Reviews from

When it felt safe to cry

my feelings after the earthquake

44 total reviews 
Comment from Cindy Decker 2
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

Jesse:
I'm so sorry to be writing this review late. I have horrible back and knee pain--it's so bad it makes me nauseous--I can't sit for very long without being in terrible pain.
The pain is unrelated to my back surgery, (I am arthritic).

How have you been? I read your story, and I felt your pain. Because of my fall, I have PTSD. I have been in other situations (not an earthquake) where I have felt sheer terror. I usually pray out loud or try really hard to use my imagination to allay the fear.

I'm sorry you went through this, Jesse. I'm glad you have a faithful friend to help you.

I hope your journey to walking again is moving along well. I wasn't sure I would walk again, Jesse. And I did and I am still. I will say a prayer for you tonight.
Blessings, friend.
Cindy

 Comment Written 11-Jan-2023


reply by the author on 12-Jan-2023
    Thank you, Cindy, for this review it doesn't matter that it is late. No worries! I also have arthritis and feel for your pain as well. I have a lot of hope and faith that I will walk again and thanks for your prayers and blessings.
    Jesse
Comment from dragonpoet
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

Hi Jesse,
This is a well told story about the effects of an earthquake on the physical and emotional well being of a person. It is good to cry. I think it is a start of healing. Faith does help you get through time like these easier. As does writing about it.
Keep writing and stay healthy.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
Joan

 Comment Written 28-Dec-2022


reply by the author on 30-Dec-2022
    Thanks, Joan for the great insights into what it takes to survive an earthquake.
    Happy New Year!
    I will stay healthy and keep on writing.
    Jesse
reply by dragonpoet on 30-Dec-2022
    You?re welcome, Jesse .
    I?ll try my best to do the same.
    Joan
Comment from Pam (respa)
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

-You wrote a very good piece about this horrible experience, Jesse.
-I can't imagine going through something like this.
-I'm glad it wasn't at night and you wouldn't have been able to see anything; that would have compounded the situation, but no time is a good time.
-I am glad David came to help you. I didn't know he was in the same building as you.
-I can understand your feeling about wanting to reach out and hold someone until the fear went away.
-My guess is that reactions to something like this vary, but more than likely, there is a feeling of shock-how did this happen? How could this have happened. In my limited experience, I think it would take some time for the tears to come. I think that is when the realization about the situation emerges, and the tears are a release.
-You seem to have a good head on your shoulders, and as long as you can release your emotions, you should be okay. It's when you keep them inside that trouble arises.
-I am happy to see you ended this on a bright note, thinking of others and the holiday spirit. I don't know if I could have thought about that or not.
-I am glad you shared your story; that is also a very good thing to do.
-Take care, and let us know how things are going when you are up to it.
-Have a very good 2023!!!!!!

 Comment Written 27-Dec-2022


reply by the author on 29-Dec-2022
    Hello Pam. I actually was at night being that it was 3 am it was still dark for many hours. David had to come from 10 miles away and helped me considerably while it was still dark before dawn.
    Thanks for understanding how it must've felt to have to wait to cry until the realization of the quake hit home.
    Thanks too for the extra star and for addressing how I became positive in the end thinking about the upcoming holidays I also hope you have a good new year!
    Jesse
reply by Pam (respa) on 29-Dec-2022
    You are very welcome and deserving of the stars and review, Jesse. Thanks for sharing in your reply. I am glad you have David as a friend, and the good New Year wishes are appreciated, too.
reply by the author on 29-Dec-2022
    David Sunny and I wish you a happy New year!
    Jesse
reply by Pam (respa) on 29-Dec-2022
    Thanks, Jesse, it means a lot!!!
reply by the author on 30-Dec-2022
    You are welcome.
Comment from Mariana Convery
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

I live in Florida and have dealt with hurricanes and tornadoes most of my life. But the thought of the earth opening up beneath you just scares me to death. One reason I wouldn't want to live on the West coast. Sorry you had to go through that. Very nice memoir with raw emotions. There are a few places you could use a comma, but other than that, nice writing.

 Comment Written 27-Dec-2022

Comment from LJbutterfly
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

I'm glad you had an opportunity to release your emotions. Your story is emotional and heartfelt. Living through a serious earthquake must be terrifying. I'm glad you and Sunny are now safe.

 Comment Written 27-Dec-2022


reply by the author on 30-Dec-2022
    Safe yet still feeling the sadness and grief of the aftermath of the earthquake.
    Thanks for wishing me and Sunny well.
    Happy New Year!
    Jesse
Comment from Mary Shifman
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

I've seen movies and documentaries which involve earthquakes, but I'm glad to say I've never experienced one myself. I did feel a tremor once after we'd gone to bed. It sounded like a freight train passing. I can't imagine what you and so many others have been through and I'm glad you and Sunny survived.

 Comment Written 27-Dec-2022

Comment from estory
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

I think you did a good job in this essay of capturing that feeling of being helpless in the face of natural forces we cannot control. You described the situation confronting you with lots of emotion, really highlighting the fact that this was a scary situation for you because you can't just get up yourself to clean up; you have to rely on someone else, and that someone has the same issues to deal with as you. It shows how dependent we are on each other in precarious situations. Good luck with putting this behind you. It makes me think of what people are doing trying to get through the holidays in this arctic blast, or those down in Florida who had that hurricane. Often we take good times for granted. estory

 Comment Written 27-Dec-2022

Comment from Ricky1024
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

This was well written rich in Theme and Imagery
It also, read well and Flowed well with No Grammar Issues.
...
Note: The only thing that I ever heard about or read that could be worse than an earthquake.
Yes was a Mudslide where you virtually have a visitor smash through your windows, rip you out of your comfortable chair, as you're watching the hockey game.
And, in a state of Shock@
...
And not only will you never find out who won the cup but you will never even breathe again!
Thanks for sharing.
Doctor Ricky1024

 Comment Written 27-Dec-2022

Comment from Sarah Robin
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

What a vivid description of living through the earthquake. I felt like I was right there with you and I am so glad that you are okay. The writing is very well done. I hope this holiday gives you peace and joy. Sarah

 Comment Written 27-Dec-2022


reply by the author on 29-Dec-2022
    Thank you so much, Sarah, for your kind and caring review. I just read your marvelous account of playing bridge with Omar Sharif and I loved it as well as you loved this one about my experiences during the huge earthquake. I also hope this holiday of New Year's day brings peace and joy to you as well.
    Thanks for the extra star and for seeing how vivid it was for me and Sunny.
    Jesse
Comment from Karyn2
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

Thank you for sharing your experience. Your writing captures much emotion and portrays clearly your longing for human connection in the midst of a harrowing ordeal. I think your writing resonates because that longing for human connection, understanding and to not feel alone is key to our wiring as human beings especially in the midst of suffering and struggle. I felt your delayed tears of built up, overwhelming anxiety and relief of return to some normalcy. I hope 2023 is a year that is filled with peace, healing and feeling connected.

 Comment Written 27-Dec-2022


reply by the author on 29-Dec-2022
    Thank you, Karyn, for showing how the depth of emotions can be delayed during an earthquake and I am also thankful for your wishing me a new year filled with peace, healing, and feeling connected.
    Jesse