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Eleventy-one Years: Too Short a Time   by Dreamflower 4 Review(s)
KathyGReviewed Chapter: 42 on 3/19/2022
Interesting! In "Belladonna's Gift," the healer is Mistress Rose Greenhand, but in this sequel to that story, she's Mistress Sage. Did Mistress Sage take over as healer before Belladonna died? Or get married?

This chapter is getting set to have quite a personal meaning for me, as my own mother, who is 92, is getting ready to leave this world. The day is coming when my sister and I will have to face what Bilbo faces in this story.

It's definitely a good thing that he doesn't have to endure his grief alone! And good riddance to Longo; he is one relative whose company Bilbo should not have to endure, least of all at his mother's funeral.

LarnerReviewed Chapter: 42 on 5/27/2014
Her work is done, and his beginning. Alas for his loss!

Author Reply: He really will be quite lonely for a good long while.

AndreaReviewed Chapter: 42 on 5/27/2014
This day atop the Hill was quite different than that day eight years ago.

And listening to this tribute to his remarkable mother, Bilbo felt his heart ease. Life would be lonely now, but he knew he'd be able to carry on.

A very sad experience for Bilbo but he was also assured that many of his relatives are not only family but friends who came to help him when he needed them.

Longo's absence must have been a relief! But how can he expect Bilbo to heed any of his advice after *that* letter?

LindeleaReviewed Chapter: 42 on 5/27/2014
*sigh* A tender tribute to Belladonna, and her loving son.

I suspected this would be the next chapter. Somehow it reminded me of the productive, contented morning I wrote for Lalia, just before she died. It happens in real life, too; I remember stories of the last day of my great-uncle's life, a day full of life and contentment and completion, almost as if he knew his time was done (though how could he have known?) before he passed peacefully in his sleep.

I'm glad she had a proper eulogy, for Bilbo's sake.

(Longo makes me so mad! Not surprised at all, but angry at the grasping self-centredness. I think he's going to be in for a surprise of his own when he shows up to talk over a little family business with the new Head.)

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