Estranged
Even in dysfunction, a sister's bond is strong26 total reviews
Comment from Bill Pinder
You did a great job writing an interesting family story that keeps the readers attention. You express the emotions and conflicts between the individuals very well. It also had an excellent ending that summed up your story.
reply by the author on 12-Feb-2019
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You did a great job writing an interesting family story that keeps the readers attention. You express the emotions and conflicts between the individuals very well. It also had an excellent ending that summed up your story.
Comment Written 12-Feb-2019
reply by the author on 12-Feb-2019
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Bill, I am so appreciative of your generous review and the highest rating, as well. Thank you for always being so supportive and encouraging to me. xo
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You?re very welcome!
Bill
Comment from Brigitte Elko
This is a powerful write with conflicts and regrets spilling over. The ending brought a tear to my eyes and I thank for the way I could relate to family drama. Great job of telling this story. One little snag, some spacing maybe should be corrected but this doesn't take away from the story. On some lines there are only one or two words before it goes on.
Thank you for sharing.
Have a great day!
Brigitte
reply by the author on 12-Feb-2019
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This is a powerful write with conflicts and regrets spilling over. The ending brought a tear to my eyes and I thank for the way I could relate to family drama. Great job of telling this story. One little snag, some spacing maybe should be corrected but this doesn't take away from the story. On some lines there are only one or two words before it goes on.
Thank you for sharing.
Have a great day!
Brigitte
Comment Written 12-Feb-2019
reply by the author on 12-Feb-2019
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Thank you, Brigitte; I'll re-check that. Another reviewer mentioned that, and I thought I'd fixed it! Hmmm. But thank you for your warm, gracious, and quite candid review. I've learned from many of the reviewers of this story that family dramas play out in an inordinate number of our lives. That was surprising to me.
I'm so glad you wrote today. Thank you for the five-star review. xo
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My pleasure.
Brigitte
Comment from Ulla
Hi Rachelle, this is a beautifully written story that resonated with me. I was adopted and the only child and I encountered a devious adoptive mother. I tried to reconcile but she wouldn't have any of it. In principle you are so right, but it takes the other part to wanting as well. I loved your story. Ulla:)))
reply by the author on 12-Feb-2019
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Hi Rachelle, this is a beautifully written story that resonated with me. I was adopted and the only child and I encountered a devious adoptive mother. I tried to reconcile but she wouldn't have any of it. In principle you are so right, but it takes the other part to wanting as well. I loved your story. Ulla:)))
Comment Written 12-Feb-2019
reply by the author on 12-Feb-2019
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Ulla -
I'm sorry to read that your adoptive mother was a devious person. And you're so right: reconciliation has to be a two-way street. But maybe life is better without the negativity and perpetual chess games. Thank you for sharing; it means a lot to me. xo
Comment from HealingMuse
Hi Rachelle,
Wow - this is a gripping read! You had me hooked from the beginning and brought me full circle with your ending and author's notes.
It's so true -- you point up the frailty of life and we never know when one's proverbial number might be up. Best to settle old scores.
I think the old adage to never go to bed angry with a loved one is great advice, but sometimes hard to adhere to.
Thanks for sharing your superb writing with us.
Jan
reply by the author on 12-Feb-2019
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Hi Rachelle,
Wow - this is a gripping read! You had me hooked from the beginning and brought me full circle with your ending and author's notes.
It's so true -- you point up the frailty of life and we never know when one's proverbial number might be up. Best to settle old scores.
I think the old adage to never go to bed angry with a loved one is great advice, but sometimes hard to adhere to.
Thanks for sharing your superb writing with us.
Jan
Comment Written 12-Feb-2019
reply by the author on 12-Feb-2019
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Healing Muse - It really CAN be one of those "easier said than done" activities. I couldn't agree more. (Do you know this quote by Maxine, the grouchy-but-hilarious Senior cartoon character: "Don't go to bed angry. Stay up and plot your revenge.")
Anyway, thank you for your thought-provoking words, your kind review, and the high rating. I couldn't appreciate them more. xo
Comment from swelling
I found this very moving - so very sad so well done for evoking such strong emotion in your reader. The mother's brutality and the breakdown of the family that followed was heart wrenching. You captured the complexity of families and how fragile both relationships and life can be.
I found the first sentence a little confusing (read it a couple of time before I realised that the mechanical octopus was the ventilator - sorry, probably just me). Some awkward expression in places (grammar) so may want to tweak a bit.
An enjoyable read!
reply by the author on 12-Feb-2019
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I found this very moving - so very sad so well done for evoking such strong emotion in your reader. The mother's brutality and the breakdown of the family that followed was heart wrenching. You captured the complexity of families and how fragile both relationships and life can be.
I found the first sentence a little confusing (read it a couple of time before I realised that the mechanical octopus was the ventilator - sorry, probably just me). Some awkward expression in places (grammar) so may want to tweak a bit.
An enjoyable read!
Comment Written 12-Feb-2019
reply by the author on 12-Feb-2019
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Thank you, Swelling; I always appreciate this kind of feedback because it helps me to improve. I'm glad you found the heart of the story enjoyable. That means a lot.
Comment from WalkerMan
This well-written story is a plausible account of the kind of unwarranted fragmentation and/or voluntary isolation that occurs in too many families and erstwhile friendships, generally because of one person's volatility and stubbornness.
You are right that the resultant separation(s) should be repaired as quickly as possible. In this case, the sisters should have resolved their rift long before one was at life's end, especially once both were away from their mother, the one responsible (despite Lindy's actions at the time, as that situation could have been handled differently).
Well done, and aptly illustrated.
reply by the author on 12-Feb-2019
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This well-written story is a plausible account of the kind of unwarranted fragmentation and/or voluntary isolation that occurs in too many families and erstwhile friendships, generally because of one person's volatility and stubbornness.
You are right that the resultant separation(s) should be repaired as quickly as possible. In this case, the sisters should have resolved their rift long before one was at life's end, especially once both were away from their mother, the one responsible (despite Lindy's actions at the time, as that situation could have been handled differently).
Well done, and aptly illustrated.
Comment Written 12-Feb-2019
reply by the author on 12-Feb-2019
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Thank you, WalkerMan. It's so true; this Silence lasted far beyond its due course because of volatility and stubbornness, but also because it was learned behavior. But at least Lindy died with her own family intact, which was a first for them and a lovely example for her daughter and also her sister.
I appreciate all the time and thought that went into your review, and also appreciate the five-star rating.
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You are welcome. Your story is important as a lesson for everyone. It is a sad story, but ends in a heartwarming way too. -- Mike
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What a really nice response that was. Thank you for being so encouraging and gracious. xo
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You are again welcome. If you read my posts, "Saying Goodbye" to a life well lived (about my father) and "Icy Blind Curve Encounter" (about how and why I am still alive and in good health), you'll understand why I am always civil and caring. Too many people do little more than gripe. I do the opposite -- give praise wherever it is due. -- Mike
Comment from JudyE
Great story and I'm brushing the tears away. The characterisation was excellent and the imagery worked well. Unfortunately this situation seems all too common. A thought-provoking read.
reply by the author on 12-Feb-2019
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Great story and I'm brushing the tears away. The characterisation was excellent and the imagery worked well. Unfortunately this situation seems all too common. A thought-provoking read.
Comment Written 11-Feb-2019
reply by the author on 12-Feb-2019
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Thank you, JudyE - though I apologize for making you cry. I never realized, until I started getting feedback, how, exactly as you mentioned, common this situation is! I had no idea.
Thank you for your lovely review and the five stars. I appreciate both very much. xo
Comment from ExperiencingLiphe
My sister and I are opposites. I looked up to her a lot when I was little. I wanted to be like her as well. But then things change. We still talk and have contact. Partially because my parents force us and other parts because of my nephews. It's crazy how one missed step can change a life like that. I had a teacher who fell down the stairs, turned out he was an alcoholic, and he died after his fall. I'll try to keep in contact with my sister after my parents stop forcing us and my nephews are out of the house, even if it mean biting my teeth and counting to ten when she says things that drive me bananas.
reply by the author on 12-Feb-2019
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My sister and I are opposites. I looked up to her a lot when I was little. I wanted to be like her as well. But then things change. We still talk and have contact. Partially because my parents force us and other parts because of my nephews. It's crazy how one missed step can change a life like that. I had a teacher who fell down the stairs, turned out he was an alcoholic, and he died after his fall. I'll try to keep in contact with my sister after my parents stop forcing us and my nephews are out of the house, even if it mean biting my teeth and counting to ten when she says things that drive me bananas.
Comment Written 11-Feb-2019
reply by the author on 12-Feb-2019
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Dear ExperiencingLiphe ~
I loved the candor of this letter. Thank you for being so open and vulnerable. I hope the situation with your sister can ease and bring you joy sometime soon. It would be a 'win' for everyone - your parents and nephews as well as your sister and you. If you hold your tongue/count to ten rather than react, it changes the dance you and she have always done and forces her to behave differently. It's worth a shot. (I hope you'll let me know how it turns out.)
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I don't wanna be negative but don't hold your breath.
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That's not negative; it's probably realistic and practical. And it protects from disappointments.
Comment from Winslow
Dear Rachelle,
What a powerful write. If I didn't know this was fiction l would say it was real. Very emotive. Through your style you can feel the mixed feelings flowing through your main character.
If this is a contest poem you would get my vote.
Cheers,
Winslow
reply by the author on 11-Feb-2019
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Dear Rachelle,
What a powerful write. If I didn't know this was fiction l would say it was real. Very emotive. Through your style you can feel the mixed feelings flowing through your main character.
If this is a contest poem you would get my vote.
Cheers,
Winslow
Comment Written 11-Feb-2019
reply by the author on 11-Feb-2019
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Oh, Winslow, what an absolutely wonderful review this is. It touched me to the core. Thank you for your words and for the huge rating! I totally appreciate it. xo
Comment from kiwijenny
This was so precious I cried .I wish I had a six.
My mother brushed my hair like that so I cried . She was rough and thorough . If I'd had an older sister how cool it would have been.
Well penned
God bless
reply by the author on 11-Feb-2019
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This was so precious I cried .I wish I had a six.
My mother brushed my hair like that so I cried . She was rough and thorough . If I'd had an older sister how cool it would have been.
Well penned
God bless
Comment Written 10-Feb-2019
reply by the author on 11-Feb-2019
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Thank you for this heartfelt review, kiwijenny. I appreciate it very, very much. And thanks for the five stars, as well. xo
