A Leaf on the Wind
Viewing comments for Chapter 5 "Diane"Autobiography of abuse
15 total reviews
Comment from Siouxsun
Was she hallucinating the red chair and blinding yellow light in the beginning of the last chapter? I understand flash backs but its the floating chair that has me a little confused. And I believe you too, because I can remember things from when I was a baby too!
reply by the author on 11-Jan-2014
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Was she hallucinating the red chair and blinding yellow light in the beginning of the last chapter? I understand flash backs but its the floating chair that has me a little confused. And I believe you too, because I can remember things from when I was a baby too!
Comment Written 11-Jan-2014
reply by the author on 11-Jan-2014
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No, you will learn later that I was having a seizure. Most of my seizures began with a flash of blinding light, strong smell of rotten eggs and a few other strange symptoms. The floating chair was something that occurred a lot of times and it confused and frightened me too, but coincided with the seizures. I have had a hard time convincing people that I can remember so much about when I was so young. I have been studied by several doctors that say while it is not common, it is not as rare as people think.
Just a note. This was first published under the title, A Leaf on the Wind but I am having it republished under the title Celebrate the Dandelion. I am still working on re-editing it a bit and haven't completely finished, but it shouldn't effect your reading of it. The changes I am making are minor and trying to catch a few of the spags missed the first time around.
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Well it seems pretty polished aside from a couple of minor errors I pointed out. Hope it helps.
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I had a good editor the first time around. But with the title change, I needed to do a little extra clarification in a few areas.
Comment from Jade Lawson
In this chapter we get to know Valerie and her personality a little more. She is definitely a different child, amazing how she recalls things that are not expected, her worries about forgetting her sister was heart breaking. In the same way that Valerie seems to be a quite and introspective child, it also seems to be happy with particular things happening around her.
reply by the author on 04-Aug-2013
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In this chapter we get to know Valerie and her personality a little more. She is definitely a different child, amazing how she recalls things that are not expected, her worries about forgetting her sister was heart breaking. In the same way that Valerie seems to be a quite and introspective child, it also seems to be happy with particular things happening around her.
Comment Written 04-Aug-2013
reply by the author on 04-Aug-2013
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Life was confusing. Unhappy most of the time but also content with what she believes is a normal lie.
Comment from Gungalo
Valerie was so little when her sister Diane died but yet she remembers all sorts of details about that time frame. Her mother told her to pick a rose so she would never forget her. That's why the yellow rose is so important to her.
reply by the author on 14-Jul-2013
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Valerie was so little when her sister Diane died but yet she remembers all sorts of details about that time frame. Her mother told her to pick a rose so she would never forget her. That's why the yellow rose is so important to her.
Comment Written 14-Jul-2013
reply by the author on 14-Jul-2013
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Yellow roses still are my favorite and I think about Diane nearly every day.
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Sigh girl.
Comment from maxic59
It is uncanny how you remember things like that so young. I can vividly remember being in the cot with my twin brother and having to keep quiet as he had menigitis and could'nt handle any light or sounds. I must've been under 1 also. So I know what it means to remember these things
onya mate :)
cheers max
reply by the author on 29-Sep-2009
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It is uncanny how you remember things like that so young. I can vividly remember being in the cot with my twin brother and having to keep quiet as he had menigitis and could'nt handle any light or sounds. I must've been under 1 also. So I know what it means to remember these things
onya mate :)
cheers max
Comment Written 29-Sep-2009
reply by the author on 29-Sep-2009
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It has been proven the memories are there. Whey some are able to access them and others are not is still a mystery.
Comment from c_lucas
Over the years, scientist have learned to agree with you. Some babies can remember being in the womb. I have experienced this with some of my clients (do get me wrong, I quit couseling many years ago when I left the social field.)I knew first hand of a young woman whe could remember things at an early age.
reply by the author on 28-Sep-2009
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Over the years, scientist have learned to agree with you. Some babies can remember being in the womb. I have experienced this with some of my clients (do get me wrong, I quit couseling many years ago when I left the social field.)I knew first hand of a young woman whe could remember things at an early age.
Comment Written 28-Sep-2009
reply by the author on 28-Sep-2009
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I found it rather fun. My family thought it was odd.
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I think I can safely say, your IQ would be in the genius range.
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I never placed much importance on a person's IQ. Funny thing though, my sister did. I often joked saying she mistook her bra size for her IQ, I found out years later my IQ is arround 152. But I still have a hard time balancing my check book and can't remember how to spell word a have looked up 20 times.
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Einstein had trouble with math in his early years and was almost kept back a grade. mine = 147. Genius level often have difficulty with mundane problems.
Comment from medicnate
Wonderful writing. Boy, you sure have a great memory. I don't think that part of my brain started until I was seven, hehe. I found one thing to look at.
smiled ad(and) patted
Great job here.
~medicnate~
reply by the author on 04-Apr-2009
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Wonderful writing. Boy, you sure have a great memory. I don't think that part of my brain started until I was seven, hehe. I found one thing to look at.
smiled ad(and) patted
Great job here.
~medicnate~
Comment Written 04-Apr-2009
reply by the author on 04-Apr-2009
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Yes, my memory was and is unusual. I can't remember how to spell a word I've looked up a hundred times but ask me what you were wearing during an argument 25 years ago and I can even tell you if it was ironed. Go figure?
Comment from Ouida
Since I came from an abused home, I understand where Valerie is coming from in not liking change. It does not matter what changes, but that there is any kind of change at all. Abuse can be so horrific that any changes made makes you feel uncomfortable becomes it is something else you have to try and get used to. Very nicely written. I like the name, Diane, as that is my name.
reply by the author on 10-Mar-2009
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Since I came from an abused home, I understand where Valerie is coming from in not liking change. It does not matter what changes, but that there is any kind of change at all. Abuse can be so horrific that any changes made makes you feel uncomfortable becomes it is something else you have to try and get used to. Very nicely written. I like the name, Diane, as that is my name.
Comment Written 10-Mar-2009
reply by the author on 10-Mar-2009
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Thank you for your kind review. Diane is my favorite name too. I wrote this book to help those who have never experienced abuse to possibly understand the full damage it causes. Sadly, many of my readers know all to well, from personal experience exactly what I am saying, again, thank you for your kind review.
Comment from Lois Delaney
moving a vase from and to a different shelf
This is so well written. I wished it wasn't true. I can also remember things when I was very young. My memories are all good, except when I was four, and my uncle sexually molested me.
Your writing skills are amazing. You are able to keep the words flowing, and keep the reader focused. Well done!
reply by the author on 07-Mar-2009
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moving a vase from and to a different shelf
This is so well written. I wished it wasn't true. I can also remember things when I was very young. My memories are all good, except when I was four, and my uncle sexually molested me.
Your writing skills are amazing. You are able to keep the words flowing, and keep the reader focused. Well done!
Comment Written 07-Mar-2009
reply by the author on 07-Mar-2009
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Thank you for your kind words...I'll look over that sentence and fix it.
Comment from Stacey Lynne Wells
Oh that's so sad. I'm sorry to hear about your sister and the accident she was in. I wish the best of luck to you in your writing. I think you have a lot of potential and I look forward to reading more of your book.
Regards,
Rachel
reply by the author on 13-Feb-2009
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Oh that's so sad. I'm sorry to hear about your sister and the accident she was in. I wish the best of luck to you in your writing. I think you have a lot of potential and I look forward to reading more of your book.
Regards,
Rachel
Comment Written 13-Feb-2009
reply by the author on 13-Feb-2009
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Thank you for your kind words. I appreciate your comments.
Comment from jodeecee
couple typos, and suggestion-
I sat on the big green chair in the living room/,/ with my legs crossed Indian style enjoying the gentle stillness all around me.
I found it fascinating that thinking about a yellow butterfly/,/ could eventually lead me to thoughts about baking cookies at Mrs. B's. Getting from A to Z and back again always intrigued me. Sometimes/,/ I forgot where a thought process had started and would painstakingly backtrack from the last thought to the first/,/ in an attempt to understand the mystery of how each thought leads to another.
The anxiety I felt when mommy rearranged the furniture/,/ or did something as simple as moving a vase from its usual place/,/ 9? Cut:to a different shelf,) was disconcerting.
all the room I needed to jump, twirl/,/ and leap to the beautiful music
On top of the piano/,/ between two brass candlesticks
"I cannot help it, /M/mommy. I really miss her/./" I said fighting back the tears.
Mommy smiled /and/ patted me on the head.
You have such a good memory/,/ I doubt you will ever forget your sister."
"No, you are wrong," I snapped back/,/
"I don't know why, but the older I get, the less I remember. I really am afraid/,/ when I grow up/,/ I won't remember anything about her."
three roses in her hand, one red, one yellow/,/ and one white.
reply by the author on 07-Feb-2009
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couple typos, and suggestion-
I sat on the big green chair in the living room/,/ with my legs crossed Indian style enjoying the gentle stillness all around me.
I found it fascinating that thinking about a yellow butterfly/,/ could eventually lead me to thoughts about baking cookies at Mrs. B's. Getting from A to Z and back again always intrigued me. Sometimes/,/ I forgot where a thought process had started and would painstakingly backtrack from the last thought to the first/,/ in an attempt to understand the mystery of how each thought leads to another.
The anxiety I felt when mommy rearranged the furniture/,/ or did something as simple as moving a vase from its usual place/,/ 9? Cut:to a different shelf,) was disconcerting.
all the room I needed to jump, twirl/,/ and leap to the beautiful music
On top of the piano/,/ between two brass candlesticks
"I cannot help it, /M/mommy. I really miss her/./" I said fighting back the tears.
Mommy smiled /and/ patted me on the head.
You have such a good memory/,/ I doubt you will ever forget your sister."
"No, you are wrong," I snapped back/,/
"I don't know why, but the older I get, the less I remember. I really am afraid/,/ when I grow up/,/ I won't remember anything about her."
three roses in her hand, one red, one yellow/,/ and one white.
Comment Written 07-Feb-2009
reply by the author on 07-Feb-2009
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Again, thank you. I am both humbled and impressed with the time you are taking with my book.