Comment from Asem.inspirations

Excellent

Oh Patty: I know it must be hard to write this, as you say because I know how it feels to write the painful memories. The best part of writing these memories is the release you get as the tears fall on to each page. These are tears that still needed to fall and there is nothing wrong with getting rid of the pain that we don't realize is still so pinned in and so deeply.

I'm sorry but I am happy that your father never came back. He didn't deserve his family if he was going to act like that. You didn't deserve what you went through, none of us do or didn't. Sometimes we just get dealt a really bad hand of cards.

My oldest son was like that in school. I would come home to letters from his school showing 54 days absent. He was going to school but never getting there but when there was some big City Wide Test he would ace it. His teachers would always tell me that he never had to pick up a book. He was just naturally gifted. Unfortunately, though, my son felt it just wasn't cool to be that smart so he tried to hide it with hanging out with the worst bunch of kids. They were nothing like him and he didn't want them to know how smart he was either.

At least you enjoyed being smart and you did well because of it. I am still enjoying your story and I will keep reading it until the completion of your book. It is very interesting.

 Comment Written 28-Apr-2017

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reply by the author on 28-Apr-2017

Hello; thank you so much for stopping by to read and review. Yes, writing this piece of the story was very cathartic, and it feels like the door has closed on this memory. I feel better with each chapter. Thank you for your loving and kind words,
~patty~

Comment from Jannypan (Jan)

Excellent

Patty,
This was as hard for me to read as I imagine it was for you to write. Good job on persevering.

You did a great job.

I am sorry for all the hate, lies, abuse, & all. I will pray for you. I believe this will never leave you, but you seem to be dealing with it in some way by writing it here.

Good job & thanks for sharing. Jan

 Comment Written 28-Apr-2017

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reply by the author on 28-Apr-2017

Hi Jan; thank you for reading and reviewing. I appreciate your words and I'm happy to say that writing this last chapter has helped me to close the door on my father. Putting it all down on paper showed me the monster I lived with. I'm grateful for your prayers.
~patty~

Comment from lyenochka

Excellent

That was quite an emotional picture. Mr. Stevens' silly taunt was nothing compared to what happened at home. So sorry that you had to deal with that. But good for you, that you proved you can do all that you were meant to do!

 Comment Written 28-Apr-2017

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reply by the author on 28-Apr-2017

Thank you for your warm review. Its funny, but after writing this chapter, I was finally able to let go of a lot of this. Seeing it all down on paper helped me to process, and I feel much better. Your words of encouragement are appreciated,
~patty~

Comment from c_lucas

Excellent

Abuse doesn't effect the abuser as it does the abused. This is very well written with a smooth flow of words, making for a very intriguing read. There is good imagery.

 Comment Written 28-Apr-2017

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reply by the author on 28-Apr-2017

Thank you so much for your warm review. I do feel a great deal better since penning this chapter. It closed the door on some of the memories of that day.
~patty~

Comment from Vijay Kumar V

Excellent

Life's always too rough and I understand how tough it is to go through those memories again now. The positive hope you showed through times is really inspiring. A great narration and prose. Have a great day. Namaskaram

 Comment Written 27-Apr-2017

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reply by the author on 28-Apr-2017

thank you for your time to read and review. I so appreciate your kind and encouraging words.
~patty~

Comment from XGoneX

Excellent

Hi,
As I was reading I was afraid for what your father might do. It was a tense and emotional chapter. I can understand why you got so many degrees and wanted to prove yourself. In part might have been because you wished to be in control of your life somehow, when so many things seem to e out of control around you and inside you.

 Comment Written 27-Apr-2017

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reply by the author on 28-Apr-2017

Hi; thank you so much for your thoughtful review. Writing this piece of my story was very freeing. It seems that as I boiled down all the facts in a summary, I was freed from the actual memory. I appreciate you following my story,
~patty~

Comment from Sankey

Excellent

So sorry for all your troubles. My Mum told me years after that Dad had bashed her before he left us when I was 8. I knew dad drank so the alcohol probably caused it. No spags and I love the picture

 Comment Written 27-Apr-2017

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reply by the author on 28-Apr-2017

Thank you for your thoughtful review of this work. My father was a monster, and I don't believe it was because of the alcohol. He could be quite cruel when he was sober, too. Thank you for the compliment on the picture - I was a gangly little girl,
~patty~

Comment from MelB

Excellent

I'm so sorry and I'm sure this was difficult to write. When a family member is incarcerated, it brings a great deal of shame on the family. It's a shame dad took his anger over your mom dating, out on you.

 Comment Written 27-Apr-2017

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reply by the author on 28-Apr-2017

Hi Mel; thank you for your kind and thoughtful review. Writing this chapter was very cathartic. Organizing the thoughts and memories into a story format magnified and minimized a lot for me. Your words of encouragement mean a great deal to me,
~patty~

reply by MelB on 28-Apr-2017

I'm so glad it was healing for you to write! Plus, I think it helps others to know they are not alone in a situation similar to yours.

Comment from Cmelton

Excellent

Great detail and you have a great way of relating the two events. I can feel the emotion you felt during that moment through your actions in the story. You have a great introduction, and a wonderful summary. You get to the heart of the story very quickly which keeps the readers attention. Well done.

 Comment Written 27-Apr-2017

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reply by the author on 28-Apr-2017

thank you so much for your kind and thoughtful review. I appreciate your warm words of encouragement. Thank you for being a part of the journey,
~patty~

Comment from Teri7

Excellent

Patty, This is so well written, but so very sad. I am so sorry you had to go through this at this young age. It had to be hard on you growing up in that. I am glad you are not that in anymore! love, Teri

 Comment Written 27-Apr-2017

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reply by the author on 28-Apr-2017

Hi Teri; thank you so much for your kind and loving review. Thank God I was able to leave that life behind and find peace. I know that it was only through His grace and my belief in Him that I am where I am today,
~patty~