Reviews from

Mom in Florida--RIP

Biography, tribute ...

37 total reviews 
Comment from Sandra Stoner-Mitchell
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

Virtual+ Mikey, you told it just fine, just the way your 'Mom in Florida' would have written it, and wanted it written. It was warm, loving, genuine, and just how I imagine you to speak. Your Dad would be proud of you, your whole family would be proud of you, heck, I am proud of you! Yes, you will have some catching up to do one day. Well done, my friend. :) Sandra xx

 Comment Written 07-Apr-2016


reply by the author on 07-Apr-2016
    How lovely to hear such sweet words. So comforting. Thanks so very much. NOW! Potlatch time!!!!!
    The Poetry Potlatch is coming up again. This week it's a Limerick suite. When you hear the word "limerick" you probably think bawdy, sexy, dirty, etc. But NOT THIS TIME. We want you to use limerick form for each stanza, with a minimum of three stanzas, to create a poem about the topic that will be given this coming Saturday April 9th at 6:00 PM New York City time. Phyllis Stewart has graciously agreed to once again provide us with the theme. Look forward to seeing you there. :)) mikey
Comment from nancy_e_davis
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

I think you did a great job writing this Michael.
Betty sounds like a genuine person who very well knows it is what it is so deal with it. There's no changing the past and I'm sue he did love you and probably felt guilty all his life. Good tribute to your Mom in Florida. Well done. Nancy

 Comment Written 07-Apr-2016


reply by the author on 08-Apr-2016
    She was very genuine, Nancy. That is the perfect word to describe her. Thanks for the kind words. I think all of us were wise enough to live our life without any regrets and it made reuniting a good and positive thing without any angst. mikey
Comment from flylikeaneagle
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

michael; a gift from Betty's heart was life changing to you. She loved you and your brother and taught you about joy. Yes, your father had reasons to leave you behind. Now, you got to chat with him at the cemetary and someday, heaven, too. Well, genetics plays a big part in our development. My brother and I like to garden and prefer to be outside in the dirt. I walk dogs and dream and pray. Nice story, michael. I'm sure you are glad you grew up as a California guy. (You can't surf the corn fields of the Mid West!. Have fun! flylikeaneagle

(please read the battle of the winds blew) How do you post the poems for the Saturday contests??? Enjoy your day! You have a heart of gold and care about people.

 Comment Written 07-Apr-2016


reply by the author on 08-Apr-2016
    Hello my dear friend. Wow, I've just been a clown this week. I will get to your poem, I promise. I haven't forgotten. Everything in the world seems to have happened this week. I need to review yours and evilynes too. You are exactly on the money, I AM glad I grew up a California boy. Thanks so much, you're too sweet. mikey

    Here's instructions for the next get together. Remember, you can always message me. I'm not usually as unreliable as I've been this week. LOL

    The Poetry Potlatch is coming up again. This week it's a Limerick suite. When you hear the word "limerick" you probably think bawdy, sexy, dirty, etc. But NOT THIS TIME. We want you to use limerick form for each stanza, with a minimum of three stanzas, to create a poem about the topic that will be given this coming Saturday April 9th at 6:00 PM New York City time. Phyllis Stewart has graciously agreed to once again provide us with the theme. Look forward to seeing you there. :))
Comment from Dawn of Tomorrow
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

You know the most touching reads are those from the heart, they are the ones that stick with readers and mean something to readers deep inside. We are never alone in this world and there are always those who have similar circumstances who fall in love with writings, this is one of those. Saw one little error


I corresponded with of couple cousins and a grandma, not exactly sure of who they were (with a couple cousins)

 Comment Written 07-Apr-2016


reply by the author on 08-Apr-2016
    What a very lovely thing to say. I agree we are never alone in this world and for the same reason you state. You put it so beautifully though. I fixed that little nit, thanks for spotting it.
    Thank you so much, mikey
Comment from jusylee72
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

This was such a beautiful, loving and honest tale of life. I loved the quote with Monkey's tail. So many fun sayings from that generation. My mother's quote was
"Heavens to Betsy" which I have no idea what means but still say to this day.

 Comment Written 07-Apr-2016


reply by the author on 08-Apr-2016
    Hi, Jusylee
    YES! "Heavens to Betsy". My Aunt Ann said that. Well, I guess she was my great aunt, actually. Your right, what in the world does it mean? LOL So pleased you enjoyed. Thanks for the kind words and comments, mikey
Comment from ioana.u
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

Not the usual diary notes, but then again after having read some of your writing, I sort of expected that. Your memories and family history are out of the ordinary and told in a simple, straight way, with a touch of humor and leaving the general impression of "well, s...t happens, life goes on". Thank you for sharing!

 Comment Written 07-Apr-2016


reply by the author on 08-Apr-2016
    I'm so pleased with the way you describe my writing. Really nice to hear. Yep, it does happen and life sure does go on. So very true, Ioana. Thanks so much for the kind words. mikey
Comment from Pantygynt
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

An what occured to you was fine. I never cease to be amazed at how different other people's lives seem to be. Consequently they are are all interesting. You are lucky to have "clicked" with your mom in Florida and all the others you have bumped into along the way. I sometimes think that if you copied out the telephone directory you could make it sound interesting.

 Comment Written 07-Apr-2016


reply by the author on 08-Apr-2016
    I tell people here often, write about yourself, you'd be surprised how interesting you are and how interested WE are in reading about you. It's so true. Kind words, PG. Really appreciate it. Thanks so much. mikey
Comment from mfowler
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

I found this eulogy profoundly moving, Mikey. You've often alluded to the upbringing you experienced with your biological mother and to find a 'mother' in Florida so welcoming and affirming of you must have been a delayed blessing. You also found brothers, and got closer to an, albeit dead, father who became sort of known to you through Betty. It's always sadder when people who've made such an impression on your life pass. This witty, melancholy walk down the lane with Betty both touches the heart strings, and gives an insight into the author's psyche and character. I loved the monkey tail thing in the opening lines, and how you worked it in a gain at the end. A compassionate write. My condolences.

 Comment Written 07-Apr-2016


reply by the author on 08-Apr-2016
    A wonderful analysis, Mark It feels good to hear it read back to me in such a concise and sensible way. I think you're on the money and I'm so pleased it all came across as I intended. Thanks for the kind words. mikey
Comment from tfawcus
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

What a wonderful woman Betty must have been. Your words, "There wasn't a thing in it but "welcome, I'm so happy to meet you", give us a sense of her warmth and genuineness. How right you are, there a few who are able to focus on the present in such a meaningful way, without letting the past interfere. They are the salt of the earth. This piece of writing also gives us a glimpse of who Mikey really is. I rather like the sound of him!

 Comment Written 07-Apr-2016


reply by the author on 08-Apr-2016
    A great synopsis of her. Exactly right I think. She was that and saved a lot of time by forgoing any nonsense and getting right to the getting on with life part of things. Thanks for the kind words, Tony. Much appreciated. mikey
Comment from William Ross
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

Sorry to hear about your loss, at least you got to meet some family and find out some truths about your father. great write thanks for sharing the thoughts in here. have a wonderful day.

 Comment Written 07-Apr-2016


reply by the author on 08-Apr-2016
    Thanks, William.
    Yes, she did manage to preserve a lot of memories for me and I am connected now. Good points. mikey