A Leaf on the Wind
Viewing comments for Chapter 31 "Daddy Loves Me"Autobiography of abuse
15 total reviews
Comment from CALLAHANMR
I almost feel guilty of misconduct for reviewing Chapter 31 without reading any preceding chapters, but I think this brilliant chapter speaks for itself. As a victim of abuse, I think I understand Valerie's plight to the core of my being.
In my family abuse was not sexual, but psychological and in my mother's case I think physical. This abuse came from a drunken, violent stepfather. My mother married him when I was thirteen and four years of absolute hell followed. We lived on a small rural Western Kansas Ranch. Unlike Valerie, I had no brothers or sisters. There were only four people in this hell, my mother, my grandfather, my stepfather and me.
From the time my mother married Frederick, the abuse started. Almost every night I went to bed in fear for the lives of my family. Frederick told me on many occasions that I was a bad person, because I didn't support him against my mother and grandfather. He then punctuated his remarks with the threat that is as vivid today, fifty-eight years after Frederick's death as it was when he said it. "Some night," he said, " I,m going to take this knife(he always carried an eight-inch hunting knife) add cut your head off. Then I'll do the same to your mother and grandfather." He always made it clear that this would be the consequence of telling anyone about him.
My mother knew what was going on, although the threat to me was always in private. I know he made similar threats to her and my grandfather, but their silence prevailed.
So I understand the aloneness Valerie had to feel as she tried to get someone, anyone, to support her. And, I understand the helpless feelings and the overwhelming anger (perhaps blind rage would be a better term) that stemmed from a hopeless situatin.
You have conveyed all those terrible emotions in a way that should enrage any right-thinking person.
Thank you for the courage to tell your story. You have now encouraged me to do the same with all the warts.
Roger Callahan
reply by the author on 26-Feb-2009
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I almost feel guilty of misconduct for reviewing Chapter 31 without reading any preceding chapters, but I think this brilliant chapter speaks for itself. As a victim of abuse, I think I understand Valerie's plight to the core of my being.
In my family abuse was not sexual, but psychological and in my mother's case I think physical. This abuse came from a drunken, violent stepfather. My mother married him when I was thirteen and four years of absolute hell followed. We lived on a small rural Western Kansas Ranch. Unlike Valerie, I had no brothers or sisters. There were only four people in this hell, my mother, my grandfather, my stepfather and me.
From the time my mother married Frederick, the abuse started. Almost every night I went to bed in fear for the lives of my family. Frederick told me on many occasions that I was a bad person, because I didn't support him against my mother and grandfather. He then punctuated his remarks with the threat that is as vivid today, fifty-eight years after Frederick's death as it was when he said it. "Some night," he said, " I,m going to take this knife(he always carried an eight-inch hunting knife) add cut your head off. Then I'll do the same to your mother and grandfather." He always made it clear that this would be the consequence of telling anyone about him.
My mother knew what was going on, although the threat to me was always in private. I know he made similar threats to her and my grandfather, but their silence prevailed.
So I understand the aloneness Valerie had to feel as she tried to get someone, anyone, to support her. And, I understand the helpless feelings and the overwhelming anger (perhaps blind rage would be a better term) that stemmed from a hopeless situatin.
You have conveyed all those terrible emotions in a way that should enrage any right-thinking person.
Thank you for the courage to tell your story. You have now encouraged me to do the same with all the warts.
Roger Callahan
Comment Written 26-Feb-2009
reply by the author on 26-Feb-2009
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The damage of physical, phsycological, verbal, and sexual abuse is equal. They all destroy a child's self-esteem and drive her to near madness. I thank you for sharing your story with me. I find your comment about "warts" both amusing and accurate. When I decided to write my book, I made a promise to be completely honest, warts and all. Thank you for your kind words and high rating.
Comment from DBaugher
Well done. There's realistic dialogue, good pacing and a sympathetic character in Valerie. The flow is great and I would read the rest of this novel. The only thing I would have like to have known, which I'm sure was revealed in an earlier chapter, is Valerie's age.
The only criticism I can offer is that I believe the first word in the second sentence should be walking instead of walked.
Great job with this.
reply by the author on 26-Feb-2009
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Well done. There's realistic dialogue, good pacing and a sympathetic character in Valerie. The flow is great and I would read the rest of this novel. The only thing I would have like to have known, which I'm sure was revealed in an earlier chapter, is Valerie's age.
The only criticism I can offer is that I believe the first word in the second sentence should be walking instead of walked.
Great job with this.
Comment Written 26-Feb-2009
reply by the author on 26-Feb-2009
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AIn this chapte I am 17 years old. Thank you for your kind review and high rating. Also thank you for your helpful suggestion.
Comment from olliebuster
Background:- Sexually abused. Not sex abused.
"Its two o'clock in the morning... in as calm a voice as I can. Your story is packed with emotion. What a burden on the shoulders of big sister. Unfortunately, there are lots of Daddies out there in the same mould. I hope he got his just deserts in the end.
You said Colleen was 8 and Mary and Denise were 6. It would have been nice to know the age of big sister.
A very good read. Just check the editing. Olliebuster.
reply by the author on 26-Feb-2009
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Background:- Sexually abused. Not sex abused.
"Its two o'clock in the morning... in as calm a voice as I can. Your story is packed with emotion. What a burden on the shoulders of big sister. Unfortunately, there are lots of Daddies out there in the same mould. I hope he got his just deserts in the end.
You said Colleen was 8 and Mary and Denise were 6. It would have been nice to know the age of big sister.
A very good read. Just check the editing. Olliebuster.
Comment Written 26-Feb-2009
reply by the author on 26-Feb-2009
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Thank you for your kind review. I mentioned in an earlier chapter that Tereasa was one-year older. Thank you for your high rating.
Comment from DecrepitOldBag
This is well written. You have described a vivid scene and the rage and anguish you felt very well. You have also managed to convey the sense of total isolation you felt during that time, as well as explaining your 'control' reactions.
Well written. Good job.
I'm so glad you survived this sick pervert. I hope your sisters fared as well as you.
All the best.
Kat
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reply by the author on 26-Feb-2009
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This is well written. You have described a vivid scene and the rage and anguish you felt very well. You have also managed to convey the sense of total isolation you felt during that time, as well as explaining your 'control' reactions.
Well written. Good job.
I'm so glad you survived this sick pervert. I hope your sisters fared as well as you.
All the best.
Kat
This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.
Comment Written 26-Feb-2009
reply by the author on 26-Feb-2009
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Thank you for your kind words. Yes, I did survive. As for my sisters, you just have to wait to find out....Thanks for the high rating tool
Comment from fafa
the sexual abuse is a very important teme, is necesary talk about this and you are very patriot .
somebody must defend the litlle girls
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The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.
reply by the author on 26-Feb-2009
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the sexual abuse is a very important teme, is necesary talk about this and you are very patriot .
somebody must defend the litlle girls
This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.
Comment Written 26-Feb-2009
reply by the author on 26-Feb-2009
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Thank you for your kind words. Difficult subject to write about and for many, a difficult subject to read. Thank you for your high rating.