Thank you so much. I’m pleased that it made that kind of impression. To watch this kind of illness take root, especially as a child, IS moving, and horrific, especially when you feel powerless to do anything except watch.
My mother had a mental illness and it was difficult to cope with her rapid mood swings. It’s not the same as what you bore witness to, but I can relate. I felt powerless to do anything. And have spent most of my life trying to “fix” those around me.
Hugs to you.
Thank you. Without doubt, this was a fictional piece, and the narrator fictional in part, too. But it does have more than its fair share of truthful experience in it. I was much younger than the narrator but it left a lasting impression. I hope never to experience it again.
I’ve been going through my list of ‘flagged’ emails for links I wanted to return to, and I’m SO glad I make a point of doing this, or I’d have missed this story. It’s so powerful.
You made me snivel. You actually did. My son wondered what I was watching on my iPad that had stirred me from my mum-like stoical state. When I told him it was a bittersweet story (and explained what bittersweet was) he went back to his room and started reading Matilda again. So I think you had three victories with this story:
1) the initial correct appreciation by the judges at its inherent excellence
2) moving further readers on its reappearance in the world
3) getting a little boy you’ve never met to realise the power of reading.
Oh my goodness. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for telling me this! There’s nothing that gives me greater pleasure as a writer than knowing that I’ve managed to touch my readers.
For the record — the story you’ve just told me has made me snivel, too. I never expected that story to encourage a child to read. I’m truly delighted about that! I was always rated very highly as a teacher by others, but I’m not sure I’ve ever had an impact from a distance like that before! 😀
Ina Morata 
Powerful. The monster wears many faces and names, but so many battle silently
Thankyou for sharing this tale.
Would you object to my posting a link to it on my own blog?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you very much for reading. You’re right: the monster morphs and invades. Not everyone has support when faced with such a fight.
By all means, share the story on your blog. That’s very kind of you.
LikeLike
This was so moving, Ina. I felt like I was there watching it all unfold.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much. I’m pleased that it made that kind of impression. To watch this kind of illness take root, especially as a child, IS moving, and horrific, especially when you feel powerless to do anything except watch.
LikeLiked by 1 person
My mother had a mental illness and it was difficult to cope with her rapid mood swings. It’s not the same as what you bore witness to, but I can relate. I felt powerless to do anything. And have spent most of my life trying to “fix” those around me.
Hugs to you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I completely understand what you’ve been through, as I’ve seen it, and been there with my family members.
Hugs to you, too. x
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very moving. It deserved inclusion and the check. Even w/o the explanation, it reads as a truthful experience.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you. Without doubt, this was a fictional piece, and the narrator fictional in part, too. But it does have more than its fair share of truthful experience in it. I was much younger than the narrator but it left a lasting impression. I hope never to experience it again.
LikeLike
I’ve been going through my list of ‘flagged’ emails for links I wanted to return to, and I’m SO glad I make a point of doing this, or I’d have missed this story. It’s so powerful.
You made me snivel. You actually did. My son wondered what I was watching on my iPad that had stirred me from my mum-like stoical state. When I told him it was a bittersweet story (and explained what bittersweet was) he went back to his room and started reading Matilda again. So I think you had three victories with this story:
1) the initial correct appreciation by the judges at its inherent excellence
2) moving further readers on its reappearance in the world
3) getting a little boy you’ve never met to realise the power of reading.
Thank you for sharing, for so many reasons.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh my goodness. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for telling me this! There’s nothing that gives me greater pleasure as a writer than knowing that I’ve managed to touch my readers.
For the record — the story you’ve just told me has made me snivel, too. I never expected that story to encourage a child to read. I’m truly delighted about that! I was always rated very highly as a teacher by others, but I’m not sure I’ve ever had an impact from a distance like that before! 😀
LikeLike