"Chimes" is still available from Damnation Books. Since most folks who commented on my promotion idea seemed to think it was either a good idea or OK, I'm going to go ahead and try it. Anyone who does a review for the story will have their names entered into a drawing to win a copy of whichever of my books they might want. That includes the three Talera novels, Write With Fire, and the Writing in Psychology Guidebook. Any review counts; it doesn't have to be a good review.
Another thing going on in my life right now is not positive, and it makes it hard to talk about the things that are positives. Even though I feel like I need to.
My mom was showing some improvement but has had a pretty bad setback. She's pulled her stomach feeding tube out twice now. It's not looking good, and right now the feelings are far too convoluted and complex to speak clearly of. I'm not even completely sure what those feelings are, since I go from hope, to resignation, to various emotions in between. Someday I'll probably write about them. But not today.
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45 comments:
Charles, some things are impossible to talk about. They come at such moments when we feel the full weight of reality. My heart is with you.
sorry about your mama's relapse, charles... prayers she improves!
as for promo, go for it....
Please let me know if there's ever anything I can do, hon.
Sorry about your mom. We'll keep her in our thoughts
I'm sorry to hear about your mom too, Charles. I've been through something similar and I know how your emotions are pulled all over the place, not knowing when to hope, or what to hope for.
This may or not be helpful to you. I hope it's the former. My mother prayed for death the whole last year. And when it came, her last words were-"I almost feel joyful." Now she had many illnesses and was 84, but living like she was was an awful trial. The day before she died a doctor was plotting another surgical procedure, a nurse was begging her to eat so she could be operated on. I miss her every minute, but I am glad she found joy at her release.
Vesper, thank you.
Laughingwolf, I appreciate that.
Lana, you are already so supportive baby.
Randy, thanks, my friend.
Mary, yes, it's hard to get your emotions centered.
Pattinase, I know, I am mostly praying that my mom finds some peace, one way or the other. But it's a tough prayer to say.
I'm sorry, Charles. I can feel the weight of emotion in your words. I hope you all find some measure of peace through this dark time. My thoughts are with you, Lana, and your mom.
Charles,
I hope your mom is okay -- I know how hard it is to watch someone you love so deeply in pain. Really scary stuff. You and she are definitely in my thoughts and prayers.
Just "be" with your Mom's situation and keep breathing! Wishing you well.
With Aloha, Friend!
Comfort Spiral
Charles, thinking of you and your mom ...
That's rough, man.... Beyond words.
Sorry to hear about your mom's relapse.
Dealing with something that intense with a loved one is always hard to handle or explain in any kind of fashion.
All I can say is that I've been through what you're going through, and my prayers are with you and your mom for a positive outcome (for it must be, right?) to this crisis.
Oh, I am confused these days. If you saw my other comment confusing you with David Cranmer, sorry. I've not had enough caffeine. Sorry about your mom, It is very hard to see parents like this.
Sarah Hina, I appreciate it.
Michelle, thanks. I know it's not a unique situation but then again, I guess every such experience is.
Cloudia, good advice. Thanks.
Don, Issa's Untidy Hut, much appreciated.
Steve Malley, yeah, sometimes the writer doesn't really have much to say.
G, yes. It's not really an intellectual experience so very hard to put into words.
Junosmom, it's a confusing sort of time. Don't worry about it, and thanks.
Oh, gosh, Charles, I'm so sorry to hear your Mom is not doing well. It's never easy. I will send good vibes out to the universe for you.
So sorry to hear about your mother. It's so uncomfortable to have wires, the poor thing.
The review promo sounds great.
I'm gonna plan on reviewing it.
Prayers for your Mom and your family.
My folks did the same thing before they passed because the medical ills sapped their strength and will. It's not easy to endure when they make their decision to not put up with anymore.
I can't pretend to know what you're going through, but I do feel for you and your family. When my mom nearly died I felt like I was five years old again, scared and unsure, wanting the best for her, but completely incapable of processing any thought above the basic cave man instincts.
I hope your mom finds her peace, wherever it may be, and you find yours. I'm thinking of you.
I'm sorry to hear your mom's having a hard time. Hopefully things will get better.
I'm sorry to hear the news about your mom. Hang in there.
Jo, thanks. I'll appreciate it.
Christina, I know. I have to think the stomach tube is less of a annoyance than the one that she had before that went down her nose. I don't think I could stand that myself.
David J. West, thanks for everything, dude.
BernardL, It's so hard to know as well, how much she is in her right mind and how much is cause by brain injury from the stroke. It makes the decisions so much harder.
Avery DeBow, thanks. It's good to know I have people thinking good thoughts for us. I appreciate it.
Greg Schwartz, thanks, my friend.
Travis, it's gotta be hardest right now on my two brothers who live close. For good or ill, I'm somewhat insulated from it by being so far away.
Hang tough, but peaceful as you can, and I'll wish all the best for your family and your mom. You can tell her she's got a wonderful, talented son who just sold another copy of Chimes, and shouldn't feel shy. So often the sweet and sour of life show up together, at least in my experience.
Stay with the flow of emotion Charles the writing can wait.
Charles, I can only say I know from recent experience what you are going through and deeply empathize with you and your family.
Clare2e, What kind words. Thank you. And thanks for picking up "Chimes."
Mark, the writing provides a pretty good distraction if I can get to it. But all work can provide such I suppose.
Bernita, thank you. I know that you do.
So sorry about your mom.
Sometimes I think we did it better when the doc came to the house and just listened to the aging patient, provided as much physical comfort as possible, and let life proceed through its final adventure.
Death with dignity-- I've only seen it a handful of times, sadly, in all the nursing homes I've worked. You seem to have the strength and support (Lana!) to really be there for your mom. Be kind to yourself-- and try to keep everything in perspective. I've seen so many families get too caught up in medical details and treatments. It's like birth-- why do we think such a natural part of life requires so much medical intervention?
Though I haven't been commenting for weeks, I have been reading and keeping you guys in my thoughts.
Sympathy.
Trouble comes, and it seems to take its time.
Sometimes we can only open and close our hands. And wait.
Aine, I know. Death with dignity is too often a pipe dream. My sister was able to die at home among her family members, but most do not it seems.
Ivan, well said. Exactly true.
Dear Charles, there is nothing easy about what you are going thru. When your feelings sort themselves out, you will be ready to talk. Until then, hang on tight to Lana. She sounds like your little rock.
I'm sorry about your mother. You can only do so much. I'm hoping for the best.
I bought Chimes. I'm not always good about writing reviews,but I will give it a try and let you know. If I don't get it reviewed at least I enjoyed reading it. That's a pretty good return on my investment.
Oh, I'm sorry, Charles! *hugs*
Hi, Charles. Just back in Oklahoma as of a week ago. Came down immediately with a Cold (with a capital C). So haven't written beans. Ah, well. So sorry to hear about your mom. My mom is holding her own, but by a thread. Absolutely no short term memory. Weighs around 100 pounds. Still living alone--but can't last this way much longer. Don't know what to do. She refuses to live with me or my brother. A nursing home would kill her. So for now we are in limbo. D
jodi, Lana has indeed been wonderful through all of this.
Jack, glad you enjoyed the story. And I appreciate the good thoughts.
Natasha Fondren, thank you. I appreciate it.
Donnetta Lee, you appreciate their independence as fully functional human beings, but when they start to struggle you'd kind of like for them to accept a decrease in independence. Of course, then I guess they wouldn't be our moms!
Charles,
Our thoughts are with you and your Mom. Take care.
I read the comment in the previous post about "prosituting" yourself. I can just imagine you hanging out on a New Orleans street corner, in a short skirt and halter, saying to passersby, "Voulez-vous lire mon livre?."
I'll be happy to put "Chimes" on my pile and read it--give it a review, even. But I don't think I'll make it in time for the contest, so I'm bowing out now. Good luck to everyone else, though.
Scott, thanks much, man.
X-Dell, Well, Lana does tell me I have great legs. I appreciate your support where "Chimes" is concerned.
I just bought CHIMES on my Kindle. (Yes, I broke down and bought one.) No need to include me in a drawing but I will do a review in a few weeks after I have finished it.
David, thanks. I think you'll like the kindle.
Charles,
I'm so sorry to hear about your mom. I hope it gets better from here.
My family went through something similar first with my mom and a couple of years later with my grandmother. Like you, I was somewhat insulated by living far away. But I think in some sense that makes it harder, because you're not sharing the experience with the rest of your family, but going it alone. That's not to imply my husband or your Lana isn't 110% supportive, but it's not their parent. I hope you and your mother find peace soon in one way or another.
In better news, I, too, just bought "Chimes" for my Kindle.
I say special prayers for friends going through a serious time like this with a parent, I know what it's like. I'm sending you hugs and peaceful thoughts.
Hi Charles - I'm sorry, I've been totally out of the loop lately what with my trip and then being sick. I'm so sorry about what's been going on with your mom. My mother is 82 now so I can somewhat relate to what you're going through.
I also downloaded Chimes right now and will be reading it soon and reviewing it. I look forward to reading a good yarn.
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