Everything changed ...
The day that ...35 total reviews
Comment from Verna Cole Mitchell
How very, very sad for your childhood to be interrupted with such an event, but how much more so for the parents of the missing children. I enjoyed the description of your excursion and your daily chores. The normalcy of them was an excellent contrast to the terrible news.
reply by the author on 02-Jun-2022
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How very, very sad for your childhood to be interrupted with such an event, but how much more so for the parents of the missing children. I enjoyed the description of your excursion and your daily chores. The normalcy of them was an excellent contrast to the terrible news.
Comment Written 02-Jun-2022
reply by the author on 02-Jun-2022
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Thank you Verna. Yes, that day Australia as a whole lost its innocence. The parents had a lifetime of grief.
Wendy
Comment from Anne Johnston
What a sad story. How devastated the parents of those children must have been, to never know what had happened to their family. When we were kids we were free to move about, but times have changed, and children are not safe anywhere.
reply by the author on 02-Jun-2022
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What a sad story. How devastated the parents of those children must have been, to never know what had happened to their family. When we were kids we were free to move about, but times have changed, and children are not safe anywhere.
Comment Written 02-Jun-2022
reply by the author on 02-Jun-2022
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Thank you Anne for your kind review. Yes, Australia had a new awareness for such horrors from that day on. Our national innocence was gone.
Wendy
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You are very welcome, Wendy
Comment from Teri7
This is a very well written fiction story you have penned for the contest. It made me so sad as I read it. You used very good descriptive words and very nice picture of the three children. Best wishes in the contest. love and blessings, Teri
reply by the author on 02-Jun-2022
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This is a very well written fiction story you have penned for the contest. It made me so sad as I read it. You used very good descriptive words and very nice picture of the three children. Best wishes in the contest. love and blessings, Teri
Comment Written 02-Jun-2022
reply by the author on 02-Jun-2022
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Thank you very much Teri. I appreciate your review. Unfortunately the abduction of the three children was a true story and the crime has never been solved. A lifetime of grief for the family. Thank you for your good wishes too.
Wendy
Comment from Sarah Tummey
A very sobering story. It reminded me a bit of Madeleine McCann, who went missing on holiday in Portugal. It took years before her killer came to light. The families definitely need our prayers.
reply by the author on 02-Jun-2022
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A very sobering story. It reminded me a bit of Madeleine McCann, who went missing on holiday in Portugal. It took years before her killer came to light. The families definitely need our prayers.
Comment Written 02-Jun-2022
reply by the author on 02-Jun-2022
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Thank you Sarah for such a positive review and also for the honour of six stars. It?s greatly appreciated. Yes the Madeleine McCann case was horrible too. We have another unsolved case with William Tyrrell who also just simply disappeared. Never solved, or not yet. Thanks again.
Wendy
Comment from Jannypan (Jan)
You portrayed what was a normal activity that turned into a
horrific 'what if.' I believe all kinds of stories were told about
this disappearance incident which was never solved. It would
put fear into every parent and kid around. Your words read well
and were filled with imagery. Wow, three kids gone and no trace.
Best wishes, Jan
reply by the author on 02-Jun-2022
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You portrayed what was a normal activity that turned into a
horrific 'what if.' I believe all kinds of stories were told about
this disappearance incident which was never solved. It would
put fear into every parent and kid around. Your words read well
and were filled with imagery. Wow, three kids gone and no trace.
Best wishes, Jan
Comment Written 02-Jun-2022
reply by the author on 02-Jun-2022
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Thank you very much for reviewing. They have still never found a trace. No-one ever caught or convicted. Very sad for the parents.
Wendy
Comment from juliaSjames
Well structured and gripping recounting of a tragedy that changed the face of society.
We all need to look out for one another. And to use our spider senses. Ever so often, my grandkids will role play with me. I pretend to be a friendly stranger and they practice repelling my advances.
Back in the day in my home town, elderly ladies spent their days in rocking chairs overlooking the streets. Very little escaped their sharp eyes and they intervened if something seemed amiss.
Nowadays smart phones and electronic surveillance play their roles. Yet still we are our brothers' keepers.
Good luck in the voting booth, Wendy. You are a fine writer.
Stay safe and blessed
Julia
reply by the author on 02-Jun-2022
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Well structured and gripping recounting of a tragedy that changed the face of society.
We all need to look out for one another. And to use our spider senses. Ever so often, my grandkids will role play with me. I pretend to be a friendly stranger and they practice repelling my advances.
Back in the day in my home town, elderly ladies spent their days in rocking chairs overlooking the streets. Very little escaped their sharp eyes and they intervened if something seemed amiss.
Nowadays smart phones and electronic surveillance play their roles. Yet still we are our brothers' keepers.
Good luck in the voting booth, Wendy. You are a fine writer.
Stay safe and blessed
Julia
Comment Written 02-Jun-2022
reply by the author on 02-Jun-2022
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Thank you very much Julia. I appreciate your fine review and encouraging words. Thanks too for your good wishes.
Wendy
Comment from barbara.wilkey
All too often there are stories with similar endings, especially in today's society. Thank you for sharing this writing prompt entry with us. It's a sad but good read.
reply by the author on 02-Jun-2022
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All too often there are stories with similar endings, especially in today's society. Thank you for sharing this writing prompt entry with us. It's a sad but good read.
Comment Written 02-Jun-2022
reply by the author on 02-Jun-2022
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Thank you Barbara. Never any resolution or conviction for this terrible crime.
Wendy
Comment from Sally Law
I just spent my last six! Please accept my high five and compliments. I just sensed this story was leading to an unfortunate end. These disappearances are more common than you think. I ache for the parents and community. What a terrible tragedy. Humans naturally long for closure.
Sending you my best today as always and best wishes for the upcoming contest. Sal XOs
reply by the author on 02-Jun-2022
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I just spent my last six! Please accept my high five and compliments. I just sensed this story was leading to an unfortunate end. These disappearances are more common than you think. I ache for the parents and community. What a terrible tragedy. Humans naturally long for closure.
Sending you my best today as always and best wishes for the upcoming contest. Sal XOs
Comment Written 02-Jun-2022
reply by the author on 02-Jun-2022
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Thank you Sal. A lovely review.
Very encouraging as well. They are still rare in Australia and this one was the worst.
Each one is horrific for everyone involved.
Wendy
Comment from Theodore McDowell
Great poem for the prompt. I wish I had a six for this one. I remember playing with friends in the woods behind my house without adult supervision when I was growing up. Sadly, those innocent days are gone, as you so poignantly express in a heart=rending manner. The last line is powerful by the way.
reply by the author on 02-Jun-2022
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Great poem for the prompt. I wish I had a six for this one. I remember playing with friends in the woods behind my house without adult supervision when I was growing up. Sadly, those innocent days are gone, as you so poignantly express in a heart=rending manner. The last line is powerful by the way.
Comment Written 02-Jun-2022
reply by the author on 02-Jun-2022
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Thank you very much. I appreciate your very encouraging words. Abductions here are still rare but still horrific. I can?t imagine anything worse.
Wendy
Comment from Katherine M. (k-11)
The danger due to strangers (in the UK) has always been a part of my life. We have had abductors around for a lot longer than other countries, so have always had to keep a tighter rein on children - unfortunately. Interesting to be made to think again about this question. Kate xx
reply by the author on 02-Jun-2022
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The danger due to strangers (in the UK) has always been a part of my life. We have had abductors around for a lot longer than other countries, so have always had to keep a tighter rein on children - unfortunately. Interesting to be made to think again about this question. Kate xx
Comment Written 02-Jun-2022
reply by the author on 02-Jun-2022
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Thank you Kate. I appreciate your review. Yes, you are right. For Australia it was very infrequent but the abduction and total disappearance of three at once with absolutely no clues, and never resolved, was a real shock for us as a country.
Wendy
