1 [Report This]Date: July 15, 2023 11:53 am Title: Chapter 1
So beautiful.
I am not a mother myself, but Betsy’s mindset during these times rang true to me. I read enough books and fanfics, watch enough movies, and talk or listen to enough mothers (including my mother), so this makes a lot of sense to me. I have seen and heard similar feelings from real-life and fictional mothers alike. Also, you’re a mother yourself, which is the best because writers write what they know, and it shines through your writing here. Even though it hurt a bit to see Betsy not liking Pam at some points but it make sense. From her perspective, she’s the girl that toyed with her baby’s feelings and hurt him—loved that she ended up loving Pam, which I also see. She feels like she’s the missing puzzle piece to their family. And the magical ingredient. I love the comparison to the coconut flour in the cookies. It must be rough but also joyous to be a mother.
Amazing story! I do wonder if she ever met Karen and did she knew if she didn’t really fit in the family? I imagine so.
Thank you!
Author's Response:
Thank you - you brought me back to when I wrote this one and it was a true mix of personal experiences swirled in with my Jam obsession. I appreciate so much your review and that you could feel the mother in me in the writing.
To answer your question...as a mom, I think Betsy would come around to Karen too. Karen's biggest fault was not seeing the signs, but really she wasn't a terrible person, she just clung a little too tight. And Jim was a bit unfair to her, using her as a shield. Plus, Betsy would not have any of the ill feelings about Karen having hurt her baby. Maybe in time she would see they weren't truly compatible and struggle with liking Karen, but maybe not for her son... but that's a whole other fan fic for someone else to write.
Thanks again for your review.
1 [Report This]Date: November 30, 2020 02:06 am Title: Chapter 1
I felt this. You've made a really good job of describing the anxieties and dilemmas and joys of parenthood. In particular, how as they get older there are fewer and fewer ways in which you can 'fix' things for them, or do anything to help other than listen. Very touching. Thanks!
Author's Response:
Thanks so much for reading and reviewing- it's great to be able to share these stories. In particular this one is very personal and special to me because I poured a lot of myself into it.
As a mom of teenage boys, I've already experienced some of that anxiety when I couldn't "fix" their problems, take away their sadness or give the right advice.
It's really great to hear how others can relate or appreciate this story so thanks for letting me know you did.
1 [Report This]Date: October 30, 2020 06:43 am Title: Chapter 1
Very sweet. I love how invested in Jim's live Betsy is. She clearly wants the best for him and would love to intervene more, but she also knows he has to find his own way. Some of the bits of Halpert family history were great fun. Being in labor with Jim for so long for example. Loved the bit there about Pam just fitting right into the family. Not only that but making it better like with the coconut flout analogy. Beautiful image. Yes Jim and Pam were a little unconventinonal, but in the end they're with someone who builds them up and isn't that really every parent's dream?
There have been many times I've looked at my own kids and wondered, "who are you going to be?" Love that Betsy get her answer there at the end, and also the other great dream of a parent, a restful night's sleep.
Author's Response:
All of my stories have a little bit of me sprinkled in them but this one was my most introspective so it's a joy to read reviews on it and reaffirming to have the finer details you enjoyed pointed out. That's what makes you such a great reviewer.
The labor story however - completely made up - my first one came fast (not as fast as yours) - second scheduled.
Coconut flour is the secret (oops not anymore) to my Choc chip Cookies.
You have so much ahead of you with your family - Enjoy the ride. I'm at stage where I miss my 'little' guys but they still bring me so much joy. My advice - video as much as you can - even the everyday stuff, no, especially the everyday stuff. So many nuggets you will discover later on watching them.
Sorry to go on this advice tangent with you - you didn't ask for it but it's the mom in me.
Anyway thanks again and Happy Halloween.
1 [Report This]Date: October 29, 2020 07:40 pm Title: Chapter 1
I’m not crying, YOU’RE crying!
This was beautiful, Maxine! I love to think that Jim was close with his mom like this, filling her in on his life. As a mom myself, though my girls are still little, it really tugged at the heartstrings. This was such a unique way to look at the progression of Jim and Pam’s relationship and I loved it. :)
Author's Response:
WW. I put a lot of myself into my stories but this one on a whole other level so means a lot to hear it touched you. My boys are older but not yet adults and I've had a few nights like Betsy where I worried for things they were going through but they also bring me joy like nothing else in the world. I'm sure you know that feeling they bring.
So glad I could share and thanks for letting me know how much you appreciated it.
1 [Report This]Date: October 29, 2020 07:06 pm Title: Chapter 1
Aw I absolutely adore this!
Author's Response: Thanks. Means a lot since I put a lot of myself in this one. I have 2 boys, not yet adults but old enough where I've had nights like she has when they were having troubles. I'm so glad to share this one and glad you enjoyed reading it.
1 [Report This]Date: October 29, 2020 05:31 pm Title: Chapter 1
One of my favorite things about this fandom is that we have a bunch of writers who are approaching this story from a more grown-up stage of life, and as a result we get a much more varied perspective. There are a few scattered fics from the perspective of Betsy or Helene, but I don't think I've ever read one that speaks to the experience of motherhood quite like this - these painful years for Jim would've been hard on the people who loved him, too, and especially for a mom who is discovering a pain that nothing she does can ease. I think the way you've structured it around sleep works well for this story, too.
And it's really interesting to see Pam through Betsy's eyes, and the ways in which her opinion has shifted over time.
Plus the detail of the turtle in the aisle was just fun!
Author's Response:
Thanks so much. I'm so glad I can bring a unique perspective to the story. Like all my stories this had its elements of real life, while my boys are not yet adults I know I'll never stop feeling things through them. I've had a few nights already where I could not sleep because they were going through something. You nailed it when you said a pain nothing she does can ease.
I thought hard how Betsy would react to Pam both in past and present so I'm glad you noticed that too.
That you found a touch of humor made me smile especially since that line was added just seconds before I posted so it's even more gratifying you enjoyed it.