Reviews from

The Son No One Wanted

A story of family.

31 total reviews 
Comment from Susan Newell
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

Terry,

How well you have told this fascinating family story! I think almost every family has similar branches in their family trees. I was a little confused at first, after Ed's mother died in childbirth. I am curious as to how your father came about and whether he maintained a relationship with your grandfather. I know, this is Ed's story. You did a remarkable thing to see that he was duly honored in death, if not life. Great job!

Sue

 Comment Written 16-Aug-2022


reply by the author on 16-Aug-2022
    Sue, thank you for the six-star review. My father never knew his father. His mother (my grandmother) met Willie in 1918. Seven years after Ed was born. My father was born in 1919. Willie was in prison.

    My father never met his father as far as he could remember. His mother married in 1928 to a farmer who was twenty years older. Terry
reply by Susan Newell on 16-Aug-2022
    My mother never knew her father. Her mother (unmarried and 17) began to raise her, then a couple years later married the man my mother called Dad. When she was eighteen, she was told the truth and he officially adopted her, though she had gone by his name all her life. For her 85th birthday, I tracked down the man who had been her birth father and two much younger half-brothers who were thrilled to learn of her and made the last eight months of her life the best ones in many ways.

    We have never been able to figure out why the two didn't marry. The younger brothers couldn't believe the man they knew would have left a girl "in trouble." I have some thoughts and may some day write a plausible explanation.
reply by the author on 16-Aug-2022
    Sue, you got a story going there. Get with it! Terry.
Comment from Ann M
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

Wow you have such an interesting family...and I'm impressed with the research you've done to uncover the background. Not to mention getting the headstone for Ed...really something. Loved this one!!

I think:

"In 2007, I met ninety-two years old Arlene Barnhill." - should be year old?

"Morgan David Wine" .... Mogen David Wine ??



 Comment Written 16-Aug-2022


reply by the author on 16-Aug-2022
    Thank you for the six stars!!! Thank you for the review as well. I did correct the Mogen. Another reviewer caught it as well. I don't remember if I looked at the bottle or not. You are right about the ninety-two. I will change that. Terry.
Comment from joann r romei
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

I enjoyed the fact based story about these people, it was sad to hear about all the problems and unfortunately everyone around becomes affected one way or another.

 Comment Written 16-Aug-2022


reply by the author on 16-Aug-2022
    Joann, thank you for reading. Family histories are sometimes sad. Terry.
Comment from Annmuma
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

Every day, another 6 star post!!! Becoming commonplace for you and I thoroughly enjoy reading your posts. The endings to your stories have become really good -- not just ordinary, but a place where a reader is ready to hear -- in this case - something good. Great work. ann

 Comment Written 16-Aug-2022


reply by the author on 16-Aug-2022
    Ann, thank you again for the six stars!!! I have a picture of the maker that was placed I wish I knew how to post it at the end of the story. Terry.
Comment from royowen
Excellent
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What a nice ending for Ed, being brought home. To our mind we might say, what difference would that make? But the trouble is in scripture, God ordered on of his prophets to dig up the bones of a dead prophet to be buried in Hallowed ground, within the sepulchre of Elisha, 1kings 13:31, so beautifully written Terry, well done, blessings. Roy

 Comment Written 16-Aug-2022


reply by the author on 16-Aug-2022
    Roy, thank for the review and lesson on burial. If I ever knew that I had forgotten it. Thanks, Terry
reply by royowen on 16-Aug-2022
    Bless you
Comment from Tom Horonzy
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

Seems you have done your genealogy. It's more important than the majority thinks. I loved the biography you have written, and I found the only error is, it is Mogen David, not Morgan. They are 100% certified Kosher. I lived in a Jewish neighborhood as a kid is how I know. Thank you for sharing.

 Comment Written 16-Aug-2022


reply by the author on 16-Aug-2022
    Tom, thank you for reading and catching my error, I had no idea. I don't remember if I looked at the bottle or not. Terry.
Comment from John Ciarmello
Excellent
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There is always quite alot going on in your world, Terry, past and present. I'm happy Ed was recognized at the end and rightfully so. I'm positive you were responsible for his headstone. Bravo, Terry!

 Comment Written 16-Aug-2022


reply by the author on 16-Aug-2022
    John, thank you for reading. I did get the headstone though the VA, nine months' worth of paperwork. Terry
Comment from Katherine M. (k-11)
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

It is a good thing to try and keep family memories alive using the power of your pen. Future generations of Broxsons and girls who marry out of the name will be grateful for any peeks into their family past you can provide, even though none of them will be Ed's direct descendents. Much enjoyed, especially the throw away lines about Willie and Callie having married each other twice. These little details fascinate me. Kate xx

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 Comment Written 16-Aug-2022


reply by the author on 16-Aug-2022
    Kate, thank you for reading. You focused on a little gem in the research. Other family researchers had not found the documentation of the second marriage. I found it in rather obscure county record. Terry.
Comment from Jesse James Doty
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

Wow, I am impressed with your research! This is well written with no errors or typos that I could see. I am amazed at your thoughtfulness in caring for Ed's grave site stone. Ed will always be remembered for your kind and thorough research of his upbringing and his career in the Army.
This is a delightful true story and I will think of this whenever I think of lost children and whatever happened to them.
Thanks for sharing and for caring, you are a wonderful person!
Jesse

 Comment Written 16-Aug-2022


reply by the author on 16-Aug-2022
    Jesse, thank you for the six stars!!! I am truly humbled by your kind words. I did enjoy the research and was happy with the final outcome. I am sorry my father was not alive to learn all this. Terry.Mik
reply by Jesse James Doty on 16-Aug-2022
    Well deserved, my friend.
    It is too bad your father didn't take the time to do the research himself then he would already know.
    Jesse
Comment from Fleedleflump
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

This is a fascinating and well told article. It's funny, because I also had an Uncle Ed, who was artistic and lived away from the rest of the family. He was a free spirit, unlike the rest of the Bell's, and the only other creative type I'm aware of. He died early this year, so I'm now the family's chronicler, I guess! Many thanks for the thoughts :-)

Mike

Notes:

'Willie did not have the where with all' - this is usually one word when used in this context - wherewithal

'When I walked into her apartment Arlene didn't say a word' - needs a comma after 'apartment'

'During the Great Depression of the 1930s, Ed went to college working odd jobs to support himself' - needs a comma after 'college' and I'd suggest starting a new sentence after 'to support himself'



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 Comment Written 16-Aug-2022


reply by the author on 16-Aug-2022
    Mike, thank you for the review. Maybe there is story there about your Uncle Ed. Think about it. Thank you for the edits. I will make those changes. Terry.