The Best Christmas Ever
We can all make the most of Christmas if we try.27 total reviews
Comment from kanimozhi T
So much heart throbbing. You made Monika more attractive. And, a nice picture selection. Socks is also well drawn, both in words and colors. You sustain the curiosity till the end. Well done conclusion. God bless:)
reply by the author on 09-Dec-2014
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So much heart throbbing. You made Monika more attractive. And, a nice picture selection. Socks is also well drawn, both in words and colors. You sustain the curiosity till the end. Well done conclusion. God bless:)
Comment Written 09-Dec-2014
reply by the author on 09-Dec-2014
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Thank you so very much for your lovely review, Kanimozhi, and for the shiny stars! You are very kind. :) xsx Sandra
Comment from Selina Stambi
Hello my sweet Sandra,
Okay, you tugged at my heartstrings and gave me a lump in my throat. This is a very different kind of Christmas story. Very touching.
I've missed you. So glad to be back. Had an awesome time. Met some amazing Fanstorians and spoke to others on the phone.
Nothing seems impossible now - we definitely will meet when I next make it to England, okay?
Hugs and kisses to you, my friend.
xxx
Sonali
when she was nine years old(.) (S)he had made some
It was her fifteenth (b)irthday. "Oh, go on then," he scowled
through the window in the door(.) (S)he had woken again, and saw
"It's not good, is it(?)" It wasn't
reply by the author on 08-Dec-2014
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Hello my sweet Sandra,
Okay, you tugged at my heartstrings and gave me a lump in my throat. This is a very different kind of Christmas story. Very touching.
I've missed you. So glad to be back. Had an awesome time. Met some amazing Fanstorians and spoke to others on the phone.
Nothing seems impossible now - we definitely will meet when I next make it to England, okay?
Hugs and kisses to you, my friend.
xxx
Sonali
when she was nine years old(.) (S)he had made some
It was her fifteenth (b)irthday. "Oh, go on then," he scowled
through the window in the door(.) (S)he had woken again, and saw
"It's not good, is it(?)" It wasn't
Comment Written 08-Dec-2014
reply by the author on 08-Dec-2014
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Hi, Sonali. Nice to see you home again. I'm so pleased you had a lovely time. You will have to write about it and let us all know how everything went. :) Thank you for the lovely review, my friend, and for finding the 'nits' I have been in and corrected them. It's half past three in the morning here, and I am up coughing and wheezing, and dead tired. :( Got to try and sleep. Big hugs back! xsx Sandra
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HOpe you feel better soon, Sandra. It's coming on 11 pm here. Heading off to bed. Keep warn and hydrated. xxx
Comment from butterfly4265
Oh my goodness this story made me cry! I have a huge lump in my throat that just won't go away. The adorable kitten picture pulled me in but I was not prepared for this. Absolutely breathtaking! By far the best story in the contest I have read. Wow...
reply by the author on 08-Dec-2014
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Oh my goodness this story made me cry! I have a huge lump in my throat that just won't go away. The adorable kitten picture pulled me in but I was not prepared for this. Absolutely breathtaking! By far the best story in the contest I have read. Wow...
Comment Written 08-Dec-2014
reply by the author on 08-Dec-2014
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Thank you so much, butterfly! What a really lovely review, I am really pleased you liked it. :) Sandra xsx
Comment from humpwhistle
Damn you, Sandra. You should never make a crusty old curmudgeon . . . tear up . . . a little.
Man, you pulled out all the stops on this one. Right down to the loveable kitten! I love Monica's spunk.
I had to laugh at Dr Keith Richards. Are you a Rolling Stones fan? Keith Richards is the least likely doctor in the world--though he has dispensed his fair share of drugs.
Somebody probably already mentioned this, but you identify Peter as Simon early on in the story. Perhaps you're referring to the apostle, Simon Peter?
Loved your story, Sandra. I'm guessing I just lost $100. I'll get you for this!
Peace, Lee
reply by the author on 08-Dec-2014
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Damn you, Sandra. You should never make a crusty old curmudgeon . . . tear up . . . a little.
Man, you pulled out all the stops on this one. Right down to the loveable kitten! I love Monica's spunk.
I had to laugh at Dr Keith Richards. Are you a Rolling Stones fan? Keith Richards is the least likely doctor in the world--though he has dispensed his fair share of drugs.
Somebody probably already mentioned this, but you identify Peter as Simon early on in the story. Perhaps you're referring to the apostle, Simon Peter?
Loved your story, Sandra. I'm guessing I just lost $100. I'll get you for this!
Peace, Lee
Comment Written 08-Dec-2014
reply by the author on 08-Dec-2014
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Do you know, I never even thought of him! At least, not that I remember. But I had to laugh at your comparison with the drugs, lol, that was a good one. And you were the only one who spotted the name change, I think my brain went to sleep for a few minutes.
Lea, I loved your review, I really had a good laugh. I don't know about you losing the $100, though, you are still top notch with me for your writing. Anyway, the reviewer before yours was definitely not a happy chappy reading my story, I did warn her, but she still read it and told me in no uncertain terms how she hated it! LOL, I really had to butter her up afterwards. Bless her! Thank you my dear friend for the lovely 6 stars, you are my hero! xsx Sandra
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How could somebody hate your story?
Never mind, I'll read the review for myself.
Keith Richards as a doctor still cracks me up. I can see him in a lab coat!
Comment from Phyllis Stewart
Bummer. I hated the ending. He lost his wife and now his teenage daughter? I hate, hate, hate it. It's a terrrrible Christmas story. You must really be feeling sick to create something this horrid for a Christmas story! Yikes! I'll give you the damn stars cuz it's very well written. I just hated that you let her die. The poor father does NOT deserve that! No matter what the girl thinks. Yes, I am now in very bad mood. I didn't need to hear that death is "happy" somehow when a good man is left with nothing. I know when I die, Mark's life will end for all practical purposes. I want to live FOR HIM. And so would that stupid girl.
reply by the author on 08-Dec-2014
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Bummer. I hated the ending. He lost his wife and now his teenage daughter? I hate, hate, hate it. It's a terrrrible Christmas story. You must really be feeling sick to create something this horrid for a Christmas story! Yikes! I'll give you the damn stars cuz it's very well written. I just hated that you let her die. The poor father does NOT deserve that! No matter what the girl thinks. Yes, I am now in very bad mood. I didn't need to hear that death is "happy" somehow when a good man is left with nothing. I know when I die, Mark's life will end for all practical purposes. I want to live FOR HIM. And so would that stupid girl.
Comment Written 08-Dec-2014
reply by the author on 08-Dec-2014
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LOL, Phyllis! I can't help it, my sister is like you, but I have had so many sad things happen in my life, I know how to express those feelings. I couldn't even begin to tell you what. Any way, thank you for your very thoughtful review, dear girl! Still love you lots. xsx sandra Oh, I am feeling a bit better now, I had a lovely hot toddy to go to bed on. That is hot milk, whiskey and honey, and it was revolting! xxx
Comment from jmdg1954
I wish I had ten stars to award! How often in life do we gather strength from our children I some fashion. Sandra, this story brought tears to my eyes. I felt as if I were Peter in your story. You drew me in 100%.
We lost our first born, 45 minutes after birth, 3/14/81. I was able to feel the dads pain.
Nicely done as usual... John
reply by the author on 08-Dec-2014
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I wish I had ten stars to award! How often in life do we gather strength from our children I some fashion. Sandra, this story brought tears to my eyes. I felt as if I were Peter in your story. You drew me in 100%.
We lost our first born, 45 minutes after birth, 3/14/81. I was able to feel the dads pain.
Nicely done as usual... John
Comment Written 08-Dec-2014
reply by the author on 08-Dec-2014
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OH, John, I am so very sorry. Losing a child is the worst thing that could happen to a parent. I remember how my mother and father in law were after my husband died, and then four years later, his sister died. Losing both their children was such a devastating shock. Bless you, my friend for your wonderful review and 6 stars, I can only imagine the pain you felt. Thank you. xsx sandra
Comment from LIJ Red
There is too much of tragedy and grief. Staring at it does not help. Lennon's "Imagine" is nonsense as long as death and disease come for us all. Your story is well written.
reply by the author on 08-Dec-2014
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There is too much of tragedy and grief. Staring at it does not help. Lennon's "Imagine" is nonsense as long as death and disease come for us all. Your story is well written.
Comment Written 08-Dec-2014
reply by the author on 08-Dec-2014
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Thank you.
Comment from kiwijenny
Wow Sandra this pulled at every heart string and tied them in knots
Well written and emotional. We love our kids and can't imagine this or don't want to
God bless
reply by the author on 08-Dec-2014
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Wow Sandra this pulled at every heart string and tied them in knots
Well written and emotional. We love our kids and can't imagine this or don't want to
God bless
Comment Written 07-Dec-2014
reply by the author on 08-Dec-2014
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Thank you so much, Jenny, for your lovely review and for the 6 lovely stars. I am really pleased you liked it. :) Sandra xsx
Comment from Lovinia
Hi Sandra
What a poignant story ... and sadly, not uncommon. The spirit of the youngsters with illness, in pain or facing a death sentence is always so amazing. What a delightful and courageous heroine, Monica shines throughout the entire story. It is almost difficult to feel sorry. Despite 'knowing' she is dying, she keeps up her energy as best she can for the sake of her beloved father. You capture the essence of her personality and develop your theme well using excellent dialogue which is real and appropriate for the girl's age and situation.
Her father's emotions are hovering on the surface as the reader identifies with his pain and his valiant efforts to keep her happy and in hope. I guess there sometimes comes a time when we have to let go. Strong and emotional paragraphs. I love the birthday gift of "Socks", some great descriptive language, the little kitten comes alive on the page. Your story entertains and keeps readers interest from beginning to end. Happy endings can be found in the unexpected. I really expected that kidney to turn up for Christmas... then that's the fantasy, you've written the reality. I like that very much.
Well done,
A couple of typos:
"spent(d) what time she had left with her dad and her kitten."
"It was the Doctor Keith Richards." --- 'It was the doctor, Keith Richards' or 'It was Doctor Keith Richards"
Huge hugs and best wishes for the lead up to Christmas ... about now, I'm wishing for a white Christmas ... heheh ... I'm afraid the snow would melt in this heat ... just like me... at least we've been having some rain and a cool change in the evenings. Take care. Keep smiling. Love Lovi xxox
reply by the author on 08-Dec-2014
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Hi Sandra
What a poignant story ... and sadly, not uncommon. The spirit of the youngsters with illness, in pain or facing a death sentence is always so amazing. What a delightful and courageous heroine, Monica shines throughout the entire story. It is almost difficult to feel sorry. Despite 'knowing' she is dying, she keeps up her energy as best she can for the sake of her beloved father. You capture the essence of her personality and develop your theme well using excellent dialogue which is real and appropriate for the girl's age and situation.
Her father's emotions are hovering on the surface as the reader identifies with his pain and his valiant efforts to keep her happy and in hope. I guess there sometimes comes a time when we have to let go. Strong and emotional paragraphs. I love the birthday gift of "Socks", some great descriptive language, the little kitten comes alive on the page. Your story entertains and keeps readers interest from beginning to end. Happy endings can be found in the unexpected. I really expected that kidney to turn up for Christmas... then that's the fantasy, you've written the reality. I like that very much.
Well done,
A couple of typos:
"spent(d) what time she had left with her dad and her kitten."
"It was the Doctor Keith Richards." --- 'It was the doctor, Keith Richards' or 'It was Doctor Keith Richards"
Huge hugs and best wishes for the lead up to Christmas ... about now, I'm wishing for a white Christmas ... heheh ... I'm afraid the snow would melt in this heat ... just like me... at least we've been having some rain and a cool change in the evenings. Take care. Keep smiling. Love Lovi xxox
Comment Written 07-Dec-2014
reply by the author on 08-Dec-2014
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Thank you so much, Lovi, for this lovely review. I have made those corrections, thank you for pointing them out. I did start off intending to have a Christmas miracle, but as I went on, I thought, we should not be frightened of dying and children are far more prepared for it than we adults are. We needed to know this. (I think!) :) Thank you again, my friend, and I wish for you are wonderful Christmas too, with your family. We might get snow here, it is cold enough! xsx Sandra
Comment from ExperiencingLiphe
I'm in tears and I don't know if you knew this about me but I like happy endings. I guess it's happy in the fact that she was able to spend the rest of her life the way she wanted but I wanted a happy ending where she got healthy and all was good. Just so you know for next time. Great job and I hope this isn't about you and you're family
reply by the author on 07-Dec-2014
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I'm in tears and I don't know if you knew this about me but I like happy endings. I guess it's happy in the fact that she was able to spend the rest of her life the way she wanted but I wanted a happy ending where she got healthy and all was good. Just so you know for next time. Great job and I hope this isn't about you and you're family
Comment Written 07-Dec-2014
reply by the author on 07-Dec-2014
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I am so sorry! I will make sure my stories have happy endings in the future. Actually, the real ending to this one was...While they were asleep in bed, Santa Claus came and left her a brand new kidney. The doctors did an emergency operation, which was a success and Monica lived to be 99 and a half years old. The End. Thank you so much for your lovely review and the lovely 6 stars!! :) Sandra. xsx
