A Fly on the Wall
Viewing comments for Chapter 5 "On Choosing Joy"A journal musings and assessments about situations
19 total reviews
Comment from Debra White
Hi Rachelle,
Firstly, may I say that your friend sounded to be an amazing lady and I am sincerely sorry for your loss.
The positivity that comes through in your journal entry is inspirational. It is accepting that things are undoubtably going to alter, but taking the best from it anyway. Your author notes confirm that.
Sending you my love. Debra x
reply by the author on 05-May-2019
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Hi Rachelle,
Firstly, may I say that your friend sounded to be an amazing lady and I am sincerely sorry for your loss.
The positivity that comes through in your journal entry is inspirational. It is accepting that things are undoubtably going to alter, but taking the best from it anyway. Your author notes confirm that.
Sending you my love. Debra x
Comment Written 05-May-2019
reply by the author on 05-May-2019
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These words feel like a balm, Debra. Thank you. xo
Comment from Tedd Turton
What an amazing person your friend was. Such strength.
You told this story so well and although sad and very personal, it certainly is a subject that many can relate too.
It's very brave of you as well to share it with us.
Best Wishes,
Tedd Turton
reply by the author on 05-May-2019
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What an amazing person your friend was. Such strength.
You told this story so well and although sad and very personal, it certainly is a subject that many can relate too.
It's very brave of you as well to share it with us.
Best Wishes,
Tedd Turton
Comment Written 05-May-2019
reply by the author on 05-May-2019
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You TOTALLY understand the essence of her, Tedd. Bravery was her stock in trade. Thank you for this tender and wonderful review. I couldn't appreciate it more. xo
Comment from Sandra Stoner-Mitchell
She was one very strong lady to have coped with all that and still go on her adventurous journeys up until the end. I wish I could say I would be like that, but I doubt I have that kind of strength. This was a very uplifting story, Rachelle, albeit, a sad one. I'm very sorry for your loss, you must feel it terribly. Big hugs, my friend. Sandra xx
reply by the author on 05-May-2019
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She was one very strong lady to have coped with all that and still go on her adventurous journeys up until the end. I wish I could say I would be like that, but I doubt I have that kind of strength. This was a very uplifting story, Rachelle, albeit, a sad one. I'm very sorry for your loss, you must feel it terribly. Big hugs, my friend. Sandra xx
Comment Written 05-May-2019
reply by the author on 05-May-2019
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I appreciate your warm and loving words here, Sandra. She had a plaque in her dining room that read: "You never know how strong you can be until being strong is your only choice." Isn't that beautiful? And so true, too. She was the poster girl for it until her last breath.
Thank you for this beautiful review. xo
Comment from karenina
My deepest condolences on the loss of a friend and very special woman. Maybe it is the RN in me, but I have cared for terminal patients who were well into their seventies and older who had not "lived" in the truest joyous sense of the word...half as much or as well as your friend. You were blessings to each other and I feel she is smiling down on this write--Karenina
reply by the author on 05-May-2019
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My deepest condolences on the loss of a friend and very special woman. Maybe it is the RN in me, but I have cared for terminal patients who were well into their seventies and older who had not "lived" in the truest joyous sense of the word...half as much or as well as your friend. You were blessings to each other and I feel she is smiling down on this write--Karenina
Comment Written 05-May-2019
reply by the author on 05-May-2019
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Well, you have me in tears now, Karenina. Thank you for this compassionate, beautiful review. I couldn't love it more. xo
Comment from 24chas
What a tragic and sad story. I'm sure you miss her everyday. But what a great testimony for living she left for the rest of us and you've shared her legacy in such a beautiful way. This may be your best chapter. A definite six.
reply by the author on 05-May-2019
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What a tragic and sad story. I'm sure you miss her everyday. But what a great testimony for living she left for the rest of us and you've shared her legacy in such a beautiful way. This may be your best chapter. A definite six.
Comment Written 05-May-2019
reply by the author on 05-May-2019
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Your words are leaving me a bit weepy this morning, 24chas. Thank you for understanding so perfectly who she was, in and of herself, as well as who she was for me.
Thank you for a review I will cherish. xo
Comment from JudyE
What a loving - and lovely - tribute to your friend. You must feel her passing immensely. Some people are just so brave when the chips are down. You are honouring her memory by focussing on her strengths and how you're incorporating them into your own life.
reply by the author on 04-May-2019
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What a loving - and lovely - tribute to your friend. You must feel her passing immensely. Some people are just so brave when the chips are down. You are honouring her memory by focussing on her strengths and how you're incorporating them into your own life.
Comment Written 04-May-2019
reply by the author on 04-May-2019
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If the situations were reversed, that's exactly what she would have done, too. I learned such important lessons from her always, but especially in her last two years.
Thanks for this really nice review, Judy.
Comment from Carla Trinklein
This is a piece that one feels terrible "rating", an important piece that comes straight from your heart. If I had a 6 left to give, it would receive it. I am so sorry for what you may soon be going through, and I sincerely hope worse will not come to worse. If it does, your friend will be so blessed to have you by her side, just as you have been blessed to have had her.
reply by the author on 04-May-2019
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This is a piece that one feels terrible "rating", an important piece that comes straight from your heart. If I had a 6 left to give, it would receive it. I am so sorry for what you may soon be going through, and I sincerely hope worse will not come to worse. If it does, your friend will be so blessed to have you by her side, just as you have been blessed to have had her.
Comment Written 04-May-2019
reply by the author on 04-May-2019
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Thank you for this heart-felt and immensely compassionate review, Carla. I appreciate it more than you can possibly know.
I've since added Author's Notes, which I hope you'll read.
xo
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I just read the note, and I am so sorry. I had missed the date on the original essay. These kind of losses never get any easier..in fact, I believe they get harder as we age. I'm glad your friend was able to do something she loved in her final months.
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She was remarkable to the very, very end.
Thank you for such kind words, Carla. And you're right; the more time that passes, the more I miss her because I don't get to share the everyday things with her that I know she would have loved.
I think that's why it's so important to accrue coping skills, you know? Otherwise, these kinds of upheavals can level us forever. xo
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...and writing is such a powerful coping skill. Keep writing, Rachelle. What she was to you will live on through your words.
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Okay...that just made me start crying, Carla. Thank you for that beautiful thought. xo
Comment from LisaMay
I can see why you two are friends. I feel for your with your concern for your friend's health. Enduring friendships such as yours are truly irreplaceable.
In your beautifully written story is the message of outward living. Not huddling inwards, avoiding life's catastrophes, but facing things head on and going beyond oneself to embrace others in genuine interactions of love and connection.
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reply by the author on 04-May-2019
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I can see why you two are friends. I feel for your with your concern for your friend's health. Enduring friendships such as yours are truly irreplaceable.
In your beautifully written story is the message of outward living. Not huddling inwards, avoiding life's catastrophes, but facing things head on and going beyond oneself to embrace others in genuine interactions of love and connection.
This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.
Comment Written 04-May-2019
reply by the author on 04-May-2019
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Thank you for these kind words, LisaMay.
I've added some Author's Notes.
xo
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I've just read the notes. I am so sad for you. You had 2 years of worry. If ever I am faced with a life-threatening health issue, I hope I can face it with the same attitude as your wonderful friend. I have 2 long-term friends from junior school days in Australia and I would want to be the friend to each of them that you have been to your old friend. I would go back to Australia to be with either of them if it was terminal. xx
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We spent a great deal of time together in those last years, and I have the sweetest memories of them. She lived in VA, and every school break, I would drive down to see her, and in twice she came to Rochester and visited not just with me, but with all our classmates, as well. Her impact will last ALL of us forever.
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What a giving person. I am not too familiar with USA states abbreviations. Is VA Virginia?
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Oh, I'm sorry; yes. So it was about a 7-1/2 hour trip. I just listened to books on CD's the whole way, so it went quickly and enjoyably.
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Quite a drive. Thank goodness for talking books.
Comment from Gypsymooncat
Damn, I want to give a six for this, but am all out. I truly enjoyed this story, not just for how well written it is, but for the message you bring us about trying to see the positive in a negative situation. Your brave friend is just as lucky to have you, as you are to have her. Thanks for sharing this with us today xoxoxo
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reply by the author on 04-May-2019
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Damn, I want to give a six for this, but am all out. I truly enjoyed this story, not just for how well written it is, but for the message you bring us about trying to see the positive in a negative situation. Your brave friend is just as lucky to have you, as you are to have her. Thanks for sharing this with us today xoxoxo
This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.
Comment Written 04-May-2019
reply by the author on 04-May-2019
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Thank you, gypsymooncat. This is such a nice review, and I couldn't appreciate it more.
This journal entry was from two Octobers ago, and, sadly, the news was bad (Lymphoma) and she succumbed to it this past year. But she was the fiercest fighter I ever saw! I miss her very much. xo
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I'm sorry to hear that :(
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Thank you, but she was remarkable and bestowed lessons in courage and spirit. xo