Comment from kiwigirl2821

Exceptional

Hi Patty. An incredibly difficult story to write I'm sure because it is tough to read as well. I know that when the veil is crossed the bliss is not humanly possible to explain. I also believe that God tends to take his best first which doesn't help the remaining. I am humbly sorry for this happening to your family and send you nothing but strong good vibrations. Well written. xoxo Kiwi

 Comment Written 29-Jun-2017

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reply by the author on 29-Jun-2017

Hi; thank you for the lovely review of this heartfelt piece. Writing about that day helped me to put the event in some perspective, and I worked through yet another part of the grief - even after all this time,

~patty~
ps; thank you so much for the shining sixth star

Comment from Sankey

Excellent

Great, sad story. Thanks for sharing. We never know when is our time. So many are not ready. I loved the picture I did not ask if that was Darrell? I will check back. Good work. I now realize it was Darrell. Nice.

 Comment Written 29-Jun-2017

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reply by the author on 29-Jun-2017

Hi; thank you so much for reading and reviewing. This was so long ago, and yet I remember vividly when my brother told me the story of that day,

~patty~

Comment from DR DIP

Excellent

Patty this is such a sad,sad story. I so feel for you and your family. I just don't know how i would react to news like that if it happened to one of my kids I would be devastated. Thanks for sharing this very sad time in your life.

dip

 Comment Written 29-Jun-2017

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reply by the author on 29-Jun-2017

Hi dip; thank you so much for the lovely review and kind words. Its been so long since this all happened, but I still remember my brother relaying the story to me so clearly,

~patty~

Comment from Asem.inspirations

Excellent

Oh my goodness Patty,

This is such a heart breaking story. I could not helt to wipe the tears from my face and eyes, I feel so horrible for all of you and what a loss. That picture of Darrell shows just how special of a kid he was and yes, very handsome. You know it kills me to know that any of us should ever lose our children. I know his pain so I am going to end this review with that because my heart is aching for your brother and his wife.

 Comment Written 29-Jun-2017

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reply by the author on 29-Jun-2017

Hi Tier; thank you for reading. I hope it wasn't too hard for you to read. I appreciate your kind words and your feelings for my brother and his wife,

~patty~

Comment from Jacqueline M Franklin

Exceptional

Hi, Patty

= Oh, my, I'm so, so sorry for your family.
= I can only imagine the hell your brother and sister-in-law have, and will always go through.
= Such a lovely tribute to Darrell--a life too early taken away.

<> A Smile Is A Frown Turned Upside-down (*>*)
<> Cheers <> Jax / Jackie

 Comment Written 28-Jun-2017

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reply by the author on 28-Jun-2017

Hi Jackie; thank you so much for stopping by to read and review. I'm greatly touched by the six star rating - this was a very special piece.

Your words of encouragement are greatly appreciated,

~patty~

Comment from BeasPeas

Excellent

A heart-wrenching story of this beautiful boy. Your writing is detailed, clear and interesting. Interspersed dialogue is thorough and logical. Author's note is informative. I'm so sorry for your family's loss. Marilyn

 Comment Written 28-Jun-2017

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reply by the author on 28-Jun-2017

Hi Marilyn; thank you so much for reading and the thoughtful review. Writing this piece helped me to deal with some of the pain and loss,

~patty~

reply by BeasPeas on 28-Jun-2017

Of course. I understand. A tragedy. A very well written piece. To go back and revisit such things is hurtful, but I do feel it also gives clarity and perspective. Blessings to all of you.

Comment from Phyllis Stewart

Excellent

How horrible. Breaks my heart just to read it. Can't imagine living thru it. I would have said NO. The school is at fault for taking novices to a ski mountain! They had minimal if any lessons, and he was JUMPING? There was clearly no supervision or direction. The school killed him, imo, and they should have paid a huge settlement.

 Comment Written 28-Jun-2017

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reply by the author on 28-Jun-2017

Hi Phyllis; you are right on the money. It turned out that he was on a trail made for intermediate skiiers - he had only been on skis one other time! My brother and his wife didn't sue because they felt nothing would really make any difference. The chaperones were at the funeral and they were totally destroyed by it all.

I never let my kids go skiing - to this date, neither one of them has been on skis, though my husband is an avid fan of the sport.

I appreciate you reading and your kind words.

~patty~

Comment from emptypage

Excellent

Oh my God, Patty, what a horrible tragedy. I'm so very sorry. For you, for your brother, for his ex, for Jack. That's the call no one ever wants to get.

You wrote it beautifully.

 Comment Written 28-Jun-2017

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reply by the author on 28-Jun-2017

Hi Marla; 1989 was a year that we can never forget. It seemed to set off a bunch of stuff - but my heart hurts for my brother the most. He has been so lost since then. I think he's happy now, but he always questions 'why?'

Thank you for reading and your kind words,

~patty~

Comment from Gypsy Blue Rose

Excellent

Hello my friend

This is very well written with a smooth flow of words. I was wondering why did the chaperones failed to check out the ski path before allowing the students to use it? .

 Comment Written 28-Jun-2017

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reply by the author on 28-Jun-2017

Hi Gypsy; my brother and his wife had those same questions. They decided to NOT sue the school or the chaperones, even though it was discovered that in spite of the fact that Darrell had only been on skis one other time, he was on an intermediate trail.

Who can really say what happened or why,

~patty~

Comment from BOO ghost

Excellent

Foremost, I appreciate a work of art and this took a lot of time and effort. Congrats on the abundance of prose to digest. Presentation looks uniform and neat. Reader friendly. This stands out: and seeds of doubt about God were planted in my brother's head. Tragedy destroys families at the heart. Nice idea to write these for your grandchildren to read. This had to be devastating to hear: With your permission, we would like to start weaning him off the oxygen and machines. Those are the things that are keeping him alive." Boy, you got a stellar memory and tell it well, showing emotions. You captured the moments. Sad this had to happen. Real life tragedy reads great. Grammar looks exceptional. Story has grip, I thought of nothing but the story as read. Really got my attention. Terrible to have t write about something like this. I snow skied, is fun but dangerous. Wish I had a nugget, you can not put a price on a human being, whats most important s that your grand kids have this story told like it was yesterday. Sorry for the five. BOO

 Comment Written 28-Jun-2017

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reply by the author on 28-Jun-2017

Hi Boo; thank you so much for reading and the lovely review. It was a difficult write, but it helped me to work through some things,

~patty~

reply by BOO ghost on 28-Jun-2017

yes. holding it in is not good. Your gift of writing has come to good use, here. I admire your commitment and love for your family that hurts. Someone has to take the oars, life and the boat must sail forever. Was very very good write. BOO-tastic!