Comment from Bill Schott

Excellent

This fifteen-syllable poem, Invincible Love, has the proper formatting and extols our God and the best of all things that emanate from the Throne on High.
Good to see you back, Mary Kay.

 Comment Written 24-May-2024

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reply by the author on 25-May-2024

Hi, Bill. Thanks for your excellent and thoughtful review, and especially for giving glory to God. Thank you for welcoming me back, although I'm afraid my involvement will be less than it was before, due to the increased responsibilities in my life lately, which is why I haven't been involved as much as I'd like to be.
May God bless you,
Mary Kay

Comment from Nicole Schmidt

Excellent

I love this! I can feel the emotion behind it. It so very true that the love of god is pure and we will experience it for eternity. Very well written.

 Comment Written 24-May-2024

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reply by the author on 25-May-2024

Thank you, Nicole, for your lovely, meaningful and thoughtful review of my poem. May God bless you always.
Love, Mary Kay

Comment from Katherine M. (k-11)

Excellent

What an extremely strong note you came back to us on! It's good to see you writing again. I particularly liked the line end rhymes of this short poem. kay

 Comment Written 24-May-2024

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reply by the author on 25-May-2024

Thank you very much, Kate, for your lovely review of my poem, and your kind welcome back to me. I have numerous responsibilities that kept me away, and unfortunately, since many issues in my life are still unresolved, I don't know how much I'll be able to participate in FanStory's wonderful community, much as I love it. However, if time permits, by the grace of God, I hope to be able to pop in from time to time.
God bless you,
Love, Mary Kay

Comment from BethShelby

Excellent

Mary Kay, Your poem is beautiful. I'm so glad to see your smiling face. I've missed you. I think of you often and hope things are going better in your life.
Love
Beth

 Comment Written 23-May-2024

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reply by the author on 26-May-2024

Dear Beth, thank you for your glowing review and warm welcome back to FanStory! I have thought of you, also, and missed both you and your very engaging memoirs. I hope you and your family are doing well.
I wish I could say that things are going better in my life, but I'm still slogging through a multitude of challenges. I won't go into it all here, but I'll just say that it doesn't leave much time for reading and writing -- except reading the Bible, of course -- and where would we be, without the Word? I do greatly miss the friendships formed and fellowship enjoyed on this site. Of all the difficult situations, my Mom?s is still the most challenging. She's in a nursing home, and although it's one of the "better" ones, it still doesn't meet her needs. Yes, it's clean, and the food is alright, but they're still short-staffed, which negatively impacts the quality of care. Since Medicare and Medicaid fund the vast majority of people's expenses in these residences, it unfortunately levels the playing field, in terms of how much attention each person receives.
Meanwhile, Jorge and I are dealing with so many issues, that I can't visit her as often as she would like me to, although my heart goes out to her. I'm hoping that some issues we're facing will be resolved in our favor. I can't say I've ever gone through such an emotionally exhausting time in my life. I covet any prayers you can spare! God bless you also, my friend.
Love, Mary Kay

reply by BethShelby on 26-May-2024

Thank you for catching me up with a bit of your liife. You are dealing with a lot and I know God is getting your though it. You iwll remain in my prayers. I think all the care facilities are understaffed. I pray things with level for you soon.
Love,
Beth

reply by the author on 26-May-2024

Thank you very much, Beth, for your prayers and kind encouragement. Yes, I do believe the understaffing is a problem throughout the field of nursing home care, and it even includes assisted living. It's unfortunate that so many baby boomers are suffering, as a result. Many of those providing care will eventually be among those receiving it. I wish there were more public awareness of this issue.
Thank again, my friend.
Love, Mary Kay

Comment from Pam (respa)

Excellent

-Nice artwork and presentation, Mary Kay.
-It is good to see you.
-Your notes are appreciated.
-A well written poem with a good topic.
-A very good first line about "Mighty love."
-A very good second shows where it comes from.
-I like the similar sound with your two closing words.
-Good luck in the contest.

 Comment Written 23-May-2024

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reply by the author on 26-May-2024

Thank you very much, Pam, for your excellent, detailed review of my poem, and for wishing me well in the contest. One never knows how things will turn out in a contest -- it's hard for me to even find all the other poems, or the contest itself, and the fact that I've been away from FanStory makes navigating this site a little confusing.
I'm happy that you liked my notes. I had considered including some, but then I knew I really had to, because there was a new Christian among my reviewers and she needed a little clarification about the theology of what we believe. I hope my Notes helped clear things up for her.
It's good to see you, too. I've been so preoccupied with personal matters that I hadn't participated in FanStory much, over a span of many months. Even though my life is still complicated, I wanted to pop in and say hello to so many great authors and friends who I miss while away. You are a blessing!
Love, Mary Kay

reply by Pam (respa) on 27-May-2024

Thank you so much for the lovely reply, Mary Kay. It means a lot to me. I agree with you about contests. If you have any questions about how the site seems different to you, let me know. I hope that things settle down for you and aren't so complicated. I can relate to that and I'm sure many more can, as well. Take care and have a good week.

Comment from LJbutterfly

Excellent

A warm welcome back Mary Kay. Our God IS love and your short fifteen syllable poem expresses it so well. Your author's notes further explains if we live in love, we live in God. I wish you the best in the contest.

 Comment Written 23-May-2024

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reply by the author on 27-May-2024

Thank you so much, LJbutterfly, for your beautiful and meaningful review, and your warm welcome back.
Since my challenging circumstances haven't changed substantially, I probably won't be participating as much as I would like to, but it's good to greet my friends here at FS and to feel appreciated. May God bless you abundantly.

Comment from Begin Again

Excellent

If we have faith and believe in the Lord, we will always receive the greatest and purest love. Just knowing that he loved each of us so much that he surrendered his own son to be crucified is something no other being could possibly do. We are blessed.
Smiles, Carol

 Comment Written 23-May-2024

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reply by the author on 28-May-2024

Dear Carol,
Thank you so much for your lovely and meaningful review of my short poem. It is beautiful indeed to share such a powerful and true faith with one another. Yes, we are blessed, and we know that His Presence is with us, no matter what. God bless you, my sister and friend. Thanks for the smiles! Right back at you, with love and hugs,
Mary Kay

Comment from Brenda Strauser

Excellent

Wow. That picture is so powerful. Love it. The words and picture go together good. I think thus us a good entry fir the contest. Well written . Great job

 Comment Written 23-May-2024

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reply by the author on 28-May-2024

Dear Brenda,
Thanks for your beautiful review, and for commenting on the powerful artwork I found for my entry. I must remember to give credit to the artist (even though it's stated at the bottom of the page).
I appreciate your kind encouragement! May God bless you.
Love, Mary Kay

Comment from Sally Law

Excellent

WELCOME BACK, MARY KAY!! It is so wonderful to see you and read your two-line poem. A delightful post for your reentry. It's a beauty.

How are you? How is Jorge? Your family? We have some catching up to do.
Love & Blessings always, and my very best wishes in the upcoming contest.
Sal XOs

 Comment Written 23-May-2024

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reply by the author on 25-May-2024

Dear Sally,
Thank you for your beautiful review, and your warm welcome.
The responsibilities of my life have hit me like a Mack truck, which is why I haven't been around here lately. We have so much going on in our apartment, plus financial, legal and medical challenges -- plus the ongoing crisis of my mother's dismay at winding up in a nursing home where the care is really inadequate. That's really the most burdensome of all, but it's heartbreaking as well, and because of all the other issues, I can't give her as much attention as I would like (or as she feels she needs).
Jorge is stable, but still having some medical problems. He's also burdened by the multiple issues we're facing.
I have missed FanStory so much, and especially good friends like you. I just wanted to pop in, so I could say hi to you all and let you know that you're in my thoughts and prayers.
This is about all I can share in a public forum. I wish being "back" meant I could just dive in completely, but life is just too demanding right now, and my appearances may be intermittent, at best.
Love & blessings to you, too, my friend!
Mary Kay

reply by Sally Law on 04-Jun-2024

Sorry to have missed your reply, dear. I appreciate your update and love and blessings across the way. Life or you sounds very intense and I understand not being able to post much. I?m just getting over a terrible infection. It went undiagnosed for minths but I finally got some help a few weeks ago. Just getting through it now. Praise the Lord. Do keep as close as you can. I miss you! Love and blessings across the miles.
Sal XOs

Comment from Dolly'sPoems

Excellent

I enjoyed your rhymes and your sentiments here Mary, your faithful words and uplifting and supportive, I wish you luck with the contest, love Dolly x x x x

 Comment Written 23-May-2024

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reply by the author on 25-May-2024

Thanks Dolly, for your lovely review, and for your kind wishes. May God bless you.
Love, Mary Kay