Comment from Paul Manton

Excellent

Poor Don. It was bad enough last chapter - but he still hasn't cottoned on to listening to sage parental advice! And you are all trying so hard for him. Of course it was 100% predictable that Kelly's parents would see the flaws. Oh dear!
Sometimes reading these blogs confirms my choices not to marry and have a family - I got so much out of life from my friends and the kids I used to teach - and their families. That was enough. But the Shelby family - you have to be brave woman, Beth. I take my hat off to you.

I always said that I found America more alien than any other country I visited. That sounds very rude; the hospitality was genuine and warm - and generous. People wanted to spend time with me - we went on lots of visits - but the educational system was on another planet - the goals were unlike the UK - possibly the values too. I think that tourists underestimate the differences between us.

Thank goodness, then, that what we share is so important - and for me that would be a faith - Church going in America is much higher than over here - but real Christians are the same in their love of God and people.

I have digressed - maybe because I want so much to pray for your family.
Paul

 Comment Written 31-Aug-2023

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reply by the author on 03-Sep-2023

Oh come on Paul, Marriage and family is a worth every minute of the ups and downs. I wouldn't have missed it for the world. I'm just now learing that this country is alian. I guess we don't alian from out of space visiting us. We are the oddies for those who visit us. If want to pray for my family, go right ahead. I never turn down prayer.
Beth

reply by Paul Manton on 03-Sep-2023

I pray for all of you, Beth. I'm not sure I would have been as capable as you at family life - but I made a passable teacher. I'm sure I made this reply a long time ago(?) Best fro Paul

Comment from Douglas Goff

Excellent

Okay, this is the chapter where you introduced the kids. Very good.

I think you have a very interesting family. They all seemed to be motivated to try and succeed.

I wish you great success with this.
D

 Comment Written 31-Aug-2023

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reply by the author on 31-Aug-2023

Thank you Douglas. At least my kids are reading it. and the first book sold pretty well the first month. I appreciate you review.
Beth

Comment from Mary Vigasin

Excellent

It is difficult for kids to know what they want unless a true gift or passion shows up early. Most kids who graduate from high school suddenly have to make their own life decisions.
Your children were no exception to this difficult period in their lives. We often just fall into an occupation. I went to work in a factory because I had no clue of where I was going and my family needed the income. Luck eventually put me in an office and the right company allowed me to advance to an underwriting position.
I look forward to the continuing story.
Mary

 Comment Written 30-Aug-2023

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reply by the author on 02-Sep-2023

Thank you Mary. I wanted to major in art but the first college I attended didn't offer that major. I did end up with that major at the second college hut I needee a job when I graduated and it turned out to a clerk typist. I did eventually get to do are in a printing company and an ad agency. I might have made more money with a different major but I enjoyed what I did.

Comment from jmdg1954

Excellent

Another chapter of shattered dreams, though you did include a few high lights. Life isn't always littered with bad decisions and results. There are positives as well.
Another enjoyable read into the lives of your children.

Cheers to happier outcomes.
John

 Comment Written 30-Aug-2023

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reply by the author on 02-Sep-2023

Thank you John. I always appreciate your reviews and comments.
Beth

Comment from JSD

Excellent

Oh dear. More hiccups in the life of the family. The Chattanooga Choo Choo derailed a little. Thanks for sharing this. I continue to be enthralled by it all.

 Comment Written 30-Aug-2023

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reply by the author on 03-Sep-2023

Thank you so much for the review and comments.
Beth

Comment from Wendy G

Excellent

A very interesting story about your children as they grew into adulthood. How hard it is for young people to know at a young age how they want to spend their working lives. And relationships? Fraught with difficulties. Very well written.
Wendy

 Comment Written 30-Aug-2023

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reply by the author on 02-Sep-2023

Thank you Wendy. It was a bad time for a couple of my kids but like any family everything can't be rosy all the time. I think they lived through more heartaches than I ever did.
Beth

Comment from Thesis

Excellent

It sounds like this was a very stressful time for the entire family. Your words portray the difficulties your children faced dealing with life and your son's girlfriend's parents. All-in-all, it sounds like this was not a stellar time for the family. Well told, unfortunately sad.

 Comment Written 30-Aug-2023

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reply by the author on 02-Sep-2023

Thanks so much for the review. Like any family we had our highs and lows. For a couple of my kids it was not the best of time but it wasn't all bad.
Betj

Comment from Wayne Fowler

Excellent

Finding ones way is not easy. I joined the military (4 years and then college) as a way of learning what I wanted from life.
Nicely done.
Sports medicine required a lot of science courses good grade-point averages. - maybe a comma? or an 'and'?
Best wishes.

 Comment Written 30-Aug-2023

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reply by the author on 01-Sep-2023

Thank you Wayne. I appreciate the review and suggestions. It wasn't a bad idea to join the military rather than going to college without knowing what you wanted to do in life.
Beth

reply by Wayne Fowler on 01-Sep-2023

And it was during the draft days. At #191, I would have been drafted if not in college.

Comment from Pam Lonsdale

Excellent

If only we could get it into young people's heads that they should not plan their life around love until they are very, very sure. Of course, they'd probably tell us "I AM sure!" I remember having my own heart broken a few times, but watching your children go though it is even more difficult.

Thanks for sharing more of your family stories with us, Beth.

 Comment Written 29-Aug-2023

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reply by the author on 30-Aug-2023

I didn't get my heart broken because I didn't think I was interested in having a man in my life until he convinced me I was. Thankfully he wasn't one who break my heart. But it does hurt to see your children crying over some one.
Beth

Comment from Bill Schott

Excellent

This story, College Days and Disappointments, sure imvolves a lot of bumps and bruises that come to us all a bit of a time and to others in spades. Rough education.

 Comment Written 29-Aug-2023

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reply by the author on 30-Aug-2023

Thank you Bill. I really appreciate the review and comments. I'm glad those are history for my kids.
Beth