Ruminations from a Winding Career
Viewing comments for Chapter 9 "Sometimes Math Doesn't Matter: 3"Thoughts from almost 50 years
17 total reviews
Comment from Gert sherwood
Rdfrdmom2
As I was reading this chapter in your book Ruminations from an Unplanned Caree
Sometimes Math Doesn't Matter: 3
Brought back a horrible memory that happened when I was senior in High schoool in 1954 was a horrible car accident, and one of my class mates got killed.
You should have someone pat you on your and praise you for how well you wrote this chapter.
reply by the author on 18-Feb-2021
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Rdfrdmom2
As I was reading this chapter in your book Ruminations from an Unplanned Caree
Sometimes Math Doesn't Matter: 3
Brought back a horrible memory that happened when I was senior in High schoool in 1954 was a horrible car accident, and one of my class mates got killed.
You should have someone pat you on your and praise you for how well you wrote this chapter.
Comment Written 16-Feb-2021
reply by the author on 18-Feb-2021
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Gert:
Thank you so much for your kind words. This happened several times while I was a student in school, but I can't recall the memories like I still do this awful April day. This was one of my hardest writes, ever. Jan
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You are welcome Rdfrdmom2
Gert
Comment from Susan Larson
This happened at our high school, only with three boys. One died. It was my son, going to spend the night at a friend's house. So, I relate. I know it must've been therapeutic for you to write this. I'm glad you shared it.
reply by the author on 16-Feb-2021
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This happened at our high school, only with three boys. One died. It was my son, going to spend the night at a friend's house. So, I relate. I know it must've been therapeutic for you to write this. I'm glad you shared it.
Comment Written 15-Feb-2021
reply by the author on 16-Feb-2021
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Susan, I am so sorry for your loss. It happens all too often. Jan
Comment from Carol Hillebrenner
This is beautifully written and very sensitive to students' needs. For a second there I feared it was going to be November 1963, when I and another student had to knock at every door in the entire school in a very short time to tell teachers to listen for an announcement. You are doing a really good job with this.
reply by the author on 16-Feb-2021
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This is beautifully written and very sensitive to students' needs. For a second there I feared it was going to be November 1963, when I and another student had to knock at every door in the entire school in a very short time to tell teachers to listen for an announcement. You are doing a really good job with this.
Comment Written 15-Feb-2021
reply by the author on 16-Feb-2021
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I remember that day all too well, too. I was in 7th grade. Thanks for your kind review. Jan
Comment from blondie560
Where were the boys trying to go? Jeff knew he couldn't ditch school and then Troy had that gut feeling. Was Troy back at school before the accident? In 1973 I'm sure the schools didn't handle tragedies like they do now having grief counselors available for students as well as teachers.
reply by the author on 14-Feb-2021
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Where were the boys trying to go? Jeff knew he couldn't ditch school and then Troy had that gut feeling. Was Troy back at school before the accident? In 1973 I'm sure the schools didn't handle tragedies like they do now having grief counselors available for students as well as teachers.
Comment Written 14-Feb-2021
reply by the author on 14-Feb-2021
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The guys were just going to "hang out", as the survivors told the police when they were able. Troy only had a short walk back to the school as the stoplight was at the end of the access road to the school so he was in class before the accident. No, the only counselors they had back then were academic counselors. I was only 21 and most of the students in that particular class ranged from 15 - 18 (my peers now). Rdfrdmom2
Comment from ExperiencingLiphe
Things like this can be a wake up call for a lot of people. I'm glad he got the gut feeling and got out of the car. Everything is about living and learning. Everyday we're faced with decisions we make that we're not sure if they're the right ones until later.
reply by the author on 14-Feb-2021
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Things like this can be a wake up call for a lot of people. I'm glad he got the gut feeling and got out of the car. Everything is about living and learning. Everyday we're faced with decisions we make that we're not sure if they're the right ones until later.
Comment Written 14-Feb-2021
reply by the author on 14-Feb-2021
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You are so right - and sometimes we don't get the chance to find out. Jan
Comment from Sandra Stoner-Mitchell
That is such a sad story, Jan. Loss of life is always sad, but when it is young people who haven't really had a chance to live, it seems worse. That it wouldn't have happened had they all been where they should have been, is even sadder. The moral at the end is perfect. This is very well written. :)) Sandra xxx
reply by the author on 14-Feb-2021
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That is such a sad story, Jan. Loss of life is always sad, but when it is young people who haven't really had a chance to live, it seems worse. That it wouldn't have happened had they all been where they should have been, is even sadder. The moral at the end is perfect. This is very well written. :)) Sandra xxx
Comment Written 14-Feb-2021
reply by the author on 14-Feb-2021
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Thanks, Sandra. You are so right. I can't begin to tell you how many times I've thought they paid one helluva price for cutting school that day. Jan
Comment from Mary Kay Bonfante
It must have been an overwhelming responsibility, to deal with this news and simultaneously try to console so many young people, who were traumatized by learning about it. It is so hard sometimes to understand why things happen the way they do, but the survival of three of the Carol's passengers, as well as the amazingly fateful decision of two more boys not to ride with them, seems nothing less than providential grace. Poor young Paquita, blaming herself, although she had nothing to do with it! You handled that so well, and with lovingkindness. You really had your hands full that day. Thank you for sharing this.
reply by the author on 14-Feb-2021
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It must have been an overwhelming responsibility, to deal with this news and simultaneously try to console so many young people, who were traumatized by learning about it. It is so hard sometimes to understand why things happen the way they do, but the survival of three of the Carol's passengers, as well as the amazingly fateful decision of two more boys not to ride with them, seems nothing less than providential grace. Poor young Paquita, blaming herself, although she had nothing to do with it! You handled that so well, and with lovingkindness. You really had your hands full that day. Thank you for sharing this.
Comment Written 14-Feb-2021
reply by the author on 14-Feb-2021
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Thanks, Mary Kay. I believe there was a great deal of providential grace provided that day and lots of strength from above to help us help our students. Jan
Comment from Iza Deleanu
The moral of the story is so true, trust your gut and also we can't control our lives and death, we go when we have too. Thank you for sharing and good luck with your writings.
reply by the author on 14-Feb-2021
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The moral of the story is so true, trust your gut and also we can't control our lives and death, we go when we have too. Thank you for sharing and good luck with your writings.
Comment Written 14-Feb-2021
reply by the author on 14-Feb-2021
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Thanks, again, Iza, for this 6-star rating. I am deeply humbled. Jan
Comment from Wendy G
What a dreadful day! No point in trying to continue lessons as normal with the shock and grief of all, including the teachers. Such a comfort to the students to know that they could share their grief with their teachers knowing that their pain was shared. Well written.
reply by the author on 14-Feb-2021
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What a dreadful day! No point in trying to continue lessons as normal with the shock and grief of all, including the teachers. Such a comfort to the students to know that they could share their grief with their teachers knowing that their pain was shared. Well written.
Comment Written 14-Feb-2021
reply by the author on 14-Feb-2021
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Thanks, Wendy. Jan
Comment from lyenochka
What a powerful story! Thank you for sharing it. In a blink, there could be a life changing event and only God knows why. You did a great job conveying the emotions at that time. So glad you could be there to wisely counsel those kids.
Suggestion:
As I was leaving at the end of the, up until then, most draining day (the "up until then" really interrupted the sentence here and doesn't really add to the meaning. Maybe somehow add it after "day"?)
reply by the author on 14-Feb-2021
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What a powerful story! Thank you for sharing it. In a blink, there could be a life changing event and only God knows why. You did a great job conveying the emotions at that time. So glad you could be there to wisely counsel those kids.
Suggestion:
As I was leaving at the end of the, up until then, most draining day (the "up until then" really interrupted the sentence here and doesn't really add to the meaning. Maybe somehow add it after "day"?)
Comment Written 13-Feb-2021
reply by the author on 14-Feb-2021
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Good suggestion, lyenochka. I will make that change. Jan