A bittersweet story indeed; and one that touches me personally. My mother had polio when she was 9 years old and suffered lifelong health problems because of it, including severe scoliosis which left one shoulder several inches lower than the other even after corrective surgery when she was 33. Despite that she bore 4 healthy children who loved her deeply and miss her every day.

Since it's nearly extinct in the Western world we don't pay it much attention nowadays, but just over 50 years ago it was dreaded as few other illnesses were.

 

Author's Response:

Thank you for sharing your review as well as your personal story.  I did research polio for this story and was really touched by how frightened parents must have been of their children getting this disease.  I was also facinated by the state of children's hospitals at that time.  They were treated like mini adults in many ways.  I do hope the story was written with the comapssion I felt and gave readers an issue worth reflecting on.  Thank you, again!

this is a very good story. it brought me to tears

Great new story!!! Good to hear from you!!!

that was really very amazing

I think she was most likely both merciful and sinful.  What she did was wrong, but she did it for the greater good.  She was willing to bear the burden of her wrongdoing so that Grace would not have to bear the burden of her illness any more.

 

Author's Response:

To be wrong and right at the same time.  Interesting perspective.  To do something wrong for the right reasons.  Makes me wonder about people who still see the world in black and white when there is so much gray area.  How we handle the gray is what makes us who we are, I think.  Thank you very much for your review!

It was mercy, because it wasn´t Esme´s idea. She didn´t proposed it to Grace. And there was no hope for a recovery.

Author's Response:

Thank you so much for reading.  What ever made me take on this subject, I'll never quite understand, but I do know feelings can run strong on both sides of the issue.  I also see Esme as merciful.

Here you are again with another great story! :O) I LOVE all your stories, each and everyone of them is wonderful and well written with heart and compassion. You are an emotional writer and I LOVE that about you.

I have been around here lately, reading lots of the stories at both FF and here. I have been as quiet as a mouse and just relaxing and reading. I am still here and I know I am going to enjoy yet another terrific story from you. You are so talented! I remember when you first came on and wrote  your first story. And, wow, my friend, wow! Just look at you now. You have a literal library of stories to select from, you prolific little writer, you. hehehe... :O) And you are always one of my top 3 favorite writers here and at FF...:O)

I particularly like "Honeymoon Suite" and "Carlisle and Esme: How The Love Story Began". But all your stories are just wonderful. I think you have found a true calling. Writing is easy for you! I mean, I know you probably have to do the work:  writiing, editing and cleaning up the  spelling, grammar, etc, etc., like everyone who writes, but you have a gift for knowing how to write a story that people want to read.

You have a knack  for plot! You are a talented writer and I want to see you publishing books with your very own characters someday!. You could write your own novels and I would be there first inline to get a signed  copy and to give a hug to the author! :O)

Your friend,

Disney Vampire (S)

Author's Response:

*Cyber hugs and kisses DV* I have missed you so much!  Glad to hear you have been enjoying reading lots of good fanfics.  And you have been quiet -- but def not forgotten!  Hopefully my writing has improved (?) not just increased in volume (LOL).  Your kind words are so generous they make me blush, but I am def smiling that I am in your top 3. 

Since we have last 'spoken' I have found a wonderful group of women willing to help me polish up my stories and have helped several other writers get their start on Twilighted as authors.  It has been excellent fun!  I even met a group of fanfic friends in RL last summer.  This accidental find, turned hobby has been a welcome addition to my life in the friendships I have found. 

Honeymoon Suite shocked the heck out of me -- it was only going to be 3 chapters long -- I'm so glad I followed it through, what an experience being inside Edward's head for an extended period of time.

I hope you enjoy Future Imperfect.  It is very different for me -- I'm really stretching my capabilities, so I hope I can pull it off.

Thank you again for being on my Team!  And if I ever write something, you'll be the one of the first to know!!! Hope to hear from you again...