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Remembering Yesterday

Viewing comments for Chapter 107 "Melancholy Personalities"
A widow's journey into her relationship with her

19 total reviews 
Comment from barbara.wilkey
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Just letting you know I am worried about Connie. I am sure she grew up to be a wonderful adult. My second child was my 'wild child' and will be 41 next month. He's a wonderful husband and father. I honestly believed when he was a teenager, I'd be visiting him in prison. LOL Thank you for sharing.

 Comment Written 06-Mar-2021


reply by the author on 06-Mar-2021
    Connie had her moments of causing a lot of grey hairs. They all did in their own way, but Connie got into more trouble than the rest. She will turn out just fine.
    Beth
Comment from Mary Kay Bonfante
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This is another very eventful chapter, but unfortunately, it seems to be full of difficulties and troubles. It's always nice when you provide the wider context of the social and/or political climate in the country; it really helps me to pinpoint the times, remembering where I was also, during those days (and my family). It seems that Connie is still going through a lot of turmoil.

Here's my list of suggestions:

November 8th of 1988, our country ...
-->
On November 8, 1988, our country ...

He ran against the democrat, Michael Dukakis.
-->
He ran against the Democratic candidate, Michael Dukakis.

He chose an Indiana senator, Dan Quayle, ...
-->
President Bush chose an Indiana senator, Dan Quayle, ...

We were okay with that as long as they sat in the great room and watched TV.
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We were okay with that, as long as they sat in the great room and watched TV.

...cleaning a Baptist Church.
-->
...cleaning a Baptist church.

...because it wasn't her first offence.
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...because it wasn't her first offense.

It happened just before Thanksgiving, Carol decided to spend Thanksgiving with us,
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It happened just before Thanksgiving, when Carol decided to spend Thanksgiving with us,

...before the Thanksgiving Holiday.
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...before the Thanksgiving holiday.

...which they thought wouldn't have a liquor odor.
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...which they thought wouldn't reek of liquor.

Maxine's other son, Gary's wife, Cindy, was two months pregnant, but she had all kinds of health problems and would likely lose the baby.
-->
Maxine's other son, Gary, had a wife named Cindy, who was two months pregnant, but she had all kinds of health problems and would likely lose the baby.

On the Friday after Thanksgiving, Connie and I went to Hattiesburg, MS ...
-->
On the Friday after Thanksgiving, Connie and I went to Hattiesburg, Mississippi ...

Abstract and spiritual things were more important to her than the concrete day to day things ...
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Abstract and spiritual things were more important to her than the concrete, day-to-day things ...

She is married and living in Florida
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She is married and living in Florida.

At present, she is selling cosmetics
-->
At present, she is selling cosmetics.

Others mentioned in this chapter are Valerie, Connie's friend, Maxine, Evan's sister, Her sons, Chuck and Gary, Helen, Evan's sister,
Her son, Jimmy, Diane, my friend from N,O., and Lesley, Connie's friend fomr N.O.
-->
Others mentioned in this chapter are Valerie, Connie's friend; Maxine, Evan's sister; her sons, Chuck and Gary; Helen, Evan's sister; her son, Jimmy; Diane, my friend from New Orleans; and Lesley, Connie's friend from New Orleans.

It's interesting that you've never mentioned the melancholy side of Evan before-- at least not that I can remember. I'm sorry that your kids all seemed to inherit it.
Sadly, it runs in my family also; but strangely, it skipped my parents, yet not me or my brother. My father was a full-blown type-A personality, and so is my Mom, but unfortunately, Illness keeps her from her customary level of activity now. It seems that there was something not quite right about the combination of genes from both my parents (who divorced anyway), affecting both me and my brother, who's no longer with us. Naturally my mother got deeply depressed when we lost John, but that was a situational depression, a time of grieving, not something that was natural to her disposition. As for other family members, it's a long story!
But I know that depression is no joke, so I'm sorry that your family has had to deal with it also.


 Comment Written 06-Mar-2021


reply by the author on 06-Mar-2021
    Thank you so much for the review and your usual wonderful help. I think Evan could have easily slipped into depression, but I seemed able to manage keeping him stable, except where his job concerned. He was introspective but not actively depressed. Connie takes something to keep her from getting depressed. Carol has come to terms with her issues. I guess they have the melancholy personality. I have a three way split between three of the four personality types. I inherited more sanguine from my parents. Evan didn't have a lot of that. My son is depressed right now because he has Covid and he worried about his business.
    Beth
reply by Mary Kay Bonfante on 08-Mar-2021
    You're very welcome, Beth. I'm very sorry that Don has Covid-19. I hope and pray that both he and his business will completely recover. It's good that the rest of the family is coming along well. Anti-depressants don't agree with me, but I'm glad medication works for Connie. God bless you and your family.
    Love, Mary Kay xoxo
reply by the author on 09-Mar-2021
    You are such a treasure. I'm sorry you have to deal with depression too, sometimes. I not sure you read my last chapter. Don't feel obgligated
reply by Mary Kay Bonfante on 10-Mar-2021
    Thank you so much, my dear friend. I appreciate what you wrote. I don't think I read your last chapter; lately I've been busier than what I'm comfortable with. However, doing things like reviewing your work is a pleasure. God bless you!
    Love, Mary Kay xoxo
Comment from patcelaw
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Again I repeat that I think the idea of writing your stories for you children is a wonderful way to leave a legacy. Have a blessed weekend.
Patricia

 Comment Written 05-Mar-2021


reply by the author on 05-Mar-2021
    Thank you Patricia. I appreciate the reciew.
    Beth
Comment from Begin Again
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My friend, your memory never ceases to amaze me. Every detail and moment that occurred in your family is remembered so vividly. If my brain is jarred, I remember the moments that really affected me but its hard otherwise. Bravo to you!

 Comment Written 05-Mar-2021


reply by the author on 05-Mar-2021
    Thank you so much for the review and comments. My memory is helped a little now because when I first moved to Chattanooga, I kept a journal for a while.
    Beth
Comment from Ben Colder
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Not sure about the DNA bit. I had my share of teenager problems as well no matter how much you teach them about the Lord and they knowing first hand the power of His miracles, it looks as the devil has a hay day messing with our kids. But in the long run we win.
You and Evan did well at trying to raise them in a tough society.
Thanks for sharing.

 Comment Written 04-Mar-2021


reply by the author on 05-Mar-2021
    Thank you for the review and comments. I'm sure if they are willing to admit it, everyone who has had a teenager has gone through some bad days. We did the best we good but I sure it wasn't always the right thing.
    Beth
Comment from Sandra Stoner-Mitchell
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I hope Connie never tried drinking again! The amount of times I've heard people say, 'never again' then gone straight out to do it again. So sad. It was good that she enjoyed doing her community service, and wanted to continue. That proves she has a good heart. I enjoyed this part, Beth. Well done! :)) Sandra xx

 Comment Written 04-Mar-2021


reply by the author on 04-Mar-2021
    Thank you so much for the review and comments. I want say she never drank again but can say now that it has many years since she did.
Comment from lyenochka
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My what an ordeal for all of you. And such a Thanksgiving would be memorable because of the lack of joy with everyone's struggles. I hope that's the last of troubles that Connie gives you. I'm curious to know more about Carol. She seems such a thoughtful person. Hope her husband can become deserving of her devotion.

Suggestion for title spelling:
Melancholy Personalitys (Personalities)

 Comment Written 04-Mar-2021


reply by the author on 04-Mar-2021
    Thank you so much for the review and comments. Those were days when there was always something to worry about. Carol's marriage lasted nine years. He was the one to end it.
    Beth
Comment from Elizabeth Emerald
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Gripping--so glad you gave me the "spoiler" that Connie turned out so well. My gues is that Carol's marriage won't (You'd told me that 3 of 4 kids divorced.)


TITLE: Personalitys=>PERSONALITIES

He chose an Indiana senator, Dan Quayle [COMMA] as his vice president.

typos in last line of note: my friend from N,O. Connie's friend fomr N.O>

 Comment Written 03-Mar-2021


reply by the author on 04-Mar-2021
    Thanks for the review and comments and for noticing the nits.
    Beth
Comment from Judy Lawless
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You had your handful indeed, but usually when we look, we see, as you did, that many others are struggling with their own family issues. I feel sad that Connie keeps making bad choices and hope that she makes it through to a happy adulthood.

 Comment Written 03-Mar-2021


reply by the author on 03-Mar-2021
    Thank you for the review and comments. Connie will do okay in time. I think Christi has probably been less happy as an adult.
    Beth Everyone has their problems and I don't think I've had or less than anyone else.
    Betj
Comment from AnnaLinda
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Beth,

You did a very good job on this chapter. I can relate to your comments about your daughter Carol and thinking more of the abstract than day to day tasks. I also suffer from depression.

I got a kick out of your thoughts about Willie.

No odor with vodka...yeah...that does not work.

I might use 'became' instead of "got" in the following line:

"They told Connie if she stayed out of trouble, the record would be erased when she *got eighteen."

You are missing the "I" in I've been asked...notes. probably just missing when you copied and pasted.

This real and raw and I appreciate it.

Anna

 Comment Written 03-Mar-2021


reply by the author on 03-Mar-2021
    Thank you for the review and comments. Some others pointed out the same spags. I changed that line to "turned eighteen." Thanks for noticing them.
    Beth
reply by AnnaLinda on 03-Mar-2021
    Of course...my pleasure.