Comment from Pearl Edwards

Exceptional

Well done Jim. I like how you have shown us the softening of Marie in her own words. Also bringing in the season with - better late than never for this old Grinch. Great chapter Jim.
Cheers
Valda

 Comment Written 28-Dec-2024

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reply by the author on 29-Dec-2024

Thanks very much, valda, and for those 6 stars too. I've always loved How the Grinch Stole Christmas, and his resurrection was much like what we're seeing here with Marie. If you can open up your heart and mind, I guess there's hope for most of us.

Comment from T B Botts

Excellent

Hello Jim,
I liked the way this chapter went. It sounds like Marie isn't the bitch that she's always been. It's funny how a grandchild can melt a cold heart isn't it? It's interesting that she's taking an honest look at her heart and seems to be pleased with the direction she's going.
Have a blessed evening.
Tom

 Comment Written 28-Dec-2024

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reply by the author on 28-Dec-2024

She is definitely softening, although she's not all the way there yet to becoming a decent human being. Her transformation has become a bigger part of the plot than I initially envisioned, as I've found I enjoy writing about her. I've got a few more things in store for her. One thing about her, as you've noticed: she doesn't deceive herself about herself the way some people do. She seems to have a pretty realistic assessment of herself and knows she's a pretty shitty person. But she likes the direction she seems to be heading now.

I'm glad you're enjoying this part of the story, Tom.

Comment from Carol Hillebrenner

Excellent

Dana's suggestion to Abby seems to be going to work out. Grandma Marie sounds as if she is changing into another person, a much nicer person. Nothing like having an adorable little boy to help grow hearts a few sizes bigger. Have a lovely Christmas Day tomorrow and a great New Year.

 Comment Written 25-Dec-2024

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reply by the author on 25-Dec-2024

The old Grinch has a chance after all. Let's see if she can continue on this upward path.

Hope you have a very Merry Christmas too, Carol.

Comment from royowen

Excellent

I never learned much from my parents, excepting how to fight with my partner, but did learn a little from my friends parents, but I did learn what not to do, like anything else in live, doing good or bad is a decision we make, not necessarily something we may learn, let love guide one's behaviour, the Lord taught me that. Well done Jim, blessings Roy

 Comment Written 24-Dec-2024

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reply by the author on 25-Dec-2024

Yes, and that's exactly the point I'm trying to make with Marie. It ends up being her choice to become a decent person.

Have a very Merry Christmas, my friend.

reply by royowen on 25-Dec-2024

Well done

Comment from Pam Lonsdale

Excellent

All-nighters with a beautiful redhead. Hopefully, they won't have time to "notice" each other. And before I even read Marie's narration here, I wonder what she will have to say to Julia about the arrangement.

Okay, I was wrong, or it didn't come up:-)

Marie is turning into a caring, dare I say "loving", individual. I loved her comparison to the Grinch, and the last sentence of the chapter.

See you after the holidays, Jim. Enjoy!

xo
Pam

 Comment Written 24-Dec-2024

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reply by the author on 24-Dec-2024

So, a little romp between Brian and Abby, huh? That would have shaken things up a little!

You always seem to notice and comment on my favorite lines in a chapter, Pam, like the last sentence. One more heart size to go.

Have a very Merry Christmas, Pam.

Comment from Wendy G

Excellent

I am glad that Maria is not too proud to admit that she has not been a good mother, and that she is realising what she missed all during Julia's childhood. Another excellent and reflective chapter, well-written as always.
Wendy

 Comment Written 24-Dec-2024

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reply by the author on 24-Dec-2024

Thanks very much, Wendy. You've realized that Marie doesn't delude herself and is fully aware she's been a rotten mother and a rotten person in general. Her transformation isn't complete yet, though, and there will still be some more bumps along the way.

Hope you and your family have a very Merry Christmas, Wendy.

Comment from lyenochka

Excellent

Glad to see that Marie is turning into a real grandmother now. And it is a beautiful thing to be free from the pressures of parenting so that we can just focus on loving our grandchildren.
That's hysterical that you took the name of Gaga - maybe Lady Gaga and Papa Gaga? Thanks for sharing the real life source for that.

 Comment Written 24-Dec-2024

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reply by the author on 24-Dec-2024

The toughest thing about grandparenting is knowing when to offer advice when you see your kids making what you feel are mistakes in their parenting. Advice is sometimes necessary, but it can be tricky in how to give it. You have to pick your battles, just as you have to do when they were little.

No, it was just Ga-ga for each of us. Gradually it morphed into Grandpa and Grandma. We still kid him about cucugaga.

Comment from lancellot

Excellent

Well done. You've done a good job exploring getting older and having regrets, plus how even seeming bad and unloving people can change, and a family can be reunited.

But... how was this done? Not criticizing, but it did seem to come too easily, and because of how things always work out for Brian, the reader never doubted Marie would change for the positive. Do you understand?

I'm not whipping you. I'm saying, doubt and yes "real loss" is a needed component of any good drama. Right?

 Comment Written 23-Dec-2024

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reply by the author on 24-Dec-2024

I agree with what you've said here, Lance. It does seem too easy--so far. I'm not done with Marie yet, and her transformation isn't complete. There will be some hiccups along the way. I appreciate your analysis here.

reply by lancellot on 24-Dec-2024

That's the thing. Must Marie transform? Must every aspect of Brian's life turn to gold for him? Who has a life like that?

reply by the author on 24-Dec-2024

Well, it's not as though it comes too easily for him. He went through years of pain, two near-death overdoses, and a severe bout of depression to finally get where he's at now.

I prefer happy endings, though. Did you ever read Bernard Malamud's The Natural? They also made a movie of the same name starring Robert Redford as a supremely good baseball player, Roy Hobbes, who met with tragedy in his life but battled back to eventual success. The book ended with him striking out, which was a rather gloomy, but perhaps more realistic outcome, whereas they changed this for the movie, which ends with him hitting an unlikely homerun considering the physical shape he was in. I preferred the movie ending.

Comment from Dolly'sPoems

Exceptional

Babies have a unique ability go make us behave like children ourselves as we try and amuse them and Marie has let down her guard and enjoyed her Grandchild which has sparked some regret about her own parenting. We forgive our parents for not providing an ideal environment for us but they find it hard to forgive themselves. It must feel so wonderful to create music for others to enjoy and Marie has that unique gift along with her daughter. I enjoyed your post Jim, love Dolly x x x

 Comment Written 23-Dec-2024

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reply by the author on 24-Dec-2024

Thanks so much, Dolly, for your wonderful review and the 6 stars too. I guess there's hope for Marie after all. As long as they can admit they made mistakes and aren't completely defensive about it, there's room for change. At least she has enough self-awareness to know she wasn't a good mother.

You are such a talented poet and artist, Dolly, can you also claim to be a musician too?

Hope you have a very Merry Christmas in the spirit of many of your Christmas poems.

Comment from Cecilia A Heiskary

Excellent

Jim,

What another wonderful chapter to your book. It seems the Grinch is starting to regret some of her choice she has made in her life. Glad her and Julia could get past their stand off.

Well done my friend

Cecilia

 Comment Written 23-Dec-2024

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reply by the author on 24-Dec-2024

Thanks very much Cecilia. Marie has a lot of soul-searching to do and changing of her ways before she can begin to feel good about herself, something perhaps she has never felt before. That baby is a real catalyst for her.

reply by Cecilia A Heiskary on 24-Dec-2024

You're welcome