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Tributes

Viewing comments for Chapter 34 "Travis; a Christmas Bonus"
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45 total reviews 
Comment from Write Right Writer
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Debi...

Wow! What a memory! What a story! What a tribute! I am so sorry for your loss... for your entire family's loss. Thank you for sharing this tragic and personal memory, which must be difficult to remember and to share and, at the same time, healing and cathartic.

Before we met, my lovely wife, Cassie, lost her 18 year-old son in a single car auto accident one week before graduation. Though I cannot understand completely, I can empathize. Like losing a limb, time does heal, and life does go on. You may even find a prosthetic that allows you to do something that resembles walking; but the sense of loss and the reality of loss are quite permanent.

Blessings to you and yours this Christmas season...

Curt (WRW)

 Comment Written 12-Dec-2022


reply by the author on 13-Dec-2022
    Oh Curt, do you know how sweet you are? I appreciate your compassion so very much! The anniversaries are rough but life goes on. I had no intention of using this. But after being at a loss for a Christmas bonus idea, I had been reminded that the anniversary of Travis was soon, so I let it out of the locked box that I keep it in w other hard memories in the back of my mind and it was a really good bonus for the families and the kids that received them.For that, I am thankful.
    My sincere condolences for your wife's loss. Same age too. That is horrific.
    Thank you again my dear friend!

Comment from Moonbeams Musings 55
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So very sorry for the loss of your loved ones. It hit a nerve as I have also lost my youngest son.This was a beautiful tribute to them and the gift of organ donation. God Bless you and your family. Your poem was very well written ,good flow.

 Comment Written 12-Dec-2022


reply by the author on 13-Dec-2022
    Hello Moombeams! I thank you are so much for your very kind words for Travis's poem, I truly appreciate all your compassionate and thoughtful words.
    Thanks again my dear friend!
Comment from Annmuma
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Christmas is sharing, a time of second chances and a time to remember loves we have had the honor sharing. What a beautiful poem. I'm guess that I just read the winning entry -- and well deserved. ann

 Comment Written 12-Dec-2022


reply by the author on 12-Dec-2022
    Oh Ann, you are so very sweet. Truthfully I didn't want to share anything that sad around the holidays, but I joined the contest and I couldn't think of anything that I could count as a Christmas Bonus. And with Denny and
    Travis already on my mind because of the Anniversaries, I thought that would be a good bonus, as well as bring to the surface organ donation.
    So I can't thank you enough for your lovely words and for reading and reviewing my poem. So appreciated my friend.
Comment from Liz O'Neill
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Death anniversaries that occur around a holiday seem to be even more difficult. I'm seeing many posts on FB remembering a particular parent. Christmas is presented as being a family holiday, which makes things sting more. I'm thinking of you & yours dearly at this painful time.

 Comment Written 10-Dec-2022


reply by the author on 10-Dec-2022
    Liz, thanks for the very compassionate words for my Travis poem. It was the only thing that I could name for my Christmas Bonus Post, and while writing it I realized what a bonus it was!! Thanks my dear friend !
reply by Liz O'Neill on 10-Dec-2022
    ***warm hugs***
reply by the author on 10-Dec-2022
    😘❤️❤️🤗❤️❤️🥰
Comment from victor 66
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All my life I have been extremely lucky. I've been in car accidents, motorcycle accidents, hit by a greyhound bus when I was 10, fell off of a viaduct, spent two tours in Vietnam in the bush, I never thought I'd see 20. I've also had cancer and it's in remission. I'm now 75 and I don't know why I'm still alive. I don't think I'm that good of a person where I should outlive someone who is better than I. But I did. In my mind, there is no rhyme or reason to our fate. Things just are, and things just happen. I have no words that will make your loss easier, but I understand. Best wishes.

 Comment Written 09-Dec-2022


reply by the author on 09-Dec-2022
    Victor, that kind of honesty is worth so much more than empty words. You are a good person and God takes care of the rest. Bless you for one of the best reviews ever. You maybe didn't think you had comforting words, but you truly did. Thank you my friend!
reply by victor 66 on 20-Feb-2023
    Late response from me, but your words have a very positive feeling and I thank you for that.
Comment from papa55mike
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

Wow, there are true tragedies that happen every day but to have them so close together and at this time of year. What a wonderfully written tribute.

Good luck in the contest!
Have a great day, and Goid bless.
mike

 Comment Written 09-Dec-2022


reply by the author on 09-Dec-2022
    Mike I have missed you! You are always so sweet and I can't thank you enough for the smile you gave me with your compassion and kindness.. Yesterday, well actually this week is a rough one like every year on those anniversaries, but friends like you bring more sunshine thru those dreary clouds! Thank you my dear friend for the six shiny stars too. You are the best. I wish I had another nomination to give you, but will get you next month. You are awesome!
Comment from Raul1
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This poem meets the requirements for the contest. It is interesting and impressive to read. I have enjoyed reading your wonderful and beautiful poetry. Excellent work! Thank you for sharing!

 Comment Written 08-Dec-2022


reply by the author on 08-Dec-2022
    Thank you Raul. Today is the anniversary of his death. Kinda rough, but friends like you made it so much easier. Thank you for such lovely words my kind and sweet friend. You are so special!
Comment from Mary Shifman
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This is a poignant and deeply touching poem. It is always so sad to lose loved ones but it is immeasurably tragic when they are so young, or when one death quickly follows another. It's a testament to his goodness and generosity that Travis was an organ donor at such a young age.

 Comment Written 08-Dec-2022


reply by the author on 10-Dec-2022
    Mary, thanks for the very compassionate words for my Travis poem. It was the only thing that I could name for my Christmas Bonus Post, and while writing it I realized what a bonus it was!! Thanks my dear friend !
reply by Mary Shifman on 13-Dec-2022
    You are welcome, dear.
Comment from Faith Williams
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It must be so hard at this time of year for you. I can't imagine the pain of that first year, and I think you expressed it best 'I wasn't sure that I'd survive, life with a shattered heart.' Thank you so much for sharing your story.

 Comment Written 08-Dec-2022


reply by the author on 10-Dec-2022
    Faith, thanks for the very compassionate words for my Travis poem. It was the only thing that I could name for my Christmas Bonus Post, and while writing it I realized what a bonus it was!! Thanks my dear friend !
Comment from Charles W. Johnson
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Debi, this is a beautiful tribute to both your little brother and nephew. I was moved. And then I read your notes. We're almost neighbors. I live in Champlin and have a cabin in Cold Spring. I know far too well the dangers of the icy Minnesota roads. Hugs to you and your family during this difficult time of year.

 Comment Written 08-Dec-2022


reply by the author on 10-Dec-2022
    Charles, thanks for the very compassionate words for my Travis poem. It was the only thing that I could name for my Christmas Bonus Post, and while writing it I realized what a bonus it was!! And I love that you are a fellow Minnesnowtan! My son in-law's parents lived in Champlin up until a couple years ago. And I am originally from St Cloud, so that does make us close. Boogie Nights is from Robinsdsle, other wise don't know of anyone else who is from here. . Thanks my dear friend !