. He truly does want her to be completely happy.

Setting up flowers to be delivered after his passing was such a thoughtful idea on his part. It is a very touching story showing how far love goes to please the one that is loved.

The final paragraph is an excellent ending to the story. It does have to be in black and white, by the way.

PAL Z

 Comment Written 15-Nov-2020


reply by the author on 16-Nov-2020
    Thank you for the lovely review, dear Z. I'm sure you are this kind of husband. I'm surrounded by such kind men who love their wives here on FanStory.of course, my Jackson is so dear and precious. He loves me so much.

    Yes, 'It's a Wonderful Life' absolutely must be in black and white!
    Sending you my best today as always,
    Sal XOs...
reply by Robert Zimmerman on 16-Nov-2020
    Hey Sal.

    You're very welcome. Too bad there are no movies made like that anymore.

    PAL Z
Comment from Elizabeth Emerald
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

Heartwarming! Recalling the last chapter, I gather that all those years it was her kids leaving the mystery cards/roses at the behest of their late father and this is the punchline, so to speak. Do I have it right?

 Comment Written 15-Nov-2020


reply by the author on 17-Nov-2020
    Thank you for the lovely review and generous compliments, dear Liz. Blessings for your day,
    Sal XOs....
Comment from Liz O'Neill
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

Your description of the grandchildren and your relationship with them is delightful. The reader will identify and some will become aware that they are a bit envious. You have created powerful imagery. It appeals to several senses. This will draw the reader in. Well done.

 Comment Written 15-Nov-2020


reply by the author on 17-Nov-2020
    Thank you for the wonderful review and generous compliments, dear Liz. It is always so appreciated.
    Sal XOs....
Comment from Janetsue
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

The conclusion has arrived like a wrapped present I just had to rip into. lol

Honestly, I really do love this story, Sally...it is about not giving up on good things happening just because the years are creeping by. I am such a romantic and these things still get to me.

Mysterious situations have always ranked high (especially like in good SiFi); and when a mystery gets coupled with romance, there is little else that could be better. Well, maybe a ballad poem about being on another far-off planet where two individually stranded humans suddenly discover each other and start a new civilization. If you ever feel like writing something like that, as well as additional earthbound romances, please let me know. lol Hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving, Sally! --Janet xo

 Comment Written 15-Nov-2020


reply by the author on 17-Nov-2020
    Thank you for the wonderful review and generous stars, dear Janet. I'm so honored and blessed. Your request is noted although sci-fi escapes me. I am writing an end of days trilogy. I'm working on it now. I'm not sure what to call it. Right now, I have it marked as "spiritual." That category works well for me. All writing has a spiritual element to it, even sci-fi. Again, thank you so much and have a blessed Thanksgiving. I know you will!
    Blessings to you and yours,
    Sal XOs.....XOs....
Comment from Sankey
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

This was lovely and well done once again. Should you not have this in a book? Is there more? A couple of spags. My alarm clock had to be lying, (either) that, or I had lost power.

"I('m) not sure why

I forget if you saw my Addendum to my poem on : "Disappearing Keys" in Geoff's Musings? The money runs out today.

 Comment Written 15-Nov-2020


reply by the author on 17-Nov-2020
    Thank you dear, for the lovely review and stars! I've been sick with shingles and a bit behind in my reviews and posts. Thankfully, I won a random contest and was able to promote this. I always try to give my dear reviewers some bonuses for their sweet reviews and much needed help. Thanks for the catches and I have repaired them. I will get to your post straight away. It did not come across my fanmail for some reason.
    Sending you my best today as always and blessings always,
    Sal XOs.....
Comment from royowen
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

Only you can write these romantic, I guess because you are an incurable romantic my friend, this was a beautiful story, Elaine my wife has a huge capacity to love, and indeed she is loved in return her grandsons adore her. Beautifully written Sally, blessings Roy

 Comment Written 15-Nov-2020


reply by the author on 17-Nov-2020
    Thank you for the lovely review and generous compliments, dear Roy. I knew you'd appreciate this. Sending you my best today as always,
    Sal XOs...
reply by royowen on 17-Nov-2020
    Well done