26 Comments
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Patrick Kidd's avatar

Brilliant Jayne. My admiration for you goes up another level. I knew you could write beautifully but I don’t think I’ve quite seen this style of writing from you before - the clarity of narration, the emotion, the love, the qualities of really good fiction-writing (and yet of course it’s not fiction, which makes it even better, and sadder). I think you might have a very good novel in you, even if (or because) it’s a thinly veiled true story... Well done and thank you for sharing. Happy Father’s Day.

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Jayne Manfredi's avatar

Oh wow. What a lovely comment. Thank you Patrick. Fiction is my first writing love!

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Angi Nutt's avatar

Beautiful writing Jane, tear provoking and visceral ... You have a rare talent and your dad sounds like a total hero 🥰

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Jayne Manfredi's avatar

Aw, thanks Angi.

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Becky Clifford's avatar

Have you thought about Crowdfunding for your dad’s knee surgery? I appreciate your frustration with the broken system and disparity, but I care about your dad and would love to contribute. I know it does nothing to fix the system, but it might just help fix your lovely dad. Hugs.

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Jayne Manfredi's avatar

My dad would never want to ask people for money, so that’s not an option. But thank you, you’re very kind.

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Tanya Ralph's avatar

So beautiful and so powerful, so sorry you had to write it as your dad and so many other people’s dads deserve so much better. But amazing writing thank you x

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Jayne Manfredi's avatar

Thank you Tanya.

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Graham Gardiner's avatar

Well, that's me off!! Beautiful. 😭😭❤️❤️

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Jayne Manfredi's avatar

Haha! Sorry Graham!

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Clare U's avatar

A stingingly beautiful piece, Jayne. So very true. It’s galling how little has changed in many ways, that those who did without are still doing so. Having lost a dad at a young age because the military machine abandons many lower ranked soldiers once they’ve leave (the news stories make it appear otherwise) the shame and pain is palpable.

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Jayne Manfredi's avatar

So sorry Clare. 💔

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Clare U's avatar

And me for you and your Dad. It shouldn’t be this way. Your Dad worked hard all of his life and paid into a system that ends up prioritising those who shout loudest, and that’s not right.

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Diane Ashton's avatar

Wonderful, wonderful piece of writing. For all the dads who deserved better. ❤️

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Jayne Manfredi's avatar

Thank you Diane. Amen!

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Anne-Marie Naylor's avatar

Absolutely beautiful and heartbreaking.

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Jayne Manfredi's avatar

Thank you Anne-Marie.

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Olga's avatar

Tears streaming down my face reading this beautifully written tribute to a man who deserves better.. so much better.

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Jayne Manfredi's avatar

❤️❤️❤️

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Dee Atkins-Greig's avatar

Wow…wonderfully evocative…thank you. Happy Father’s Day. X

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Jayne Manfredi's avatar

Thank you ❤️

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Lesley Hughes's avatar

Beautiful and heartbreaking.

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Jayne Manfredi's avatar

Thank you Lesley.

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Helen McTaggart's avatar

Beautiful

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Jayne Manfredi's avatar

Thank you Helen.

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William shields's avatar

Absolutely beautiful, Jayne. I was truly moved by your prose.

I am writing my fourth book, a collection of short stories and would be most interesting in trading critiques with you. Thanks, William

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