The Devil Fights Back
Viewing comments for Chapter 17 "The Devil Fights Back - Ch. 17"Challenges in the pharmaceutical field
14 total reviews
Comment from Carol Hillebrenner
Dana's suggestion to Abby seems to be going to work out. Grandma Marie sounds as if she is changing into another person, a much nicer person. Nothing like having an adorable little boy to help grow hearts a few sizes bigger. Have a lovely Christmas Day tomorrow and a great New Year.
reply by the author on 25-Dec-2024
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Dana's suggestion to Abby seems to be going to work out. Grandma Marie sounds as if she is changing into another person, a much nicer person. Nothing like having an adorable little boy to help grow hearts a few sizes bigger. Have a lovely Christmas Day tomorrow and a great New Year.
Comment Written 25-Dec-2024
reply by the author on 25-Dec-2024
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The old Grinch has a chance after all. Let's see if she can continue on this upward path.
Hope you have a very Merry Christmas too, Carol.
Comment from royowen
I never learned much from my parents, excepting how to fight with my partner, but did learn a little from my friends parents, but I did learn what not to do, like anything else in live, doing good or bad is a decision we make, not necessarily something we may learn, let love guide one's behaviour, the Lord taught me that. Well done Jim, blessings Roy
reply by the author on 25-Dec-2024
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I never learned much from my parents, excepting how to fight with my partner, but did learn a little from my friends parents, but I did learn what not to do, like anything else in live, doing good or bad is a decision we make, not necessarily something we may learn, let love guide one's behaviour, the Lord taught me that. Well done Jim, blessings Roy
Comment Written 24-Dec-2024
reply by the author on 25-Dec-2024
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Yes, and that's exactly the point I'm trying to make with Marie. It ends up being her choice to become a decent person.
Have a very Merry Christmas, my friend.
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Well done
Comment from Pam Lonsdale
All-nighters with a beautiful redhead. Hopefully, they won't have time to "notice" each other. And before I even read Marie's narration here, I wonder what she will have to say to Julia about the arrangement.
Okay, I was wrong, or it didn't come up:-)
Marie is turning into a caring, dare I say "loving", individual. I loved her comparison to the Grinch, and the last sentence of the chapter.
See you after the holidays, Jim. Enjoy!
xo
Pam
reply by the author on 24-Dec-2024
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All-nighters with a beautiful redhead. Hopefully, they won't have time to "notice" each other. And before I even read Marie's narration here, I wonder what she will have to say to Julia about the arrangement.
Okay, I was wrong, or it didn't come up:-)
Marie is turning into a caring, dare I say "loving", individual. I loved her comparison to the Grinch, and the last sentence of the chapter.
See you after the holidays, Jim. Enjoy!
xo
Pam
Comment Written 24-Dec-2024
reply by the author on 24-Dec-2024
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So, a little romp between Brian and Abby, huh? That would have shaken things up a little!
You always seem to notice and comment on my favorite lines in a chapter, Pam, like the last sentence. One more heart size to go.
Have a very Merry Christmas, Pam.
Comment from Wendy G
I am glad that Maria is not too proud to admit that she has not been a good mother, and that she is realising what she missed all during Julia's childhood. Another excellent and reflective chapter, well-written as always.
Wendy
reply by the author on 24-Dec-2024
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I am glad that Maria is not too proud to admit that she has not been a good mother, and that she is realising what she missed all during Julia's childhood. Another excellent and reflective chapter, well-written as always.
Wendy
Comment Written 24-Dec-2024
reply by the author on 24-Dec-2024
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Thanks very much, Wendy. You've realized that Marie doesn't delude herself and is fully aware she's been a rotten mother and a rotten person in general. Her transformation isn't complete yet, though, and there will still be some more bumps along the way.
Hope you and your family have a very Merry Christmas, Wendy.
Comment from lyenochka
Glad to see that Marie is turning into a real grandmother now. And it is a beautiful thing to be free from the pressures of parenting so that we can just focus on loving our grandchildren.
That's hysterical that you took the name of Gaga - maybe Lady Gaga and Papa Gaga? Thanks for sharing the real life source for that.
reply by the author on 24-Dec-2024
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Glad to see that Marie is turning into a real grandmother now. And it is a beautiful thing to be free from the pressures of parenting so that we can just focus on loving our grandchildren.
That's hysterical that you took the name of Gaga - maybe Lady Gaga and Papa Gaga? Thanks for sharing the real life source for that.
Comment Written 24-Dec-2024
reply by the author on 24-Dec-2024
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The toughest thing about grandparenting is knowing when to offer advice when you see your kids making what you feel are mistakes in their parenting. Advice is sometimes necessary, but it can be tricky in how to give it. You have to pick your battles, just as you have to do when they were little.
No, it was just Ga-ga for each of us. Gradually it morphed into Grandpa and Grandma. We still kid him about cucugaga.
Comment from lancellot
Well done. You've done a good job exploring getting older and having regrets, plus how even seeming bad and unloving people can change, and a family can be reunited.
But... how was this done? Not criticizing, but it did seem to come too easily, and because of how things always work out for Brian, the reader never doubted Marie would change for the positive. Do you understand?
I'm not whipping you. I'm saying, doubt and yes "real loss" is a needed component of any good drama. Right?
reply by the author on 24-Dec-2024
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Well done. You've done a good job exploring getting older and having regrets, plus how even seeming bad and unloving people can change, and a family can be reunited.
But... how was this done? Not criticizing, but it did seem to come too easily, and because of how things always work out for Brian, the reader never doubted Marie would change for the positive. Do you understand?
I'm not whipping you. I'm saying, doubt and yes "real loss" is a needed component of any good drama. Right?
Comment Written 23-Dec-2024
reply by the author on 24-Dec-2024
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I agree with what you've said here, Lance. It does seem too easy--so far. I'm not done with Marie yet, and her transformation isn't complete. There will be some hiccups along the way. I appreciate your analysis here.
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That's the thing. Must Marie transform? Must every aspect of Brian's life turn to gold for him? Who has a life like that?
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Well, it's not as though it comes too easily for him. He went through years of pain, two near-death overdoses, and a severe bout of depression to finally get where he's at now.
I prefer happy endings, though. Did you ever read Bernard Malamud's The Natural? They also made a movie of the same name starring Robert Redford as a supremely good baseball player, Roy Hobbes, who met with tragedy in his life but battled back to eventual success. The book ended with him striking out, which was a rather gloomy, but perhaps more realistic outcome, whereas they changed this for the movie, which ends with him hitting an unlikely homerun considering the physical shape he was in. I preferred the movie ending.
Comment from Dolly'sPoems
Babies have a unique ability go make us behave like children ourselves as we try and amuse them and Marie has let down her guard and enjoyed her Grandchild which has sparked some regret about her own parenting. We forgive our parents for not providing an ideal environment for us but they find it hard to forgive themselves. It must feel so wonderful to create music for others to enjoy and Marie has that unique gift along with her daughter. I enjoyed your post Jim, love Dolly x x x
reply by the author on 24-Dec-2024
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Babies have a unique ability go make us behave like children ourselves as we try and amuse them and Marie has let down her guard and enjoyed her Grandchild which has sparked some regret about her own parenting. We forgive our parents for not providing an ideal environment for us but they find it hard to forgive themselves. It must feel so wonderful to create music for others to enjoy and Marie has that unique gift along with her daughter. I enjoyed your post Jim, love Dolly x x x
Comment Written 23-Dec-2024
reply by the author on 24-Dec-2024
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Thanks so much, Dolly, for your wonderful review and the 6 stars too. I guess there's hope for Marie after all. As long as they can admit they made mistakes and aren't completely defensive about it, there's room for change. At least she has enough self-awareness to know she wasn't a good mother.
You are such a talented poet and artist, Dolly, can you also claim to be a musician too?
Hope you have a very Merry Christmas in the spirit of many of your Christmas poems.
Comment from Cecilia A Heiskary
Jim,
What another wonderful chapter to your book. It seems the Grinch is starting to regret some of her choice she has made in her life. Glad her and Julia could get past their stand off.
Well done my friend
Cecilia
reply by the author on 24-Dec-2024
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Jim,
What another wonderful chapter to your book. It seems the Grinch is starting to regret some of her choice she has made in her life. Glad her and Julia could get past their stand off.
Well done my friend
Cecilia
Comment Written 23-Dec-2024
reply by the author on 24-Dec-2024
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Thanks very much Cecilia. Marie has a lot of soul-searching to do and changing of her ways before she can begin to feel good about herself, something perhaps she has never felt before. That baby is a real catalyst for her.
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You're welcome
Comment from Karen Cherry Threadgill
Good as per usual. My sisters came here and brought cookies and stuff. A good day. I hope you and yours have a great Christmas. Much love is sent to you all. Karen
reply by the author on 24-Dec-2024
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Good as per usual. My sisters came here and brought cookies and stuff. A good day. I hope you and yours have a great Christmas. Much love is sent to you all. Karen
Comment Written 23-Dec-2024
reply by the author on 24-Dec-2024
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Christmas cookies always make for a good day, don't they? The problem is, I eat too many and then regret it for a while afterwards. I never learn, though, and it's the same the following year.
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Tammy made my favorite. Coconut macaroon. Yummy. Merry Christmas. Karen
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Buckeye balls might be my favorite Christmas cookie. Ever had those? Peanut butter filling dipped in chocolate.
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Got a recipe? Email it. Yummy. :-)
Comment from Ric Myworld
Since I come from one of those families where everyone used to bring their instruments to gatherings and we all would sing and play for hours, your story brings out those fond old memories. Thanks for sharing.
reply by the author on 24-Dec-2024
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Since I come from one of those families where everyone used to bring their instruments to gatherings and we all would sing and play for hours, your story brings out those fond old memories. Thanks for sharing.
Comment Written 23-Dec-2024
reply by the author on 24-Dec-2024
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Glad this brought back fond memories for you, Ric. Thanks greatly for those 6 stars, my friend. Hope you have a very Merry Christmas.