Dear Tom
A tragic accident in 198524 total reviews
Comment from barleygirl
One of the most realistic pieces I've read in awhile. Deep-down honesty & reality is what makes for the best, most intensely relatable writing. I'm sorry for this accident in your lives. I very much understand the fragility you describe as being the reason you could not "go there" before this much-belated time. It happens to many people. So many estrangements are not about disagreeing or blaming. Many times it's just too painful to "go there" & we can only hope the other person will not let that fact be interpreted as a personal affront. You're being rather hard on yourself, in my opinion.
2nd paragraph, this sentence: "None of you were over sixteen or seventeen and needed an experienced mentor to supervise and advise your first deer hunt." The two parts of this sentence are not correctly joined. Remove the first part & see how it sounds: "None of you needed an experienced mentor to supervise . . . " Hopefully you will see what I'm referring to.
Three paragraphs from the end, this sentence: "I also want you to understand that I feel sad for you having had to live with that memory all those years" . . . should be: "I feel sad for YOUR having had to live . . . "
Again, beautifully poignant share & thanks for having the courage. It's never too late to do what needs to be done (((HUGS)))
reply by the author on 30-Nov-2016
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One of the most realistic pieces I've read in awhile. Deep-down honesty & reality is what makes for the best, most intensely relatable writing. I'm sorry for this accident in your lives. I very much understand the fragility you describe as being the reason you could not "go there" before this much-belated time. It happens to many people. So many estrangements are not about disagreeing or blaming. Many times it's just too painful to "go there" & we can only hope the other person will not let that fact be interpreted as a personal affront. You're being rather hard on yourself, in my opinion.
2nd paragraph, this sentence: "None of you were over sixteen or seventeen and needed an experienced mentor to supervise and advise your first deer hunt." The two parts of this sentence are not correctly joined. Remove the first part & see how it sounds: "None of you needed an experienced mentor to supervise . . . " Hopefully you will see what I'm referring to.
Three paragraphs from the end, this sentence: "I also want you to understand that I feel sad for you having had to live with that memory all those years" . . . should be: "I feel sad for YOUR having had to live . . . "
Again, beautifully poignant share & thanks for having the courage. It's never too late to do what needs to be done (((HUGS)))
Comment Written 30-Nov-2016
reply by the author on 30-Nov-2016
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Thank you. Thanks for the catches, I will edit and repair. You hit the nail right on the head when you said it was too painful to "go there". I knew I should talk to tom but I just couldn't make myself do it. Now I'm getting old and feel I must let Tom know how I feel.
Comment from Thomas Bowling
A very good entry in the contest. Told with sadness and empathy for all concerned. I hope the letter does its job. old wounds sometimes can be healed with jut a word.
reply by the author on 29-Nov-2016
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A very good entry in the contest. Told with sadness and empathy for all concerned. I hope the letter does its job. old wounds sometimes can be healed with jut a word.
Comment Written 28-Nov-2016
reply by the author on 29-Nov-2016
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Thank you. I'm sending the letter today. I'm ashamed that I didn't do so years ago.
Comment from Ulla
Wow I can't even begin to imagine the ordeal you've all gone through. Such a tragic accident. I am so sorry for your loss and for the young person who caused it. He must have been in a living hell ever since. How do you ever get over such a thing? It's very brave of you to post this and I do hope you'll send the letter. I think it will be well received. Again, I'm so very sorry for your tragic loss. All the best. Ulla:)))
reply by the author on 28-Nov-2016
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Wow I can't even begin to imagine the ordeal you've all gone through. Such a tragic accident. I am so sorry for your loss and for the young person who caused it. He must have been in a living hell ever since. How do you ever get over such a thing? It's very brave of you to post this and I do hope you'll send the letter. I think it will be well received. Again, I'm so very sorry for your tragic loss. All the best. Ulla:)))
Comment Written 28-Nov-2016
reply by the author on 28-Nov-2016
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Thank you. It was a long time ago and life must go on. I sent the letter today and am ashamed because I let it go so very long. It took FanStory to wake me up.
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I'm so glad you've sent it. :)))
Comment from country ranch writer
sometimes get so wrapped up in our own grief we forget others are going through life suffering too would have been a help if he had gotten this years ago but he still won't hold it against you how you feel about him.
reply by the author on 28-Nov-2016
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sometimes get so wrapped up in our own grief we forget others are going through life suffering too would have been a help if he had gotten this years ago but he still won't hold it against you how you feel about him.
Comment Written 28-Nov-2016
reply by the author on 28-Nov-2016
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Thank you. Yes, I'm ashamed that I never got ahold of Tom before this. It took FanStory to wake me up. Thanks for the six stars. The letter has already been sent.
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smiles
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Comment from Phyllis Stewart
A good letter, and I hope you will mail it. It will be a good Christmas present. I can't imagine living with the pain you have endured. To think you do not blame the boy whose gun went off shows your character. :)
reply by the author on 28-Nov-2016
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A good letter, and I hope you will mail it. It will be a good Christmas present. I can't imagine living with the pain you have endured. To think you do not blame the boy whose gun went off shows your character. :)
Comment Written 28-Nov-2016
reply by the author on 28-Nov-2016
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Thank you. I should have done this years ago. I'm glad FanStory posted the contest and reminded me to get it done. I'm 70 years old so I best do it now.
Comment from Sandra Stoner-Mitchell
That is such a sad story. Sad for you to have lost you only son, I can't begin to imagine the pain you've suffered all this time, and sad for the young lad whose gun went off killing your son. He must have suffered a lot of pain too, I do hope you send this letter to him, let him move on. His life was probably destroyed with the guilt he was sure to have had all this time. I think you will feel a bit better too once you have sent it. What a nice Christmas present for him. I do hope it does help you too. Warm hugs. Sandra xx
reply by the author on 28-Nov-2016
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That is such a sad story. Sad for you to have lost you only son, I can't begin to imagine the pain you've suffered all this time, and sad for the young lad whose gun went off killing your son. He must have suffered a lot of pain too, I do hope you send this letter to him, let him move on. His life was probably destroyed with the guilt he was sure to have had all this time. I think you will feel a bit better too once you have sent it. What a nice Christmas present for him. I do hope it does help you too. Warm hugs. Sandra xx
Comment Written 28-Nov-2016
reply by the author on 28-Nov-2016
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Thank you. I'm profoundly ashamed of myself for not doing this years ago. I never once blamed that poor boy for my son's death and I should have let him know long ago.
Comment from Dean Kuch
If this is true, and if you know where this fella is that accidentally shot your son in a deer hunting outing. If the situations in this letter are just as they happened all those many years ago, then I would go ahead and send this letter to the man.
I'm sure what you wrote is right. He's probably never forgiven himself.
Perhaps, should you decide to do as I suggest, if you send this, it will give you both some closure, and you both can move on.
You might even strike up a friendship and he could become like a son to you. Stranger things have happened...
Best of luck to you in the contest
~Dean
reply by the author on 28-Nov-2016
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If this is true, and if you know where this fella is that accidentally shot your son in a deer hunting outing. If the situations in this letter are just as they happened all those many years ago, then I would go ahead and send this letter to the man.
I'm sure what you wrote is right. He's probably never forgiven himself.
Perhaps, should you decide to do as I suggest, if you send this, it will give you both some closure, and you both can move on.
You might even strike up a friendship and he could become like a son to you. Stranger things have happened...
Best of luck to you in the contest
~Dean
Comment Written 28-Nov-2016
reply by the author on 28-Nov-2016
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Thank you. I do know where this man lives and I have already mailed the letter. I'm ashamed of myself for not doing so long ago. It was wrong to let him think I hated him all those years. I never once blamed tom for the death of my son. It was the adults who allowed three young boys to go deer hunting alone who were at fault, me included.
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None of us are perfect, and we all have made our share of mistakes.
The difference between those who never find peace and those who do is simply because those who do have enough guts to admit they were wrong. They can then learn to forgive in order to move on.
You're very welcome.
~Dean
Comment from Heidi M
What a beautiful apology. I do hope you send it to Tom like you plan to.
One minor suggestion:
Put a comma between 'accomplished' and if you have a wife'.
reply by the author on 28-Nov-2016
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What a beautiful apology. I do hope you send it to Tom like you plan to.
One minor suggestion:
Put a comma between 'accomplished' and if you have a wife'.
Comment Written 27-Nov-2016
reply by the author on 28-Nov-2016
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Thank you. Yes, I have already sent the letter. Thanks for the six stars and the catch in the grammar.
Comment from Kim0215
April, there are no words for your loss. Your letter is poignant but I read a sincere desire for forgiveness and release of a truly horrific lifetime of regret. It is amazing how one decision can alter the course of a lifetime and I hope Tom gets this letter so you both may have closure and peace. Many blessings to you, Kim
reply by the author on 28-Nov-2016
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April, there are no words for your loss. Your letter is poignant but I read a sincere desire for forgiveness and release of a truly horrific lifetime of regret. It is amazing how one decision can alter the course of a lifetime and I hope Tom gets this letter so you both may have closure and peace. Many blessings to you, Kim
Comment Written 27-Nov-2016
reply by the author on 28-Nov-2016
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Thank you. I have already sent the letter. I'm ashamed of myself for not doing this long ago. It took FanStory to wake me up. Thank you for the six stars, they are appreciated.
Comment from Mabaker
I hope you win the contest. How very tragic. Sometimes you hear on the radio about accidents and the details are left out, now I know why. If you had to read those details it would drive you insane. If this is a true story my prayers go to you. If it is a contest entry I salute you.
Regards Anne. (Mabaker.)
reply by the author on 28-Nov-2016
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I hope you win the contest. How very tragic. Sometimes you hear on the radio about accidents and the details are left out, now I know why. If you had to read those details it would drive you insane. If this is a true story my prayers go to you. If it is a contest entry I salute you.
Regards Anne. (Mabaker.)
Comment Written 27-Nov-2016
reply by the author on 28-Nov-2016
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Thank you. It is very much a true story. I'm ashamed of myself for not contacting Tom years ago. He must think I have never forgiven him. I never blamed Tom in the first place.
