Comment from Precious Owuamalam

Excellent

This is so wonderful! I enjoyed reading this a lot. It also has in it so many great messages to pass across. This sounded so real. You did justice to this piece. Kudos!

 Comment Written 13-Feb-2021

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reply by the author on 14-Feb-2021

Precious, the reason this sounded so real is that it really happened. Only the names were changed, for obvious reasons. Thanks for your kind review. Jan

Comment from city gal

Excellent

I read this piece three times and each time I was captured by the first few lines which in part read, 'nothing could keep our interest'. It showed a wonderful bond, where there was no division between teacher and student. In fact the whole piece portrayed that oneness.
And it brought home to me that sometimes we need to accept that life can be messy and unpredictable.
The title told it all.
Thank you.

 Comment Written 13-Feb-2021

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reply by the author on 13-Feb-2021

Thank you so much, city gal. Jan

Comment from barbara.wilkey

Excellent

I do understand and you did a great job describing the emotion of the situation. I graduated from high school in 1972. I remember when we lost 2 students that were in a car accident. You described it well.

 Comment Written 13-Feb-2021

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reply by the author on 13-Feb-2021

Thank you, Barbara. No matter how old I get, this story still brings me to tears. Jan

Comment from royowen

Excellent

I can remember seeing a crushed car that some of my foolish friends had ridden, one would have thought that every was killed, out the four boys, three were up unscathed, and one had a broken, no seat belts in those days, how fortunate were they? The car was a write-off, (totalled) well done, great write, Roy.
Typo The premier athlete (in) the school quarterback. As? 2: As I was leaving at the end of the (day).

 Comment Written 13-Feb-2021

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reply by the author on 13-Feb-2021

Thanks,Roy. I'll go back and check thse out and fix them. jan

reply by royowen on 14-Feb-2021

Well done

Comment from Jessica Borras

Excellent

So, I've read all three chapters now, and I've got to say... When I read the first chapter, I expected a completely different outcome... This must've been a difficult story to write, and I appreciate you putting here for us to read. I also appreciate the notes at the end, because questions would've gone unanswered. The only thing I noticed was a missed parenthesis, and it looks like somebody else mentioned that. I look forward to reading more of your work. <3

 Comment Written 13-Feb-2021

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reply by the author on 13-Feb-2021

Thanks, Jessica. I have gone back and fixed the parenthesis issue. jan

Comment from Jannypan (Jan)

Excellent

A tragic day, Jan, that you expressed well. Thank you for the notes, too. I can't say much more as this brings back 4 tenth graders who were killed in a train/car crash one night. I knew them all--my school, my class.
Thanks for sharing and caring.
Respectfully, Jan

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 Comment Written 13-Feb-2021

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reply by the author on 13-Feb-2021

Thanks, Jan. This was the first of numerous students who were killed in accidents during my career. Even today, the tears glide down our cheeks, don't they? Jan

reply by Jannypan (Jan) on 13-Feb-2021

Yes, those 4 were in some of my classes--we were all students then.

Comment from RetroStarfish

Excellent

This is a wonderfully told, poignant story. Comforting kids and dealing with tragedy are as important as teaching math. I'm glad you included this incident in your memories of teaching. It makes for a well-rounded look back at your experiences.
One really small thing... this need's a closing bracket:
(quarterback, point guard, pitcher - all-State in each category, had been killed
Reeeeally small thing.

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 Comment Written 13-Feb-2021

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reply by the author on 13-Feb-2021

thanks so much, small thing but needs to be taken care of, RetroStarfish. Jan