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Short Stories

Viewing comments for Chapter 17 "What happened to do-overs?"
A book of a mixture of stories

33 total reviews 
Comment from Realist101
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Hi Carol! I love this sad tale, and it has happened too often, kids ignoring their parents, and getting hurt (and )killed. Your story is a well crafted reminder, for all of us, that each day should be cherished. I hope you are ok, too, and doing well!! Hugs, Susan

 Comment Written 25-Apr-2010


reply by the author on 28-Apr-2010
    Susan,

    I wish my grandson had realized that life is fragile before he atempted to swim a pond...We live with his tragedy every day. Thanks for the comments. Smiles, CArol
reply by Realist101 on 28-Apr-2010
    I know, Carol, Sam (now 22) went on a 4-wheeler ride, when he and his friends were SUPPOSED to be camping, and riding JUST on our property...but they took off at 3 am IN THE FOG, and rode many miles away. They had a pile up, and Sam and one other boy got hurt. One of the atv's was damaged badly, they could have died. I WAS LIVID, and then, 2 yrs later! Sam tried to chase down 3 atv's on HIS, they had run through my flowers, and he wanted to see who they were, BUT, as they were ahead of him in the dark, one of them, hid, and came up behind him, and run him into the ditch. THIS TIME, his 4-wheeler hit a guard rail, and HE went sailing 25 feet, and landed head first into a dry rocky creekbed. It knocked him out, busted open the front of his skull, but he managed to climb up the 14 foot bank, through briars and horseweeds, walked not quite a mile IN THE DARK, and almost passed out, some drunk stopped and did bring him home, or I still believe he would have bled to death, while I at first, didn't know he was gone. He has a huge scar now, and hopefully learned...I feel so badly for you Carol. It is absolutely awful when young ones die. Especially when something is preventable. I wish you peace in knowing that HE knew he was loved, I know you were the best Grandmother he could possibly have had. God bless and keep you dear friend! Love, Susan
reply by the author on 28-Apr-2010
    Susan,This must have been terrifying..I have chills all over my body...Life just keeps on shoveling it on, doesn't it? Take care dear friend...You are always in my thoughts...Carol
reply by Realist101 on 28-Apr-2010
    Thank you Carol, do you, still? Always worry even MORE? I think of this every time my son even drives to the store for me? I sure hope you, and me, can find peace, life just gets so hard at times. I sure wish you tranqulity and peace, and my offer of help still stands Carol, never be afraid to let me know? Hugs, Susan
reply by the author on 28-Apr-2010
    Just the thought is awesome...thank you for cring and being my friend....that's enough...actually more than one can ask
reply by Realist101 on 28-Apr-2010
    ") love, s.
Comment from IndianaIrish
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I'm so glad you didn't cut this wonderful story short for a contest, Carol. Such a moving story. You show the behavior and emotions of a teenager so well. A strong, powerful message.
Indy :>)

 Comment Written 24-Apr-2010


reply by the author on 28-Apr-2010
    Indy,

    My grandson learned the lesson the hard way..it cost him his life and the family lives with the tragedy everyday. I wish every teenager would read this and think! Smiles, CArol
reply by IndianaIrish on 28-Apr-2010
    I wish they would read it, too, Carol. They think they're so invincible.
Comment from words
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An engrossing write.

My friends 16 year old son died pretty much like this.

Unfortunately, there aren't any do-overs in life.

It was uncanny how closely your story paralleled what actually happened.

The dialogue and situations are spot on..

 Comment Written 24-Apr-2010


reply by the author on 28-Apr-2010
    Words,

    My grandson died trying to swim across an abandon pond. Tenagers believe they can out smart danger all the time. It's heartbreaking. Thanks for the comments. Carol
Comment from Rama Rao
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It was indeed an excellent story, which held my interest right until the end. You've presented the POV of a teen ager very lucidly. It's indeed admirable.
However, it is a bit too long.

 Comment Written 24-Apr-2010


reply by the author on 28-Apr-2010
    Ramarao,

    Sorry it ws too long for you. I guess I got wrapped up in remembering my grandson's tragic death and wanted to make sure teenagers that read the story can relate and maybe think twice before doing something stupid. Smiles, Carol
Comment from Trybuck
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Hi Carol,

Life can be over before we realize it's already passed us by. Well done as usual with this one. Too bad you didn't have Michael wake up at the end and realize he had fallen asleep watching the movei and had a bad dream.
Well done, Buck

 Comment Written 24-Apr-2010


reply by the author on 28-Apr-2010
    Buck,

    I was basing the idea on my grandson's death...he tried to swim across an abandon pond and didn't make it...thought he could out smart danger. We live with the heartbreak every day. Thanks for the comments. Carol
Comment from Belinda
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I thought so too (this story as entry to 'my life as a ghost'). Ah, so typical of you, Carol, giving life to your stories until it becomes longer and longer, and more and more attractive...:)

 Comment Written 24-Apr-2010


reply by the author on 28-Apr-2010
    Belinda,

    Thanks for the encouragement and understanding. My thoughts were with my grandson who tempted fate and swam across an abandon pond. He didn't make it and we live with the heartbreak every day. Smiles, CArol
Comment from Suzie B
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I'm so glad you continued to write this dear friend.

I have a large lump in my throat from unshed tears. If only. Two such sad words. Beautifully written as always. Your own loss has added depth and warmth to your words.

Bravo.
Suzie

 Comment Written 24-Apr-2010


reply by the author on 28-Apr-2010
    Suzie,

    I'm glad you understood that my thoughts were on my grandson and his tragic mistake while I wrote this story. Thankyou for the wonderful comments. Smiles, CArol
Comment from dmjones
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This is a really good story. Emotional and with a lot of meaning to it. Things like this happen way too much and kids just don't think at the time they are doing it. I felt like crying at the end.

"It's time to go now(.)"

 Comment Written 24-Apr-2010


reply by the author on 28-Apr-2010
    Donna,

    My mind was on my grandson and his tragic death when I wrote the story. Thanks jfor reading and commenting. Smiles, CArol
Comment from missy98writer
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A very emotional story. You made me cry, Carol. Michael, that's my brother's name and Brandon's middle name, should have listened to his parents. He died stupidly because of drinking and driving. How tragic young high school and college age kids lose their lives over drinking and parting. Drinking and driving never mix! This outstanding story needed to be posted. The ending made me smile through my tears with Michael going to heaven. I wish they gave us more sixes. Keep up the wonderful writing . . .Melissa!

 Comment Written 24-Apr-2010


reply by the author on 28-Apr-2010
    Melissa,

    Teenagers believe they can outsmart danger at every corner. My mind was on my grandson when I wrote this story. He tried to swim across an abandon pond and met his death. We live with the heartbreak every day. Thank you so much for understanding. CArol
Comment from Sandollar
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What a wonderful story. By the end of it I was almost in tears. Your story contains many important lessons. How important family is, and the importance of saying "I love you" to the people you love often while you have the chance. Appreciation of the simple things in life. Most importantly, though, when you squander your life and its gifts, there are no do-overs. So be careful with it.
There were a few errors, probably the 'haste to post' kind.
I've listed them below.

I didn't remembered any bouquet before I left tonight.
(I think you mean I didn't remember.)
Grandma wrapped her arm my shoulder,... Word missing. (wrapped her arm around my shoulder)
no ones fault... ( no one's fault)

Again, a truly wonderful story.

Sandollar

 Comment Written 24-Apr-2010


reply by the author on 28-Apr-2010
    Sandollar,

    We never know when we will never get another chance to say I love you...My grandson was on my mind and his tragic death when I wrote this story. Thank you so much...CArol