Reviews from

Top of the Mountain

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

180 total reviews 
Comment from KatyM
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

There definitely is nothing worse than loosing a child. We lost our daughter, Jessica to cancer at 10 1/2. It was just a few weeks short of her 11th birthday on the 11th of September.

I'm so sorry for the loss of your son, Bobby. The one comfort I have is my faith in God. That one day, when I go to heaven I will be reunited with our Jessica. Bless you, thank you for sharing Bobby with us.
katy

 Comment Written 09-May-2019


reply by the author on 09-May-2019
    Thankyou, Katy. Bless you and yours. Bob
Comment from Alex Rosel
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

This is a harrowing, yet strangely calm read. A strong emotion flows throughout the narrative.

A few things maybe worth considering:
more strict -- Perhaps stricter is better? Just a thought.

Lolly-gagging -- Hey, I've never heard that before. Thank you for introducing me to it.

Anyway, the boy went out of control and hit a tree. -- Perhaps this is fine in the U.S. In the U.K. it grates. Either the boy lost control and the car hit a tree or the went went out of control and hit a tree? Just a thought.

Thank you for posting this.

 Comment Written 09-May-2019


reply by the author on 09-May-2019
    Thank you, Axel. Since this essay already won an award ten years ago when it was originally posted, I think I will leave it as is. If it ain't broke...don't fix it the old saying goes. :) Bob
Comment from doggymad1
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

I am only sorry that I don't have a six for this one Bob. Absolutely heartbreaking. I recall you mentioning Bobby in a previous work. This work is full of emotion but very little self pity. Another masterpiece from your pen
hugs
Freda

 Comment Written 09-May-2019


reply by the author on 09-May-2019
    Hi, Freda. God bless you. Bob
Comment from Sally Law
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

Dear Bob, I remember reviewing this or one alluding to your loss. Maybe you shared it with me in a response to my loss of Esther Grace. I again, am so, so sorry. I do know how you feel. Life is upset and upside for a long time. I still cry when I hear a certain song or see her photo. My faith in Christ and my family's faith is the only thing that saw us through. These things are difficult to understand. I do pray you have found peace and know Bobby is in God's care, always safe and loved.
Always my best,
Sally xo

 Comment Written 09-May-2019


reply by the author on 09-May-2019
    Thank you Sal. I kind of thought in the back of my mind that I had shared it with you, but don't believe I ever posted it for everybody. Bless you. X0 Bob
Comment from Coco Jane
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

I am so sorry for your loss.
A well-written piece that makes any reader feel something.
Consider ending the piece after the peiest's words about the mountain. That ending will leave readers thinking. Just a thought.
I especially like the descriptions at the funeral.

 Comment Written 09-May-2019


reply by the author on 09-May-2019
    Thank you, Jane I appreciate your taking the time to review. A belated welcome aboard Fanstory. I will keep an eye out for your writing. :) Bob
Comment from Stephanie Launiu
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

I'm so glad you suggested that I read this piece you lovingly wrote back in 2009. It is a masterpiece. I can't say that I know how you and Pat felt then, or how you feel now. I haven't been to the mountaintop yet. The only thing I know is how I feel after reading about Bobby, and I can truthfully say I'll never forget his story. Aloha, Stephanie

 Comment Written 26-Feb-2019


reply by the author on 26-Feb-2019
    Thank you so much, my friend. You can see how your poetry affected my thinking. Bless you always, Stephanie. Aloha. Bob ps. I have visited Hawaii twice in my life. Loved it. Bob
reply by Stephanie Launiu on 26-Feb-2019
    If you ever get a chance to visit Hawaii again, let me know. You have a friend here.
reply by the author on 26-Feb-2019
    Awww. Thanks so much, Steph. Which iosland are you on, may i ask? I have been to all except Nehau. (sorry if I have misspelled that. LOL Bob
reply by Stephanie Launiu on 26-Feb-2019
    I'm on Oahu where Honolulu is. We live on the northwestern part of the island on the Waianae Coast where all the poor Hawaiians live lol. Live right across from the ocean and not many tourists make their way out here. Can't complain. Take care.
reply by the author on 26-Feb-2019
    Lst visit, we stayed on Maui for the whole week. the first time we visited for three weeks. Went island -hopping and to tell the truth it wasn't worth it. We did see the memorial at Pearl Harbor and visited many places including the beautiful flower gardens on Kuai. I was content with Maui. We stayed at Kapalua Bay both visits. Enjoyed a lot of food and good times. I may be back again, if the money ever allows. ps. I loved the Road To Hanna. Bob
Comment from BeasPeas
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

Hi Bob. A touching story of the loss of your son and I'm so sorry. In a moment's notice our whole life can change. You've expressed it well here. I think one of the things that comforts us is the belief that one day we will see our dear ones again. That's what I believe and it helps me a lot. Marilyn

 Comment Written 02-Dec-2018


reply by the author on 02-Dec-2018
    Thanks, a lot, My friend. for your understanding. :) Bob
Comment from Lady Jane
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

"You will never suffer like this again. You see, you folks have been to the top of the mountain. There is nothing -- absolutely nothing worse than losing a child--an only child at that." - the most powerful words of this write, Bob. I got chills. This is so very true. I've lost a child. I know the pain. Losing a brother, two fathers (one to suicide), and grandparents pale in comparison to losing a child.

I am so sorry. Well written, but you don't need me to tell you that. Thanks for shooting me over to read this. I am touched by the sincerity and your raw, powerful writing. Bless you, Bob!

 Comment Written 25-Oct-2018


reply by the author on 25-Oct-2018
    Thanks so much, Janelle. You are such a caring individual. Bless you always. Bob
Comment from seaglass
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

This story broke my heart. I gave birth to my first child, a son Paul, on February 22, 1967, in Riverton Wyoming. I was 19 and knew nothing about babies, but that precious bundle was the light of my life. I related to your pain in knowing our boys shared a place in time together. You have been through so much in your life, I admire your resilience.

 Comment Written 06-Mar-2017


reply by the author on 08-Mar-2017
    Hi, Carolyn. Your Paul was born one day after my Bobby was born. How ironic is that? I trust you did not lose him also as I did. Thanks so much for the six star review and your understanding. Bless you and yours always. Bob
Comment from brenda bickers
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

Hi Bob,
I can not believe you have suffered the loss of your only child. Life can be so cruel
and you have certainly had your fair share. I am so sorry for your loss. This story had me really crying, not for your son who is now in eternal sleep but for you and your dear wife. I do not have children and I couldn't possibly know how it feels to go through such a traumatic time but my heart aches for you both as I try to imagine what heartache and pain you live with everyday. Your story makes me realise how lucky most of us really are.
This was so beautifully written, but so painful to read.
Brenda:))x

 Comment Written 05-Mar-2017


reply by the author on 05-Mar-2017
    Hi, brennie. I have missed you in the last couple of weeks. Hope all is okay with you and yours. Thank you for your kind understanding of this story and the six stars. It is not something I can explain any better if I tried. My wife and I divorced a year after this happened. 1982. The strains were so tremendous on both of us. Instead of getting closer we drifted farther apart. I am now remarried and have two more lovely kids. Bless you, my friend. Bob ps. Bobby's birthday was this past month that's why I posted the story again.)