All Comments on 'An Angel's Wish'

Very moving, and christmassy. Nice.

You made me cry. Lovely story.

Didn't see that twist coming. Lovely Christmas tale.

Semper Fi from a Marine. Very nice heart warming story. Keep up the good work.

Must have gotten something in my eyes this morning while reading this. Made me think about my brother in law who still struggles a bit after being a Marine in Nam. Most of the time he fits into society pretty well, getting older smooths out the rough edges, that and a good wife. Thank you for the story.

Absolutely stunning story that gave me wet eyes and then the horribly weak ending that did not belong with the rest of such a quality story. The idea was sound just not written in a way that married with story as it was until this point. Tara when you have the time or the interest please revisit this ending. Its a story that doesn't need any bonking but a relationship could be developed between our two main characters and a stronger more impacting ending - please. FB in England

I cried.

Yes...that is very much where this story is heading. It will be expanded to become Book 5 of Sergeant Mike's Miracle Tour for release next Veteran's Day.

watch out, fate will guide you whether you want to be or not. Such a sweet story and a surprise ending that makes you feel all warm inside. To be able to hold your child, how sweet. you know this could go another chapter or two. for more of them to develope. Thank you for this story. GP

one of the finest story ..... i do thanks the author.......... great work keep it up

with a little faith, miracles do come through. TK U MLJ LV NV

Just as I said. I cried too. xxx

but thats ok for an old man

Utterly beautiful. Thanks!

Oh my goodness....I cried....what a lovely story!! <3

Another great story. And yes it caused me to cry like your other stories do. Am waiting for the next book of Sgt Mike series. And yes I beleive that this could be a great lead in for the fifth book of Sgt Mike's series.

Keep up the great story telling and will be waiting for newer stories.

Have a nice day and take care of your lovely daughter.

Have a happy holiday and a bright new year.

In the Navy, one way to praise a person's work is to tell them Bravo Zulu and your story certainly deserves a BZ.

The best word I can think of to describe this story.

Enjoyed it tremendously

Lady you sure know how to pull on a person's heartstrings.

Awesome story - keep writing

RJ

I can't find the words to tell you how much your story touched me.

This one made me cry. So for all the stories I have read I am going to say this one is the best ever. You wrote a really heart wrenching story that just goes strait to the heart strings. Thanks for the story and the tears.

DA

I just want to thank you. Your story brought genuine tears to my time hardened exterior. I don't let my guard down often, but reading your story was one of those times.

Thank you for writing it.

God Bless you for this one.

Thank you so much for this story. It hit me in the heart.

anything more still would not be enough. A truly heart-felt story - I know that someone - somewhere - was and still is, the loving thought behind this wonderful bit of literature.

It's been decades since anything touched my heart as this story did. I will try to get my retired Master Sergeant, USMC, friend to read it. Wish me luck. Five stars.

I appreciate the time you took to craft this. Definitely puts Lit. in literotica.

Bravo!

A most touching story...brought tears to my eyes more than once. Thank you!

It took an hour to get through that story. I had to stop several times, must have had something in my eye.

Normally I pass on your stories, or drop them close to the start. This I finished. Well done.

Of course, this was written to tug at heartstrings - but what's wrong with that? Too often, the major news stories are about war, murder, robbery, assault, etc. etc. In other words, a person's inhumanity to another person. And because we are all so busy, we often forget those who are in need, thinking the govt will take care of them (some even think the govt does too much!) or that charities will do the work. Instead, we plan on getting the latest electronic gadget, game/toy, newest clothing style for our loved ones - yet how many do we need and do we always have to have the latest version? Clearly, Keisha/Bree will make better use of the several hundred dollars than most of us. Now, I don't mean to bash our capitalist, consumer-oriented society, because technology has made many lives better - but Tara's story reminds us of the important difference between "what we need" versus "what we want". Now if only Keisha's parents would open their hearts to their daughter and granddaughter - after all, this is the season for miracles, right? Very enjoyable - a standing ovation!

luv2read2

(For whatever reason, when I log in and try to leave this comment, I get an "undefined" with only an "OK" button. But I can leave a comment as "Anonymous". Go figure.)

Thanks for sharing.

thanks for the well written story

Now that I am dehydrated I'll say it once again.

You Simply Amaze Me!

Keep up the good work and best Christmas wishes for you and yours.

I just read your story An Angels Wish. I had not read any of your stories before,but will look at others that you have written, I have not read another story, that brought tears to my eyes nearly from the start. You have a wonderful gift for writing a loving,caring story. The girl got her wish,and spirit of her father got to hold his beautiful daughter and see the love of his life,if only for a short time and the marine gets to see his mother before she dies. THANK YOU FOR THIS LOVING TENDER STORY

A wonderful Christmas story. I hope you win in the contest! Thank you, Mike

moving on multiple levels, nicely crafted, enjoyed the twist at the end...

however, as is widely acknowledged, the issue of veteran suicide is quite nuanced, and the overall rate is nowhere near that 22/day, which would indeed be a remarkable number - see, e.g.

http://taskandpurpose.com/truth-22-veteran-suicides-day/

like the general population, the character and mental health of vets covers the full spectrum, although the overall experience probably helps more of us than it damages.

Did not expect to find this gem on Lit tonight. Well done!

I have to agree with all the other comments. I was not expecting this excellent little story. As a matter of fact I had pushed off reading it. I am so glad that I finally did read it. It truly is a wonderful story of hope, love, commitment to ones word and ultimately redemption of a lost soul. You should be very proud of what you have written here. Well done.

As in incredibly good or just outstanding. No surprise this won the Winter Contest.

So touching & well written. Kudos!!!

And congrats on ur first place award.

Thank you once again Tara for another great read. I really enjoyed reading it.

Wonderful story. Thank you so much for sharing it with us. Our service men and women give so much for us, and get so little in return. Sometimes we all need a miracle, but everyone that puts their life on the line for our freedom deserve miracles more than anyone else.

Beautifully crafted story. Even though the chance of such event happening in real life is close to 0, that's what fiction is for. From the topic to the execution, this story is flawless as far as I can tell. Thank you!

Being a veteran of 28+years, this story deserves the accolades of the contest. Thank you!

God Bless you and every Marine, Soldier, Airman, Sailor and Coast Guardsman and their families this Christmas!

VJT, USCG Ret.

I cried for my brothers in arms who never made it home and for the loved ones they left behind. Wonderful writing. God bless you and Merry Christmas.

I have gotten my Christmas wish this year...Laurel and Manu have graciously agreed to make an anonymous donation of the prize money for this story to Toys For Tots...that Marine charity that gave Bree the new winter coat and off brand tablet.

Thank you Laurel for putting up with my special Christmas wish. And for any readers, who enjoyed this story and can do so...please consider dropping a new and unwrapped toy off with a HOT Marine at many malls and stores across the US.

For Bree, Keisha, Trav and Bryan...

Beautiful story! Had me in tears several times. As a Veteran myself I would like to think this has happened at least once. Too many people have died, too many left behind for a miracle like not to have happened at least once. Bless you and have a Merry Christmas!

Clearly devised to pull the heart strings but a cracking story non the less. As the father of a serving Royal Engineer who has completed three tours in afghan and two in Iraq, there was a profound change in personality which took a long time to pass. I am wondering if the author has first hand knowledge or is related to a former soldier who has suffered.

To answer your question...

I began writing my Sergeant Mike series (Red, White and Blue Halloween, Esther's Story and My Country Tis of Thee) based solely upon the inspiration of my goddess/muse. Though I have battled PTSD following my 1st c-section and a car accident, I do not begin to compare those traumas to what our men and women of valor face.

Then Fate brought HIM into my life. I call him Captain America when I speak of him on my blog (https://taranealeauthor.wordpress.com/). He is a Marine...retired as there is no such thing as former. He was one of those fuel tanker drivers in Iraq...and his convoy was hit hard. He lost many friends and his own Sergeant Mike (Mark...isn't it ironic how close I came) that day. He has a TBI (traumatic brain injury) and PTSD. He had to fight like hell to get benefits from the VA...and but for two of the most wonderful parents he would be another homeless Vet on the streets like Trav.

So yes...I do have first hand knowledge. And I feel totally inadequate, helpless and in the worst moments hopeless when something happens and I watch him spiral down the drain of self-doubt, loathing and pain that is PTSD and survivor's guilt.

But in those moments I hang onto the good ones... I tell him often that I won't allow him to talk bad about the man I love...and he laughs. He is even beginning to see his worth.

He does not open up to me about what happened over there or that day. And he may never...but that is ok. He calls me every night before bed. I have become the sleeping pill that he won't take even though the VA prescribes medical ones. We talk about Warhammer 40K, LARPing (google that one if you don't know but he calls it 'geeks running around in the woods in costume and hitting each other with plumbing supplies) and our kids...we both have them on the autistic spectrum. Sometimes I used to wonder why it was not 'the big stuff.' Then I realized that talking about everything else is what he needs to quiet those other voices in his mind. He just needed someone to listen to him so he did not have to listen to them.

After almost three years as long distance friends...and more...I finally had the privilege and honor of meeting him last month. It was only a brief trip, but I shall never forget what he said to me in the car. When I talk about it as I have on my blog...I have to fictionalize it because it is too intimate...too raw to share otherwise...

****

Tara inhaled deeply. Peace, completeness, home. How long had it been since she had felt those things? Her vision of tranquil forested country side that had her day-dreaming of log cabins and fires blurred as unshed tears filled her eyes. Was it being home…her country? Was it the new friends she had made?

No, it was Him. This man that had been her friend for so long. And now her lover.

She looked across at Him. Was this even REAL? Or simply another of her stories? ‘If it is…please goddess never let this one end,’ she thought.

He glanced from the road and smiled. Her heart skipped a beat. Tenderly He brought her hand that was resting, entwined with His, on the console between them to His lips. He brushed a kiss across the back of her knuckles. His moustache and beard tickled just a bit, just as they did when He pressed His lips to hers.

“You’ve done more for me in ten days than the doctors or even my friends could in five years.”

***

No, Captain America, it is all YOU. My Marine. My warrior. My friend. My lover. My Dom.

There does not get anything more REAL than all that He has conquered. He is and always will be a REAL live Super Hero to me…

EXCELLENT story!

I was already crying partway through this story -- and sitting in an absolute puddle of tears by the time I finished.

All I can say is: again, excellent story!

I also am a Vet and it is hard to read this story without crying THANK YOU for writing this so well and truthful

This was a truly wonderful story, which had this Air Force Vet in tears. Thank you for writing this story. God bless

Wow, I am speechless. I loved this story, especially the wonderful twist at the end!

Thank you for that story. Wow I am speechless. Thank you. 4 tours and I almost feel into that. Thank you

I really wasn't expecting to find such a heartwarming and well written Christmas story here. Honestly, I would expect a story like this published in a book of short stories. If it had been, I would have bought it and placed it on my shelf at home. Please keep writing. This certainly is a talent you have.

So good and others have expressed this better than I could... HOWEVER, I would like to point out that a child of military parentage is entitled to survivor benefits, whether the parents were married or not - it's sad how many people don't know this - if given the chance the military has really great programs for veterans and their families.

What I put in my facebook feed:

Ok first let me preface this with a warning:

I edit for a friend of mine online who writes for an erotic website. That being said, they have a winter holiday contest for writing, the story I am putting a link for is probably one of the best holiday stories I have read (and is safe for work reading), period. Love, responsibility, loss PTSD, Christmas spirit... literally had me in tears in most of the second half.

Angels wish is one of the best Christmas I have ever read. Merry Christmas

You completely outdid yourself this time. I like your stuff but this was something special. Thank you and Merry Christmas.....

Ever noticed how difficult it is to read with tears in your eyes. Thank you.

if there were a category for all the for only the contest winners,

and each of the winners were rated again, this story would still be at the top.

absolutely fantastic job!

As one who more then once thought about joining the 22....

Thank you.

SSGT, RETIRED

Such a beautiful story...Someone else commented, "it's hard to read with tears in your eyes." Mine are filled with them too. Thank you for your work...so nicely done!

This was a terrific story, well-deserving of first prize. I sometimes feel that stories like this make me feel manipulated, but your touch was so natural in spinning out this story, the characters so vivid, and the events so realistic, that when I started crying on the first page, it felt natural. I see you are intending to turn it into something larger, so I'll comment that it needs a bit more editing - two places stuck out at me: scourging for food should be scouring or scavenging for food, definitely not scourging; and later in the story, his conscience not his conscious. There's another similar instance but I can't recall it.

And Tara, please please please redo the ending. Not only does it not fit, it was just miles below in quality with the rest. That ending left me with that sour taste in my mouth of "oh, she needed to wrap up the story fast." This is the first of your stories I've read, but clearly you can do better.

Thank you. Thank you for putting the men who were in uniform for our country and had been giving a raw deal the power to remind us that they/we are not forgotten and useless but are seen and must give still of ourselves to those around us and those we love whether here on this earth or still in memory. Much love to you all.

A story that captures the essence of what people should be like. It redu ced me to tears, in a good way.

I cried like a baby, thanks so much for writing it!

so many emotions it is hard to give them all a voice.

thank you

Not what I expected, but that's what made it all the more special.

Wonderful, well written, sensitive tear jerker! Loved it

Good story, very moving. You bought many tears.

The issue of homeless soldiers living in the street is the same here in the UK. Its a sad situation. When visiting the US in october I met some guys at Rockcastle KY, they were from an organisation called Mission22 raising awarness of the suicide of veterans, the issues soldiers are facing.

I have seen that the accuracy of 22 suicides a day has been called into question, it doesn't actually matter whether its right or wrong, if it makes you stop, think for a moment about the struggles of others, its done its job.

As ex-soldier myself I support anyone making it better for veterans, I donated to mission22, makes no difference american or english, they are my Brothers in arms.

I'd like to thank you for a story with warmth which may bring the issues facing our brothers to others awareness. A Hug for u ()

As I read this, I was thinking about my father...

He, along with my uncle, were both WW2 Marines. However, unlike my uncle (who stayed in 30 years and retired as a MGySgt), my father spent all of the war in a Japanese POW camp after being captured on Wake Island. He was in the Marine Corps for a total of 12 years, mustering out with the rank of Sgt.

Both my uncle and my dad have passed on to their final duty station (my dad, in 2002 and my uncle in 2008). I'm just marking time before I can join them on guard duty...yes, I'm a former Marine myself.

Keep up the great writing!

This should be made into a movie. Excellent writing.

so very well written; Semper FI this is a great piece; PUBLISH It again next year. Keep on trucking it makes me proud to be called Marine Tenbears 43

It took quite a while longer than usual to read this. I know those guys and had a hard time as my sight got blurry. Only thing wrong is I couldn't give it six stars. There is more to this story. It's not over yet. Thanks for a story about the real heroes of today.

The quality of the writing is superb.

Gosh darn those onion wielding ninjas...

All I could think of was 3 tours (68-70) ... all the friends lost ... all the dreams ...

people do care

A powerful story everyone should read.

very good story man!!!

TO THOSE STILL ON PATROL...

(Those who wear the uniform, those who have worn the uniform, and those who sleep forever wrapped in the uniform)

AND TO THOSE WHO LOVE THEM...

(Mothers, Fathers, Brothers, Sisters, Wives, Husbands, Daughters, Sons, Nieces, Nephews, Sisters/Brothers in arms...)

SEMPER FI...DO OR DIE...

Stunning end.

Thank you so much for this story.

Very touching.

Deep characters considering it’s just 4pgs.

I’m glad I came across it & I see you have many stories.

I look forward to reading them.

Thank you.

You have more heart than I've seen lately. Maybe you write from a hurting heart, maybe not. But you've got a grip the heart strings and pull them pretty hard. Read two of your stories, Sarg Mike O'Mally and this one. If you hurt I hope these stories bring help to heal the hurt. Thanks for your time and talent. Hopefully you can publish and reap some financial rewards. Best of the Best to you. Thanks for sharing.

Thank you. I'm going to read this to my Marine and maybe it will help him. I get so discouraged, he's filled with such anger it overflows onto the innocents around him.

I am so thankful I decided to read this story and will remember it fondly. I would truly love a second chapter to continue the story of Travis, Keisha, and Angel.

Thank you for a terific read. You spin a great tale in written form

Awesome Christmas story. Thank you for it!

Semper Fi from this old Marine.

. . . is all I can say. It literally had me in tears. It would be wonderful to have a second chapter to have them get together as a couple and family. I haven’t read a Christmas story that good in a long time and it melted my heart. Please keep writing and I’ll keep reading. I loved it!!!

Soy un tipo duro pero no me importa llorar, gracias por una buena historia y una buena emoción.

Begging for another chapter....so good!

Rarely have I been so moved by a story as this one. Thank you so much for this story.

thanks, from a vet who is the son of a vet.

Semper-Fi my brothers,Semper-Fi.

That was simply great. Tha m you for sharing it.

One of the best stories I have ever read on any site. Keep on with more.

Stunning!

Deeply emotional and very well written. One of the best stories ever had the pleasure to read. Thank you Tara Cox

I am hoping you have written more about these characters.

Dear Author, This was a wonderful, heartwarming story of the realities of veterans in this society. You did a great job capturing the he essence of what it is like for some returning soldiers. I really liked the way you wove the story line and the characters together and produced a fine little tale. Have you given any thought to expanding this story to include follow ups for Gunny the mom and Angel? I would welcome a continuation. Thank you for the fine little tale. 5 star for certain. jmtiques/john

Had me tearing up like a baby. Didn't care for the last three paragraphs but I guess I can ignore them.