gjtravel2a

Now that you mention it, I not only can imagine seeing it, I suspect I would enjoy watching it!! Ahhh, suspect will burn in hell for such thoughts, but worthwhile none the less....

H'mmmm, bagging Father Tim, new aspect of Holy Communion?

Gosh and golly, with the detailed way this story is going (and I personally am enjoying the day-to-day development!) Chapter 44 will get us just past Christmas! 9/11 can be a whole different tale and one that I have great trepidation regarding who might find themselve in NYC, oy, hope they experience from CA and not NYC>>>

First, thanks for the treat of Chapter 13 coming along so quickly! Secondly, you had mentioned (warned) about a sympathetic religious person, nice addition. Nice way to help Brad heal and get some centering as well..

Truly for Chicago is fantastic city! Lively, great people, horrible weather, but fun! The problem with forgiveness is that for it to be truly effective, the other person(s) will want it or at least accept it. Forgiveness pulsating out of a damaged heart and finding only cold rejection does not offer the soul perfect healing. That being said, now that the kids are older, we are talking about the final dissolution of what is left of the marriage. Neither of us are without blame, but are working at remaining good friends and minimizing any damage to the kids...our priority. Double oy. While I had understood that this story was set in a similar time-frame to momentous personal events, it was only this morning that the tie to my own marriage broke through. For me, this explains why I am finding the story cathartic. For that reason, I can say, 44 chapters, way cool! The pace is a good one for what they are having to experience. I am just thankful you are not the type of author that only posts once a month! You understand the appropriate pace for your story and your life, but thank you for posting frequently!!!

Regarding taking my 'Virgin Post'....well, I woke up with a smile on my face and I feel respected, so I suppose it was good for me! Thanks for being gentle!! For me, in both the reading and the writing, there is an almost sacred element in what is shared and understood. This story resonates with me on several levels. One that struck me this morning is that during the time-frame of this story, I was working in California in the High-Tech Industry and the entire sector disappeared. Oy. I was able to get a good job, but had to relocate to Chicago. My wife lasted only a few months and then moved back to CA with the kids. I 'commuted' between Chicago and CA when I could and saw them about every other weekend.. That had to last for about 3 years while the economy recovered. However, I do identify with Brad on the level that my heart was torn out completely when I felt that my wife would choose place over person. The marriage has never really recovered, for that is only one instance, but it was a very painful time. Robbie, like my own wife, has their very legitimate side and feelings, but, perhaps projection on my part, the sense of abandonment I felt and sense from Brad was/is very real for me. Part of my fascination (and virtual addiction!) to this story is that it cuts close to home and, much like your other writings, feels emotionally very real. Thanks for sharing so much with your audience, fans, supporters.... gj

I found it particularly interesting when Brad seemed to take blaim for screwing up the relationship when he bashed the windshield....in my thinking, Robbie is still the main culprit. Brad is screwed up, but in this land of wealth and privilege, Robbie started Brad's road to ruin....a thread has mentioned that Brad may logically start to regain control, logical, but what has made the series interesting is how it takes great twists and turns. Brad is still my favorite character. I re-read some of the earlier writings to re-fresh why Brad was so in love and there is a strong case for the love they have, but in 'The Box', and with this mid-life crisis, it does seem that Robbie is a whiny jerk, but he has had moments of greatness in the past.