Reviews from

Patty

A friendship cut short

22 total reviews 
Comment from doggymad
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

So sorry that you lost your friend too soon. You have been left with some lovely memories which you have shared in a most beautiful way.

I can feel the bond that even death cannot remove or tarnish.

love and hugs

Freda

 Comment Written 23-Feb-2017


reply by the author on 23-Feb-2017
    Hi Freda, thank you for your RR&R, and kind comments. There was a hint of malpractice involved, but I learned the surgeon was in a terrible car accident and lost the use of her hands, and no longer practices. Not that anyone wishes that on another, but it seems karma came into play.

    Thank you again for your time and talent.

    Happy weekend! It's almost here!
Comment from Ric Myworld
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

I'm never good at knowing what to say after reading such stories as this one. The great loss and ongoing hurt that will never leave those who love and will forever miss a special person in their life. You all have memories, but them alone can never fill a certain void. Thanks for sharing your touching story.

 Comment Written 23-Feb-2017


reply by the author on 23-Feb-2017
    Hi Ric, and thank you for your RR&R. Even though years have past, when I think about the loss it is still unbelievable. How someone seemingly so healthy could have this end is still a crime. Definitely malpractice at play, but I learned through her sisters the other night, the surgeon was involved in a pretty horrible accident and lost the use of her hands, so ended her career. Karma. Thanks again!
Comment from bichonfrisegirl
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

Hi Mary,

This story tugs at the heart-strings. It is a story that I think most of us can relate to, as many have lost a dear friend far too early in life. As the reader I found myself teary-eyed by the time I got three-quarters through the write.

I'd like to believe that things happen for a reason. Your 1991 unexpected run-in with Patty and family at Disney World was meant to be. One wonders, "what are the chances?" when bumping into someone that you know when far away from home. Apparently pretty good. On occasion I have been half way around the world and bumped into people I haven't seen in ages back home. Go figure.

Your writings always provide the reader with crystal clear imagery, and this write is no exception. I loved the entire story. Stand-outs for this reader are:

- "They would hear a shallow knock at their front door. They'd open it to find me, aged three of four, hair disheveled and still in my nightgown, clutching my treasured blankie with the satin strip barely intact, sucking my thumb and staring straight away at whomever opened the door." ... obviously you couldn't wait to see your friend and visit with this family, as you headed over there immediately after rolling out of bed. A GREAT image!
- "She deserved a better pen pal and Hallmark supporter than she got with me." ... drives home the fact that you both stayed in touch throughout the years and that you wish you had had time to write her more often.
- loved the whole 1991 unexpected meeting at Disney World and that you all spent the day together
- "I felt as if she was right there with me, leading me to her" ... I believe she was.
- "Brain death wasn't in the plan for our friendship in growing old" ... no kidding. No one could foresee or imagine such a thing.
- You also draw out reader sympathy, big-time, when you mention that Patty's mother lost her son as well. Not one but two children lost. No Mom should have to deal with that kind of heart-ache.

Typos/minor glitches:
"then her cremains were whisked away" ... cremains ... remains?
"Serendipity graced me with a memory not even death can't extinguish ... can't ... can.

A great write, Mary! I hope that you send this write to Patty's Mom and sisters. They would no doubt treasure it.

Exceptionally well written, and written from the heart. It doesn't get much better than that!

Connie

 Comment Written 23-Feb-2017


reply by the author on 23-Feb-2017
    Hi Connie, thank you so much for another wonderful review. The words just flowed on this one, so in a way I think Patty was right there with me yesterday as I wrote. Even though years have past, when I think about the loss it is still unbelievable. How someone seemingly so healthy could have this end is criminal. The doctor was nonchalant about nicking her cartaroid artery in the first surgery. Definitely malpractice at play, but I learned through her sisters the other night, the surgeon was involved in a pretty horrible accident and lost the use of her hands, ending her career. Karma. Cremains I am told is the reference for cremated bodies or ashes. Thank you for the catch on can/can't. Patty's mom passed a few years ago, but I did email the story to her sisters. I know they will love it too. Thank you so much for your time and talent in reading and reviewing, Connie. And thank you for the beautiful SIX!
reply by bichonfrisegirl on 25-Feb-2017
    Hi Mary,

    Thanks for the explanation of 'cremains'. LOL ... where have I been living that I haven't heard that expression before now? KARMA ... yep, I believe that what goes around comes around. Nice that you emailed the story to Patty's sisters. :-)

    Have a great weekend, Mary!
Comment from Sis Cat
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

Mary, this is an amazing story or, rather reminisces about your very first friend. What struck me is how you two have "always been on the same wave length. Your meeting at Disney World was phenomenal. As you wrote:

"Serendipity graced me with a memory not even death can't extinguish."

This line is echoed in your conclusion when you, BAM, found Patty's grave just as you were leaving the cemetery.

I found SPAGS in your fine recollections:

Add apostrophe "though it's been"

Omit one "either watching." You repeated it.

"blsck and white tv" should be "black and white TV."

Krispy Kreme is two words not one.

Disney World is also two words.

You and Patty were definitely soul mates. She also contributed her organs to help strangers she did not know.

I am sorry for your loss, but your friend would be thrilled by this tribute you wrote about her.


 Comment Written 23-Feb-2017


reply by the author on 23-Feb-2017
    Hi Andre, and thank you for the great review and for catching my grammar errors. All have been corrected. Hopefully I didn't create any new ones with the corrections, 'cause that's normally how I roll! I appreciate very much your continued interest and input. Have a great Thursday!
Comment from Mastery
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

Hi, Mary. I love your narrative voice, my friend. It's as if I was sitting across from you when you tell these stories of days gone by and people you have known. It's a free and easy style I wish I could master.

I liked this passage for instance:

"I remember hand-me-down's from their closets, and I still love getting hand-me-down's to this day. I apparently knew I had a good friend in the Martucci family early on, as Nansi shared that often on early mornings they would hear a shallow knock on their front door. They would open it to find me, aged three or four, hair disheveled still in my nightgown, clutching my treasured blankie with the satin strip barely intact, sucking my thumb and staring straight away at whomever opened the door. Mrs. Martucci would say. "Mary, would you like to come in and eat breakfast with us?" I would apparently nod, with Patty proclaiming, "Mary is my best friend."

This is indeed a sad story, but you handle it so well.

Blessings, Bob


 Comment Written 22-Feb-2017


reply by the author on 23-Feb-2017
    Bob, thank you so much for your RR&R. So very appreciated. The words just flowed on this one, so in a way I think Patty was right there with me yesterday as I worked through it. Even though years have past, when I think about the loss it is still unbelievable. How someone seemingly so healthy could have this ending was criminal. The doctor was nonchalant about nicking her ceratoid artery in the first surgery and didn't want to meet with the family. Definitely malpractice at play, but I learned through her sisters the other night, the surgeon was involved in a horrible accident and lost the use of her hands, thus ending her career. Karma. Thank you so much for your time and talent in reading and reviewing, and for the assignment of that beautiful six--those are rare birds and I know how hard it is to give them up.
reply by Mastery on 23-Feb-2017
    :) Bob
Comment from jlsavell
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

Dearest Mary,

I have not forgotten how very much I have always enjoyed your writing, whether it be hysterical or as poignant and reserved as this. Death is a dreadful enemy of mankind and not one thing will and can convince me otherwise. Your lasting friendship even through death is quite remarkable and the connection is nothing short of magical, which makes life so very full and celebratory even in the most tragic circumstances. Beautifully written. Thank you for sharing.
Jimi

 Comment Written 22-Feb-2017


reply by the author on 23-Feb-2017
    I've so missed you, Jimi, and your wonderful feedback. I hope that you are doing well, and your new hips have been so liberating for you that you no longer want to sit on FanStory. I would completely understand that after the pain and limitations you've dealt with before surgery. Thank you so much for your RR&R. So very appreciated. The words just flowed on this one, so in a way I think Patty was right there with me yesterday as I worked through it. Even though years have past, when I think about the loss it is still unbelievable. How someone seemingly so healthy could have this ending was criminal. The doctor was nonchalant about nicking her ceratoid artery in the first surgery and didn't want to meet with the family. Definitely malpractice at play, but I learned through her sisters the other night, the surgeon was involved in a horrible accident and lost the use of her hands, thus ending her career. Karma. Thank you so much for your time and talent in reading and reviewing, and for the assignment of that beautiful six--those are rare birds and I know how hard it is to give them up.
Comment from Sasha
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

Oh my, Mary. This one brought me to tears. What a beautiful tribute to your dear friend and the lovely and heartfelt memories you shared with us. This is a deeply moving story, that was hard to read with my tears blinding me as I tried to read. Thank you so much for sharing these sad, but heart warming memories with us.

 Comment Written 22-Feb-2017


reply by the author on 23-Feb-2017
    Sasha, thank you so much for your RR&R. So very appreciated. The words just flowed on this one, so in a way I think Patty was right there with me yesterday as I worked through it. Even though years have past, when I think about the loss it is still unbelievable. How someone seemingly so healthy could have this ending was criminal. The doctor was nonchalant about nicking her ceratoid artery in the first surgery and didn't want to meet with the family. Definitely malpractice at play, but I learned through her sisters the other night, the surgeon was involved in a horrible accident and lost the use of her hands, thus ending her career. Karma. Thank you so much for your time and talent in reading and reviewing, and for the assignment of that beautiful six--those are rare birds and I know how hard it is to give them up.
reply by Sasha on 23-Feb-2017
    I am a true believer in Karma. Sad about your friend, nothing can replace her.
Comment from Sixty70
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

You've written a touching tribute to your friend. What a blessing to keep in touch with childhood friends. What a tragedy to lose her in this way.

Wonderful that you stay connected to her sisters. I'm glad your dinner with sister Laura sparked today's writing.

Thanks for sharing this special story.

 Comment Written 22-Feb-2017


reply by the author on 23-Feb-2017
    Hi there, thank you for your lovely RR&R and kind words. The words just flowed on this one, so in a way I think Patty was right there with me yesterday as I worked through it. Even though years have past, when I think about the loss it is still unbelievable. How someone seemingly so healthy could have this ending was criminal. The doctor was nonchalant about nicking her ceratoid artery in the first surgery and didn't want to meet with the family. Definitely malpractice at play, but I learned through her sisters the other night, the surgeon was involved in a horrible accident and lost the use of her hands, thus ending her career... Karma. I appreciate your time and talent, and promise to catch up on your writing too. I have 73 messages in my inbasket! My three year old toddler grandson has been very demanding of late! Have a great Thursday!
Comment from patcelaw
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

Mary, I enjoyed reading this wonderful story of your lifetime friendship with Patty and her family. I am glad you get to spend time with Patty's sisters to share remembrances of your childhood and friendship with the family. Patricia

 Comment Written 22-Feb-2017


reply by the author on 22-Feb-2017
    Thank you Patricia, for your kind review. I just posted the photos of our visit on my FB page :D I appreciate you! Have a great evening.
Comment from damommy
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

A very moving remembrance of a one-of-a-kind friend. You'll have your memories of her forever in your heart. Celebrate the times you had together.

It's does seem true some of the best are taken before time. I had an aunt like that. She died in 1986, and I miss her terribly. She was 56. My uncle remained along until his death in 2014. Never a thought of remarrying.

Thank you for sharing this.

 Comment Written 22-Feb-2017


reply by the author on 22-Feb-2017
    Hi Yvonne, thank you so much for your kind words and review. I prematurely released it, but all is good now. I think... :D
    I'm getting ready to send it to her sisters now. You are the best! I'm behind on reviewing, but promise I'll catch up to anything you have out there....Have a great evening!