Wayne Gray

Thanks, Chris. I'm glad you enjoyed the final chapter of the story. He does fit, doesn't he? Sometimes we don't know something is missing until it's not any more - such as it is with Markus, Nate and Christopher.

It is now. Well done, recognizing that change was needed. Maybe you are right where you need to be, exactly as you needed to be there. I'm happy for you both.

Thank you, Thorn. I turned myself into a blubbering mess a few times in the telling of this story, so I know it wasn't easy to edit it. You're right... Nate and Christopher were making do. They love one another deeply, but there was something missing. How could there not be after a man like Tad leaves your life? Markus isn't him, and he doesn't try to be. Yet... they find in him something new, familiar and comforting all at once. And Markus has found home, all thanks to a driven, talented man who left his mark on the world. I'm glad you spent the time and effort to help me polish this work to as high a shine as I could have.

Markus stirred his drink and smiled at Miranda. She took a long slug from the bottle of beer on the table, then she put it back down with a long exhalation. After the session, Markus had asked if she would sit and talk for awhile. Miranda agreed and chose the venue of the hotel bar, which suited Markus fine. "That was powerful." Miranda nodded and stared at the condensation on the bottle in her hand. "I mean, even before you brought up Tad." "Thank you." Markus sipped his Dark and Stormy

Night, Thorn! Enjoy Finland! 🙂

Hi Ford! Thanks for commenting. More of Bluegrass Symphony is coming, yes. Don't worry. Fleeting Eternity is going to be very difficult for me to beat, in terms of emotion, and I don't think I'm going to try. I'll let it stand alone in my works. I feel it deserves that. More of Markus's story is on the way. We'll see quite a bit of him in the next chapter. 🙂 You were close to where I was raised! Nice. There's something about those hills, isn't there?

You asked above what we do for our own self-care... and I'll tell you a few things I do. * I listen to music. I mean, really listen. I allow myself a quiet time and place to do it, so that it's not just in the background. I listen to the words, let the melody infect my mind, and ride along with the joy or pain of the singer. It helps. * I work out. When you think about it, working out and ensuring our bodies are in good condition is a gift to both yourself and to those who love you. It also releases endorphins, and later you will see results from that work if you are consistent. * I read, I write, I consume media that I enjoy. Though, that doesn't include much TV. I find too much negativity there, and I avoid it. * I eat foods I enjoy. Sweets are truly a treat, because I don't eat them all the time. But when I do, I don't feel guilty. * I schedule hot tub sessions as rewards for being consistent with my workouts. I also plan to do the same with massages. That reminds me, I need to call my masseur! Mostly, it just setting aside the time. You have to do that. You're worth allotting time to be your best. Those who love you want to see that version, and so do you. Don't put off caring about your needs - they're important. I'm glad you're on the path to getting back to "you". Good job, taking that first step.

Hi, @Jaybee0323. Thanks for taking the time to comment. 🙂 This whole story is a bit of an emotional roller-coaster, so I get why you're crying. As we wind things up, I hope the reason for the tears shifts a bit to good vs sad. Stick with me. We've one more chapter to go. See you then.

Hi Petey. Thanks for reading and commenting. There's a hell of a lot of negativity in the world, but you're right - good people can and do push back on that. They make a difference one person at a time in many ways, and leave a mark on everyone they encounter. In Tad's case his art filters slowly out into the world, and serves as an example to many people who otherwise wouldn't have one to see. Markus was one of those, just ONE. There are many more like him, of that we can be sure. Kent and Stanley are on their own voyage in life, and they're taking the path that makes sense for them. D/s isn't my path either, but that doesn't make it any less valid. I'm glad you realize and appreciate that. You may need those tissues for the last chapter. Maybe.

Thanks, Chris. Tad is definitely remembered. More, he's valued by many, even those who never got to meet him. Miranda was thankful to meet Markus... and getting to hear how Tad's work impacted him made a huge difference to her.

Thanks, FanLit. I'm glad you enjoyed the chapter. Markus's chosen path is directly due to Tad's influence on him through the book. Of course, he's alive thanks to many tiny things multiple people did that culminated in him holding the book in his hands the night he decided to stop fighting. You're right... he's paying it forward. I sort of agonized over Kent and Stanley's union. I wanted it to be "real" and spent a long time looking up vows for D/s couples. In the end, I decided that it was real for them. That I just needed to do what worked for them, and that's what I tried to do. When Kent told Stanley to throw the key, that was an unplanned moment... a final test of their bond before they took the leap. They passed. Stanley didn't pass, THEY did. Stanley trusted that Kent would make it all okay, no matter what. And he did. There's more coming. I hope you enjoy the final chapter of this story when it comes on Sunday.

Thanks, Jeffrey. You know, it's nice that you think those loose ends are tied up now. Well, there's one more chapter to go. I'd like to hear what you think about the story once that one is on the books. That scene with Markus and Miranda was one of my favorites. I could feel Markus's joy at seeing Miranda's face in the crowd, knowing he'd get to tell her what an awesome thing Tad did for him. I experienced Miranda's dawning realization as Markus pulled out Tad's book... ah... yes. I love that scene. We'll revisit on Sunday. 🙂

You're more than welcome, Tom. Thank you for reading and commenting.

Thanks, Parker. I like knowing that Tad would have been thrilled to know how much of an impact his work had on the world. He was gone far too soon, but his legacy goes on.

Sorry about the crying. Well, not really. 😋 Miranda was indeed the winner and got to meet our Markus. Markus is only "famous" within a small circle of Human Resource and Executive level professionals. He was a driven guy, out to become a helper after Tad's book did that for him. So he focused, changed his major, and forged himself into an expert on crisis management - those moments when people need help the most. You're right... that'd make a good story. Maybe someday. Thanks for the comment, and for reading.

Awww, thanks molly. You were an early reader of this one, and I appreciate that you gave feedback, and helped me hone it into a somewhat coherent state. The last of it is this Sunday. Till then...

Hi, @tinytoes. I saw, thank you. I'm going to answer a part of your email here... because it's sorta perfect. But, I wanted to say that you're going to get your wish as it concerns Markus. No. I won't elaborate. 😄 See you Sunday!

Thanks, Thorn. They all go on, and thanks to Tad they do so connected, one to another. 🙂

The day was stunning with sunshine on the beach. Yet there was mist out on the water of Humboldt Bay, and up in the hills to the east. It was now mid-August, with warm temperatures, and Kent couldn't have asked for better weather. The waves behind him crashed in a low, rhythmic roar, stirred up due to a storm far out to sea. The swells gave the whole beach an invigorating and primal feel as they thundered against the sand and rock. Thanks to the sea pounding the rocks, the smell of the ocean

Who would have thought, indeed?

Thank you so much for reading and commenting, FanLit. I think that's the purpose of life, really. To love and to be loved. Tad's work saved a man he didn't even know, and perhaps many others too. He welded Christopher and Nate together, just by being himself, and allowing for the connection to happen. He goes on. And on, and on.

Thanks, Reader! I make them fresh every time. That’s part of its appeal for me - because I can make a dressing based on whatever I'm craving at that moment. But they’d easily last a few days in the fridge.

Nice! I love the spice blend used in this one. mmmm....

Ohhhh... that looks good! Thanks for sharing, molly!

Okay. There's no, ZERO reason for me to buy dressing for salad anymore. Here's a recipe to build your own salad dressings using the flavors you enjoy the most. You need one component of each of the below. Pick stuff you like. Dump this stuff into a mason jar with a tight fitting lid. Oil: 1/4 cup Olive Oil OR Avocado Oil ( I VASTLY prefer olive oil because I like the flavor) Acid: 2 tablespoons of lemon juice OR your favorite vinegar (apple cider vinegar is great) Savory: 1 teaspoon of Dijon mustard, stone-ground mustard, or regular yellow mustard OR 1 tablespoon of mashed capers OR 1 tablespoon of sun-dried tomatoes diced suuuuuper small Sweet: 1 tablespoon of honey OR brown sugar OR an equivalent amount of non-calorie sweetener. In addition to the more concentrated sweet stuff, I also add a few (2-4) tablespoons of fruit juice of some sort to add interest and volume to the dressing A hint of heat: 1 teaspoon of black pepper OR 1 teaspoon of red pepper flake (At LEAST put in the black pepper. You'll be fine. For real.) Oddballs: Various seasonings you enjoy. I put a teaspoon of lemon pepper in mine. Minced garlic is good if you like the flavor of it. Go wild. Salt: If you didn't use capers, or something with a lot of salt in it then you need a 1/4 teaspoon of salt There you go. You add this stuff to your jar, close it up tight, and shake the hell out of it. In seconds you've got a great dressing that you KNOW you'll like, because you're using ingredients you like. Use one thing from each underlined category, or mix and match after you get confident with it. It's pretty forgiving. Give it a shot! Oh, you can also use this for a marinade. 🙂