Reviews from

The Essexville Rocket's Legacy

Honorable Mention: Against many odds...

12 total reviews 
Comment from Mustang Patty
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

Hi, Diane;

Wow. There are so many stories of Olympic champions coming out of nowhere, but you are actually related to one of these superhuman individuals. I think they put their all on the line for the Olympic Gold. It is good to remember that we had so many athletes who didn't have any sponsors or paid training.

Thank you for sharing this story.

~patty~

 Comment Written 30-May-2018


reply by the author on 05-Jun-2018
    Hello Patty,
    So pleased you enjoyed.
    Terry McDermott epitomizes the American spirit...

    Thank you!
    diane
Comment from misscookie
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

I have no more stars to give
You captured my attention from the first line to the last.
When you told about how he train with out a sponsor and borrowed skates
yet with determination he won the gold
it remaindered of something I learned at church ordinary people
can do extraordinary things
thank you for sharing. Cookie

 Comment Written 13-Feb-2018


reply by the author on 13-Feb-2018
    Hello Cookie!
    So very pleased you appreciated this offering.
    Truly, a remarkable feat ... twice!

    Thank you again!
    diane
reply by misscookie on 14-Feb-2018
    Your very welcome.
    Until next time
    Cookie
Comment from WalkerMan
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

This well-told and aptly illustrated story of determination and perseverance is most heartwarming. With every possible obstacle against him, he accomplished what no one imagined he would. Faith clearly had a hand in his successes. We can only hope good people of faith worldwide will persevere to thwart the nefarious efforts of the few evil "elites" among us before an irreversible catastrophe occurs. Your superb post is inspiration toward that cause, as well as on an individual level.

 Comment Written 11-Feb-2018


reply by the author on 12-Feb-2018
    Hello Mike,
    I have wanted to pen Terry McDermott's story for a very long time. Determination and perseverance; that is for certain.
    Thank you for appreciating my post and for your exceptional review.

    diane
reply by WalkerMan on 12-Feb-2018
    You are most welcome, Diane. Edgar A. Guest wrote a poem in 1919 called "It Couldn't Be Done" that relates to such situations. It is in my literary art book, and you can find it online as well. -- Mike
Comment from ExperiencingLiphe
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

I always laugh at those who say not to chase your dreams because it's pointless. How many people actually achieve their dreams, blah blah blah. You know why people don't achieve their dreams? They don't try! I love that no one paid attention to him because he was an "under dog" or something. Those are the people that need the biggest medal. They went after their dreams when someone could have persuaded them not to.

 Comment Written 11-Feb-2018


reply by the author on 11-Feb-2018
    Hello!
    I still don't know how TD managed to win, but he certainly was an inspiration.
    Thank you for taking the time to read my offering and your kind review.

    diane
Comment from Meia (MESAYERS)
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

And when I do, I'll hear my father exclaim in disbelief and pride, "He did it! He did it! By God! WE did it!"
And I'll believe once again, just as I did all those years ago, that anything is possible and that sometines, sometimes dreams do come true...' Such a positive and jubilant story K.T. I hope you do well in the competition with this story you deserve to, kindest regards and best wishes Meia x

 Comment Written 11-Feb-2018


reply by the author on 11-Feb-2018
    Hello Meia,
    Much appreciation for your kind and thoughtful review. I've been wanting to share Terry McDermott's story for years...

    Thank you!
    diane
Comment from Sharon Haiste
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

I think this is a good entry for the Share Your Story writing prmpt.
A good story, well told, and clear.
Well done and good luck to you with the competition.
Sharon

 Comment Written 11-Feb-2018


reply by the author on 11-Feb-2018
    Hello Sharon!
    I am pleased you enjoyed!
    Quite the accomplishments!

    Thank you!
    diane
Comment from Ben Colder
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

I was driving for Greyhound Lines Inc during this event. Yes, he did break the record and yes it was by the Almighty God he showed the world what the word perseverance means. Thank you for sharing this. A very good hope builder. I wish I had a six for this.

 Comment Written 10-Feb-2018


reply by the author on 11-Feb-2018
    Hi Ben!
    So pleased you enjoyed...and that you remember the event! Pretty spectacular!
    Thank you!

    diane
Comment from Cass Carlton
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

This is a beautifully told story of a Hometown boy who became an heroic sportsman through his own efforts inspiring others to achieve great things.
The story is all the more attractive because it is true. He was a hero by definition. A hero is one who lifts our consciousness from the every day to the possibility of what "Might yet be" and this is what this unassuming young man did. The author speaks of her own ideals and hopes being raised by the recollection of her kinsman's feats, and I too find myself impressed by his inner strength and courage. This is a wonderful story. Well told, well presented. Well done cheers Cass

 Comment Written 10-Feb-2018


reply by the author on 10-Feb-2018
    Hello Cass!
    Thank you ever so much for your appreciation of my offering. I have wanted to share Terry McDermott's story for years; it was not an easy write balancing the information with the emotion.
    I am honored and humbled by your review.

    diane
Comment from MsPetra
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

I liked most the way that you ended it. I appreciate stories that are creative non fiction. You have done a great job here.
I do have a few things that I would have done differently. In the paragraph that starts with "And as far as my......" at the end of that sentence you have "all the was true and good in my world." It should be "all that was true and good in my world."
You have entire paragraphs that are one long run on sentence.
I think all of the "I have shared..." sentences should be combined into one.
Other than that (and they are take it or leave it suggestions) you have done a most excellent job here.


 Comment Written 10-Feb-2018


reply by the author on 10-Feb-2018
    Hello MsPetra!
    I am so appreciative that you caught my "nit."
    As for your other suggestions, I did shorten some of the longer sentences = I get caught up in telling the story and become too verbose.
    So pleased you enjoyed!
    diane
Comment from apky
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted


You are so right - sometimes dreams do come true.

Your cousin managed all that at a time when the games were just that - games. I could even use the unusual word "innocent". The corporate world had not entered the arena to turn everything into a farce with doping and all, the IOC had not been taken over by greedy men who chose venues for the games depending on how many billions is heading into their bank accounts in the Cayman Islands...

Thanks for this great writing.


From reading this, I think you just had your birthday last week. So, belatedly, Happy Birthday!

and he represented all the(that) was true and good in my world.

 Comment Written 10-Feb-2018


reply by the author on 10-Feb-2018
    Hello apky!
    So very pleased that you enjoyed my offering. It took me ever so long to pen this!
    No birthday yet, but the big one is right around the corner!
    Thank you again!
    diane