Reviews from

We Will Rebuild

Personal Memoir: Forever changed. Forever grateful.

27 total reviews 
Comment from WalkerMan
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

This highly detailed story of the damage to your home and its environs by an unusually severe storm, and how you handled it all emotionally as you and resilient Nature rebuilt it in some ways even better than before, is heartwarming. The positive effect on your already strong marital bond is a joy to behold too, proving what dear soulmates the two of you are. May you have many more blessed years of delight there together. Superb.

 Comment Written 03-Aug-2018


reply by the author on 07-Aug-2018
    Hello Mike,
    So honored by your exceptional rating and thoughtful review.
    Thank you ever so much...

    diane
reply by WalkerMan on 07-Aug-2018
    You are most welcome, Diane. You ought to print that story for your family as an inspiration whenever their own times are rough. -- Mike
reply by the author on 07-Aug-2018
    Thank you, Mike!
    That's my intentions for all of these pieces...What a thoughtful remark/suggestion for you to share...

    diane
reply by WalkerMan on 07-Aug-2018
    You are again welcome, Diane. This one in particular is a beautiful memoir to pass down. -- Mike
Comment from Air Spirit
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

This is such an excellent and touching story --- recounting the devastation and destruction of your home, property, wildlife, trees, and uprooted everything you had known for many years prior... that is a huge challenge for anyone to go through... but you exercised the most healthy, loving and productive choices on how to handle the loss.. you saw it as a golden opportunity -- maybe not initially, but after some time, you began to see how that horrific event, while inflicting a terrible loss, also gives you new joys and abundance of new opportunities...new life, all of kind --- flourishing with determination and unique beauty for each and every one of God's creations... what touched me the most is how you described your sorrow for the loss of some of your favorite trees... trees that had grown with you and your husband over the years... that had been solid and sturdy friends, always there to lend an ear if needed, or offer a comfortable hug in silence and peace... nature is so healing and restorative... it is my God Zone --- whenever I am down, blue, confused or hurt, I just have to walk outside, look up at the big bulbous cumulus clouds, the bluest of blues, and with the sun gently shining down upon me... it also hit home, because we just had a neighbor buy a home on a piece of property down a house or two from where we live... and we live on a beautiful culdesac, with a gorgeous mountain off to one side, and rolling hills... and on the property in question, there are these two beautiful, aged trees... one a pine tree, and the other, I'm not sure of what it is... but both beautiful, adding to the serenity and peace of the neighborhood, and lending its shade.. to help keep temperatures down and to give off its a life producing carbon dioxide... and they want to KILL those two trees... because he has allergies! I was horrified... I am so sad for there upcoming destruction .. knowing that all they wanted was some air, sunshine, and rain.. nothing more.. and man typically wants to come in and destroy God's beauty... Anyway, sorry about that tangent........................
But, this is really an inspirational piece.... it is full of hope, new beginnings, renewal, strength, persistence, and faith --- all ingredients that are included in this 'Recipe of Life' if we but choose...

Excellent!

 Comment Written 03-Aug-2018


reply by the author on 09-Aug-2018
    Hello Friend,
    I am very honored by your excellent rating and thoughtful review. I surely hope your neighbor does not succeed in killing those trees!

    Thank you!
    So pleased you enjoyed my work...

    diane
Comment from Mastery
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

Hi, Neighbor. We are quite a few miles south of you but we certainly heard about your misfortune, Diane. Michigan is blessed in so many ways though compared to other parts of the country where they deal with fires, mudslides, earthquakes and hurricane season.
As I read your narrative it reminded me of the Walton's T V show for some odd reason. I think it was in the homey sound of your writer's voice that made everything so crystal clear while still relating the tragedy so well.

Thank you for sharing. Oh, by the way, I think for some reason you have missed my last two chapters. Are you no longer interested or is it just my writing? LOL Bless you, and your family, Diane. Bob

 Comment Written 02-Aug-2018


reply by the author on 03-Aug-2018
    Hello Bob!
    I am so appreciative of your exceptional rating and thoughtful review! I have been ?off the grid? for the past two weeks traveling to see dear friends and entertaining summer visitors. I promise to review your work asap as I thoroughly enjoy your writing!
    Have a wonderful weekend!
    Diane
Comment from RodG
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

I can easily relate to your story of disaster and rebirth. A few years ago a micro-burst leveled almost every tree in our backyard. Like you, we replaced trees and added new types of sun perennials to once-shady areas.
I really like your description of what happened. YOU PUT US THERE in that half-acre. It's also interesting to see your reaction immediately after the storm and now. And your theme--a testimony to nature's powers of rebirth--really comes through. A clearly written, coherent memoir well-worthy of six stars.
"Not on speaking terms with Mother Nature for several weeks" is one of my favorite lines. Rod

 Comment Written 02-Aug-2018


reply by the author on 09-Aug-2018
    Hello Rod!
    I am honored by your exceptional rating and thoughtful review.
    I have since edited my work since you reviewed it; I thought it needed more detail.
    So very pleased you found my work worthy...

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

My close friend and Pastor, some weeks ago taught on persevering, as per Job in the OT and Paul in the new. It brings a sense of newness and change, usually in the character and renewal for the participants of its redeeming qualities. Most of us would rather do without it, but what choice does one have? I enjoyed this admirable testimony, I'm sure you and your husband will be richer in its enriching affects. Beautifully written Diane, a great story and testimony to survival, well done,, blessings, Roy

 Comment Written 02-Aug-2018


reply by the author on 12-Aug-2018
    Hello Roy!
    So very pleased you enjoyed! Thank you for your excellent rating and thoughtful review!

    diane
reply by royowen on 12-Aug-2018
    Most welcome
Comment from kiwijenny
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

I wish I had a six for this because you mirrored the tenacity and cheerfulness of your land. I believe the land has great recuperative power. After Chernobyl disaster ...a weed was tested and it was taking radiation out of its surrounding atmosphere.
This writing was awesome
God bless

 Comment Written 02-Aug-2018


reply by the author on 12-Aug-2018
    Hello Friend!
    I am so pleased you enjoyed!

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

So glad you were all safe!! Amazing how plants and trees recover from the storm. I like how your title of the theme of rebuilding is not only in the humans rebuilding but God's creation rebuilding, too. Sounds like a beautiful garden!!

This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.

 Comment Written 02-Aug-2018


reply by the author on 12-Aug-2018
    Hello Friend!

    I am so very pleased you enjoyed!

    Thank you!

    diane