Comment from Cindy Decker 3

Excellent

Sandra,
What a lovely chapter.

I love Reggie's innocence at praying and the words he used talking to his unconscious sister.

I guess the morale her is that " blood is thicker than water." Siblings might fight, but sometimes it takes a tragedy for them to realize how much they love each other.
Congratulations on your first place in this bittersweet -- mostly sweet -- story.
Best wishes,
Cindy

What are winkles, Sandra?

 Comment Written 31-Jul-2024

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reply by the author on 31-Jul-2024

Thank you, Cindy. I enjoyed writing about these two. It brought back memories of a long time ago.

Winkles look like snails, but they are from the sea, and taste delicious. You have to boil them first, then you can pick the meat out with a pin. I have tried snails, and they are disgusting! LOL :)) Sandra xxx

Comment from l.raven

Exceptional

Hi Sandra, been worried all to hail about you...
I know your not all there...not feeling your full self...
I wish you would just get stronger Amazing...you have
had your share of different illnesses...you are ALWAYS
in my thoughts...

NOW about this story told...WOWWWWW...you so deserve
a seven star rating...actually even more...this truly is one
of your best...I'm so sorry I am so far behind...I like to review
you when I can take my time...

I'll email you and let you know what has been going on...

I'm so glad Valerie made it through the surgery...but I would
bet Reggie will be his old self again in no time at all...boys are
just like that...they can have a good side and a bad one...I
know this for a fact...my three brothers were the Three Musketeers
of...how mean can we be...anything to start something...

I can see why you won Book Of The Month...what and awesome
chapter this is...one of your best...

I can relate to your story told my amazing friend...my sisters
Appendix burst as well...and somehow moved to the other side
of her body...she was rushed to the hospital...but she was sick
for a long time...

I LOVE your story told beautiful you...and the picture says it all...
soooooo very well written...sending you tons and tons of love
coming your way...Linda xxoo

 Comment Written 31-May-2024

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reply by the author on 19-Jun-2024

Hi Linda,

I missed you! How could I enjoy my holiday when I couldn't come and read your amazing reviews? But I did promise Graham I wouldn't take my laptop with me, and I couldn't use my phone. So frustrating!!

Anyway, thank you so very much for this fabulous review, and the golden star!! I only found out about the BoM award yesterday, what a lovely surprise!! I enjoyed writting Valerie and Reggie's stories, I might write more of them sometime ... when I have nothing to do!! Lol. Thank you, sweet lady, for all the lovely things you've said about this story. I loved reading them. And a humongous hug for the golden star!!!! You're the best. Love you lots! I'll scroll through the thousands of rubbish emails and see if I can find one from you. Love and hugs, my friend. Sandra xxxxxx (If you haven't emailed me, now's your chance. I want to see how you are doing with that head of yours! Lol. xxxx

reply by l.raven on 21-Jun-2024

I missed you too Amazing....but am staying sooooooo busy...I miss my time on FanStory as well...but there is soooo much I want to get done...

will see you in email...love you so many...xxoo 🥰🌹🤗🙏💝

Comment from Contests

A seven star rating from the Contest Committee for the recognition this post has received from the FanStory community. While this was not a Contest Committee decision, the committee recognizes this achievement with a seven star review.

 Comment Written 06-May-2024

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reply by the author on 06-May-2024

Thank you for the glorious seventh star! I'm over the moon that my chapter won, and also very surprised. To wake up this morning and discover I had won was such a lovely feeling. Thank you! Sandra xx

Comment from Chrissy710

Exceptional

Hi Sandra Again catching up with your stories and loved this one so a sixer for each chapter
Your language is great I could hear the accents as I read these chapters

A good story and a reminder that although siblings fight etc there is always a strong underlying love in most cases

I think Lizzie should stay silent re her clothes stealing episodes lol

Sandra you sound a bit weary at the moment and as much a we love your stories have a rest and pick up your health
first.

I have just has a Right total hip replacement and although I am doing really well I am trying not to overdo it , and realize, yes I am now over 70 and not a youngster any more.
Look after yourself sending a hug
Cheers Chrisxxx

 Comment Written 04-May-2024

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reply by the author on 04-May-2024

Hi Chris, thank you so very much for your lovely comments, I really appreciate what you've said. And a huge thank you for the sixth star!! I'm so pleased you enjoyed the story.

You will be running the marathon soon with that new hip of yours. I've had knee replacements, but everyone who I've spoken to after their hip replacements have all told me how amazed there were at how much better they are now. So, give it a chance to settle in, and all your nerve ends to heal, and you'll be on cloud nine. :))

You are right about me needing to rest. I'm not over my long stay in hospital, and I'm still grieving for my youngest brother. The hospital has told me it will take me a good year to get almost back to normal, (that will never happen!! Lol) I have tomorrow's chapter ready for posting, and will write one more to finish it, and then I'm going to have a break from writing for a few weeks. We are going to Spain on the 30th of this month for 18 days, staying at my cousin's home, so that should really help. Thank you for being so kind, and I wish you a fast recovery! Love and hugs, my friend. Sandra xx

reply by Chrissy710 on 04-May-2024

Hi Sandra Spain sounds like just the ticket go and enjoy everything no writing while on holiday .
You have had a couple of heavy things happen woth your health and loss of your brother ( I still mine everyday) it will be 4,years this year
Yes a new hip so looking forward to getting back to normal and walking without a limp.
Be good look after Sandra
Xxx Chris

reply by the author on 04-May-2024

Thanks Chris, I won't be taking my laptop, so no writing. Graham has been worried about me, so I have to show him I'm okay.
It won't take you long before you're walking properly again. And 70s isn't old!! I'm 76, and intend to get fit again, I, like you, have too much to do to give in yet!! 😉🥰xxx

Comment from Karen Cherry Threadgill

Excellent

I have poems, stories, and novel bits that won't behave themselves. I have stories that want to come out of my head that turn out to be completely different when I sit down to write. Go figure. Good work here. Karen

 Comment Written 02-May-2024

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reply by the author on 03-May-2024

You aren't the only one to have loads of stories waiting to burst through. I think I'll be running out of time though. I should have started this writing lark 50 years ago, at least! I'm sure you will get yours done soon. Let the mind take you where it wants. You might be surprised what you come up with. Thanks for reading this one, Karen. I appreciate it. Warmest hugs, Sandra xxx

reply by Karen Cherry Threadgill on 04-May-2024

I have lots of notebooks of stuff I have written over the years. Whenever I get stuck, I pull something out and redo it.
No writers block for me. You have already left a legacy of stories and poems. We see you! Karen

Comment from alexisleech

Exceptional

Wonderful! Yet again, you managed to transport me back in time, and it was a fantastic journey. Your so lucky to have known the love of a brother, and your words portrayed that sentiment beautifully. I just wish I'd known you'd posted, so I would get the brownie points. Never mind, it was worth it all the same!
Alexis xxxxxxx

 Comment Written 30-Apr-2024

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reply by the author on 30-Apr-2024

Aw, thank you, Alexis! I'm so made up that you got to read this final one of Valerie and Reggie. They are nice and easy to write, so I might do more with these characters, and the new one you've just read. Thank you, my dear friend. You are the bestest!!! Love you lots. (thank you big time for the golden 6!) Sandra xxxxx

Comment from DeboraDyess

Excellent

Sandra, what have I been missing?! This is a great story, although I'm not sure what the girls were gathering at the water's edge. Winkles/ Like crawdads?
A thought:
~ over to her son, to go and tell his dad who worked at the farm nearby. >> no comma here, I don't think.
~ An' dad? >> An' Dad? >> because he's using it in leiu of a name, or as a name.
I enjoyed this so much, Sandra! I hope to go back and catch up. We'll see how the weekend goes... :)
Blessings!
Deb

 Comment Written 27-Apr-2024

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reply by the author on 27-Apr-2024

Winkles look like snails, but are fishy instead of whatever snails are. You boil then and the rince in cold water, get a pin from your mothers sewing box, and hook them out. They are delicious.

Thank you so much for the lovely review, and thanks also for catching those nits. It was nice of your to point them out. Thanks dear friend. Love and hugs, Sandra xx

Comment from Liz O'Neill

Exceptional

I like your you so dialect and especially your dialectal idioms: "I just pegged me mam's washin' on the line." i wonder how many readers suspected it might be appendicitis. I love the intensity of the relationship that's coming out with Reggie for his sister. That's seeing a loved one wired up in the hospital is very daunting."they walked into the room and stood facing their daughter wired up to monitors. What a delightful story It is clearly an A+ work

 Comment Written 26-Apr-2024

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reply by the author on 27-Apr-2024

Thank you so very much for this amazing review and the golden star!! I never have any left after Monday! I'm so pleased you enjoyed this story, Liz, I wanted it to end on a nice note between the brother and sister. Thanks, dear friend. Warmest hugs, oh, and thanks for the A+!!

reply by Liz O'Neill on 27-Apr-2024

I look forward to the ending

Comment from Barry Penfold

Excellent

A well written and lovely story. Dialogue realistic all the way. Brother and sister love at its best. I remember the pre decimal days and saved a lot of pennies. They were the days. The ending is good. Take care and have a wonderful day. Thanks for the notes as to your next post of Gerome Giraffe.
Regards
Barry Penfold.

 Comment Written 26-Apr-2024

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reply by the author on 26-Apr-2024

Thank you so very much for reading my story, Barry, and the lovely comments you made about it. I really appreciate that you enjoyed the story. Warmest hugs, Sandra xx

Comment from Carol Hillebrenner

Exceptional

This is very well-written and the dialect is just enough but not too much for people to read easily. For two kids that have such a good time driving each other crazy, the truth is they love each other. Very sweet story and I didn't catch any problems.

 Comment Written 25-Apr-2024

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reply by the author on 26-Apr-2024

Thank you so very much for reading my story and for your lovely comments. I'm so pleased you enjoyed it, and you're right, there are many brothers and sisters who squabble all the time, but when it comes to something like this, the truth of their feelings comes out too. Thank you so much for the golden sixth star, Carol, that was so nice of you. Warmest hugs, my friend. Sandra xx