Reviews from

Top of the Mountain

Hug them, squeeze them, love them . . . every day.

180 total reviews 
Comment from AnnaLinda
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

Mastery,

This 'mountain top' is a place where no one would ever want to travel. I am so deeply sorry that you lost your beloved son. I now understand why your loving bonds with your wife are so strong. What may have torn apart most marriages, has bonded you all the closer.

If it is o.k, I will not be mentioning much about your superb writing. My tears are rolling now, and it is evident
that you have grand style, and the smooth read is clearly there.

Father Harding's words are understood more now, by all of us.

Thank you for sharing your heart wrenching testimony with us. It truly is a 'wonder'ful memorial of/to your son. And I know you have faith that, his face, you will see again.

You and your wife are a strong testimony of God's ability to sustain and heal, and then share out of your pain.

Sincerely,
SweetLinda

 Comment Written 27-Sep-2009


reply by the author on 27-Sep-2009
    Hi, Linda...I'm sorry, perhaps I didn't make clear, Bobby's death did break us apart...I remarried after that...We both did..Thank you for your sweet sentiments...Bob
reply by AnnaLinda on 27-Sep-2009
    Oh, I am sorry I misunderstood that. My God's blessings go out to you and your wife.

    SweetLinda

reply by the author on 27-Sep-2009
    Thank you for your big heart LInda...Bob
Comment from Joan E.
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

What a poignant title to accompany such a tragic story. I hope you found solace in telling it. I admired your use of several similes like "heaven's song," "raccoon," "nightmare" and "wilted flowers" along with your "unearthed artifact." I also liked your fresh "no painted flower dresses wrapped around them" and "cheek to cheek whispers." We have only one son and can't imagine how we would cope if we lost him. My thoughts are with you and your wife.

 Comment Written 27-Sep-2009


reply by the author on 27-Sep-2009
    Thanks so much, Joan...you have given me a good feeling about writing this properly to do him justice...Thanks so muuch...Bob
Comment from MissMerri
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

I purposely waited until Sunday rolled around so that I could give this the six stars it deserves. Not only have you told a deeply moving story with great skill, but you have turned a tragic tale into a meaningful life lesson that makes it doubly worthwhile. I am amazed at your ability to tell a story with enough detail to make it vividly real, but never overdone, never too much of anything. It is, as far as I can tell, absolutely perfect and definitely exceptional. The picture shows a beautiful boy. You have told a beautiful story.

 Comment Written 27-Sep-2009


reply by the author on 27-Sep-2009
    Thankyyou, Merri. You make me feel whole again after reciting the story. You are so kind...Bob
Comment from GCSTroop
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

Wow... I don't think any words on my behalf can possibly relate to the incredibly powerful emotions in this piece. I wish you hadn't posted the picture and I wish you hadn't left that "Author's Note."

That is, of course, because as I sit here and read this and as I sit here and reflect upon it, I had sincerely hoped this was a fictional story. My instincts tell me it's not. The picture and note seem to confirm that.

While a "Six Star Review" can not even come close to the amount of sympathy and support I wish to offer, please take it on behalf of me for what little it's worth.

Take Care And My Sincerest Best,

Troop


 Comment Written 27-Sep-2009


reply by the author on 27-Sep-2009
    Troop, I don't know what to say in response to that, except, you are a gentleman..and thank you so very much. Your heart is a big one...Bob
Comment from Southern Writer
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

Years ago my two sons, for some reason, were not with their friends when 5 were killed in a wreck. I have always wondered why my sons were alive and why the others weren't. Not a day goes by that I don't think of those children and their parents. I will add you and your wife to my moment of silence. thank you for sharing this story, it couldn't have been easy to write. I hope one day to write a story about the large stone cross with the 5 smaller crosses that mark the wreck site. I know there must be some sort of life lesson there, but for the life of me I can't past the idea that 5 people are just dead.

 Comment Written 26-Sep-2009


reply by the author on 27-Sep-2009
    Whew! OMG...How weird is that? God bless you, SW...I am so glad they escaped.. Bob
Comment from legless
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

i think you've written this tragic episode from your life very well.
though obviously an emotional piece for you to write, it's not overly sentimental and is a very good read. i really thought you lad was going to pull through and was shocked at how it turnd out.




 Comment Written 26-Sep-2009


reply by the author on 27-Sep-2009
    Yes, oh yes, how I do so wish he had pulled through, legless. Thanks for your kind comments...Bob
Comment from cheyennewy
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

Hi Bob...I would defy anyone to read this with a dry eye...I couldn't. I knew how it would end as you told me you lost your son but I didn't know why and didn't know he was your only child. My husband told me when my parents found out I had cancer and was not expected to live my mother grieved as if I were already dead. There is no pain like that of losing a child and I hope I never have to go there. I am sorry you and your wife did. I was riveted to my chair as I read this story and when I finished I sat and stared at the page as if I could make it go away, that the story was fiction. I hate that I don't have a six for you as this deserves that and more. I wish you luck in the contest. Even though this happened some years ago a fractured heart never heals they just learn how to beat anyway....God Bless.....M

 Comment Written 26-Sep-2009


reply by the author on 26-Sep-2009
    Awww. Thanks so much, Marilyn. I can feel your sincerity and know you by now to know you have a huge beautiful heart. Again, thanks so much, Bob
reply by cheyennewy on 26-Sep-2009
    You are so welcome...me thinks you have written a winner! M
Comment from fastdigits
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

Well, Buddy, all I can start to say is
that I am full of tears when I read that
this was not fiction.
You told this tale of heart ache in an
emotion filled way that indeed scars the
heart and does bring a tear running down
my cheek.
As always, your story one of poignant
feelings as you speak from your heart.
Well done

 Comment Written 26-Sep-2009


reply by the author on 26-Sep-2009
    Thanks so much, digits...I appreciate you more each day...bob
Comment from fictionwriter
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

What a horrible thing to have to go through. I can't even imagine the pain you felt. I don't know if you ever get over something like that. A wonderful heart-wrenching story.

 Comment Written 26-Sep-2009


reply by the author on 26-Sep-2009
    Thank you for your heart, Joy. I do appreciate your kind words...Bob
Comment from Marjorie D.
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

Even after more than two decades, I'm sure the memories are as vivid as if it happened yesterday. While the pain never goes away, we do learn how to deal with it over time. I'm so sorry for your loss, Bob. This is a wonderfully written expression of your love and battle to move on. God bless you and your wife.


... ask your mother if it's okay." (formatting glitch here)
I started to hand the phone to his mother, when Bobby continued.

Seeing Bobby laying (lying)there, ...

... is that right, (s)ir?"

"Yes, (s)ir.

At the graveside, Dads were wearing dark suits and ties. (In this case, Dads shouldn't be capitalized since it's not used as a name.)

Father Harding said, "You know(,) Bob ... (direct address)

How can anything be positive when we just buried our son(?)

XO

Marjorie

 Comment Written 26-Sep-2009


reply by the author on 26-Sep-2009
    Thanks so much, Marjoire. Your remarks warms the heart and thanks for the help,too...Bob