14 Comments
User's avatar
Michèle Breton's avatar

You have a way of writing with your heart as well as your pen/keyboard! Thanks so much! ✨

John Rinaldo ©'s avatar

Thank you, Michèle. That truly means a lot to me. I just try to write what my heart has lived.

Lynn J. Broderick's avatar

Love this, John.

Carol Rushing's avatar

Chapter 11 made me cry after reading the chapter! Mostly because I love Remi like I love my little Lily and before her Izzy! Every time I look at Remi now I think of him talking in those stories you wrote, and his feelings are like humans feelings and the words in your story are so heartfelt and so true! Thank you, John for a beautiful story!

John Rinaldo ©'s avatar

Thank you, Carol. That means so much. If Remi feels real, then his story has done exactly what I hoped. ❤️

Carol Rushing's avatar

It did exactly what you hoped! There are not words to tell you the feelings that came out of that! Excellent job and great writing !!

John Rinaldo ©'s avatar

Thank you Carol!

Antonio Castellaneta's avatar

This touched me because it quietly reminds us that grief isn't something we overcome. It's something we slowly learn to carry.

Perhaps the deepest form of love isn't holding on to someone's presence. It's discovering that, little by little, they have become part of the way we continue to live.

John Rinaldo ©'s avatar

Beautifully said, Antonio. I think that's exactly it we don't leave love behind; we carry it forward in the way we live.

Pam | Echoes of Ancient Wisdom's avatar

Another beautiful and moving chapter. You capture that early grief perfectly.

John Rinaldo ©'s avatar

Thank you, Pam.

Deanne Ames's avatar

Everything about this chapter touches my heart 💜. The artwork you’ve chosen is lovely, but bittersweet; my dog, Keri, and I often sit on our back porch just as you’ve pictured Remi and his human “Mom.” I’m sorry for your family’s loss, John.

John Rinaldo ©'s avatar

Thank you, Deanne. Give Keri an extra hug from Remi. Those quiet porch moments become treasured memories. 💜