The River of My Life
a memoir35 total reviews
Comment from Mouser75
This story was easy to read and the emotions were translated well, even though the language was not overly descriptive. The metaphors were perfect! I really related to the feelings toward the mother in this story.
reply by the author on 14-Aug-2016
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This story was easy to read and the emotions were translated well, even though the language was not overly descriptive. The metaphors were perfect! I really related to the feelings toward the mother in this story.
Comment Written 14-Aug-2016
reply by the author on 14-Aug-2016
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Thanks so much. It's been a while since I wrote this one.
Comment from gene roush
Wow.
I admire the courage this took.
Not for the strength to share it on this site, (while that is immense), but for the realization that you are in control of your life moving forward.
Go with the flow, you'll find the surface.
Thanks for sharing
Gene
reply by the author on 14-May-2016
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Wow.
I admire the courage this took.
Not for the strength to share it on this site, (while that is immense), but for the realization that you are in control of your life moving forward.
Go with the flow, you'll find the surface.
Thanks for sharing
Gene
Comment Written 14-May-2016
reply by the author on 14-May-2016
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Sometimes is takes more than guts. ///courage is a resource we all use when we run out of options. Be safe,,,,ingrid
Comment from writeapoem
This is extremely good and how you rose above your adversity, and made life easier for your own family. I grieve for all your pain. I pray you can manage as an overcomer.
reply by the author on 27-Jan-2016
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This is extremely good and how you rose above your adversity, and made life easier for your own family. I grieve for all your pain. I pray you can manage as an overcomer.
Comment Written 27-Jan-2016
reply by the author on 27-Jan-2016
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Thanks so much. Most people keep fighting because it is the only choice.
Comment from apelle
They say that writing, and especially memorable and exquisite writing like you do, is the best therapy.
I was never ever even remotely close to anything as evil (maybe is not the right word but for now it will do ) as what you experienced growing up or the level of dysfunction you were surrounded with later on in life so I do not want to insult you by comparing my situation to yours, but I still have letters I wrote and sent to imaginary friends unloading my own angst..
" The man who writes about himself and his own time is the only man who writes about all people and all time." george b shaw
I wish I had something smart to say but I don't yet I feel so close to you and everything you represent.... I think we have a lot in common by actually not having anything similar . (Now that made you scratch your head , no ? sorry)
Adina
reply by the author on 13-Sep-2015
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They say that writing, and especially memorable and exquisite writing like you do, is the best therapy.
I was never ever even remotely close to anything as evil (maybe is not the right word but for now it will do ) as what you experienced growing up or the level of dysfunction you were surrounded with later on in life so I do not want to insult you by comparing my situation to yours, but I still have letters I wrote and sent to imaginary friends unloading my own angst..
" The man who writes about himself and his own time is the only man who writes about all people and all time." george b shaw
I wish I had something smart to say but I don't yet I feel so close to you and everything you represent.... I think we have a lot in common by actually not having anything similar . (Now that made you scratch your head , no ? sorry)
Adina
Comment Written 13-Sep-2015
reply by the author on 13-Sep-2015
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I have a couple of important things to say that I know you will understand.
Ready?
Pain is not a competition. Your sorrows are far more important than mine. You live inside your own skin every day and carry the burden and joy of choosing how to react to challenges in everyday situations. Don't let the old offenders win. Especially if they are dead, don't let them haunt you from the grave. You may have some ingrained triggers, but DON'T give up power over your future by letting someone else's opinion count more than yours.
If you take motivation from other peoples stories that inspire you to survive and succeed, then bless them, as you did mr with your six star review for a year-old story that pays two cents. But if the story allows you to wallow in sadness--give it a pass. You have your own dictionary of survival tricks.
You are entitled, or were, to grieve what you have lost, but you are NOT ALLOWED to let old stories and memories pollute the purity of your tomorrows. If you must sink, then be awfully smart. Schedule bitchiness and bitterness into your daily agenda and warn people to take their chances if they interfere with your fifteen minutes of rage.
And may I suggest you read my book in my portfolio. It is currently called 'Ball Busters' and is just finished. Don't bother reviewing, but you might get something important out of the mix of shit luck and the need to win.
Thanks for sharing,
You go, girl! ingrid
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Well, I just finished your book. I hope you get a good publishing deal because the book is exquisitely written.
I am really happy you pointed me to read it. I usually have a low attention span when reading memoirs, it?s just the way my egocentric narcissistic self-works. But let me tell you, I devoured your life in words. It?s so easy to become melodramatic and ride your way to some communal sympathy pit when writing about suffering but you stood strong and individual and I commend you for that.
I wish I read it when I was younger, but than again, life is not worth writing about it unless you make your own mistakes . You can later choose your favorite mistakes and drag their memory into old age?
Adina
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We should look for ways NOT to drag our life history forward, just learn and retire the memory, but most of us don't and usually can't. I'm glad you were able to take a glimpse at what I did, and I really hope it gives you pause to consider what you'll do tomorrow--for yourself.
Thanks for the kind words. ingrid
Comment from dantecarlisle
An excellent story, and bravo for the confidence to share it. The only critique I could ever think to offer is that I felt myself wandering about halfway through. The question of how we deal with the care of our relatives is one of the most difficult. Especially when the relationship is so contentious. I'm impressed with the author's dutiful response, as well as curious as to what caused them to bring their mother so close to home. Why not send her across the world? What influenced that choice?
This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.
reply by the author on 25-Nov-2014
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An excellent story, and bravo for the confidence to share it. The only critique I could ever think to offer is that I felt myself wandering about halfway through. The question of how we deal with the care of our relatives is one of the most difficult. Especially when the relationship is so contentious. I'm impressed with the author's dutiful response, as well as curious as to what caused them to bring their mother so close to home. Why not send her across the world? What influenced that choice?
This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.
Comment Written 25-Nov-2014
reply by the author on 25-Nov-2014
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Thanks for reading. In reply to your question, we each have a moral compass and I followed a course that let me live with myself.
Comment from tabernacle
Wow, how the cry of your heart impacted me. I heard the desparation of your soul for the escape from the tormenting. I have come to the conclusion that if we do not cry our body will. Your skin,the protection of our vital organs dried up and flaked off, leaving you exposed, with no protective covering. You are so courageous with your desire to be set free and you deserve an award for bravery. Your detailed account left me with a picture of a woman who knows how to depict a real life event. I find nothing to advise as to how it could be improved, it says all.
reply by the author on 24-Nov-2014
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Wow, how the cry of your heart impacted me. I heard the desparation of your soul for the escape from the tormenting. I have come to the conclusion that if we do not cry our body will. Your skin,the protection of our vital organs dried up and flaked off, leaving you exposed, with no protective covering. You are so courageous with your desire to be set free and you deserve an award for bravery. Your detailed account left me with a picture of a woman who knows how to depict a real life event. I find nothing to advise as to how it could be improved, it says all.
Comment Written 24-Nov-2014
reply by the author on 24-Nov-2014
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And your response, in itself, is a work of art. It too bares the soul and lifts away anything except honest reaction and understanding. My humble thanks.
Comment from Jumbo J
Hi Ingrid,
of course I already know of the many things that shaped your life... but it didn't change the fact that you constructed, readjusted and twisted this story into a very captivating read. Out of everything that affected me within the content of this story... besides the sexual abuse, your psoriasis had me cringing at your constant discomfort... hell, your constant torment. Just to go on with that would have stopped a lesser person in their tracks... you my dear lady are a survivor, a trail blazer, a mother and a grandmother... you have been a wife, a friend, but more than anything, you have been yourself, someone that you yourself could rely on... that is what has made so strong and the determined woman that you are. Even though nothing would change if your mother was still alive, it would have been nice to have been validated... I don't really know why there are parents out there that revel in getting their pleasure and ego boosts while diminishing the light in their children's eyes... I guess they're just selfish humans that never got over or tried to work out their own crap... and no matter what happens now, nothing would ever take away the damage, but hell the acceptance or validation at some point in time would have at least eased the internal pain some.
Truly happy that the new drugs for the psoriasis has worked, that pleases me more than anything... peace at last, I was wondering how you were going on that front. A truly wonderfully written story... and I say this with tongue firmly ingrained in cheek, the length and content are a perfect description of what the contest rules recommend, but seems to disregard. I love your take 'no prisoner' style of writing, no bullshit, no flowers, just what is... well written friend.
Check the spacing between... there was a very long waiting list for(...) nursing home beds.
With our thoughts we create,
a road-map in time,
James xx
reply by the author on 04-Nov-2014
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Hi Ingrid,
of course I already know of the many things that shaped your life... but it didn't change the fact that you constructed, readjusted and twisted this story into a very captivating read. Out of everything that affected me within the content of this story... besides the sexual abuse, your psoriasis had me cringing at your constant discomfort... hell, your constant torment. Just to go on with that would have stopped a lesser person in their tracks... you my dear lady are a survivor, a trail blazer, a mother and a grandmother... you have been a wife, a friend, but more than anything, you have been yourself, someone that you yourself could rely on... that is what has made so strong and the determined woman that you are. Even though nothing would change if your mother was still alive, it would have been nice to have been validated... I don't really know why there are parents out there that revel in getting their pleasure and ego boosts while diminishing the light in their children's eyes... I guess they're just selfish humans that never got over or tried to work out their own crap... and no matter what happens now, nothing would ever take away the damage, but hell the acceptance or validation at some point in time would have at least eased the internal pain some.
Truly happy that the new drugs for the psoriasis has worked, that pleases me more than anything... peace at last, I was wondering how you were going on that front. A truly wonderfully written story... and I say this with tongue firmly ingrained in cheek, the length and content are a perfect description of what the contest rules recommend, but seems to disregard. I love your take 'no prisoner' style of writing, no bullshit, no flowers, just what is... well written friend.
Check the spacing between... there was a very long waiting list for(...) nursing home beds.
With our thoughts we create,
a road-map in time,
James xx
Comment Written 02-Nov-2014
reply by the author on 04-Nov-2014
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Darling, please forgive my tardy response. Thank you so much for your generous stars and always kind feedback. Having cataract surgery Friday and it's been a challenge to continue reading. Should be much easier for me next week.
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So I don't miss the opportunity on wishing you all the best for Friday, I'll do it now... sight is a very beautiful thing, I hope yours will be perfect after Friday... but do yourself a favor and just rest your eyes for a little while, OK? thinking of you... yeah, always in a good way, of course! xx
Comment from Cumbrianlass
Powerful stuff. I'm familiar with some of it, of course. This, to me, is simply proof of how you attained your strength of character.
Survival comes with a hangover, but it also allows us to know the extent of our strength, which is nearly always far more that we could imagine.
Hugs from me - several of them.
Love Av.
A few wee nits to consider:
Autonomy(.) I was a separate person--wow!
"Who left this towel on the floor?" (m)y mother would scream.
"What()happened to you? You're not yourself. Why aren't you funny anymore?"
reply by the author on 02-Nov-2014
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Powerful stuff. I'm familiar with some of it, of course. This, to me, is simply proof of how you attained your strength of character.
Survival comes with a hangover, but it also allows us to know the extent of our strength, which is nearly always far more that we could imagine.
Hugs from me - several of them.
Love Av.
A few wee nits to consider:
Autonomy(.) I was a separate person--wow!
"Who left this towel on the floor?" (m)y mother would scream.
"What()happened to you? You're not yourself. Why aren't you funny anymore?"
Comment Written 01-Nov-2014
reply by the author on 02-Nov-2014
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For you, this is not a new story and at times I feel I'm exploiting a sad beginning, but look where it too me...
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Have you seen the big announcement? What did I tell you. ;)
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Don't answer that. I'll email later. :)
Comment from Diny
Thank you for shareing that...
THis was well written and full of images sad but very well expressed. Talent indeed... I am happy for your progress and your words, I am struggling w mom issues as ell but feel blessed.
It is good to look into another persons journey
Write on
Di
reply by the author on 01-Nov-2014
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Thank you for shareing that...
THis was well written and full of images sad but very well expressed. Talent indeed... I am happy for your progress and your words, I am struggling w mom issues as ell but feel blessed.
It is good to look into another persons journey
Write on
Di
Comment Written 01-Nov-2014
reply by the author on 01-Nov-2014
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Thanks for the kind words and the read.
Comment from GWHARGIS
You are a survivor, that's for sure. I love that you don't tell this story as a way to garner pity, but as a way to let the reader know this is what shaped me, made me the strong woman I am today. I was lucky, I had two parents who loved me and never let me forget it. But they were tough, fair and tough. I wish you had had the same luck as me. Great and eye opening story. Good luck in the conteest. Gretchen
reply by the author on 31-Oct-2014
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You are a survivor, that's for sure. I love that you don't tell this story as a way to garner pity, but as a way to let the reader know this is what shaped me, made me the strong woman I am today. I was lucky, I had two parents who loved me and never let me forget it. But they were tough, fair and tough. I wish you had had the same luck as me. Great and eye opening story. Good luck in the conteest. Gretchen
Comment Written 31-Oct-2014
reply by the author on 31-Oct-2014
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Thanks, Gretchen. I deliberately wrote in this way, avoiding all graphics save for the one of my sister's back--a scene I witnessed--and that one--for effect, to let the reader know this wasn't just griping. I appreciate the stars.