I think this story is one of the best 'what if' stories there is. It truly shows a great glimpse into a possible future.
The Ghosts of Christmas Past is one of my favorite holiday stories. You captured the essence and spirit of the characters and aged them to perfection.
I often re-read my favorites and find something new, this time I simply read it to remember that true friendship is lifelong and sometimes longer.
Thank you for sharing your world and your words with us, the readers.
Caroline: May 2007
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I enjoy reading the possible future for these two rogues! And what fun it must be to write them.
El Zambo: November 2007
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THE GHOSTS OF CHRISTMASES PAST
I just read this for the second time, Eleanor. Everything about it had the feel of Christmas memories shared. Wonderful story, and terrific interchange between Heyes and Kid as always.
EP: March 2008
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What a lovely story, thanks Eleanor, it really is a nice "what if". After I had finished reading it I realised I had read it with a huge grin on my face. Need I say more? Thanks for sharing it with us.
Anita: November 2007
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Enjoyed the story, Eleanor, as always! Very interesting and heartfelt. You do our boys proud! You have a treasured gift of imagination - thanks for sharing it with us!
bkntyme: December 2008
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This was a very touching story of two very good friends. I loved that you added the epiology.
Guest: December 2008
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Very good story, I liked it very much!
Kundry Athalia: August 2013
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Really enjoyed this story, Eleanor. Very very good.
Tall: Oct 2009
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What a wonderful story. So full of love and it was so moving to hear the memories that they shared with each other. Thank you.
Ingin6: November 2023
How lovely, and how sentimental! It almost felt as if I was in the room with them. The dialog was believable, and I also liked how you placed short descriptive paragraphs in all the right places to punctuate their conversation. Even though old age came to Heyes and Curry, it doesn't matter because they will live forever!
goldieasj: October 2020
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Wonderful story of a lifetime of memories filled with joy, tears and never-ending love. I like how you let us see that even mistakes can lead to good things when you have a good heart. So glad they still had each other through the good times and the bad. Thank you for sharing.
Desert Sundown: May 2024
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Moving story of two ex-outlaws in their last years celebrating Christmas as former successful businessmen with families.
Christmas being a recurrent event in the dark time of the year is prone to be working as a kind of trigger to reminisce of the past.
No matter what happened before, we all have to function somehow.
I like how you point out that even in the last century it happened that you couldn't always celebrate together with everyone. Children move away, living a life of their own.
People you loved passed away and left you behind, death belongs to life...
I'm glad they still had each other.
It's okay to get nostalgic and to dwell in melancholy now and then.
It's lovely to imagine them sitting in front of the fire, talking about different events of their past.
Their mutual reminiscence allowed you to insert small parts of various episodes.
With memories of different Christmases you took your readers on a journey through a broad range of times, from their childhood, Valparaiso, outlaw and ex-outlaw times, right up to the time after they got amnesty.
I very much like that they regarded their outlaw days as good days. I love their attitude or realisation that you shouldn't regret bad decisions in your life. You can't change them in hindsight and bad ones can result in good ones.
Beautiful comparison of their own persons and their children. Inseparable in younger years, but in contrast to Heyes and Curry they grew up developing more independence. That's life.
Also a beautiful parable of memories are their gifts to each other; something old restored with something new.
The old box was not thrown away but kept in honour. As well as memories, they belong to us as well as the present.
Strong passage at the end, reflecting their mutual, lifelong friendship,
"You like to make out like you’re a lion but, really, you’re just a pussy cat at heart.”
"Even pussy cats have claws.” in an attempt to have the last word.
" They do. But they only use them for protection.”
With age comes wisdom.
A story sparkling from love and mutual appreciation for a lifetime.
Dan Ker: May 2024
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