FanLit

I admire you very much, tim. Continue holding on to your hope for the future; You have already risen up from much that have fallen many. I don’t know if it’s weird to say I love you, but I have love for you, tim. You bare your heart and your soul and they are beautiful, scars and all. There is strength in your vulnerability that defies the biggest muscles. When the rest of the journey seems exhausting, focus on one step at a time, one day at a time. Michael and you are in my thoughts and hopes for the best.

😘 🍻

Happy Birthday to your Mom. 🎉🎁🎂🎈 Your Mom was a survivor, that alone speaks to her strength; Her beauty and truth are reflected in her son and I thank her for what she has gifted to you in both nature and nurture. Am I to surmise from reading this another grandchild is on the way? If so, congratulations. I know you’ve had your own journey of struggle, yet I just know your children sing your praises the way you sing your Mom’s; Yet another way her legacy lives on in you. 🍻

Josh definitely has more character than Shaun, smh. I wasn’t to wish bad things to happen to him but won’t, story dictated or not, Karma is a bitch and she always collects.

Count me among the ones who are happy with this choice. There has to be certain situations in place for Jordan to consider reconciling with Noah. Jordan wouldn’t go back to Noah to be hurt again and the bottom line is, the heart wants what it wants. Jordan’s mom was true to wonderful form, Noah already has a family in Jordan and his mother no matter what. Brody’s reaction to this will be interesting, as long as he’s not another Sebastian. Good chapter, good choice.

In this chapter, tim, you managed to capture the beauty that can surround life when dealing with death. It was sad for those who loved Gavin Taylor to lose him but with evidence of a life well lived and well loved, his family was able to let him go in peace so that he wouldn’t suffer anymore. I love Louis, his heart and his humanity; This chapter showed where that came from; Tho he was raised in Toronto, his foundation is the “Rock” and you’ve done your usual excellent job with your vivid portrayal of those inhabitants. From their local accent, to the dishes and desserts native to their heritage (Jam jams and snowballs?...yum), you beautifully painted these people as salt of the earth, unassuming in manner but with their own rough hewn strength and dignity. It was a hoot that Louis didn’t realize his Aunt Laura also shared his sexual orientation, and clear that it made no difference in his family, given his parents’ acceptance of him. That Gavin let Louis know how proud he was of him as a man and that his coming out made him the most proud was truly a gift, one that is not always given before we shuck this mortal coil. Robert and Rena coming to pay their respects to the Taylors show how far Rena has come in her thinking and how they are truly a united family. This is now another new normal Louis will have to adjust to, as he and Don are still getting accustomed to Max and vice versa; While Don and Max have their disability to bond them, this loss may serve as common ground for Louis and Max. Once again, tim, this was beautiful work.

I doubt he will, Timothy but one can hope....

So do I!! I get it’s his attempt to control the situation but he must really think people are dumb. Does he think no one will find out they are homobullying him at school?

This is awful. No matter if Shaun winds up making up for this or becoming a great man after this, THIS will always be a part of him, this will always speak to a part of who he was, not just to a stranger but to someone who was supposed to be his best friend. This is shameful. This is sad. For all the bullshit Gary will now face because of Shaun’s words, he’s better off without a “friend” like him.

It’s hard to realize when you’re a child that your parents had a life before you came into it, lol. That life shaped the parent we got, for good and for bad. It’s hard to realize that our parents have issues they’re still dealing with when they become parents, issues they may never get over and that we unintentionally inherit. If we are lucky, we can recognize this when we become adults (if not sooner) and understand that “Mommy” or “Daddy” did the best they could, even knowing it wasn’t good enough and forgive them. Forgiveness is more for the one wronged than the one who did wrong and it sets the one forgiving free. With Noah’s help, Jordan took that step so that his children won’t inherit what he did from his dad. Jordan is going to be an amazing man. What lucky patients and children await him. I notice Noah’s baby steps and I know he too is a good guy but those rough spots of his were rough!! Lol. I’m side eyeing his father’s reaching out, I mainly believe he’s sincere but wonder if he’s trying to lead Noah into a trap; My concern is also that if he’s sincere and Noah comes home, bitch mom will act extremely on her own; If Noah’s dad really wants to have a real relationship with him, it will need to be on Noah’s terms and from a distance (does he realize who he’s married to?) I look forward to seeing Jordan’s reaction to Noah on his doorstep. Is Brody close by? And he has to meet Jordan’s mom, who while an obviously nice lady, still I’m sure will have something to say to the boy who broke her baby’s heart. Very good chapter.

Thanks Lisa!!

Jordan’s progression has been a beautiful thing to witness; He’s owning who he is without shame, the only pain he feels now is in regards to Noah. I know he still loves him but does he love him enough to take him back? A LOT of hurt happened there. Noah’s progression was breathtaking in a different way, there are two extremes to living life as you are and they were both covered through Jordan and Noah’s experiences. I’m pleased his siblings stepped up and I have basically written off that bitch mother of his; His father seems genuinely concerned about him but I don’t know how far that will go. Mommie Dearest seems like the type to kidnap him and send him to a conversion camp so they better keep that rabid creature on a leash. It was good that Jordan moved on and I was glad that something was developing with Brody (even tho it wasn’t Noah). His father’s death is a leveler; It could be the opening for he and Noah, time will tell. Noah’s out now and he came out on his own, that was important. Let’s see if an out Noah and an out Jordan can find their way back to each other.

Based on the story synopsis, we know Shaun is going to be a true POS to Gary, the question is how much of an ass will he be and will he regret/redeem his actions eventually? I’m hoping Gary doesn’t get bullied too badly over the knowledge of his homosexuality; Either way, his world will never be the same. It would be nice if Gary's mom was accepting of his sexual orientation, one would think being an educator would make her more tolerable but sometimes it’s easier dealing with those things when it’s someone else’s child. Thank you for sharing your first story here....so far, so good. 👍

Does Enderson hate his son or not? Does he love the “sinner” and not the “sin”? Still not sure about this man and his sinister intentions....

Not sure what I feel about old man Enderson yet....

The length of your chapters are fine to this reader. Even though I don’t agree with the choice Noah made, I understand and respect him for making it. His family already knows (or highly suspects) about his homosexuality, in my opinion; Even that bitch mother of his-Mama always knows, right? That woman won’t face it tho, unless she catches Noah with a dick in his mouth or up his ass. I honestly don’t know what to make of where things should go between the guys because sometimes love isn’t enough to stay together. Sebastian is a mystery, how could he think that Noah or Jordan would trust him knowing all the things he did to them? While I am curious to understand what makes him tick, I am a-okay if this is the last we see of him in the story. This was a bittersweet chapter....more bitter than sweet.

What the fuck did Sebastian do now?!?! My Noah issues aside, Sebastian is the worst thing in this story, with Noah’s mom a veryclose second. While I was hugely relieved Noah owned up to his actions and apologized, I’m side eyeing him for the foreseeable future because he still has some growing up to do. I’m just wondering what Sebastian said, did or threatened to make Noah feel the best thing he can do is be away from Jordan....

It’s the italicized part of CscottyCA’s review that concerns me more than the whole gay issue. Noah does not deal in a constructive way with conflict and that’s detrimental to any relationship he has.

The way Noah’s acting in this time of crisis, maybe Jordan is better off without him. He is totally wrong for putting any of this on Jordan. Who asked who to move in with whom?! He is transferring the pressures he’s putting on himself to Jordan. He is sheltered and selfish and will continue sucking Mother’s milk; it’s very disappointing. Noah should realize that if your family truly loves you, it won’t matter who you sleep with; Conditional love is not true love.

“Happy as I was for them, I hung back a moment. It had finally dawned on me that life is rarely still, rarely without changes. I wondered why we were so afraid of it and them.” Because the devil we know is better than the devil we don’t; We sell ourselves short in that mindset tho because sometimes change brings around angels and slices of heaven. (Is anyone else thinking of an angel food cake now? 😊) “He held me tightly as I struggled to get up. “You … us, it means everything to me. I don’t take it for granted. You know that too?” It was this passage that changed my strong like for this chapter into love. This was a big admission for Don and I’m glad he did it; Sometimes hearing that you’re truly appreciated rights all the wrongs. Good progression chapter, tim; The calm before the storm, as it were. And congratulations to Robert and Rena!! 🎉

“....Though i've written a lot of poetry, i know i have a lot to learn and to practice....” Your modesty and humility are part and parcel of who you are, tim: What you already know is more than most in the tricky world of the rhymed word. Practice can only perfect your natural ability but you’re way ahead of many other’s game. I liked the Tankas, the sample ones as well as your efforts; I respect your willingness to grow your skill by stepping out of your comfort zone.

What a beautiful description of taking Cookie for a walk and congratulations on her addition to your family. “....Filled to the brim, she bursts ahead, and I feel my age Yet, I am still an infant To this mother on whose broad back I plod proudly....” While there were many other phrases I liked and could’ve highlighted here, the phrase I selected above particularly touched me, it speaks to your deep affinity and respect for nature. Viewed through that prism, we are all as young as Cookie, compared to our moody, beautiful Mother Earth 🌎. I admire the gift that enables you to write something this melodic so quickly, in the midst of what is clearly a full day, 🐶 😊 Thank you for sharing.

Wishes count.