Reviews from

Never Forgotten

My son, Mark

41 total reviews 
Comment from sunnilicious
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

That must have been an emotional experience to endure. It seems like you're still in pain. Now, I am too for you. It was a very sentimentally touching story. I am sorry to hear you had to go through that. I was born in August 1972. I'm still single. Maybe, your son was my soulmate. How does this universe work ?

 Comment Written 30-Nov-2022


reply by the author on 30-Nov-2022
    Thank you. Who knows, maybe your are. This happened over fifty years ago so I have come to grips with it. It will forever be a painful memory, though. I will always wonder, what if?
Comment from amahra
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

I loved this story. It was so touching. Just one thing below:

I think in 1972, little Roy would have been four. You wrote that Mark was born in a hurry in 1970 when Roy was two. Then you wrote, "On January 20th, 1972, my baby boy seemed unusually fussy and refused to eat."

 Comment Written 15-Nov-2022


reply by the author on 15-Nov-2022
    Thank you. You're right. I went back and corrected my error. It was supposed to be January 1971 instead of 72. Mark was two months old at the time. I'm surprised no one else spotted the mistake. I'm embarrassed to think I did that.
    Hugs
reply by amahra on 15-Nov-2022
    Each reader will notice a different mistake. None of us will see them all. Some of us are good at catching grammatical errors, others, mechanical errors, and some like me, content errors. And don't be so hard on yourself. Fanstory is the place to make mistakes. :))
Comment from pit viper
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

Oh, dear. This made me cry. I could relate to it, as my second son (a preemie) almost died from SIDS. When he was a few months old, without warning, I found him not breathing in his crib. I don't know how long he had been that way. I was able to revive him with CPR, but he stopped breathing again in the ambulance. They kept him in the ICU for weeks, but never discovered why this happened. They said maybe a virus that effected his brain. In the end, he lived and came home. It did not appear there was any brain damage. But he grew up to be a troubled man, who has lived a tragic life- schizophrenic, drug addicted, in and out of prison- and I've always wondered if his brief time without oxygen has something to do with that.
I'm sorry your son never got to experience so many things. But you can take comfort in the fact that he also never experienced pain, loneliness, or sorrow.
Someday, you will meet your son again, and he will be as innocent and untouched by this world and its cruelty as he was during his brief time on earth with you.
Thank you for sharing this heartfelt story.

 Comment Written 15-Nov-2022


reply by the author on 15-Nov-2022
    Thank you, and thanks for the six stars. There is an error in the story that I corrected just now. Mark died in January 1971, not 72. He was two months old. I don't know how I did that, but I'm embarrassed it happened. Thank you for sharing the story about your son, too. It does make you wonder if it was the trauma her suffered when he was so small.
    Hugs
Comment from Sandra Stoner-Mitchell
Excellent
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You've lost both your sons! That is so cruel! I'm so sorry, I'm sure the hurt never lessened even though you coped through life. I wonder why some have to suffer so much, and those who deserve to, don't. Live can be so cruel. I've not read about your other son, so I must go and find them. Well done for writing this very personal and sensitive story, and good luck in the contest. Warm hugs, my friend. Sandra xx

 Comment Written 15-Nov-2022


reply by the author on 15-Nov-2022
    Thank you for reading and for your kind comments. I will always miss them and who, or what, they would have been if life.
    Hugs
reply by Sandra Stoner-Mitchell on 15-Nov-2022
    I'm sure you do. I would as well if I lost one of my children, let lone both of them. xxx
Comment from Judy Lawless
Excellent
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Oh my, what a sad story. Apparently the doctor at the hospital didn't as thorough a job of checking your poor baby out. In the 1970s medicine had surely advanced that far, to detect pneumonia and taken care of it before it was too late. I didn't know until now that you also lost your other son when he was older. My heart goes out to you. It must have been difficult for you to share this story, but maybe it will ease your pain a little. Bless you. Hugs

 Comment Written 15-Nov-2022


reply by the author on 15-Nov-2022
    Thank you. I was over fifty years ago, but it still took some tears to complete the story. I will always wonder what, or who, they would have been in life. Thanks again for the kind comments.
    Hugs
reply by Judy Lawless on 15-Nov-2022
    You're most welcome, prettybluebirds. I know how you feel.
Comment from Sarah Robin
Excellent
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Thank you for sharing this story with us. I was very touched as I read about you losing your son. And, to lose your other son also made me hurt for you. Your writing is very descriptive and very well done. You are one tough lady! Sarah

 Comment Written 15-Nov-2022


reply by the author on 15-Nov-2022
    Thank you. There is an error that I just corrected in the story. Mark dies in 71, not 72. He was two monts old. I don't know how I made that mistake. It was an emotional story to write so maybe that was why. Thank you again for your kind words.
Comment from irishauthorme
Excellent
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This story is a heartbreaker. All the grief life has thrown at you could have broken you, but you have been strong enough to survive.
I know what you mean about the grammar, mine is terrible. I am studying an instruction book called "Writing for the Complete Idiot," and making slow progress. Composition is one thing, the parts of speech rough.
Thank you for sharing your story.
irish

 Comment Written 15-Nov-2022


reply by the author on 15-Nov-2022
    Thank you, and thanks for your kind comments. Speaking of grammer, I made an error in the story, but have corrected it. Mark died in 71, not 72. He was two months old. I'm surprised no one caught it.
    Hugs
Comment from Jay Squires
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

What tragedy you experienced by losing baby Mark. I imagine you feel the pain of your loss as poignantly today as when he passed. I know it took a lot of courage, and not just a few spilled tears, to relive that tragic day. God bless you on this journey.

Jay

 Comment Written 15-Nov-2022


reply by the author on 15-Nov-2022
    Thank you. I did make an error in the story. Mark died in 71, not 72. He was two months old. It was an emotional story to write, so maybe that explains the mistake. Thanks again for reading and commenting.
    Hugs
Comment from Sandra Nelms-Ludwig
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

Mrs. Pretty your story made me cry, because I too am a mother who lost a child. My only child died at 22. I can sense after all of these years your mother anguish. You and your husband did all you could do. You are getting ready to have what I call "one of the unhappy anniversaries (the birthday, the death day). These days are especially hard no matter how many years have passed. There's no expiration day on grief, and especially the death of a child. From a distance I send you a hug. This entry is more than a contest entry. It's a testament you boy, Mark, existed and was loved dearly.

 Comment Written 14-Nov-2022


reply by the author on 14-Nov-2022
    Thank you. Yes, this happened over fifty years ago, but still hurts as much today. No matter how young or old the child, the pain is the same. I'm sorry for your loss too. Thank you for the six stars. They are appreciated.
    Hugs
reply by Sandra Nelms-Ludwig on 14-Nov-2022
    The mother's heart stays tender as long as she lives. You are welcome and thank you for your well wishes. My story is written as poetry. Go to page 3 of my portfolio and read RIP Daughter and Back Away from the Brink.
Comment from Ulla
Excellent
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I am so very sorry for your loss and for losing little Mark. It's a mother's worst nightmare come true. As I read on and came to the end, I also understand you've lost your other son. It brings tears to my eyes.
It is very well written. Ulla:)))

 Comment Written 14-Nov-2022


reply by the author on 14-Nov-2022
    Thank you. Yes, I have no children since 1985. It is hard for a mother to lose her children. There are several others on this site who have lost sons or daughters. It helps to write about it and share with others.
    Hugs
reply by Ulla on 15-Nov-2022
    Hugs back to you.