Reviews from

Mom in Florida--RIP

Biography, tribute ...

37 total reviews 
Comment from nordicgirl
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

You have a beautiful ability ro speak with simple eloquence. What better tribute than to truly introduce a real person to others. This is the heart of you.

 Comment Written 06-Apr-2016


reply by the author on 08-Apr-2016
    Damn it. You know exactly what to say, don't you? Thanks woman, mike
Comment from Gypsy Blue Rose
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

Oh, Mike, I am so sorry for your loss. Mrs. Betty Cahill sounds like a great lady. I am crying now and I wish I could give you a big hug and just set next to you, in case you wanted to talk, but I could just sit there next to you, too.

I have been thinking about you, my friend. I wondered what happened to you because you usually post every day and twice sometimes.

This is so well written, I know Mrs. Betty is proud and so is your dad.

You are a brilliant writer and it shows in this genuine and honest biography.

I am happy you met your brothers and sister, especially, Brian. I can tell you are close. It's sad he lives so far away. I know how that feels. My brother lives in Spain. We are very close too.

I am sorry about your mother. It's so hard to live with someone with a mental illness, and she sounds very unstable. She probably didn't take medication. She stole the relationship you could have had with your dad. That is unforgivable but she probably didn't know what she was doing. Or maybe she did, I don't know nor do I presume to know.

I wish I could do something. It makes me so sad that your humor is gone from this post, of course, it is, I just mean that I have never read you like this before, and even though you say you are not grieving, you have very beautiful memories of her that you expressed so well in this intimate piece.

Please! Know that I will pray for you, and if there is anything I can do, just let me know. Okay? I love you like a friend, I am like that, love comes easy for me and that is why I get hurt so much.

God bless you, Mike, my deepest condolence. I am sorry for your loss.

My favorite parts, the parts that are making my cry now. (I am very sentimental)

--"She threw her arms wide open and just guffawed. "Oh, my oh my, you're the spittin' image. I could pick ya out of a crowd of thousands. I'm your mom in Florida."

I just smiled and said, "I'm your son from California." Damn, it was a lovely welcoming hug. There wasn't a thing in it but "welcome, I'm so happy to meet you".

"This is your father, Michael. He was a good man who took care of his family the best he could. He never forgot about you and he loved you as long as he lived. He'd be so proud of the fine man you've become."

*big gypsy hugs*

I wish I had a six stars to give you but I am all out. This is definitely worth it, and so much more.

 Comment Written 06-Apr-2016


reply by the author on 08-Apr-2016
    Geez, my lovely beautiful friend. You are sure a comfort to me. I'm at a loss as to what to say. I treasure these words and they just surround me like a warm blanket. I'm fine and all the better for having read these comforting and loving words. I honestly don't seem to need much in the way of comfort and I guess I don't. But it sure feels pretty damn good to receive it I must admit. You give some awesome Gypsy Hugs and they help a lot. Thanks for all of this. I've read it several times and it feels lovely every time I read it. The Biggest Irish Hugs I can manage. You can always call on me. Know that. Love to you. mikey
reply by Gypsy Blue Rose on 09-Apr-2016
    Thank you, Mike, that is nice of you to say. I am glad you are so resilient and feel okay. :) *gypsy queen hugs*
Comment from Zinnia48
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

Mikey--this is a terrific telling of a tremendous odyssey. I love your ability to tell stories thru a person's own voice. I could hear your Florida Mom as clearly as if she were pouring my coffee here in St Louis. Thanks for trusting us with these memories. Caroline

 Comment Written 06-Apr-2016


reply by the author on 08-Apr-2016
    Hi, Caroline
    Wow, that is just so lovely to hear. What wonderful words and I'm so pleased you were able to get a picture of her in mind. That delights me. Thanks so much for your kindness, mikey
Comment from Spiritual Echo
Excellent
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I have a similar story that bears no repeating here or on FS. My husband was estranged from his adult children--older than me--and I invited them to come meet their father (alive at the time), paid for their trip and watched a reunion after thirty years.

Michael, I mention my own experience only because I hope you will send this beautiful tribute to Brian. It would be extremely meaningful and a great comfort to him.

This is really not the kind of post for anyone to start picking at trivialities, but it is almost perfect technically, and emotionally pure. For readers, it gives us a moment to reflect under the gentlest tone.

I mention a couple of small things with the thought you will give this to your brother.

(YOUR--DELETE--You're) own father and you let him die without a thought about him. How can you live with yourself?"

Your and you're (YOU ARE) Very common writer's flub. Almost everything I read --not here-by writers has SPAG when it comes to there-their-they're. No sweat, just watch for it in self-editing/

A couple (add--OF) and there's something wrong in the paragraph about the humour you share with Brain. Read it out loud--you'll hear it.

BTW. Humour is Canadian/UK spelling. Out spelling adds the letter U to many words, but Americans don't. US/UK--humor/humour-neighbor/neighbour-color/colour. As you're an American and writing mostly to a US crowd, you should probably make the correction. When I sold in the US--my industry--all my correspondence went out with US spelling. So in Canada, I sold jewellery. In the US it was jewelry.

This tribute reflects the joy you felt in knowing Betty. I hope you continue your big brother relationship with Brian for life.


 Comment Written 06-Apr-2016


reply by the author on 08-Apr-2016
    Hi, Ingrid. So nice to hear from you. I can't believe I keep doing the your/you're thing. Jeesh. I did read that section, repetitive, yes? I'm a fan of Canada. I like the "U" and I think it's more correct and it looks much more cool. But You're right I know. I always appreciate edits and improvements. Even in these type things. Someone may read them, they may as well be at their best so it's appreciated for sure. I will send this to Brian. I think you're right, he will appreciate it.
    I'm pleased this came across well. A lot of what I've learned is somewhat second nature, but I still have a sea of post it notes on my screen. LOL It feels better when I write as time goes by.
    Thanks as always for your help and kind words as well, mikey
Comment from Taffspride
Excellent
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I am so very sorry for your loss Mikey. But what story you have to tell.

Your mom in Florida sounds like a wonderful lady, one with a loving heart.

Just a coule of typos. Brother Brian brother does not need the be upper case, nor does sister.

That was all that struck me, there may be one or two more, but I am trying to get this done before the battery on my tablet dies.

Thanks for sharing your story, and again condolences on our loss.

Iechyd da

Ann

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 Comment Written 06-Apr-2016


reply by the author on 08-Apr-2016
    Fixed those. Thanks for pointing that out. She was quite a gal, yes. I so appreciate the kind words. Thanks so much, mikey
Comment from reconciled
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

Real life can be beautiful....if the right people are around. Awesome write bro.....you honor your father like Jesus. I'm glad you mom in Florida too....honest is real hard to find. Big love

 Comment Written 06-Apr-2016


reply by the author on 08-Apr-2016
    Hey, Michael. Appreciate the kind words and wow ... compliments too. Yes, this was mostly beautiful and not too much sad really. A nice reunion and I'll be along one day, fifty years down the road or so. LOL. Thanks so much. Love back. mikey
Comment from Joy Graham
Excellent
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I'm sorry for your loss. We have a common bond in losing somebody. My mind is still foggy, but I'm working on getting myself back to a normal routine. If that's ever possible? I read this in a relaxed way. There were a few typos, but I didn't take notes. I'm not back to that level of reviewing yet. Plus, I believe you just wanted to share your thoughts this time around. Take care, my friend!

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 Comment Written 06-Apr-2016


reply by the author on 08-Apr-2016
    Normal does return after a while. Actually the foggy helps a bit I think. Yeah, I just kind of threw this down the way it came to me. I have fixed most of the typos I think as people pointed them out. Thanks so much. You take care too. Nice to have this little oasis, isn't it. :)) mikey