Comments on: What happened next?

By: Charlotte Olson

Charlotte Olson — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 03:35:22 +0000

Wow..I just finished your book. I am the same age as Amanda and totally related to the time period. Loving was also my favorite soap and watched it from day one and remember your mom (I was in love with Jack and so glad she saved him!) I now teach senior high kids considered violent, aggressive or mentally ill and have kicked out of mainstream schools…many of them have lived very sad lives and dealt with some of the things you did..but unfortunately they lack the coping skills you gained from each other. I am in the process of adopting a little girl and I have always known in my heart how important her birth family ties are…to maintain and to cherish… Thank you for your book. I plan to pass it on to many of my friends. I am happy for each of you and I know in my heart your parents are smiling down on all of you.
Sincerely,
Charlotte Olson

By: Diana

Diana — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 22:52:37 +0000

Beth,

Thank you so much for the kind words. I was also especially touched by the Book of Diana — and by my siblings’ unwavering (an unconditional) love.
And we are still writing – both Liz and I are working on our second books, which are both, in their own ways, sequels to this one.

thanks again,
Diana (and the Welches)

By: Beth Pankratz

Beth Pankratz — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:06:21 +0000

As someone else has written in response, this book had a physical effect on me. I read the entire book within 24 hours of downloading it to my Kindle. I am in awe of the positive nature of this book. The four of you focused on the wonderful aspects of your parents and never blamed your mistakes on your circumstances. That is a life lesson many of us could use. I am especially touched by the tribute to Diana upon her graduation. As the youngest child, I often feel invisible. But you older 3 siblings never lost sight of their little “love child”, which would have been so easy to do. PLEASE write more..I am not done reading! It has been years since I have read a book that is impacted me as much as this one. I applaud all of you for striving to keep your family intact. Your parents are very proud of you.

By: Catherine Pettersson

Catherine Pettersson — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 07:43:31 +0000

Hello Welch Family:

Am reading your memoir for my book group in Stockholm, Sweden. The book is literally hitting me physically (not finished but will be soon!) There’s a heaviness in my chest and my eyes keep tearing up but I can’t put it down.

It is a beautiful account of love and its complications and jibes with my own experience that family love is never without a profound core of pain.

Coincidently, my own father, Gerard Barry, was a Quincy boy (one of seven brothers.) He reminds me of your father: handsome, charming, drinking problems, secretive and complicated in that special tortured Irish/South Boston way.

Love the extension of the website. It’s making the narrative richer. If any of your travels bring you this way, let me know!

Regards,

Catherine Barry Pettersson