At first I didn't really like this story, it started out rather cliched, and I felt as if it was another of "those" stories that I've read so many times before. But it changed-for the better-and although the entire thing didn't seem entirely new, for the overall setting and dream-thing has been done so many times before, yet you gave your own touch to it, you took an old, over-done, cliched story and you made it new, you made it fresh, you didn't recycle previous material, but you created your own everything. I did enjoy this. The writing was good, the dialogue was good, the personality was good, and you portrayed some very good truths in this story. "You had a wonderful life ahead of you... yet you gave up because of the life behind you"

Don't doubt your writing talents, they are definitely there. Especially if you say you are a beginning writer, which means you have not had much practice? Your talent shines through very clearly already now. The more you write, the better you will be, and I believe you can become really extraordinary. Have you considered writing fantasy? You have such a hopeful message in this piece, and your description of the man is so gentle and easy, the reader hardly notices it. Very well written!