Comment from Alaskastory

Excellent

"Yankee Trust and Culture Bust" delightfully gives tender information about getting set in a totally new place. The way you tell of how Malissa responded to her new father is very appealing.

 Comment Written 25-Aug-2023

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reply by the author on 25-Aug-2023

Thanks Marie!

Comment from Alexandra Trovato

Excellent

I truly enjoyed reading your work. It's an excellent, beautiful presentation! You've used imagery and specific words that draw in a reader. Your personal reflections and explanations help the reader to understand your feelings and perspective. Best wishes! Alexandra

 Comment Written 23-Aug-2023

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reply by the author on 25-Aug-2023

Thanks! I really appreciate your kind words in review.

Comment from patcelaw

Excellent

I enjoyed your story so very very much. It is wonderful that you're a little girl had that special day when the judge told her she looked like you. That must've been a very special time for her. I wish you the very best with all of your writing, and I also wish you the very best with your ministry.

 Comment Written 22-Aug-2023

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reply by the author on 23-Aug-2023

Thanks!

Comment from LJbutterfly

Excellent

I enjoyed how clearly and smoothly your story flows. You included adequate background and descriptions of pertinent events. I'm sure Malissa found her adoption as an answer to her dreams and end of her nightmares. As a young child, with her parent's guidance, she learned how good God is.

 Comment Written 22-Aug-2023

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reply by the author on 23-Aug-2023

Thanks! Appreciate those words very much.

Comment from lyenochka

Excellent

It's wonderful that your dad and Mary got along so well. That must have been healing for him to see your good marriage.
How beautiful that Malissa so wanted to have you as her father legally. You already were the father she always wanted! Sounds like it wasn't an easy process from your notes.

 Comment Written 21-Aug-2023

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reply by the author on 22-Aug-2023

Thanks. I appreciate you. I needed to save the adoption story for a whole chapter, because it is a story in itself.

Comment from CrystieCookie999

Excellent

I liked reading this. You have a way with words.
I like this line:
We all went forward with eyes and hearts wide open!

A suggestion: "Go to hell look" might read better as 'go-to-hell' look.

 Comment Written 21-Aug-2023

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reply by the author on 22-Aug-2023

Thanks Crystie!

Comment from Sally Law

Excellent

I love how your story keeps growing up along with your family. This is a beautiful chapter and the love you and your family have is nothing short of miraculous! My husband and I moved to upstate New York not long after we were married and lived there eight years. I know what you mean about culture shock and the weather.

Thank so so much for sharing.

Sending you my best today as always and blessings abundant.
Sal :))

 Comment Written 21-Aug-2023

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reply by the author on 21-Aug-2023

Thanks Sally. We live just north of Syracuse, NY. I spent many years in Texas past, but Mary has been here now for 35 years. As this story has unfolded, I realized that it shouldn't just be about two people falling in love, but the children around them. There's another part of the story of how we took on two children whose parent's got aids, and they wanted us to one day raise their kids. Many heartwarming moments and some bittersweet but all by God's grace.

Comment from barbara.wilkey

Excellent

This is a wonderful heartwarming story, and I am enjoying reading it. Thank you for sharing it with us.

"Be content in whatsoever state you are in, including NY." (As we moved from military post to military post, to include Germany, I used to tell my boys, "Grow where you're planted.")

 Comment Written 21-Aug-2023

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reply by the author on 21-Aug-2023

That's a good one. I like that. Never heard it before.

Comment from BethShelby

Excellent

I sounds like Malissa loved the idea people though she looked like. She was so thrilled to be legally yours. I anxious to find out what you had rto go through in order to make he legally yours.

 Comment Written 21-Aug-2023

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reply by the author on 21-Aug-2023

Thanks! I wanted to be sure I treated the coming chapter with great care it deserves.

Comment from JSD

Excellent

A lovely, heartwarming tale of family and love. A reminder that family is as much about simple love as it is about blood, if not more. Well written and I look forward to the next instalment.

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-Aug-2023

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reply by the author on 21-Aug-2023

Thanks so much for coming along on the ride. I'm humbly grateful.