If I Had Only Known
I remember our last goodbye41 total reviews
Comment from amahra
Wow, I struggled to choose which one to say first, sorry for your loss, or congrats on your contest win. But I certainly mean both. I lost a grandson to depression and suicide so I know a bit about what you felt. Blessings!
reply by the author on 16-Aug-2021
Wow, I struggled to choose which one to say first, sorry for your loss, or congrats on your contest win. But I certainly mean both. I lost a grandson to depression and suicide so I know a bit about what you felt. Blessings!
Comment Written 13-Aug-2021
reply by the author on 16-Aug-2021
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My sincere apologies for being so late in responding to your review. Life grabbed hold of me again and took a turn.... but all is well now. I appreciate your time, your kind words, and the review. My grandson was a special young man, and I am grateful for the love we shared.
Thank you and have a great day! Smiles and hugs, Carol
Comment from MissMerri
This is definitely a six-star story. I did not see a single flaw in the way it was told, or even so much as a comma, and I'm really sorry I have no more sixes left. It was such a vivid description, first of the loving young man, willingly helping his grandmother with hard work, then gratefully showing his love and appreciation for her in front of his friends, and finally of the sad moments of loss and regret. I have never read a better-told story and while I wipe away the tears, I want you to know this was a prize winner in more ways than one. Beautifully done and so emotionally wrenching. Congratulations on the blue ribbon, and on your amazing skills as a storyteller. Hugs... MM
reply by the author on 16-Aug-2021
This is definitely a six-star story. I did not see a single flaw in the way it was told, or even so much as a comma, and I'm really sorry I have no more sixes left. It was such a vivid description, first of the loving young man, willingly helping his grandmother with hard work, then gratefully showing his love and appreciation for her in front of his friends, and finally of the sad moments of loss and regret. I have never read a better-told story and while I wipe away the tears, I want you to know this was a prize winner in more ways than one. Beautifully done and so emotionally wrenching. Congratulations on the blue ribbon, and on your amazing skills as a storyteller. Hugs... MM
Comment Written 13-Aug-2021
reply by the author on 16-Aug-2021
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My sincere apologies for being so late in responding to your review. Life grabbed hold of me again and took a turn.... but all is well now. I appreciate your time, your kind words, and the review. My grandson was a special young man, and I am grateful for the love we shared.
Thank you and have a great day! Smiles and hugs, Carol
Comment from Sally Law
Oh my goodness! This is deserving of the win and I offer my condolences once again. What a treasure in your great grandson! I'm glad you had the sweet memory to sustain you. That makes all the difference.
Sending you my best today as always, and congratulations on your award,
Sal XOs
reply by the author on 16-Aug-2021
Oh my goodness! This is deserving of the win and I offer my condolences once again. What a treasure in your great grandson! I'm glad you had the sweet memory to sustain you. That makes all the difference.
Sending you my best today as always, and congratulations on your award,
Sal XOs
Comment Written 13-Aug-2021
reply by the author on 16-Aug-2021
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Thank you, Sally. My grandson was very special and a terrific young man. He is loved and missed by many.
Smiles, Carol
Comment from Sherry Asbury
Gut-wrenching and horrifying. Even though I could well guess how it would go, I found myself praying for him to be found alive. A well-deserved win - may your heart find peace and sanctuary. Very touching.
reply by the author on 16-Aug-2021
Gut-wrenching and horrifying. Even though I could well guess how it would go, I found myself praying for him to be found alive. A well-deserved win - may your heart find peace and sanctuary. Very touching.
Comment Written 13-Aug-2021
reply by the author on 16-Aug-2021
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thanks so much for your awesome review, kind words and golden stars, Sherry. I feel blessed. My grandson was a very special young man. Thank you.
Smiles, Carol
Comment from playinaround
It is hard to read this and keep the tears back. It seems like the grandmother was grateful that her grandson was happy the last time she saw him. She is so very glad that she could do what she could to make him happy. And she will remember him that way... always...
reply by the author on 16-Aug-2021
It is hard to read this and keep the tears back. It seems like the grandmother was grateful that her grandson was happy the last time she saw him. She is so very glad that she could do what she could to make him happy. And she will remember him that way... always...
Comment Written 13-Aug-2021
reply by the author on 16-Aug-2021
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I am beyond grateful that the last time I saw DJ he hugged me and told me he loved me. That was a very special gift from heaven I believe. Thank you for your kindness and the stars. I am very very much appreciative of you.
Smiles, Carol
Comment from LisaMay
The raw emotion and dramatic tragedy in your story make it a standout. A worthy winner. You don't descend to histrionics to gain attention to your story - the facts of your loving connection speak volumes in this well told piece of memoir.
reply by the author on 16-Aug-2021
The raw emotion and dramatic tragedy in your story make it a standout. A worthy winner. You don't descend to histrionics to gain attention to your story - the facts of your loving connection speak volumes in this well told piece of memoir.
Comment Written 13-Aug-2021
reply by the author on 16-Aug-2021
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thank you so much for your kindness and thoughtful review. I appreciate it very much. smiles and hugs, Carol
Comment from Rdfrdmom2
Begin Again:
How horrible for you! I can see why this was the winner of the "I Remember" contest. How could you ever forget? The what ifs and whys are questions that will never be answered. Your grandson knew he was loved by you and you by him. He had great fun at the fair. Small consolations, I know, but ones you must hold dear. I am so very sorry for your loss.
Rdfrdmom2
reply by the author on 16-Aug-2021
Begin Again:
How horrible for you! I can see why this was the winner of the "I Remember" contest. How could you ever forget? The what ifs and whys are questions that will never be answered. Your grandson knew he was loved by you and you by him. He had great fun at the fair. Small consolations, I know, but ones you must hold dear. I am so very sorry for your loss.
Rdfrdmom2
Comment Written 12-Aug-2021
reply by the author on 16-Aug-2021
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I am forever grateful for the last few days we spent together and especially for that last hug and I love you! I will never ever forget it. I love and miss him every day. he was a terrific young man.
Smiles, Carol
Comment from Dolly'sPoems
We never know what tomorrow brings and how life can change forever and this is why we should always live in the moment and squeeze everything out of each day and enjoy it, I am sorry for your loss, your words and powerful and melancholy too, love Dolly x
reply by the author on 16-Aug-2021
We never know what tomorrow brings and how life can change forever and this is why we should always live in the moment and squeeze everything out of each day and enjoy it, I am sorry for your loss, your words and powerful and melancholy too, love Dolly x
Comment Written 12-Aug-2021
reply by the author on 16-Aug-2021
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My sincere apologies for being so late in responding to your review. Life grabbed hold of me again and took a turn.... but all is well now. I appreciate your time, your kind words, and the review. My grandson was a special young man, and I am grateful for the love we shared.
Thank you and have a great day! Smiles and hugs, Carol
Comment from Ulla
What can I say? I am so sorry is all that springs to mind, but it is utterly inadequate and seems far too cold or remote, even.
What happened is the worst nightmare for any parent or grandparent. I have tears in my eyes. Kind regards, Ulla:)))
reply by the author on 12-Aug-2021
What can I say? I am so sorry is all that springs to mind, but it is utterly inadequate and seems far too cold or remote, even.
What happened is the worst nightmare for any parent or grandparent. I have tears in my eyes. Kind regards, Ulla:)))
Comment Written 12-Aug-2021
reply by the author on 12-Aug-2021
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thank you Ulla... Your kind review and thoughtful words are greatly appreciated. The grief is always there, but at times the memories make us smile as well. Have a great day!
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Very true.
Comment from barbara.wilkey
Wow! This contest entry is extremely emotional. I can't say I enjoyed reading because of the subject matter. Losing a child is horrible. But the writing is very good. Thank you for sharing and good luck with the contest.
The next day, I went to the fair with a friend & The next day, at 2:37 pm, I got a frantic call from your Mom. (Both 'The following day... it has to deal with definition.)
I couldn't fathom that our family was losing another child. (you can omit 'that' it's an extra word.
reply by the author on 12-Aug-2021
Wow! This contest entry is extremely emotional. I can't say I enjoyed reading because of the subject matter. Losing a child is horrible. But the writing is very good. Thank you for sharing and good luck with the contest.
The next day, I went to the fair with a friend & The next day, at 2:37 pm, I got a frantic call from your Mom. (Both 'The following day... it has to deal with definition.)
I couldn't fathom that our family was losing another child. (you can omit 'that' it's an extra word.
Comment Written 12-Aug-2021
reply by the author on 12-Aug-2021
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I wish I could omit "next" and "that" from my vocabulary.... You'd have less work to do! LOL
Thank you for the thoughtful review and of course, the "suggestions". Fixed!
Have a great day!
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LOL I honestly struggle with it myself. I had an editor tell me that she wished 'that' could be omitted from our vocabulary. But sometimes it's actually needed.