Reviewer: Stetson1859
Date: 02 Feb 2014 06:39 am Title: Counting Stars
Like I already wrote this is such a cute little story. I love it!
Author’s Response:
Reviewer: sklamb
Date: 29 Jan 2014 02:36 am Title: Counting Stars
Like Christy, I love the idea that Adam would suggest Joe do this when he’s missing “older brother!” And this glimpse of the Ponderosa while Adam’s away includes a little bit of everyone to make me smile. I wonder if Adam sometimes imagined a scene like this to ease his own homesickness! Thank you!
Author’s Response:
Sue, Thank you for the review. To me, Adam’s envisioning this scene could have increased his homesickness, I know it would for me. But, I believe, Counting Stars is a way to feel connected, to wish upon the same bright star, somewhere out there… inclusion under a canopy of the heavens.
**********
Reviewer: Cristy
Date: 28 Jan 2014 02:14 am Title: Counting Stars
It’s amazing how little kids handle separation, and how clever of Adam to suggest such an inventive coping mechanism for his little brother. My dad is in the Royal Navy, and when I was a child and he had to leave on long tours, he said much the same thing, except I had to find constellations instead of counting stars. It was somehow comforting to know he was probably looking at Orion at the same time as I was, and it eased the pain of separation a bit. It seems it was comforting to Joe as well as he counted the stars just as he imagined Adam was doing in the East.
Wonderful lines of dialogue between Hoss and Little Joe! These ones made me lol:
“Usually when you’re missin’ Adam you’re in his room.”
“Hop Sing chased me outa there this afternoon.”
“Something I remembered Adam said I should do…”
“Adam said you should come out here and lie in the hay?” Hoss curiously asked.
Cute!
I found it very touching when Joe asked, “Hoss, what do you do when you miss Adam?” I hadn’t expected him to say that, so it caught me a bit off guard.
“Flipping large amounts of hay off him, Joe asked, “Can ya see Adam being covered over with falling hay?” Gaining his feet and not bothering to clean his clothes off any more, Little Joe hollered, “Last one inside’s a rotten egg!” Aww, perfect example of the resiliance of the young – wonderful to end on a lighthearted, happy note. 🙂
Very sweet, charming story Bluewindfarm! 🙂
Author’s Response:
Christy, I’m honored that my story could bring back such fond memories of you and your dad. I hope you still count constellations as a way to keep him in your heart when he isn’t in your home.
Yes, our Little Joe can be unpredictable in asking his questions, as he definitely knows how to ‘bounce’ back from any adversity.
Thank you for reading and reviewing.
Aww… this was a sweet little story! What a great way to feel close to those who are far away.
This is a lovely story!
That was sweet with Hoss and Joe. nice interaction between the brothers. Thanks
My apologies for not responding earlier. Thank you for reading and for taking a moment to leave a comment. 🙂
Aw, what a nice story … I could just picture them out there on the hay, looking at the stars. I absolutely expect that’s something they would have done (even when not missing Adam). It gives me a nice peaceful feeling — thx for writing!
PSW, Awwwwwww. Thank you so much for believing in what the brothers would have done.
Doesn’t everyone count stars? 🙂
At one time or another, when separated from loved ones. Thanks Pat! 🙂
Oh…
So cute!!!!
How much painful it must have been for Little Joe when Adam went to East…
Loved this story!
Eliane, I do believe your observation is correct; children at that age don’t have a great grasp on time or distance. At least Adam gave him a way to be able to still feel connected.