When Blood Collides
Viewing comments for Chapter 71 "Barbara's New Plans "A family's love is tested.
26 total reviews
Comment from Debbie Noland
Hi Shari. You use dialogue skillfully here to show us a gradual reconciliation between sisters. I have read enough of these chapters now to feel more like I am reading a novel than a biography. That is a testament to the skillful way you use fiction techniques to enhance your nonfiction.
reply by the author on 06-Jan-2016
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Hi Shari. You use dialogue skillfully here to show us a gradual reconciliation between sisters. I have read enough of these chapters now to feel more like I am reading a novel than a biography. That is a testament to the skillful way you use fiction techniques to enhance your nonfiction.
Comment Written 06-Jan-2016
reply by the author on 06-Jan-2016
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That's a wonderful compliment. Since it's so intimate I would have to make name changes and scenarios should I seek to publish it. That would make it a novel. :-)
Comment from robyn corum
1.) I returned to my chair. We reminisced about our childhood and teen years.
--> you already sat down - a couple of sentences earlier
Another great chapter. I'm wondering how painful this is. I'm thinking of you.
reply by the author on 06-Jan-2016
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1.) I returned to my chair. We reminisced about our childhood and teen years.
--> you already sat down - a couple of sentences earlier
Another great chapter. I'm wondering how painful this is. I'm thinking of you.
Comment Written 06-Jan-2016
reply by the author on 06-Jan-2016
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Wow, do you have sharp eyes. I wish I could say it was painful, but the years of isolation took its toll. Maybe it also has something to do with....
You'll have to wait and see. :-)
Comment from Muffins
Isn't it sad we only take a deep reflection of ourselves, our past, our relationships after something drastic happens as your sister is doing in this chapter. This chapter shows the reader the adult sister relationship that might have been. Whew! you got deep here.
reply by the author on 05-Jan-2016
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Isn't it sad we only take a deep reflection of ourselves, our past, our relationships after something drastic happens as your sister is doing in this chapter. This chapter shows the reader the adult sister relationship that might have been. Whew! you got deep here.
Comment Written 05-Jan-2016
reply by the author on 05-Jan-2016
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Exactly! She wasted so much time keeping her bitterness inside. Not surprising that the cancer started in her bile duct system.
Comment from alexisleech
And it was all going so well - until the last line! I hope you managed to keep that refound closeness until your sister died. She seemed to be very accepting regarding her demise, which is very impressive. Planning her own funeral was probably a good way to give her control of something in what must have felt like a very strange place.
I look forward to reading on.
Alexis xxx
reply by the author on 05-Jan-2016
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And it was all going so well - until the last line! I hope you managed to keep that refound closeness until your sister died. She seemed to be very accepting regarding her demise, which is very impressive. Planning her own funeral was probably a good way to give her control of something in what must have felt like a very strange place.
I look forward to reading on.
Alexis xxx
Comment Written 05-Jan-2016
reply by the author on 05-Jan-2016
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Always have to throw a n----- in the woodpile. :-) Remember that bigoted expression? When it comes to certainty, people surprised themselves with their own courage.
Comment from w.j.debi
Oh, Shari, this seems like a beautiful chapter about bonding and forgiving. Realizing what is important and some things that just don't matter take on a different perspective when life suddenly has a limit. And then you throw in that final line and I wonder when the other shoe will drop.
Love the picture.
reply by the author on 05-Jan-2016
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Oh, Shari, this seems like a beautiful chapter about bonding and forgiving. Realizing what is important and some things that just don't matter take on a different perspective when life suddenly has a limit. And then you throw in that final line and I wonder when the other shoe will drop.
Love the picture.
Comment Written 04-Jan-2016
reply by the author on 05-Jan-2016
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You'll find out in chapter 73. Wish I had more time to write. Hate to keep my readers waiting. Right now, I think my sister is watching me write this and getting in her two cents worth. The spirits love to play with electricity. My computer stopped dead for a few minutes. Spooky.
Comment from Donya Quijote
Wow! What a different person you present in this chapter. It is nice to finally get the to met the "real" Barb. I wondered for a long if there was a softer side to this hard-driven, perfectionist, somewhat cold, and a tad self-centered personality I have read so much about. Without a doubt your sister was a very complicated person on all levels. She kept much of her adult personage hidden from you until the end. It was good that the both of you took advantage of the time she had to reconcile and put the hurts behind you. My parents and I never reconciled before their deaths. I do regret that.
One question: isn't "yuch" spelled with a k as "yuck"? Something for the old English teacher to check out in the new year. :) Back to school tomorrow. My kids are doing really well, and I am really on the yellow brick road. Got to get serious about this certification process, but after being ill for most of the break I think I am ready to jump back into the deep end of pool.
Hope all is well with you and yours. Looking forward to the next chapter.
reply by the author on 04-Jan-2016
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Wow! What a different person you present in this chapter. It is nice to finally get the to met the "real" Barb. I wondered for a long if there was a softer side to this hard-driven, perfectionist, somewhat cold, and a tad self-centered personality I have read so much about. Without a doubt your sister was a very complicated person on all levels. She kept much of her adult personage hidden from you until the end. It was good that the both of you took advantage of the time she had to reconcile and put the hurts behind you. My parents and I never reconciled before their deaths. I do regret that.
One question: isn't "yuch" spelled with a k as "yuck"? Something for the old English teacher to check out in the new year. :) Back to school tomorrow. My kids are doing really well, and I am really on the yellow brick road. Got to get serious about this certification process, but after being ill for most of the break I think I am ready to jump back into the deep end of pool.
Hope all is well with you and yours. Looking forward to the next chapter.
Comment Written 04-Jan-2016
reply by the author on 04-Jan-2016
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Our relationship deepens in the next two chapters, but still I'm bothered by a couple of things she did before dying. I appreciate that you saw the sister I lost years ago. Thanks for finding the misspelled word.
Sorry to hear you were sick during the break. What a bummer. Glad your students are doing well. :-)
I'm healthy, but impatient with Frank sometimes. He walks so slow and his memory continues to slowly fade. Sigh...
Comment from boxergirl
The picture of you two is priceless, Shari, and I really liked the warm and loving tone of reconcilliation between you and Barbara in this scene. Just as it should be during a time like this.
Your story continues to be engaging.
Karen :-)
reply by the author on 04-Jan-2016
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The picture of you two is priceless, Shari, and I really liked the warm and loving tone of reconcilliation between you and Barbara in this scene. Just as it should be during a time like this.
Your story continues to be engaging.
Karen :-)
Comment Written 04-Jan-2016
reply by the author on 04-Jan-2016
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Thanks, Karen. I so appreciate your comments and the exceptional rating.
XX
Shari
Comment from maggieadams
Happy New Year, Shari...you've done it again...I haven't been very active, but reading this chapter, you brought me right back into your book...it is like I never left your family saga. It is like you sitting across from me, relating your story and then, you have to go before you finish, leaving me wanting more. Great voice, my friend.
reply by the author on 03-Jan-2016
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Happy New Year, Shari...you've done it again...I haven't been very active, but reading this chapter, you brought me right back into your book...it is like I never left your family saga. It is like you sitting across from me, relating your story and then, you have to go before you finish, leaving me wanting more. Great voice, my friend.
Comment Written 03-Jan-2016
reply by the author on 03-Jan-2016
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Hello there, Maggie. Missing your great prose. Thanks so much for the sixer and the encouraging review.
Comment from Rosalyne
Hi, Shari.
You share through your words a special memory that you shared with Barb, a tenderness and forgiveness you both expressed. What's so good about your writing is that even in the hardest of moments, you're able to bring in the light and humour. This is a good memory you'll always have of Barb.
Bye, my friend!
Rosalyne :)
reply by the author on 03-Jan-2016
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Hi, Shari.
You share through your words a special memory that you shared with Barb, a tenderness and forgiveness you both expressed. What's so good about your writing is that even in the hardest of moments, you're able to bring in the light and humour. This is a good memory you'll always have of Barb.
Bye, my friend!
Rosalyne :)
Comment Written 03-Jan-2016
reply by the author on 03-Jan-2016
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Thank you so much for the exceptional review. Yes, this was the Barby Kate I grew up with. It felt good to be close again.
Comment from Phyllis Stewart
I'm glad that Bobby found a good career. The conversation with Barbara does show that she has changed her perspective about what's important in life. Dying helps us to see more objectively... but not with Mom? :)
reply by the author on 03-Jan-2016
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I'm glad that Bobby found a good career. The conversation with Barbara does show that she has changed her perspective about what's important in life. Dying helps us to see more objectively... but not with Mom? :)
Comment Written 03-Jan-2016
reply by the author on 03-Jan-2016
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In a novel, this would be a character arc. It happens in real life too. More on Mom and what happened to sour Barb in Chapter 73.
