Fixed.

Another great one, charlieje. Thanks.

Charlieje

Re: Christine, chapter XIII

The feelings and emotions expressed in this chapter are so real and touching. They brought tears to my eyes. It makes me wonder if you experienced the love and acceptance of Christine’s family or if you experienced the opposite of never measuring up to your parent’s expectations and not being totally accepted for who you are. If you experienced neither, where did you get the insight to be able to communicate those feelings and emotions in such a real way?

I never experienced that degree of love and acceptance and am very envious of your character. I hope that the final outcome of the story is what I am expecting it to be.

Mac (imported) wrote: Fri Jun 28, 2002 2:31 pm Charlieje

Re: Christine, chapter XI

V and XV

You have a knack for keeping the story so real and exciting/depressing. Just as you built up excitement and joy in chapter XIII, you let it totally fall apart in chapter XIV. You recaptured the joy and excitement in chapter XV, just to drop a real disappointment in the final paragraph.

Poor little Christine. What more will she have to endure before she can become a total girl with the full love and support of her family and friends? Please don’t let her become anything else.

Thank you to all who have read this story, and especially to those who have commented or sent me private email.

Mac: Your observations and comments, your insight, have really shaken me! I went to work an hour early this morning to write a response to your comments, but I have since decided that my response is a little too long and probably not appropriate for this board. But nevertheless I feel I have to respond, so here is a condensed version:

You are absolutely right, my friend. I experienced complete and total rejection in my own family, namely the father I had adored. He went to his grave thinking I was the biggest piece of SH** on the face of the earth. By the same token I have experienced complete and total acceptance and love: from an uncle and a lover's father when I was a young teen, and from my wife and my three children. So I guess I can say honestly that I have experienced it all, as far as experience from others is concerned.

I considered myself an "abused child," but the abuse I enjoyed pales in comparison to what my wife endured. Maybe that's what has kept us together all these years. She still bears the scars and shows them very clearly, if you know her the way I do. I suppose I still show my scars too, but we have survived and are happy.

As I mentioned in the prologue, writing "Christine" is my attempt to walk in the shoes of some people whose mental angish we can only imagine. I only hope I have done them justice.

I must say that the Christine saga is intensely emotional and very though provoking. It is probably one of the best that I have ever read on this site. You are very talented. Keep up the good work.

Charlieje (imported) wrote: Sat Jun 29, 2002 12:17 pm Mac: Your observations and comments, your insight, have really shaken me!

… You are absolutely right, …

Charlieje (imported) wrote: Sat Jun 29, 2002 12:17 pm I experienced complete and total rejection in my own family, namely the father I had adored. I have experienced complete and total acceptance and love: from an uncle and a lover's father when I was a young teen, and from my wife and my three children.

Sorry,

I should not have asked. I have had similar experiences. My dad always let me feel that, no matter how I did, I could have done better. He couldn’t give me his unconditional approval.

My children, 2 daughters, are married adults and have their own lives and ideas. My wife and I are each others only love and support. We do not have anybody else who cares.

I can personally feel and understand Christine’s and your turmoil.

Charlieje (imported) wrote: Sat Jun 29, 2002 12:17 pm As I mentioned in the prologue, writing "Christine" is my attempt to walk in the shoes of some people whose mental angish we can only imagine. I only hope I have done them justice.

Charlieje,

You are doing a great job capturing all the possible emotions and circumstances. Do justice for Christine. Let her realize her goal of becomming a happy and complete girl.

Shoot, Mac, I don't even seem to be able to do Roman Numerals justice! I'm sorry about the double post of the same chapter... I realized seconds after I hit "Submit" that I had typed VIII and not XVIII, so I reposted hoping to get someone's attention before they both found their way to the board.

As for Christine, well the last two chapters are ready to go - perhaps in the morning....

Charlieje (imported) wrote: Sun Jun 30, 2002 7:03 pm Shoot, Mac, I don't even seem to be able to do Roman Numerals justice! I'm sorry about the double post of the same chapter... As for Christine, well the last two chapters are ready to go - perhaps in the morning....

I checked both VIII and XVIII to see if they were the same or different.

Guess that I will find out in the morning. Hope that I am not disappointed with the outcome.

Bboy will fix that one. I had already let them out in a rush, due to horrible ISP service. You're lucky they got out at all, that day. Sorry to have not caught it. I just hit RELEASE, etc., then INDEX and ran with it. My fault.