Stories and Poems for the Holidays
Viewing comments for Chapter 4 "The Christmas Present"Holiday musings.
27 total reviews
Comment from Spitfire
A winner for sure. This well-written story has captured the fear of parents for the safety of their children. Seems the man had a good reason for gifting you yet this could also have been construed as a way a pedophile might work.
reply by the author on 23-Dec-2023
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A winner for sure. This well-written story has captured the fear of parents for the safety of their children. Seems the man had a good reason for gifting you yet this could also have been construed as a way a pedophile might work.
Comment Written 23-Dec-2023
reply by the author on 23-Dec-2023
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Thank you for a great review. I so pleased you found it worthy of six stars.
Beth
Comment from Annmuma
Well-written story. I am not certain if I feel a bit sad now or if the closing was enough to cheer me up. I am pleased you offered the young widower a reason to smile and to purchase a Christmas gift. Good luck in the contest. Merry Christmas. ann
reply by the author on 23-Dec-2023
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Well-written story. I am not certain if I feel a bit sad now or if the closing was enough to cheer me up. I am pleased you offered the young widower a reason to smile and to purchase a Christmas gift. Good luck in the contest. Merry Christmas. ann
Comment Written 23-Dec-2023
reply by the author on 23-Dec-2023
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Ann I felt sad and embarrassed and It is likely he did as well. I like stories with happier ending, but I guess I have to look at is as part of the coming of age experience we all go though as we grow up. Thank you foar the review.
Beth
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Your story DID have a happy ending - you met your husband and the young widower had a brief respite for sorrow while he laughed with you. It was a very good story ann
Comment from Pam Lonsdale
Oh, Beth, this is sweet and sad at the same time. It tells us so much about you as an insecure teenager finding your confidence, and the importance of befriending the lonely at Christmas and all year through.
I understand your mom's reaction, but it embarrassed you and broke his heart.
A nice entry for this contest - good luck.
xo
Pam
reply by the author on 23-Dec-2023
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Oh, Beth, this is sweet and sad at the same time. It tells us so much about you as an insecure teenager finding your confidence, and the importance of befriending the lonely at Christmas and all year through.
I understand your mom's reaction, but it embarrassed you and broke his heart.
A nice entry for this contest - good luck.
xo
Pam
Comment Written 23-Dec-2023
reply by the author on 23-Dec-2023
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Thank you Pam. It was an embarrassing situation for me, my aunt and the young man. It is a shame that had to happen but those awkward moments are all part of life. Thank you so much for the review.
Comment from Terry Broxson
Beth, this is a beautifully written story. Your writing is vivid and smooth. I felt like I was sitting in the little cafe with you, watching the action. And yes, you do need to tell that different story. Well done. Terry.
reply by the author on 23-Dec-2023
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Beth, this is a beautifully written story. Your writing is vivid and smooth. I felt like I was sitting in the little cafe with you, watching the action. And yes, you do need to tell that different story. Well done. Terry.
Comment Written 23-Dec-2023
reply by the author on 23-Dec-2023
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Thank you so much for a great review. I appreciate your comments.
Beth
Comment from royowen
Yes, I guess it wouldn't have been considered proper that a fourteen year old would be considered courting material, and certainly not these days either, thanks for sharing I was much too young in 1952, beautifully written Beth, blessings Roy
reply by the author on 23-Dec-2023
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Yes, I guess it wouldn't have been considered proper that a fourteen year old would be considered courting material, and certainly not these days either, thanks for sharing I was much too young in 1952, beautifully written Beth, blessings Roy
Comment Written 23-Dec-2023
reply by the author on 23-Dec-2023
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Thank you Roy. That was a awkward age and everything I did around that time seem to bad. I felt embarrassed a lot.
Beth
Comment from Liz O'Neill
This must have been pretty or added a dreary piece to things: "staring at the reflection of colored Christmas tree lights blinking on and off in the rain-soaked plate glass window." This is a unique description, I really like it: "I could hardly believe in only a week Christmas would be history." The speaker nailed it: "My poor aunt was as embarrassed as I was over the situation. She didn't like talking to men. She'd
never had a man in her life, other than family, and she didn't understand them." Good thing the narrator did not practice learned behavior. A good topic.
reply by the author on 23-Dec-2023
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This must have been pretty or added a dreary piece to things: "staring at the reflection of colored Christmas tree lights blinking on and off in the rain-soaked plate glass window." This is a unique description, I really like it: "I could hardly believe in only a week Christmas would be history." The speaker nailed it: "My poor aunt was as embarrassed as I was over the situation. She didn't like talking to men. She'd
never had a man in her life, other than family, and she didn't understand them." Good thing the narrator did not practice learned behavior. A good topic.
Comment Written 23-Dec-2023
reply by the author on 23-Dec-2023
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Thank you Liz, I really apprecuate the nice review and comments.
Beth
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It was great
Comment from Debbie D'Arcy
A wonderful story, Beth, and you took me right back to that awkward stage in my teenage! A time when no-one seems to understand what you're feeling or going through and emotions always seem to get the better of you. I look forward to reading the next episode at 16, perhaps. But, in the meantime, good luck and Merry Christmas! Debbie
reply by the author on 23-Dec-2023
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A wonderful story, Beth, and you took me right back to that awkward stage in my teenage! A time when no-one seems to understand what you're feeling or going through and emotions always seem to get the better of you. I look forward to reading the next episode at 16, perhaps. But, in the meantime, good luck and Merry Christmas! Debbie
Comment Written 22-Dec-2023
reply by the author on 23-Dec-2023
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Thank you Debbie. Those days were the awkward days. At the time it seems everyone else was getting it right but us.
Beth
Comment from Wendy G
Beth, this is a wonderful story! It includes your coming-of-age, your family relationships, misunderstandings, and the wonder of connections and the importance of kindness to others, not knowing their personal griefs and pain. Worthy of a six, but none left. Best wishes for the contest.
Wendy
reply by the author on 23-Dec-2023
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Beth, this is a wonderful story! It includes your coming-of-age, your family relationships, misunderstandings, and the wonder of connections and the importance of kindness to others, not knowing their personal griefs and pain. Worthy of a six, but none left. Best wishes for the contest.
Wendy
Comment Written 22-Dec-2023
reply by the author on 23-Dec-2023
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Thank you Wendy. I'm glad you liked this. I really appreciate the review and comments.
Beth
Comment from Wayne Fowler
Very nice. Too bad your aunt couldn't have straightened out your mother with the truth.
over his head like an unbrella - oops (umbrella)
You have several commas that I would omit (not all, of course) smiley face here
Best wishes.
reply by the author on 23-Dec-2023
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Very nice. Too bad your aunt couldn't have straightened out your mother with the truth.
over his head like an unbrella - oops (umbrella)
You have several commas that I would omit (not all, of course) smiley face here
Best wishes.
Comment Written 22-Dec-2023
reply by the author on 23-Dec-2023
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Thank you so much Wayne. I appreciate the review and comments. I'll take a look for stray commas.
Beth
Comment from Dolly'sPoems
I think your Mum was right, as young girls of 14 years old should not be accepting gifts from men as you don't know what they expect of you after you are indebted. You were innocent and it must have been embarrassing, but nonetheless it is inappropriate. A fine story you shared with us here with a lesson learned, love Dolly x
reply by the author on 23-Dec-2023
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I think your Mum was right, as young girls of 14 years old should not be accepting gifts from men as you don't know what they expect of you after you are indebted. You were innocent and it must have been embarrassing, but nonetheless it is inappropriate. A fine story you shared with us here with a lesson learned, love Dolly x
Comment Written 22-Dec-2023
reply by the author on 23-Dec-2023
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Thank you Dolly. I felt like I was being punished for something when I wasn't sure what I had done that was so wrong. I'm know my aunt was imbarrassed and the man likely was well,
Beth