Comment from apky

Excellent

You certainly did the story justice, Patty. I enjoyed it thoroughly.
You know, it brings those memories, the tentative moments, the secret smiles and the crazy self-talk while walking along the street or sitting in a public park...

I'm sure your friend will feel well represented.

Apky xx

 Comment Written 03-Jul-2017

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reply by the author on 03-Jul-2017

Hi Aki; thank you so much for the lovely review. I'm glad you enjoyed it, and I will probably instill those 'moments' into the parts about the brief romance that ended with the announcement of the pregnancy,

~patty~

Comment from bookishfabler

Excellent

This story came at a weird time. My Best friend's daughter is pregnant and her water broke last night. I had just text her and found out she is in labor right this minute. Not 30 minutes, this poor kid, has been in labor a long time. Poor baby. I was there at the hospital when she was born. Yikes, I'm old.
Thanks for sharing your friend's story.
hugs Heidi

 Comment Written 03-Jul-2017

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reply by the author on 03-Jul-2017

Hi Heidi; thank you for reading and reviewing this story. Her labor went through the night - only the pushing lasted for 30 minutes. I went back and did some editing to make sure that came across.

I hope your friend has a beautiful, healthy baby,

~patty~

Comment from Phyllis Stewart

Excellent

Great story! I was afraid it might end with Jenny changing her mind, but she did the right thing for her son, who will have TWO loving parents, as it should be. :)

 Comment Written 03-Jul-2017

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reply by the author on 03-Jul-2017

Hi Phyllis; thank you so much for the lovely review. I will continue to tell this story, in bits and pieces. When my friend told me the story, I was initially overwhelmed by the details,

~patty~

Comment from patcelaw

Exceptional

Patty, this story touches me on many levels, I too was a mother who gave birth to a son whom I gave for adoption. So there are many memories here for me. I was alone in the delivery room with only a doctor and a nurse. My arms were spread out to my side and strapped to boards and a towel was placed over my face, so I could not see my son when he was born. I did not see him until on Monday after he was born on a Saturday morning. I went on with my life after my son was born and never planned to locate him, but for genetic reasons, I felt it was wise to find him and make him aware of the genetics. I located him when he was 35 and he is grateful that I contacted him as later in life one of the genetic problems showed up for him. Having the information made the doctors aware of what should be done for him.
Patricia

 Comment Written 03-Jul-2017

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reply by the author on 03-Jul-2017

Hi Patricia; thank you for sharing your story with me. I think it would be hard to go through the process 'blind,' as you describe. My friend was lucky enough to choose the adoptive parents, and they did stay in touch over the years. She was even at her son's high school graduation. I will chronicle this story as best I can - I'm purposely not telling it in order, as it was overwhelming for me. My prayers and heart go out to you - I can only imagine what it must have felt like to have a part of you in the world, and not know what he was doing, or how he was doing.

~patty~

Comment from royowen

Excellent

I can't imagine how hard it would be to carry a baby 9months than hand her over to another, no matter how good a friend they are. Surrogacy is a hard thing to do. Great write, excellent read. Epidural in Australia are the exception rather than the rule, well done, most enjoyable, blessings, Roy

 Comment Written 03-Jul-2017

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reply by the author on 03-Jul-2017

Hi Roy; thank you so much for reading and reviewing this piece. The friend I'm writing this for, says it was the strongest she ever had to be in her life to hand the baby over. I cried when I wrote this as I cried when she told it to me.

~patty~

reply by royowen on 03-Jul-2017

Well done Patty

Comment from prettybluebirds

Excellent

Excellent. I can't imagine what it must be like to hand over your baby to someone else, even if they are close friends. This story is touching and well-written. Well done.

 Comment Written 03-Jul-2017

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reply by the author on 03-Jul-2017

thank you so much for the lovely review. I'm glad you found it touching,
~patty~

Comment from dovemarie

Excellent

Dear patty, This story reminds me of myself when I was pregnant, and some of the lousy comments I got from people. I myself said "Give him to his mother," only not the way the mother in your story did. I was having a hard time on my second supervised visit with my son, and I was in the institution, and I snapped at the worker: "Give him back to his mother," (meaning the foster woman). Your story was a moving story of how a girl voluntarily gave up her baby. And like the natural mother in your story, I hope my son was raised knowing and believing in God. Dove

 Comment Written 03-Jul-2017

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reply by the author on 03-Jul-2017

Hi dove; I'm so sorry if this brought up some painful memories for you. My friend went through a lot - she was shamed during the entire pregnancy - and this was in the 1980s. I hear that it is worse today for young women that think about giving up their children - so we have people waiting for babies that don't come, and babies being raised by mothers who never really wanted them.
all of these stories break my heart,

~patty~

Comment from Jacqueline M Franklin

Excellent

Hi, Patty

= Boy, to have such a quick delivery!
= I would have been in seventh-heaven. I was good for 12-16 yours both times. Jeesh.
= It takes a strong woman to give her child a chance for a better life. Shame on the nurse.
= Nicely written.

<> A Smile Is A Frown Turned Upside-down (*>*)
<> Cheers <> Jax / Jackie

 Comment Written 03-Jul-2017

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reply by the author on 03-Jul-2017

Hi Jax; thank you so much for the lovely review. Yes, Jenny had quite a time with the staff; I think God rewarded her with an easy delivery,

~patty~

Comment from Sandra du Plessis

Excellent

A very well-written heartfelt story. Most of the time the burden falls on the mother of a child out of wedlock. The father just sign off his rights and the mother have to decide. Adoption is as better choice far above abortion.

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 Comment Written 03-Jul-2017

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reply by the author on 03-Jul-2017

Hi Sandra; thank you so much for the lovely review; adoption is a much better choice than abortion, but there are still long-reaching affects for all involved,

~patty~

Comment from Barb Hensongispsaca

Excellent

this story is excellently written and no problems were noted. You told it very well and in such style that it made perfect sense to do this. What a wonderful ending

This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.

 Comment Written 03-Jul-2017

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reply by the author on 03-Jul-2017

Hi Barb; thank you so much for the lovely review. I'm glad you felt the ending was good - it is exactly as it was told,

~patty~

reply by Barb Hensongispsaca on 03-Jul-2017

that is love