A Special Christmas Gift
Sometimes the word merry can be hard to find.35 total reviews
Comment from Yardier
Nicely done, my friend. You obviously have a heart of gold and a God given desire to assist and comfort those in need. You are, indeed, an example for many who have, to reach out to help those who don't.
Blessings and Happy New Year!
Yard.
reply by the author on 31-Dec-2023
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Nicely done, my friend. You obviously have a heart of gold and a God given desire to assist and comfort those in need. You are, indeed, an example for many who have, to reach out to help those who don't.
Blessings and Happy New Year!
Yard.
Comment Written 29-Dec-2023
reply by the author on 31-Dec-2023
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Thanks, Yard, for. your review and the wonderful compliment. - Bill
Comment from Iza Deleanu
Very touching story and I totally feel your pain ... I lost my dad too in 2019. He was my rock and I'm pretty sure he watches over me from heaven
He loved to travel so in his beloved memory I committed to share a little piece of this world in his memory.
reply by the author on 31-Dec-2023
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Very touching story and I totally feel your pain ... I lost my dad too in 2019. He was my rock and I'm pretty sure he watches over me from heaven
He loved to travel so in his beloved memory I committed to share a little piece of this world in his memory.
Comment Written 29-Dec-2023
reply by the author on 31-Dec-2023
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Thank you, Iza, for a wonderful review and then a six. So many of those who reviewed this shared their loss of a very signififant
loss. -Bill
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Thank you, Iza, for a wonderful review and then a six. So many of those who reviewed this shared their loss of a very signififant
loss. -Bill
Comment from Judith B.
The writing here is as extraordinary as the subject matter. It brought tears to my eyes as I read and hope to my heart that I could ever find peace in the midst of sadness.
reply by the author on 31-Dec-2023
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The writing here is as extraordinary as the subject matter. It brought tears to my eyes as I read and hope to my heart that I could ever find peace in the midst of sadness.
Comment Written 29-Dec-2023
reply by the author on 31-Dec-2023
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Thank you, Judith, for your review and also for this six. i was also "caught" the subject matter. -Bill
Comment from karenina
Great story. People don't talk about loss and grief the way they need to. Each of us seems to hold this loss and sadness inside of us and especially around the holidays it slowly erodes our spirit. Bless you for being there for your father and for the work you've put into seeing over 400 people have received counseling to deal with their loss. I wish I'd had it when I lost my parents some 35 and thirty years ago.
Karenina
reply by the author on 29-Dec-2023
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Great story. People don't talk about loss and grief the way they need to. Each of us seems to hold this loss and sadness inside of us and especially around the holidays it slowly erodes our spirit. Bless you for being there for your father and for the work you've put into seeing over 400 people have received counseling to deal with their loss. I wish I'd had it when I lost my parents some 35 and thirty years ago.
Karenina
Comment Written 29-Dec-2023
reply by the author on 29-Dec-2023
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And yet, Karenina, it seems like yesterday, doesn't it. Thank you for sharing your loss with me. You'll never "get over it." But you
seem to have learned to live with your grief. Grief is not an illness. It's part of loving someone or have been loved by someone. Hang on to it. Light a candle for each of them. -Bill Stephenson
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Thanks! Great advice. Grief and love weave together with memories!
Comment from Julie Helms
What a beautiful and poignant story. It is so heartening to see somebody take a tragic event and turn it into a gift. It's so easy to just get mired in the grief. Your father would be so proud! Thanks for sharing and happy new year!
reply by the author on 28-Dec-2023
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What a beautiful and poignant story. It is so heartening to see somebody take a tragic event and turn it into a gift. It's so easy to just get mired in the grief. Your father would be so proud! Thanks for sharing and happy new year!
Comment Written 27-Dec-2023
reply by the author on 28-Dec-2023
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Thank you for a review that captures the essence of this story.
Bill Stephenson
Comment from Judith Ann
What a beautiful testimony to a good father and a son's fond memories. Not everyone has memories as sweet and meaningful. I love the cemetery memories as well. You have a good way with words and blending them to tell such a poignant story. We need more good memories, ones we can pass on to others. Thanks for writing this lovely story.
Judy
reply by the author on 28-Dec-2023
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What a beautiful testimony to a good father and a son's fond memories. Not everyone has memories as sweet and meaningful. I love the cemetery memories as well. You have a good way with words and blending them to tell such a poignant story. We need more good memories, ones we can pass on to others. Thanks for writing this lovely story.
Judy
Comment Written 27-Dec-2023
reply by the author on 28-Dec-2023
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My children and grandchildren ask me to tell (not read) this story every year at Christmas. Thanks for reviiewing this. Bill
Comment from prettybluebirds
Thank you for sharing this lovely story with us. My sixteen-year-old son was killed on the last day of November 1985. I have never been able to enjoy Christmas from that year on. Your story brought back long-ago memories. I wish you the best in the contest.
reply by the author on 28-Dec-2023
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Thank you for sharing this lovely story with us. My sixteen-year-old son was killed on the last day of November 1985. I have never been able to enjoy Christmas from that year on. Your story brought back long-ago memories. I wish you the best in the contest.
Comment Written 27-Dec-2023
reply by the author on 28-Dec-2023
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In this review, you shared a grief that is truly profound. l have a
deep respect for your loss and I hope this story was helpful to you. -Bill Stephenson
Comment from jmdg1954
William,
This is a fantastic story that I didn't want to end. It was warm and soft and one I could semi relate to.
Thank you for posting this and best of luck in the contest.
Cheers,
John
reply by the author on 26-Dec-2023
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William,
This is a fantastic story that I didn't want to end. It was warm and soft and one I could semi relate to.
Thank you for posting this and best of luck in the contest.
Cheers,
John
Comment Written 26-Dec-2023
reply by the author on 26-Dec-2023
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Thank you, John, for reviewing this very personal piece. I was hoping that the reader could find themselves in this drama. I am hopeful that this will be competitive in the contest. -Bill Stephenson
Comment from Debbie D'Arcy
What a beautiful and life-affirming story expressed succinctly in this short story. Sometimes, that's all it takes to locate a tangible proof, such as a gravestone, to give a sense of resolution and peace to something that, perhaps, was too profound an event to understand at the time. The discovery was deeply meaningful because you felt guided towards it (This happened to me once when my sister and I were searching for the grave of our baby sister, buried many decades previously and, after quite some time searching, eventually found). I applaud you for the positive way in which you turned this sadness around, inspired by faith. Well done, William, and good luck! Debbie
reply by the author on 26-Dec-2023
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What a beautiful and life-affirming story expressed succinctly in this short story. Sometimes, that's all it takes to locate a tangible proof, such as a gravestone, to give a sense of resolution and peace to something that, perhaps, was too profound an event to understand at the time. The discovery was deeply meaningful because you felt guided towards it (This happened to me once when my sister and I were searching for the grave of our baby sister, buried many decades previously and, after quite some time searching, eventually found). I applaud you for the positive way in which you turned this sadness around, inspired by faith. Well done, William, and good luck! Debbie
Comment Written 26-Dec-2023
reply by the author on 26-Dec-2023
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I'm still new to this venue and I had no idea that your review would be so important. You are the 25th reviewer. Thank you. -Bill Stephenson
Comment from Daylily
Although it is after Christmas this year, the season lives on in our hearts. This is such a wonderful tribute to your father and I am positive it would bring a huge smile were he able to read it. A loving family is one of lifes greatest blessings, especially when it is centered upon the perfect love of God. Thank you for sharing this beautiful story.
reply by the author on 26-Dec-2023
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Although it is after Christmas this year, the season lives on in our hearts. This is such a wonderful tribute to your father and I am positive it would bring a huge smile were he able to read it. A loving family is one of lifes greatest blessings, especially when it is centered upon the perfect love of God. Thank you for sharing this beautiful story.
Comment Written 26-Dec-2023
reply by the author on 26-Dec-2023
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My dad wasn't a smiler. But he had this wonderful way of looking at you when accomplished something. But I do remember him laughing after he and I built a boat together. Another story.
These sixes are so interesting. It's a new experience for me. I am a returnee. I was here briefly, but I had three books to write, and they have been written. -Bill
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I am glad you came back to do some more writing! Smiles, Lily