The Second Chapter
The Story of a Storyteller26 total reviews
Comment from Navada
This is such a powerful example of how redemption can come out of the most difficult and painful experiences. Bless you for your counselling, your warmth and your hope.
reply by the author on 03-Feb-2024
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This is such a powerful example of how redemption can come out of the most difficult and painful experiences. Bless you for your counselling, your warmth and your hope.
Comment Written 03-Feb-2024
reply by the author on 03-Feb-2024
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Thanks for the review Navada. This case was one of the most emotional one I ever had.
Comment from Karen Cherry Threadgill
We do not know the end game that is planned for us. But we know we are supposed to teach others by example. We are to persevere through trials. It is not the destination it is the journey, and there are many ways to get there. :-) Karen
reply by the author on 03-Feb-2024
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We do not know the end game that is planned for us. But we know we are supposed to teach others by example. We are to persevere through trials. It is not the destination it is the journey, and there are many ways to get there. :-) Karen
Comment Written 03-Feb-2024
reply by the author on 03-Feb-2024
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Thank you, Karen for reviewing this story. -Bill
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U R Welcome Karen
Comment from Carol Hillebrenner
This is very well written and emotionally moving. The title is perfect also because this story is about a family's second chapter. They lost Mary but their lives had a second chapter, the end of grief and beginning of healing and also another child.
reply by the author on 03-Feb-2024
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This is very well written and emotionally moving. The title is perfect also because this story is about a family's second chapter. They lost Mary but their lives had a second chapter, the end of grief and beginning of healing and also another child.
Comment Written 03-Feb-2024
reply by the author on 03-Feb-2024
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You are one of a few who caught the meaning of the title. Thank you for the review.
Comment from Begin Again
I wish I had a six to share with you. I've lost two children and a grandson. I connected with what you wrote. It's strange how many don't know how to express their emotions to others. Just when you need others to care, they slip further away. Your story was written perfectly. Thank you for sharing.
Hugs, Carol
reply by the author on 02-Feb-2024
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I wish I had a six to share with you. I've lost two children and a grandson. I connected with what you wrote. It's strange how many don't know how to express their emotions to others. Just when you need others to care, they slip further away. Your story was written perfectly. Thank you for sharing.
Hugs, Carol
Comment Written 02-Feb-2024
reply by the author on 02-Feb-2024
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I was expecting someone who had lost a child to give a review. You are the one and only. Thank you. May I dedicate this story to you? - Bill
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You are so kind.... I related to so much of what you wrote. I even had one person tell me that they were worried about Mikey's father more because it was his first born and I already had 2 children. It made me sick. People just don't understand until they wear the shoes and I pray they never have to do that. Have a wonderful day! Carol
Comment from Dawn Munro
"He doted over his daughter." It's usually "doted on", Bill, my friend.
"...when we didn't have (the) medical treatment for this disease that we have now...."
As always, your story is one of courage and fortitude, inspiring the same in others. If I had a six, this deserves one. Sadly, they were gone much earlier in the week.
reply by the author on 02-Feb-2024
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"He doted over his daughter." It's usually "doted on", Bill, my friend.
"...when we didn't have (the) medical treatment for this disease that we have now...."
As always, your story is one of courage and fortitude, inspiring the same in others. If I had a six, this deserves one. Sadly, they were gone much earlier in the week.
Comment Written 02-Feb-2024
reply by the author on 02-Feb-2024
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Fixed! Thank you for suggestions that only you found. You write story and I learning to write story at the tender age of 78. Thanks for giving me a lesson. LOL
Bill
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:)) You're very welcome.
Comment from Debbie D'Arcy
This is so beautifully told and so worthy of a six which, sadly, I can't give. I found it a very emotional read with a strong message to share and engage during these difficult times so that hope can be allowed to blossom. Thank you, William, for your very compassionate conveying of this true story. I loved the significance of the title which reflected so skilfully here. Small edit - everyone around us feel(s) so helpless. Take care Debbie
reply by the author on 01-Feb-2024
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This is so beautifully told and so worthy of a six which, sadly, I can't give. I found it a very emotional read with a strong message to share and engage during these difficult times so that hope can be allowed to blossom. Thank you, William, for your very compassionate conveying of this true story. I loved the significance of the title which reflected so skilfully here. Small edit - everyone around us feel(s) so helpless. Take care Debbie
Comment Written 01-Feb-2024
reply by the author on 01-Feb-2024
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Thanks, Debbie, for your review and I took care of that glitch. I have had several ask for a clearer understanding of "second chapter." I choose to let the reader define that but I do believe the church, as well as Marian and Berry experienced a "second chapter."-Bill
Comment from Wayne Fowler
You wrote a very nice story. Error-free as near as I could tell.
I can see how Barry and Marian's grief would consume them and that they would distance themselves from reminders.
Best wishes.
reply by the author on 01-Feb-2024
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You wrote a very nice story. Error-free as near as I could tell.
I can see how Barry and Marian's grief would consume them and that they would distance themselves from reminders.
Best wishes.
Comment Written 01-Feb-2024
reply by the author on 01-Feb-2024
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It wasn't so much of being reminded as feeling responsible for how others were feeling and their helplessness. Barry and Marian, the congregation, the children who knew her.....all second chapter.
Thanks for the review. -Bill
Comment from Julie Helms
This is such a touching story! Hope blooming out of tragedy. Of course it is only tragedy from our perspective. Mary went to a better place and will meet her parents there one day.
I absolutely loved this:
the children were leaving [...] hearing the congregation singing: Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
Children are a great blessing from God and I never thought of the Doxology in that context but it is perfect!
A few typo/grammar suggestions:
1. huge circle rug and I would proceed (rug, and)
2. a 'chapter two. (Closing quote is missing)
3. raced down the aisles to get close to me as they
could (as close to me)
4. everyone around us feel so helpless. (Everyone...feels)
Thanks so much for sharing this beautiful story. Julie
reply by the author on 01-Feb-2024
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This is such a touching story! Hope blooming out of tragedy. Of course it is only tragedy from our perspective. Mary went to a better place and will meet her parents there one day.
I absolutely loved this:
the children were leaving [...] hearing the congregation singing: Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
Children are a great blessing from God and I never thought of the Doxology in that context but it is perfect!
A few typo/grammar suggestions:
1. huge circle rug and I would proceed (rug, and)
2. a 'chapter two. (Closing quote is missing)
3. raced down the aisles to get close to me as they
could (as close to me)
4. everyone around us feel so helpless. (Everyone...feels)
Thanks so much for sharing this beautiful story. Julie
Comment Written 01-Feb-2024
reply by the author on 01-Feb-2024
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Julie, I am so grateful for your suggestions that no one else mentioned. You made this a six. Thank you. -Bill
Comment from Julie Fudge Smith1
Thank you for sharing your story and your gift of hope. It's no longer a common occurrence to have worship services portrayed so positively, so I was grateful for that as well.
There were a few grammatical errors, but those are easily fixed. (For example you wrote: "...to get close to me as they could." I think it's suppose to be "...to get as close to me as they could.") I would also have liked to hear a bit more from Marian and Barry's point of view as their experience is central to the theme of renewal.
Overall, a very nice, uplifting story. Thank you.
reply by the author on 31-Jan-2024
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Thank you for sharing your story and your gift of hope. It's no longer a common occurrence to have worship services portrayed so positively, so I was grateful for that as well.
There were a few grammatical errors, but those are easily fixed. (For example you wrote: "...to get close to me as they could." I think it's suppose to be "...to get as close to me as they could.") I would also have liked to hear a bit more from Marian and Barry's point of view as their experience is central to the theme of renewal.
Overall, a very nice, uplifting story. Thank you.
Comment Written 31-Jan-2024
reply by the author on 31-Jan-2024
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Thanks for a very helpful review. This piece needs a sign that says, "Under Construction." I will go back and correct what you mentioned and your suggestion was excellent.
Regarding Marian and Barry. They agreed to let me write this story, but they wanted the emphasis to be equally spread,,,Mary, them, congregation. I could have expanded on all three and this story would end up being a chapter at a time. When I finished writing this story, Barry and Marian approved the draft but if I had added more to their story I would have been violating their confidentiality. You have no idea how hard it was to get Marian's approval to use her comment at the closing. As Mary would have said, "Dr. Bill, will you tell us the second chapter?"
Most of my stories require a release of information from those involved and they get the first approve or
disaprove. It goes with the territory of this retired therapist, now writer. I have more than 400 files of clients who died while in my counseling practice. So far, I have only 37 files where I have been given permission write their story. -Bill
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It was very generous of Marian and Barry to give you permission to tell their tale, as I am sure it is a painful reminder of a great loss. I appreciate your sensitivity to their situation as well as their hesitancy to expose more of themselves. Still, their struggles and triumph are inspirational and I would love to hear more, if they were willing to do so. If not, I do understand and wish them all the best.
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"Surfacing" their journey has also surfaced what they went through and what Mary went through. I estimate atleast three sessions to find a new way to cope with all the attention they are now getting. In other words, every story I have written so far have caused some challenges.
Comment from patcelaw
This is a fantastic story, and I enjoyed very much listening to it. It's a story of grief, but also a story of Hope. I enjoyed the story about Mary and her coming to you it, and helping you to understand that you needed to keep telling the stories. You are an excellent writer and I enjoyed this very much.
reply by the author on 31-Jan-2024
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This is a fantastic story, and I enjoyed very much listening to it. It's a story of grief, but also a story of Hope. I enjoyed the story about Mary and her coming to you it, and helping you to understand that you needed to keep telling the stories. You are an excellent writer and I enjoyed this very much.
Comment Written 31-Jan-2024
reply by the author on 31-Jan-2024
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Coming from someone who is recognized for their quality writes, I am so grateful that you would review this story. Thank you, Pat. But a
six. I don't know how many we are allowed to give but it's limited. So, again, thank you. -Bill Stephenson, PhD