Sniffle -- that is a letter that Sophia is going to cherish forever!!!! I knew she would get through to Eric in the end -- and writing his daughter a letter was the perfect way for him to show her she had.

kav

I'm so glad Sophia's letters got through to him. And Pam, I still haven't gone to read your previous stories with these characters yet, but just know that it's on my list of things to do!

Oh Pam... I couldn't have imagined a more perfect ending to this. Perfect!

Oh, Pam, my heart is warm, full and all choked-up. What a wonderful, wonderful story. I love the characters you've created. I read them and feel "at home."

We love those Cubbies. I'll still catch Ellie singing "Go, Cubs, go...Go, Cubs, go!!! Hey, Chicago, what do you say...the Cubs are going to win today."

Thanks for blessing us with this story...your writing is a joy to read.

I just loved this story. It really is a "classic".
thanks,
Terie

Pam, I love that Eric finally came around and is going to be okay; and I love the fact that he wrote Sophia and let her know that he's proud of her and that he's back!!!

Thanks so much for sharing!! I love your characters and visiting with them is always a treat!!!

Joy

Loved the letter Eric wrote to Sophia and she will treasure that forever. What a gift.

Duckfan, I'm trying to catch up on my reading. Sorry I got so far behind. I'm loving this story and the way the story is unfolding thru Sophia's letters. What an amazing way to tell the story of a grieving family. Here are a few comments.

11/1 – Page 4 – Post #47 – Sophia’s letter to her grandfather almost confirms what I thought initially…this is the first baseball season since her grandfather, Eric’s father, passed away. Sophia’s candor with her grandfather is touching and, I think, very normal. We talk to our deceased loved ones, at least I talk to my mom, and a friend, so why not a letter? Seems perfectly normal to me!

11/2 – Page 4- Post #53 – It’s hard living with someone who is grieving. Did Eric’s father pass away unexpectedly? That can be so hard on loved ones because they don’t want to let go. This is such a true statement and as always, our Sue’s compassionate nature shines!

11/3 – Page 4 – Post #59 – I like the way Sophia’s letter to Sue sheds light on what’s been happening in Sue’s life. And I liked the way you brought out how a lot of people feel when around someone who is grieving. Sue’s response is so wise and understanding. And very perceptive to realize that Sophia is trying to pull the family together thru this annual tradition. Others said it and I have to agree. Thru the eyes of a child the family's suffering is revealed. I especialy loved that Sue conveys to Jack what Eric needs may not be what he wants, but the rest of the family is suffering and they shouldn't tiptoe around Eric, but do what is best for the family as a whole. Beautifully written Duckfan!

11/4 – Page 5 – Post #65 - Lorna said what comes to my mind much more eloquently than I could.

Lynn

11/10 – Page 5 – Post #71 – I loved the interchange between Riley and Jack as much as Sophia’s letter to Riley. So, Riley works for Jack. For awhile there I thought Riley was Jenna’s brother, but when Sophia didn’t address the letter Uncle Riley, I discounted that theory. Thanks for clearing his relationship to everyone up. Now, poor Jack, he is definitely feeling pretty much out of the loop here. Kav, I’ve a feeling Jack played baseball as a kid growing up and knows his way around the game! Now Kav, when I read your comment here, it immediately struck me that the world series party Sophia is inviting everyone to will turn out to be a celebration of grandpa’s life. And, as Joy said, Amen, Joy!

11/11 – Page 6 – Post #77 – I’m not so sure the anger is grief anger as much as embarrassment anger over all Eric’s friends being privy, thru Sophia’s letters, to Eric’s grief. Eric strikes me as a very private man. If he could only have been able to talk about his grief to his male friends and his relationship with his father, maybe he would have been able to reconcile his passing and moved beyond the grief and anger stage. I wonder if he ever broke down and cried. Again, I have to agree with Kav…these letters and the discussions they have generated are going to prove very therapeutic and just the thing needed to get the grieving process moving.

11/11 – Page 6 – Post #81 – I started to read this letter, wondering who Jens was and then reread it at least three times before I looked at the signature and realized it was an old letter of Eric’s to Jenna. Why can’t I just read all the way thru something before trying to understand as I read.

I can understand how Jenna would retreat to Eric’s letters after he stormed out. No, it was not by chance, she needed his letters to remind her that they will get thru this.

Lynn

11/12 – Page 6 – Post #83 – It’s all coming together. Glad Jenna has a support group in her friends. Now, if Eric would just talk to the guys. And what a novel idea to show home movies outdoors. I’m just may suggest that when I get the 52 boxes (32 slides per box) of our families slides over the last 60 years scanned into the computer and edited. Actually I should be doing that instead of fanfic reading and writing!

11/13 – Page 6 – Post #88 – I’ve finally succumbed to tears!

That was a heart wrenching letter to Eric. Oh, how can he say no? How can he continue to internalize his grief?

11/14 – Page 7 – Post #92 – Another tear-jerker scene. And Jenna needed to say that to Eric….it was perfect, Duckfan. Your writing is so insightful! This story is simply wonderful!

11/15 – Page 7 – Post #95 – Continuation of that tear-jerker scene, so I’ll simply ditto it! And to say that I think Eric just moved off square one and he’s going in the right direction now! To expand on what Kav said I think Eric will find healing when he begins to think about his children and comforting them instead of thinking about himself. Just think of all the wonderful stories he can tell them about his father, the ones he or his father has not already told them.

11/16 – Page 7 – Post #100 – Eric finally has moved on and is putting Sophia and Evan before himself. A beautiful, touching letter to end a perfect story, Duckfan. Thank you for showing us your wonderfully creative, amazing talent! Now, I’m going to add to my ever growing reading list your other stories about Jenna, Eric and all these other wonderful characters you have created. Thanks again.

Lynn