Comment from Dolly'sPoems

Excellent

I am sorry about your disabled foster son being critically ill just now Wendy and this must be a big setback and it is difficult to attend frivolous parties when something like this is going on in your life. When I feel like this I usually don't go out. Your post is open and honest Wendy, I hope your disabled froster son recovers soon, love Dolly x

 Comment Written 14-Oct-2023

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reply by the author on 14-Oct-2023

Thank you Dolly. Your review is very kid and compassionate and I appreciate your good wishes for him.
Wendy

Comment from Bill Schott

Excellent

This posting, Not My Party, is a good example at how we tighten our circles and make our time more meaningful and honest when the reality of time and circumstance make ideal chatting seem so very frivolous.

 Comment Written 14-Oct-2023

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reply by the author on 14-Oct-2023

Thank you Bill. Yes, you are right - very insightful review. I appreciate it.
Wendy

Comment from karenina

Excellent

I'm praying for your foster son, Wendy.
It is never easy to wear those social masks...but painful to do so when party patter is all around and you have a heavy heart.

I stick with a few close friends and avoid parties, which always cause me anxiety.

Karenina

 Comment Written 14-Oct-2023

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reply by the author on 14-Oct-2023

Same as me. I am not a party person. He looked better today than any time in the last fortnight. Very strong antibiotics now, maybe starting to be effective. Thanks so much for your compassionate review and prayers. Hugely valued.
Wendy

Comment from lyenochka

Excellent

I imagine you have lots of genuine friends that you don't need to put on any masks for. I'm glad you can be yourself with them and with us. Hugs and prayers for all the right conversations and that the Lord guides you.

 Comment Written 13-Oct-2023

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reply by the author on 14-Oct-2023

Thank you very much for your very compassionate review. Today he looked better than previously. Very strong antibiotics now, maybe starting to be effective. And prayers being answered. My prayer is for clarity, wisdom, and peace. Thank you again.
Wendy

reply by lyenochka on 14-Oct-2023

🙏🙏💕💖

Comment from royowen

Excellent

I agree entirely, I guess on the side, I hunger for intimacy and just being myself, not someone others want to see, so they don't have to feel uncomfortable in my presence, we are all needy at times, I love my Christianity, but kinship is more that being honest with God, we fellowshi

 Comment Written 13-Oct-2023

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reply by the author on 13-Oct-2023

Thanks Roy. Not sure I understand completely what you mean, but I appreciate your response.
Wendy

Comment from Paul McFarland

Excellent

I assume this is true from a previous post that you made. When a loved one is suffering, it is hard to be happy. Just the other day, I found a good friend that had gone missing. He was in a nursing home and was not the man I knew from the past. I was devastated.

 Comment Written 13-Oct-2023

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reply by the author on 13-Oct-2023

How very sad. It?s a terrible realisation to realise he is so far from being the person he was before. Did he know you at all? Many thanks for reviewing.
Wendy

reply by Paul McFarland on 14-Oct-2023

After we talked for awhile, I think he did remember me. I think the light came on when I reminded him of the poem I had written about him.

reply by the author on 14-Oct-2023

Glad he remembered you. It's interesting what triggers the memory. Sometimes they will remember the words of a song from many years ago, but nothing much else.

Comment from GWHARGIS

Excellent

I'm so sorry you're having to go yhrough this. I believe sometimes you have to just forget the smile. Sometimes you just want and need to cry. This was so real and personal. I'll pray for you, your foster son and the rest of your family. May peace replace the pain. Gretchen

 Comment Written 13-Oct-2023

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reply by the author on 13-Oct-2023

Thank you Gretchen. Your review is so caring and compassionate it almost brought me to tears. Yes, peace, whatever the outcome. And I pray his pain will be minimal whichever way it goes too.
Wendy

Comment from Pam Lonsdale

Excellent

I'm so sorry to hear of your foster son; I know this has been an ongoing issue for you for a while. Reunions are fine, but at my age, I much prefer being with people I can just be myself with. And talk about how heartbroken I may be.

I hope all ends well here.

xo
Pam

 Comment Written 13-Oct-2023

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reply by the author on 13-Oct-2023

Yes, exactly. Just a few good friends is all we need. I?ve never been much of a party person. Many thanks for your very kind review.
Wendy

Comment from damommy

Excellent

Absolutely! We have many acquaintance, but few true friends. Someone once told me if we have just one true friend, we're luckier than most people. Good luck in the contest.

 Comment Written 13-Oct-2023

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reply by the author on 13-Oct-2023

Thank you very much. Yes, I think you are right re true friends. Thanks too for the good wishes.
Wendy

Comment from Pam (respa)

Exceptional

Thanks for sharing the image and story, Wendy. It is a poignant piece about what we share, what we conceal, and how some have a facade, like everything is okay, but probably isn't.

I like your opening paragraphs. When I read it through the first time, I figured you were talking about the physical face masks. I go back to what I read to see what I want to comment on and realized you meant mask as the disguise you wear. Your third paragraph starts getting to the heart of the matter. The person who was gushing about this and that, while your heart was breaking inside. You go on to say that "no one wants to spoil a party."

I am glad you have a few close friends you can confide in, and I am very sorry to hear about your foster son. Know that thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

I like your ending with the reference to the song. I don't think I could even think about a party going through what you are.

You wrote an excellent story. I hope you do well in the contest, but more than that I hope there is some hope for your son.

 Comment Written 13-Oct-2023

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reply by the author on 13-Oct-2023

Thank you for this wonderful, insightful and compassionate review. The next week should clarify his prognosis.
I also appreciate the six stars and your good wishes, especially for him.
Wendy

reply by Pam (respa) on 14-Oct-2023

You are very welcome and deserving of the stars and review, Wendy. I don't know how you wrote this so well considering what you are going through. I hope the prognosis is a good one.

reply by the author on 14-Oct-2023

Thank you Pam. Today he looked a little better. On very strong antibiotics which may be working better, but he may need a needle into his lungs to drain the fluid. Still in high flow oxygen and seriously ill. Writing that story was a quick effort this morning - a distraction until I could go into the hospital to spend most of the day with him.
Thank you for caring. So greatly appreciated.
Wendy

reply by Pam (respa) on 14-Oct-2023

Thanks for sharing everything, Wendy. I am glad he is a little better. The least we can do in these situations is care and share our thoughts.