Comment from Gypsy Blue Rose

Exceptional

Hola, Ulla,

What a wonderful entry for the Were YOU ever chosen? contest. Even your author notes are well written. Your story is compelling I wanted to know more. You have an interesting life. Good luck!!!

 Comment Written 21-Jun-2023

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reply by the author on 21-Jun-2023

Hola Guapa, thank you so very much, and for the the wonderful stars. I'm so glad you could identify with it. I just felt I had to write this for the contest. Un abrazo, Ulla xx

Comment from lyenochka

Excellent

Oh Ulla, this is so touching. That you treasured those boots - a physical representation of love and care for your feet meant so much. Children love shoes and so that you still have those boots is so sweet.
I'm glad you met your birth family and that you are connected to them even though you were separated so early in life. I'm praying for healing for your brother.

Thanks for sharing and hope this does well in the contest!

 Comment Written 21-Jun-2023

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reply by the author on 22-Jun-2023

Thank you much, Helen. Your words mean so much to me. I just had to enter this for the contest.
Thanks also for asking for my brother. For now he's coping. He's only 52. Far too young for this to happen. Thanks again, dear friend. Ulla:)))

reply by lyenochka on 22-Jun-2023

Yes, much too young! As my brother is also in his 50s and too young to deal with prostate cancer.

reply by the author on 22-Jun-2023

Yes, I know. I'm so sorry Ulla:)))

Comment from Lisasview

Excellent

I love your story and I feel you told it well...
However, I believe there was no need to add the bear in-between as it took away from those boots....
The boots really needed to stay the focus of your story.... Perhaps they went everywhere with you... to breakfast, etc...
The fact that the boots never went out of your sight is really fantastic...
These are my thoughts and just food for thought...hope you do not mind...
I also read your authors notes... How wonderful that you met your family...
Now that could easily be another great story!!!
Lisasview, new to this site...

 Comment Written 21-Jun-2023

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reply by the author on 30-Jun-2023

Thank you so much, Lisa. I will still keep the bear in there, Lol. Thanks again. Ulla:)))

Comment from Sally Law

Excellent

Ulla dear, this is wonderful for this contest prompt, and I remember you sharing the story many times. I never grow tired of hearing it and you always find something new to to tell in your adoption story.

I'm so glad you were chosen, by the way, because I wouldn't have met you otherwise.

Thank you again, and I wish you all the best in this contest.
Love,
Sal XOs

 Comment Written 21-Jun-2023

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reply by the author on 21-Jun-2023

Thank you so much, Sally dear. I'm so glad you liked it. Ulla:)))

Comment from barbara.wilkey

Excellent

Thank you for sharing this contest entry with us and your story. It's a beautiful story and you told it perfectly. I've taken a little heat because in my current noel Emma's adopted, but doesn't know it, yet. It will come into play later. The reviewer said, because she's an adopt it means nothing so it shouldn't be in the story. I disagree, but... Good luck with the contest.

 Comment Written 21-Jun-2023

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reply by the author on 21-Jun-2023

Thank you so much, Barbara. I so disagree with that reviewer as well. Being adopted has a huge impact. I've known I was adopted from day one, and it was a natural part of my life. But suddenly, one day it became very important to me to find my roots and where I really came from. Something that people take for granted was missing in my life. Small things, like a mole, I shared with my real mother was a great revelation. And I delight in my brother sometimes saying to me. 'Oh, you're so much like Dad.' Ulla xx

reply by barbara.wilkey on 21-Jun-2023

Thank you.

Comment from Teri7

Excellent

This is a very nice and well written story you have penned for the contest. You used great descriptive words and very neat imagery of the boots that meant so much to you. Best wishes in the contest. love and blessings, Ter

 Comment Written 21-Jun-2023

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reply by the author on 21-Jun-2023

Thank you so much, Teri. I'm so glad you liked it. Ulla:)))

reply by Teri7 on 21-Jun-2023

you are so welcome!!!

Comment from nancy_e_davis

Excellent

What a wonderful thing for an orphaned child to be chosen. When I was very young we visited an orphanage at Christmas and I gave my favorite doll as a gift under the tree. Mother had made doll clothes for it and I was so grateful I had loving parents after being there for a while with those children.
Foster care has to be a step up for the orphans. At least I hope so. Good story. Thanks for sharing, Ulla. Nancy:)

 Comment Written 21-Jun-2023

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reply by the author on 21-Jun-2023

Thank you so very much, Nancy. Oh wait a wonderful thing to do. I remember we use to visiting the orphanage as well, my adoptive.mother bringing a huge hamper. Thank you so much for a wonderful review, dear friend. Ulla xcx

Comment from Goodadvicechan

Excellent

This is a good story about living in an orphanage, being adopted.

You did a good job in the feelings of getting the first gift of a pair of boots. You carry them wherever you go.

And the teddy bear! Happy writing,

Thanks fir sharing

 Comment Written 21-Jun-2023

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reply by the author on 21-Jun-2023

Thank you so much. Ulla:)))

Comment from Paul Manton

Excellent

Dear Ulla, Thank you for your closely observed piece on early childhood. I'm pretty sure that I have a few memories from two and a half. We were still living near Liverpool then, and I remember a trip on the Mersey in a barge.
The great thing about your story is that you never get close to tipping over into sentimentality, even though the image of your cuddling the boots is so strong. It does seem that you were lucky, first of all to be adopted by such great foster-parents, and then on finding your natural and extended family. Many people are in this situation, and you story will resonate with most of your readers.
Thank you.
Paul

 Comment Written 21-Jun-2023

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reply by the author on 21-Jun-2023

Thank you so much, Paul, for your review engaging review. I know, something makes such an impression on us that we remember it even at such a young age. I can well imagine a trip on a barge would be one of those. Ulla:)))

reply by Paul Manton on 21-Jun-2023

You're welcome, Ulla

Comment from Ben Colder

Excellent

I am glad you were able to fine your roots and spent time with them before leaving this world. One never knows what lies around the corner of life. Good write. Thanks for sharing.

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

 Comment Written 21-Jun-2023

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reply by the author on 22-Jun-2023

Thank you so much, Ben. I was glad to sharing this. Ulla:)))