Reviews from

Letters From Heaven's Gateway #6

Quinn and Missy

28 total reviews 
Comment from Robert Zimmerman
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

Hi Sal. Another beautiful story told with great detail and compassion. You carry the message of Tuesday through the story. Until the end we do not know what Tuesday stands for. Using that day as a "marker" builds curiosity of the reader until the very end. Well Done.

It is a tightly written, sad story with an "eternally" happy ending.

Z Pal (*_*)

 Comment Written 14-Apr-2020


reply by the author on 14-Apr-2020
    Thank you, dear Z. This was an emotional story for me and a few others. My mother-in-law was in my care for four years suffering from Alzheimer's. It was a team effort and still a daily event for my husband and me. I had to call him home from work on many days to deal with her. Hospice was a lifesaver for me. They people like,e Quinn are more than said the, they are earth angels. Sending you my best today as always,
    Your pal :))
reply by Robert Zimmerman on 14-Apr-2020
    You're welcome
Comment from Sandra Stoner-Mitchell
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

What a heartbreaking, sweet, loving story, Sally. It is such a sad and frightening illness, the not knowing your loving husband's name, or that the 'nurse' is in fact your husband. It is strange how people suffering from Alzheimer's can remember things from long ago, even a song. I find I'm like that already! Well done, this was a lovely story to read. :) Sandra xx

 Comment Written 14-Apr-2020


reply by the author on 16-Apr-2020
    Thank you for the excellent review and kind comments, dear Sandra. Yes, I took care of my mother-in-law for four years in our home. I had help because I am near blind. Hospice was a great help to us. They came every day towards the end. She would think my husband was a child she heard of,aging out in the hard. She was so tangled in her thoughts. Just like the cobwebs Missy spoke of. She did call me by my name before she left.
    Sending you my best today as always,
    Sally xoxo
Comment from A. Willow Bends
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

OH MY GOSH! Too early (on a Tuesday no less!) for me to have read that.
Absolutely beautiful. ABSOLUTELY. There is nothing I can say more about this. It is perfection. Hugs from a distance!
Wendy

 Comment Written 14-Apr-2020


reply by the author on 14-Apr-2020
    Ah, thank you so much. You have that same sweet heart of a caregiver. I thought of you with you sister. What a difference loves makes in difficult times. I thought this was appropriate at this time as many caregivers are still at it even during this pandemic. Thanks you for the six stars and for your big heart! Sending you and your family my best today as always,
    Sally xoxoxoxo
reply by A. Willow Bends on 15-Apr-2020
    I am trying SO hard with my sister. While she still lives independently, I get called over about every other day for some minor (thank God!) emergency. I just paid for her trash pickup for 6 months, her glasses, not inexpensive and that is fine, but on unemployment and I have her cell on my plan, so I pay it. She continues to use 411 to look up numbers which is causing the bill to go off the charts and we have discussed that, even after getting her a phone book. It was all o.k. when I was working, but now things are a bit different, money-wise. It is like dealing with a teenager. Bless her heart. She calls me with every tiny bit of gossip in our hometown and reads me every obit and relays every word of every conversation she has with her daughters. AND the mask! We got her an approved mask, but I caught her at the Dollar store without it 2 days ago. I truly think she does not feel this will get her. Say an extra prayer. I am desperately trying to isolate in an effort to see my Grandchildren and it simply is not happening. O.K., I have vented. Thanks for listening!
    Wendy
Comment from RPSaxena
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

Hello Sally,
Nice piece of Romance Fiction having captivating flow throughout from the beginning to the end, and beautifully depicting its theme which started from the 1st Paragraph and ended with the last line in the end.
The 1st Paragraph describing 'The richest marriage' / the Real Marriage, and 'Tuesday' episode are particularly noteworthy.

 Comment Written 14-Apr-2020


reply by the author on 14-Apr-2020
    Thank you RP. I really appreciate the wonderful review and specific comments. That helps me so much as a writer. Sending you my best today as always,
    Sally :))
reply by RPSaxena on 16-Apr-2020
    Sally, Most Welcome!
    With best wishes,
    ~ RP
Comment from WalkerMan
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

This story of Quinn and Missy is damp-eyed beautiful compared to what happens all too often in such cases, as many people lack the stamina to care for someone in Missy's condition for as long as it takes (which could be several years). The result is that far too many people end up in some nursing home which relatives visit less and less often, basically leaving the stricken person to die essentially alone among real strangers.

Here it is apparent that Quinn's love for his wife is unconditional and unquenchable, as his dedication to the task proves. It can be devastating to watch one's dearly beloved fade away, increasingly becoming unfamiliar, irritable, and burdensome; but Quinn seems to have unlimited reserves of patience and compassion. Because no other family seems involved, Missy may have no one else who cares. That makes his task harder, but how he handles it proves his true character and worth.

Missy's somewhat lucid recollections in her letter to a loving husband whose name she can no longer remember -- nor recognize as the one caring for her -- is all the solace he'll ever have; but, at least, she recalls that their marriage was full of love.

Quinn knows the end is near, so he stays close to her. Of course she let go on Tuesday, as that was when she was surest of love and perhaps thought she and her husband would be reunited on that special day.

Superbly written, aptly illustrated, and accompanied by just the right music. This series of stories affects me more deeply than anything else I have ever read.

 Comment Written 13-Apr-2020


reply by the author on 14-Apr-2020
    Wow. I am so honored by this. It's so rare to have someone who can appreciate the different seasons of love. I try to write about each one and find that this story based on my own true experiences, may be hard to take in for some. Not you. You're a tender one. Thank you so much for this. I really appreciate your kind words and the lovely stars for this piece. Sending you my best today as always,
    Sally :))
reply by WalkerMan on 14-Apr-2020
    You are most welcome, Susan. Yes, I did enjoy reading it, as well as that you maintained contact with that family. I am certain that they all became fine American citizens because of their experience with you and the others who demonstrated true American neighborliness.
    -- Mike
reply by WalkerMan on 14-Apr-2020
    Oops -- disregard the above reply, as it got typed into the wrong box. Here is my real response to your reply above it.

    You are most welcome, Sal. Maybe it is just the life I have lived that prompts me to respond the way I do. The rest is your ability to write stories that ring true. They may be fiction, but feel like truth. As a writer, you are a "natural" and will do well. -- Mike
reply by the author on 14-Apr-2020
    Hi Mike, I think you got me mixed up with the other S's. That's okay. I'm in good company. Sal :))
reply by WalkerMan on 14-Apr-2020
    Actually, Sal, it was just typed into the wrong box, as I got three replies for different reviews and scrolled incorrectly before typing this one. I resent my response to the correct recipient as soon as I realized what had happened, However, you are right about being in good company. :)) -- Mike
reply by the author on 14-Apr-2020
    Always with you and yours.
reply by WalkerMan on 15-Apr-2020
    :))
Comment from DeboraDyess
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

Okay, now you've gone and made me tear up!
My hubby is in declining health, and I remember that he gave me the best of my days any time I get frustrated. Better or worse. He gave me the better, so I will be with him through his worse. no big deal, no harm. Just marriage.
thank you for a beautifu story. Found one booboo:
Ferns Grows.>>First time the book is mentioned, leave the 's' off Ferns

Excellent read!
Deb

 Comment Written 13-Apr-2020


reply by the author on 17-Apr-2020
    Thank you, dear Deb. I appreciate the lovely review and kind comments. I love this series and hope to have them published by the end of the year. Sending you my best today as always,
    Sally xoxo
Comment from thaities, Rebecca V.
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

Such a sad but beautiful story. That is genuine true love. The Coles singing was perfect for this story. The second video said it was unavailable.

 Comment Written 13-Apr-2020


reply by the author on 17-Apr-2020
    Thank you, dear Rebecca. I appreciate the wonderful review and kind compliments. As always, it's so good to see you.
    Sending you my best,
    Sally xoxo
reply by thaities, Rebecca V. on 17-Apr-2020
    I really enjoyed your writing!
Comment from royowen
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

What a lovely story, perhaps you can write one where they live happily ever after. These ones are so sad, bittersweet so to speak. But they are beautiful dear Sally, this was particularly heart wrenching, my wife loved it also, well done, blessings, Roy
Typo : Than the (porrage) Porridge?

 Comment Written 13-Apr-2020


reply by the author on 14-Apr-2020
    Thank you for the excellent review and critique, Roy. I appreciate the kind review and stars, too. I use voice-over text and not sure how porridge was even spelled like that without alerting me. I have a new blind friendly keyboard, too, and it offers words that are misspelled. It reviewers like you who have my back. Thanks again. I'm so glad you enjoyed my love story.
    Sending you my best today as always,
    Sally xo
reply by royowen on 14-Apr-2020
    Most welcome Sally
Comment from fm wright
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

A poignant and beautiful love story. I am glad that you wrote it as there is a couple in my church w is going through the same thing. I love the picture and its relativity to the story. I do think that you meant "Where the Red Fern Grows", rather than Ferns Grow, however. Truly an emotionally moving story.

 Comment Written 13-Apr-2020


reply by the author on 14-Apr-2020
    Thank you for the wonderful review and stars. Yes, I caught my title error as my voice over text is not an avid reader, I suppose. I am nearly blind though and need that critique. It is especially appreciated from someone who cares about me. Thank you so much. I am so pleased and thankful that you loved my newest one in this series. For the stars, thank you bunches!!
    Sending you my best today as always,
    Sally xoxoxo
Comment from barbara.wilkey
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

My heart is breaking. This is so emotional. You did a great job writing this post. Thank you.

The nurse must've heard her and was stirred. ( I would omit 'was')

The nurse must've heard her and was stirred. He came bounding in the room with a smile. "Good morning, Sweetheart," he said. (Omit 'he said' and put a period after Sweetheart. We know who's speaking.)

The next day, and to her surprise, she was still in the same room (The following day, it has to do with definition.)

"Ah, it's Tuesday. I better get up and dressed," she said. (Again, you can omit, 'she said' and put a period after dressed. We know who's speaking.)

 Comment Written 13-Apr-2020


reply by the author on 16-Apr-2020
    You are so good to me and I appreciate the kind critique, too. I made all the changes. Thank you so much. I am honored and blessed from head to toe. I think the special people see the depths of love in this one. It's not as romantic as my others ones inmtje series and my first one is about an estranged father and daughter. Each story views love from all aspects. I wrote this one from my own true life experience in caring for my mother-in-law with Alzheimer's.
    Sending you my best today as always,
    Sally xoxo