An American Christmas
Short Story30 total reviews
Comment from sgalletti
Hey Mikey! I worked in Lancaster schools way back when and remember the town fondly. You're right. It does embrace folks who don't have as much as others. I enjoyed meeting the central character in your story. There are a few spaggies you might want to attend to as in: ",,,later. That's high on the hog for me." And, its (it's) towards the end. Also, re: "the shelter just don't take..." you've got the character speaking good English, so the bad grammar seems out of place. Should it be "the shelter just doesn't take..."? Best of luck in the contest. Sue
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Hey Mikey! I worked in Lancaster schools way back when and remember the town fondly. You're right. It does embrace folks who don't have as much as others. I enjoyed meeting the central character in your story. There are a few spaggies you might want to attend to as in: ",,,later. That's high on the hog for me." And, its (it's) towards the end. Also, re: "the shelter just don't take..." you've got the character speaking good English, so the bad grammar seems out of place. Should it be "the shelter just doesn't take..."? Best of luck in the contest. Sue
Comment Written 20-Dec-2014
Comment from l.raven
HI Michael, your story is well spoken...and the message well said...it is awful what the Veterans in this country go through when they get back here...they should be honored for putting their lives on the lines for us...and from what I understand...there is only one kids in the parents of the congress that serve...so what do they care about other peoples kids...my heart goes out to them...and I pray for them throughout the year...may God watch over them....Luff Linda xxoo
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HI Michael, your story is well spoken...and the message well said...it is awful what the Veterans in this country go through when they get back here...they should be honored for putting their lives on the lines for us...and from what I understand...there is only one kids in the parents of the congress that serve...so what do they care about other peoples kids...my heart goes out to them...and I pray for them throughout the year...may God watch over them....Luff Linda xxoo
Comment Written 20-Dec-2014
Comment from LIJ Red
I got a house, car, pick-up, good SS and a small pension, and do and dress as I please. I wish people in H3s would quit paying for the wino's lunch....embarrassing...
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I got a house, car, pick-up, good SS and a small pension, and do and dress as I please. I wish people in H3s would quit paying for the wino's lunch....embarrassing...
Comment Written 20-Dec-2014
Comment from amahra
This is a really really nice and well written story. Funny at times and all. This is not the first homeless story I've read, here and I have never asked the writer this question: Why are these people homeless? And how is it the government's fault? Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that they're not at fault, I just don't understand why people think they are. My reason is, that I was once on Social Services, that's Welfare. I was divorce, jobless with a child and my ex-husband wasn't paying child support. I lived in public housing, two bedrooms, kitchen, living room, with free heat and hot water, front and back yard. I received a monthly check from the government...that paid my rent and other things I needed, I also received food stamps and free medical assistance. My son got free school lunch and tokens for bus fare to and from school. This went on for years until I went back to college and got a job. America is one of few countries that takes care of its poor people like that. Here in the state where I live, men get out of prison and if they don't find employment right away, can get food stamps, a government check and medical assistance. So, forgive me if I'm having a problem blaming government for the homeless. Thank you for posting and Merry Christmas if its appropriate.
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This is a really really nice and well written story. Funny at times and all. This is not the first homeless story I've read, here and I have never asked the writer this question: Why are these people homeless? And how is it the government's fault? Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that they're not at fault, I just don't understand why people think they are. My reason is, that I was once on Social Services, that's Welfare. I was divorce, jobless with a child and my ex-husband wasn't paying child support. I lived in public housing, two bedrooms, kitchen, living room, with free heat and hot water, front and back yard. I received a monthly check from the government...that paid my rent and other things I needed, I also received food stamps and free medical assistance. My son got free school lunch and tokens for bus fare to and from school. This went on for years until I went back to college and got a job. America is one of few countries that takes care of its poor people like that. Here in the state where I live, men get out of prison and if they don't find employment right away, can get food stamps, a government check and medical assistance. So, forgive me if I'm having a problem blaming government for the homeless. Thank you for posting and Merry Christmas if its appropriate.
Comment Written 20-Dec-2014
Comment from Patrick G Cox
Hi Michael Cahill,
Sadly, I think this is a situation which will simply grow with time, every 'developed nation', even those with social welfare programmes like the UK, seem to have growing numbers of homeless people - often ex-services - slipping through the gaps. Well told tale and a good seasonal reminder.
Patrick
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Hi Michael Cahill,
Sadly, I think this is a situation which will simply grow with time, every 'developed nation', even those with social welfare programmes like the UK, seem to have growing numbers of homeless people - often ex-services - slipping through the gaps. Well told tale and a good seasonal reminder.
Patrick
Comment Written 20-Dec-2014
Comment from pattipac
Oh, Mikey, your story based on what you have seen is heart-wrenching, but we 'the people of these United States,' still shove the needs of others into the background. I am sending you a virtual-six for this poignant writing, simply because I have no real ones left to give.
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Oh, Mikey, your story based on what you have seen is heart-wrenching, but we 'the people of these United States,' still shove the needs of others into the background. I am sending you a virtual-six for this poignant writing, simply because I have no real ones left to give.
Comment Written 20-Dec-2014
Comment from Jay Squires
Yes, it is shameful, Mikey, and yes I'm sure there are lots of vets dying of cold, hunger, other exposure on the streets. I agree and I feel badly about being a part of the great ignoring public.
I ignore because I am bewildered. I am bewildered because there are SO many and they all tell such compelling stories, and the most compelling stories can be told by "homeless" folks who know their marks, know what buttons to push.
When I had my insurance office, several years ago, one man came in with a gallon of milk, plopped it on my desk, with tears in his eyes asked if I would consider taking that milk (which he was taking home for his infant son's breakfast)as collateral for 5 bucks he needed to get a cab to the drugstore to pick up his wife's medication. He even led off by admitting it was so ridiculous-sounding, but "with God as my witness...and, he would come back with the money and to pick up the milk within the hour!"
He got ten bucks, not five, from me. I threw out a half-gallon of milk at the end of the work day.
One of many many office visits. I'm sure I was on some sort of list in our town.
Yours is a well-told story, Mikey. I sincerely hope it does well in the contest. It's deserving. But I am a little jaded.
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Yes, it is shameful, Mikey, and yes I'm sure there are lots of vets dying of cold, hunger, other exposure on the streets. I agree and I feel badly about being a part of the great ignoring public.
I ignore because I am bewildered. I am bewildered because there are SO many and they all tell such compelling stories, and the most compelling stories can be told by "homeless" folks who know their marks, know what buttons to push.
When I had my insurance office, several years ago, one man came in with a gallon of milk, plopped it on my desk, with tears in his eyes asked if I would consider taking that milk (which he was taking home for his infant son's breakfast)as collateral for 5 bucks he needed to get a cab to the drugstore to pick up his wife's medication. He even led off by admitting it was so ridiculous-sounding, but "with God as my witness...and, he would come back with the money and to pick up the milk within the hour!"
He got ten bucks, not five, from me. I threw out a half-gallon of milk at the end of the work day.
One of many many office visits. I'm sure I was on some sort of list in our town.
Yours is a well-told story, Mikey. I sincerely hope it does well in the contest. It's deserving. But I am a little jaded.
Comment Written 20-Dec-2014
Comment from emrpoems
I referred a few veterans who served the country to an online site that was giving assistance to them. I came upon it sometime last year. It was a program that Michelle Obama and Jill Biden had organized. Hope these homeless vets see this
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I referred a few veterans who served the country to an online site that was giving assistance to them. I came upon it sometime last year. It was a program that Michelle Obama and Jill Biden had organized. Hope these homeless vets see this
Comment Written 20-Dec-2014
Comment from jpduck
I would love it if this piece won the contest, even though I have entered something (much inferior) myself. Best of luck with it.
One SPAG:
'it is bone chilling cold' ('bone chilling' should be hyphenated).
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I would love it if this piece won the contest, even though I have entered something (much inferior) myself. Best of luck with it.
One SPAG:
'it is bone chilling cold' ('bone chilling' should be hyphenated).
Comment Written 20-Dec-2014
Comment from nancy_e_davis
I certainly agree with you. It is shameful. God bless them.
I wish there was help for all those poor homeless people.
It is absolutely stupid to give them a ticket and tell them to go home! So they drink to make their life easier that should not keep them from having a warm place to go to sleep. I know when people drink they are ususally trouble and hard to handle but not all. There has to be a solution but what? Good job Good luck Mikey. Bless you too. Nancy
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I certainly agree with you. It is shameful. God bless them.
I wish there was help for all those poor homeless people.
It is absolutely stupid to give them a ticket and tell them to go home! So they drink to make their life easier that should not keep them from having a warm place to go to sleep. I know when people drink they are ususally trouble and hard to handle but not all. There has to be a solution but what? Good job Good luck Mikey. Bless you too. Nancy
Comment Written 20-Dec-2014
