I too am a Utah Valley State College Student encouraged to write a review and post it on AML. Patricia Gunter Karamesines wrote a piece in the spring 2005 edition of Dialogue, which is worthy of attention.

"Flying in a Confined Space" relates the story of a woman who gives birth to a daughter who ends up having physical and mental challenges caused by infections of the brain. This well written story, full of sensory details, relates the struggle this woman has in attempts to make a connection with her handicapped daughter. Much of the explanation and self-realization from the narrator comes as she is hiking in the wilderness of the desert.

I found it interesting that the husband character plays a minor roll in the piece. This may be perhaps intended to show the even greater struggle the woman carries, as she must carry the challenges alone. I believe that much of the descriptions of the hike through the unknown are directly synonymous with the excursion through the unknown with her daughter. She hikes through the mountains not to see the beauty, but rather to get through it and accomplish it. This struggling mother desperately wants to love her daughter, but realizes that she cannot simply view her daughter from a distance, but most work hard to cross the challenges and accomplish the connection.

"Flying in a Confined Space" is successful in adequately portraying the trials of a mother who wants to love and care for her ailing daughter, all the while exhausted and needing break, yet feeling somewhat guilty for taking the time for herself. Patricia Karamesines piece was touching, and insightful.

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Taylor Ensign
December 15, 2005