Reviews from

Top of the Mountain

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

180 total reviews 
Comment from Kathryn Varuzza
Excellent
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Bob,
A very moving and heartfelt, and heartbreaking piece.
Very moving.
Good dialogue.
Good descriptions.
I could feel your pain.
Losing people is so difficult. I've lost an 8 month old niece to SIDS, a brother who died when he was 35 of a sudden heart attack, a best friend from a head on collision with a tractor trailer, that same best friend lost her first born child a day before it was due to be born, the cord had wrapped around it and killed him, and others, but losing my brother was the worst, I was the one called to the hospital. Losing a brother is bad, but I imagine losing a child is worse, and I think it is true what the Father said. Is it true?
I hope I never find out. But I do know one thing, losing people does teach you not to take people for granted, and not to take time for granted either.
I'm sorry for your loss. I know it is a wound that heals somewhat, but never really heals completely. There is always that hole in your heart.
And even though your piece is sad, it is well written and a beautiful piece of writing.
Katie

 Comment Written 25-Sep-2009


reply by the author on 25-Sep-2009
    Thanks so much, Katie. I am so moved by your review. You certainly have had your share of losses, too...God bless and thanks so much for your heart...Bob
reply by Kathryn Varuzza on 26-Sep-2009
    Bob,
    You're welcome.
    Katie
Comment from adewpearl
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approached Pat and I - should be and me
is there some reason you have the last part of the story printed twice?
Bob, one has no idea what to say after reading something like this. I can't begin to imagine the loss of one of my two children and cannot pretend to understand how devastating this must have been for you - must still be for you. You tell this story beautifully. Brooke

 Comment Written 25-Sep-2009


reply by the author on 25-Sep-2009
    Thank you Brooke...I have no idea how I got some of my notes in at the end of my story...but not anymore...LOL...You are so sweet to recognize my pain...Take care, Bob
Comment from barbara.wilkey
Excellent
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There is nothing more devastating than the lose of a child. I my symphaties go out to you and your family. I an sure it was difficult to write this, but I pray it also helped heal. I know from experience you never get over a loss you just learn to live with it. Thank you for sharing.

 Comment Written 25-Sep-2009


reply by the author on 25-Sep-2009
    Almost 30 years. when I think of my son I realize he would be a man forty-four years old in February. Bob
reply by barbara.wilkey on 25-Sep-2009
    I'm sorry.

    I lost an infant to a heart condition. He died during surgery. He would have been 27. I know how much that hurt and I only had Michael a few months. I can't imagine losing an older child. Your family is in my prayers.
Comment from pixiemillie
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I am so sorry about the loss of your only child- -a son of whom you were so proud and loved so much. A well-written testimony but one, that I'm sure, was so difficult for you to write. Thank you for sharing and good luck in the contest.

And Father was right- -you will never have to suffer like that again- -but understanding the reason for it in the first place ...

You are probably aware that this is posted twice- -not sure if you meant for this to be.

 Comment Written 25-Sep-2009


reply by the author on 25-Sep-2009
    Thanks so much, Millie...No I wasn't aware of the duplication and further, don't know why? Yikes! Bob
Comment from Annmuma
Excellent
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My heart hurts for you and good thoughts and prayers are in the air. I'm so. so sorry you and your family suffered this loss. I'm glad you shared it with us, and I know writing to be cathartic. ann

Whinning -- I think "whining only has one 'n'. Worth checking.


 Comment Written 25-Sep-2009


reply by the author on 25-Sep-2009
    Thanks so much, Ann...And thanks for the heads up on "whining" Bob
Comment from Rain Chapman
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Hi Bob,

I can't even wrap my head around the magnitude of what you and your wife must have experienced. When I really try, all I can do is picture one of my own children and it is truly terrifying. You have an amazing strength inside you to be able to share this with all of us. It must be terribly cold some days on the top of that mountain and my heart goes out to you.

- Will he be alright? Ahhhhhhhhh! She pounded - missing end quotes before 'She'.

- At graveside Dads were wearing dark suits and ties. - At the graveside, Dads were ...

- I held a trmbling, sobbing Pat in my arms. - trembling.

I took these couple of notes as I went. They are from the first copy of your story. For some reason it has been doubled on the page. I hope this helps some.

Lorraine

 Comment Written 25-Sep-2009


reply by the author on 25-Sep-2009
    Thank you, Lorraine..I appreciate your comments and your help on the spags, i'm sure i will find more...Sorry...Bob
reply by Rain Chapman on 25-Sep-2009
    Don't you dare be sorry, you are going to have to do the same for mine when I post next, LOL. You'll see. I ALWAYS miss stuff, no matter how many times I have looked it over. That's why this place is so great, fresh eyes all over the place.

    Lorraine :)
Comment from Shirley B
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I am very sorry to hear about the loss of your son. I know that had to be the worst time of your and your dear wife's life. Having an only child myself I think your grief would be unbearable. Thank you for sharing this story with us. My son is 23 now and lives in Texas. It is hard to let him and be a young man. Bless you and your wife. I am very sorry for your loss. Shirley

 Comment Written 25-Sep-2009


reply by the author on 25-Sep-2009
    Thanks so much, Shirley...I appreciate your thoughts as well as your comments on the writing...Bob
Comment from tati
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He looked into our eyes, alternating from one of us to the other. "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. When I say you have been to the top of the mountain, I am saying that nothing in your life will ever hurt as much as burying Bobby. You will be able to handle anything that comes your way for the rest of your life. You may not understand this now, but someday you will . . . believe me. I'm sorry folks. God bless you."

The above lines touched deeply my heart, Bob; they brought tears to my eyes. A very sad testimony, yet it was beautifully written with a heart full of love.

What more can I say, Bob? I thought my testimony might have a chance in this contest until I saw this excellent entry. Wish you all the best in the voting booth. With God's love, tati (September 26, 2009)


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 Comment Written 25-Sep-2009


reply by the author on 25-Sep-2009
    And I thank you,Tati, for having the heart that you do..I've discovered that through our writings...XXX Bob
reply by tati on 25-Sep-2009
    You're welcome, Bob. And thank you for being my friend.

    tati
Comment from Ronni
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level


OMG Bob, I was aware you had lost your son, but I did
not know the story to it until now. What a heart-breaking
loss indeed, and truly, there is none other like it or
worse than it. That priest indeed, gave the most realistic
and pragmatic message as to it being a top of the mountain
kind of pain and anguish.
You have truly convyed this story with such deep love,
compassion an ever precious reflection and perpetual
memoir and eulogy of your beloved Bobby. Thank you
for sharing it here with us. God Bless!!!

 Comment Written 25-Sep-2009


reply by the author on 25-Sep-2009
    You of all people know what these losses can do, don't you, Ronni? God bless you and your wonderful loving heart...Bob
Comment from skye
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There is nothing worse...
My son and his wife lost her only daughter several short years ago, and like your wife, cannot bear anymore children. She was 19. I know the pain and the grief never diminish. We just learn to live with it somehow.
Excellent writing.
Everyone who reads this knows of your deep love, and catastrophic loss, and that truly, you have been to the top of the mountain.

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 Comment Written 25-Sep-2009


reply by the author on 25-Sep-2009
    You are one sweet human being, skye..It always shows in your writing...and now here, you are the best...Bob