Reviews from

Counting The Minutes

Caught forever in a living nightmare

24 total reviews 
Comment from Esther Brown
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

Oh Carol, how very sad. I re-live the loss of my sweet grand daughter once again. She died falling from a tree in 2014. Still feels like yesterday. I still struggle with missing my Munchkin, and also with guilt that I failed to keep her from harm while I was baby-sitting. Her mother has not forgiven me and I have no relationship with my eight year old grandson. Have never babysat him even overnight. It hurts. You are so brave to write. Please tell me it helps?
Esther

 Comment Written 05-May-2024


reply by the author on 05-May-2024
    I know the guilt. I took the life jacket (which he had worn a week) off of him because I was packing the car. Sat him on the picnic table with his bubbles and five minutes later he was gone. I honestly believe it was his choice because of things he said but it doesn't erase the paon. Thank yu so much for your kind review and the stars.
    Hugs, Carol
reply by Esther Brown on 05-May-2024
    Thanks Carol.
Comment from isabelteeth
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

Absolutely stunning. I don't think i could possibly write a review that would give more than youve already given. im hugging you from across the world.

 Comment Written 29-Apr-2024


reply by the author on 29-Apr-2024
    Thank you so much for the hug and your kindness. He was and is a very special boy in my heart and I appreciate your thoughts and review.
    Smiles and hugs, Carol
Comment from Kristen Rose Ulrich
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

I'm so sorry for your loss. This was so beautifully and exceptionally written. I'm glad that you won the contest, and that this piece was recognized. May God bless you in all of your days.

 Comment Written 28-Apr-2024


reply by the author on 29-Apr-2024
    Thank yo so much Kristen. It's not a moment or a feeling I would want anyone to face...over the years you tuck it away and then something, an insignificant moment, brings it all rushing back full force. I was blessed to have him and know he is waiting in Heaven with so many of my family.
    Hugs, Carol
reply by Kristen Rose Ulrich on 29-Apr-2024
    I know that he is waiting for you in Heaven too!

    Hugs, Kristen
reply by the author on 29-Apr-2024
    Thank you...I think so too! I am just about to post another story which was meant for a contest but has more words than the rules accept. I couldn't bare to slice it to pieces so I am just posting it. It might interest you. Have a great day!
Comment from Frank Malley
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

This short piece unveils a tale of becoming terrified and mad with despair on a day that started in the great beauty of the sun upon water. The writer is very skilled in diction, and chooses her words poignantly.
It is very difficult to capture profound emotion in writing, but this author inspired graphic images of a reality that brought desolation with it.

 Comment Written 28-Apr-2024


reply by the author on 28-Apr-2024
    Wow! I am beyond words and thank yous for your kindness and description of my story. Emotionally I will never be able to set the terror and grief aside, but knowing that others felt it too is awesome. The stars are for Michael...he deserves everyone of them. Thank you!
    Smiles and hugs, Carol
reply by Frank Malley on 28-Apr-2024
reply by Frank Malley on 28-Apr-2024
    Writers wish to share experience,and you certainly do. Frank
Comment from BermyBye50
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

Begin Again,

Welcome to Fanstory. Congrats on winning the My Worst Fear Writing Contest. You story is powerful and heart-wrenching simultaneously capturing a range of emotions from fear and terror to hope and faithful belief. This is as you describe a parent's worst nightmare occurring during a special family outing on a beautiful day. Your notes suggest this is a true story and that this family tragedy still has an impact to this day.

All the best,

Eugene

 Comment Written 28-Apr-2024


reply by the author on 28-Apr-2024
    Hello, Eugene... Thank you so much for taking the time to read and appreciate the emotions within the story. Unfortunately, it is a true story and will forever live within my mind. I do not wish this fear upon anyone because from that very moment until my last breath, I will relive the loss.
    Hugs, Carol
Comment from Debbie D'Arcy
Excellent
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How did I miss this, Carol? Firstly, congratulations on this, the most worthy win! This tragic story reduced me to tears and it's an absolute credit to your powerful writing that you can achieve this in so succinct a story. I'm so sorry to hear about this loss of your beautiful son and can only begin to imagine the struggle of having to repeat those still vivid details here. Well done! Debbie

 Comment Written 27-Apr-2024


reply by the author on 27-Apr-2024
    Thank you so much, Debbie. It was a difficult story to write but I know I was blessed in so many ways in the four years he was with us and how he left us as well. I think today I was blessed again...Winning today - which is the Anniversary of my husband (who is no longer with me)... a gift from the two of them. Something to smile about instead of cry. Thank you again.
    Hugs, Carol
Comment from Contests

Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

A contest winning entry! A seven star rating from the Contest Committee for posting the winning contest entry.

 Comment Written 27-Apr-2024


reply by the author on 27-Apr-2024
    Thank you so much for the stars and deciding my story was worthy of winning the contest. I appreciate it very much. Smiles, Carol
Comment from Carol Hillebrenner
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

This tore my heart out as it is a fear I always had, seven times. Each of my children was so unique and so precious, but bad things happen and I'm prone to nightmares. No point writing about this fear as you covered it perfectly and better than I could.

 Comment Written 18-Apr-2024


reply by the author on 18-Apr-2024
    Losing a child and waiting for him to be found is the most terrifying thing I can say I have ever had to face. Watching them pick his limp body up from the water will live in my mind forever.
    Smiles, Carol
Comment from prettybluebirds
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

I'm so sorry you had to lose your precious son. As a mother who lost her son, too, I can fully understand what you were feeling during the terrible ordeal. When I heard my son had been shot while hunting, I prayed I would find him injured but alive when I reached the hospital. Sadly, he was gone when I got there. Good luck in the contest.

 Comment Written 16-Apr-2024


reply by the author on 17-Apr-2024
    Thank you so much, April. I doubt that there is any greater fear or pain than to lose a child. As we get older, we expect that death will come, but not to our children. I appreciate YOU for your loss, your kindness and your thoughts.
    Smiles and hugs, Carol
Comment from lyenochka
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

I know you shared this before, Carol. And the way you described it is truly gut-wrenching. I can imagine how this day still haunts you and then later you had to deal with your daughter's loss of her son.
You wrote this artistically with the bubbles in the beginning and the end. Best wishes in the contest!

 Comment Written 15-Apr-2024


reply by the author on 17-Apr-2024
    Thank you, Helen. I don't think there is a day that goes by that something doesn't remind me of Michael and I wonder what he might have been. I know he had bigger ideas than I could ever imagine. Every time I see a child with bubbles, my heart breaks a little.
    Smiles, Carol