The Graduate
Another Gift Giving Occasion.36 total reviews
Comment from karenina
Oh, my Good Gravy Marie!
This deserves six stars and thank goodness I have a few left on a Thursday!
See? This is why you must keep writing! I was hysterical and nodding at the same time!
Rare is the thank you NOTE. Why there cannot minimally be a thank you "email" or even (heaven help us) a thank you "text" is beyond me.
I balk at the thought of a thank you "emoji"
I'd likely send it back with a brown emoji of my own.
I Get baby-shower, wedding, graduation, and even retirement announcements from folks I'd have a hard time identifying without an additional financial stipend to Ancestry.com.
Still, I feel my mom or grandmom looking down at me prodding me to be the bigger person and do the right thing. Then again, that may be my own Catholic School student projection of guilt... (Those things are so hard to exorcise!)
Today I received an invitation to a ZOOM baby shower. Well fine ~ she is, after all in California and I'm in Massachusetts. I wouldn't know her if she lived next door. A third niece-twice-removed. (Allegedly)
Not sure how "they" even got my email (which is how I was invited in a "send all" group marketing campaign)-- I know I haven't received a holiday card or an "are you alive" note from anyone in that distant family (I assume?) branch.
How timely your write! I'm thinking of sending an email declining my ZOOM attendance. (What IS the point, after all!)
Instead of the expected and very entitled gift, I may well adopt a variant of your survey...
Something between what you've offered and a mini Jeopardy-style quiz--
like--
Do you know my middle name?
My husband's name?
How we are related?
If we are related?
I'm getting too persnickety and old I suppose. Manners and common sense are rare commodities these days.
I like the way you think! I love the way you write!
Thanks for making my day!
Karenina
reply by the author on 19-May-2022
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Oh, my Good Gravy Marie!
This deserves six stars and thank goodness I have a few left on a Thursday!
See? This is why you must keep writing! I was hysterical and nodding at the same time!
Rare is the thank you NOTE. Why there cannot minimally be a thank you "email" or even (heaven help us) a thank you "text" is beyond me.
I balk at the thought of a thank you "emoji"
I'd likely send it back with a brown emoji of my own.
I Get baby-shower, wedding, graduation, and even retirement announcements from folks I'd have a hard time identifying without an additional financial stipend to Ancestry.com.
Still, I feel my mom or grandmom looking down at me prodding me to be the bigger person and do the right thing. Then again, that may be my own Catholic School student projection of guilt... (Those things are so hard to exorcise!)
Today I received an invitation to a ZOOM baby shower. Well fine ~ she is, after all in California and I'm in Massachusetts. I wouldn't know her if she lived next door. A third niece-twice-removed. (Allegedly)
Not sure how "they" even got my email (which is how I was invited in a "send all" group marketing campaign)-- I know I haven't received a holiday card or an "are you alive" note from anyone in that distant family (I assume?) branch.
How timely your write! I'm thinking of sending an email declining my ZOOM attendance. (What IS the point, after all!)
Instead of the expected and very entitled gift, I may well adopt a variant of your survey...
Something between what you've offered and a mini Jeopardy-style quiz--
like--
Do you know my middle name?
My husband's name?
How we are related?
If we are related?
I'm getting too persnickety and old I suppose. Manners and common sense are rare commodities these days.
I like the way you think! I love the way you write!
Thanks for making my day!
Karenina
Comment Written 19-May-2022
reply by the author on 19-May-2022
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LOL, I wish I had six stars for a review, post it as a stand-alone story! and Thank you for the six stars! Terry.
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You earned every star and then some! I could never top yours...it'll just sit here as my review for you... I did have fun writing it though!
Comment from judiverse
This is funny. I tend to lose track but respond if I receive an invitation. I do not know what has happened to relatives on my father's side of the family. The offspring were too numerous. I do follow nieces, nephews and cousins on my mother's side of the family. My great-niece is graduating from high school and having a big party next Saturday. Of course, I'll be attending, gift in hand. Your survey was hilarious. I thought about it awhile, and I decided it would go over well with your relatives. All the best to you. judi
reply by the author on 19-May-2022
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This is funny. I tend to lose track but respond if I receive an invitation. I do not know what has happened to relatives on my father's side of the family. The offspring were too numerous. I do follow nieces, nephews and cousins on my mother's side of the family. My great-niece is graduating from high school and having a big party next Saturday. Of course, I'll be attending, gift in hand. Your survey was hilarious. I thought about it awhile, and I decided it would go over well with your relatives. All the best to you. judi
Comment Written 19-May-2022
reply by the author on 19-May-2022
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Judi, Thank you! Enjoy the party! Terry.
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You're very welcome. I'm glad you're hanging around. judi
Comment from juliaSjames
Ahh if you really want acknowledgement of your generosity, and IMO the gift is its own reward, get their telephone number and text or Whatsapp your kin , because that's how they communicate. They don't do snail mail!
I send Amazon gift cards to extended family and if there's a response fine. If there isn't a response that's fine too. LOL
My grandkids make cards, flowers, jewelry or gift me bouquets of wild flowers, rocks shells leaves. All are displayed then photographed and filed virtually.
They get cash from me for their savings accounts and countless hugs and kisses, the true currency of love.
Well written prose, Terry
Keep posting
Stay safe and blessed
Julia
reply by the author on 19-May-2022
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Ahh if you really want acknowledgement of your generosity, and IMO the gift is its own reward, get their telephone number and text or Whatsapp your kin , because that's how they communicate. They don't do snail mail!
I send Amazon gift cards to extended family and if there's a response fine. If there isn't a response that's fine too. LOL
My grandkids make cards, flowers, jewelry or gift me bouquets of wild flowers, rocks shells leaves. All are displayed then photographed and filed virtually.
They get cash from me for their savings accounts and countless hugs and kisses, the true currency of love.
Well written prose, Terry
Keep posting
Stay safe and blessed
Julia
Comment Written 19-May-2022
reply by the author on 19-May-2022
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Julia, you a good person! Thank you! Terry.
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:-))
I've learned that most people do their best although it doesn't seem so at times.
Blessings Julia
Comment from Tom Horonzy
idk. Have you thought about moving? Changing phone numbers. Or simply disregard any announcements of birth, death, graduation, wedding, bar mitzvah and whatever. No Christmas cards. Then again, if you void all the forementionables what will you do all day? Maybe write some fiction.
reply by the author on 19-May-2022
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idk. Have you thought about moving? Changing phone numbers. Or simply disregard any announcements of birth, death, graduation, wedding, bar mitzvah and whatever. No Christmas cards. Then again, if you void all the forementionables what will you do all day? Maybe write some fiction.
Comment Written 19-May-2022
reply by the author on 19-May-2022
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Tom, LOL, thank you for all the suggestions! Terry.
Comment from Jay Squires
Ohhhh, that's kinda sad, Terry. I fully understand, though, where you're coming from as you wrote it. It can be overwhelming and certainly, the motives of the announcement senders are often suspect, but you can't let them know that, can you? Unless ... unless, accompanying what may well be the last check or gift you'll ever have to send them, there is one such fill-in-the-blank statement of your warmest regard for his/her (fill in the blank) momentous occasion. Very funny stuff, Terry, but with a grim side.
Hope you and your kitties are well, my friend.
I plan on sticking around FS until I can drop the final curtain on the Fanny Barnwarmer thing and then start the arduous task of dropping my Trining Trilogy in the Amazon machine and see where that takes me. I'm quite proud of it, and being as humble as I can, I think there's an editor out there who would be drooling over its prospects, but I don't have enough reserves in my energy tank to ferret her or him out, or otherwise play the publication game ... and what the hell does that have to do with your fine post!?
But stand tall, friend. I think you and I might outlive all our kin, or we'll all be sucked into Putin's mushroom storm together and be standing in the century-long line outside the pearly gates.
Jay
reply by the author on 19-May-2022
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Ohhhh, that's kinda sad, Terry. I fully understand, though, where you're coming from as you wrote it. It can be overwhelming and certainly, the motives of the announcement senders are often suspect, but you can't let them know that, can you? Unless ... unless, accompanying what may well be the last check or gift you'll ever have to send them, there is one such fill-in-the-blank statement of your warmest regard for his/her (fill in the blank) momentous occasion. Very funny stuff, Terry, but with a grim side.
Hope you and your kitties are well, my friend.
I plan on sticking around FS until I can drop the final curtain on the Fanny Barnwarmer thing and then start the arduous task of dropping my Trining Trilogy in the Amazon machine and see where that takes me. I'm quite proud of it, and being as humble as I can, I think there's an editor out there who would be drooling over its prospects, but I don't have enough reserves in my energy tank to ferret her or him out, or otherwise play the publication game ... and what the hell does that have to do with your fine post!?
But stand tall, friend. I think you and I might outlive all our kin, or we'll all be sucked into Putin's mushroom storm together and be standing in the century-long line outside the pearly gates.
Jay
Comment Written 19-May-2022
reply by the author on 19-May-2022
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Thanks for the review. I did finish RSVP, I think you do have an Amazon audience, go for it. Terry.
Comment from Katherine M. (k-11)
This is very amusing. I can't identify very clearly with it as we are a very small, tightly-knit family, so I know everyone. Then my mother passed away at the beginning of April, and the s*** hit the fan. I find no trace of her addressbook, and Easter cards came from people (christian names only) who obviously don't know she's died, and I haven't a clue who they are or how to let them know. Moral: always put your return address on the type of mail you describe in this post. Kate xx
reply by the author on 19-May-2022
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This is very amusing. I can't identify very clearly with it as we are a very small, tightly-knit family, so I know everyone. Then my mother passed away at the beginning of April, and the s*** hit the fan. I find no trace of her addressbook, and Easter cards came from people (christian names only) who obviously don't know she's died, and I haven't a clue who they are or how to let them know. Moral: always put your return address on the type of mail you describe in this post. Kate xx
Comment Written 19-May-2022
reply by the author on 19-May-2022
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Kate, thank you for the review! Terry.
Comment from barbara.wilkey
I completely understand what you're saying. Most of the time I don't even know if they received the gift, usually money that I sent them. Maybe it's laying in some post office. Thank you for the real talk.
reply by the author on 19-May-2022
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I completely understand what you're saying. Most of the time I don't even know if they received the gift, usually money that I sent them. Maybe it's laying in some post office. Thank you for the real talk.
Comment Written 19-May-2022
reply by the author on 19-May-2022
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Barbara, Thank you for the review, and yep I get what you are saying. Terry.
Comment from Debi Pick Marquette
Terry, first of all I am so thankful to see you back. I am giving you these six stars for a few different reasons, 1) It is hilarious 2) I think you might be a long lost brother to my husband. 3) So cleverly witty. 4) I am still laughing 5) I may have to threaten your life if you retire your writing here again, because you are amazing
6) I have a grandson who graduates next week and your invite is in the mail
Please check all that appeal to you and send back to me within the next
two and a half years, with a thank you that seems authentic and not generic.
Thank you!
reply by the author on 19-May-2022
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Terry, first of all I am so thankful to see you back. I am giving you these six stars for a few different reasons, 1) It is hilarious 2) I think you might be a long lost brother to my husband. 3) So cleverly witty. 4) I am still laughing 5) I may have to threaten your life if you retire your writing here again, because you are amazing
6) I have a grandson who graduates next week and your invite is in the mail
Please check all that appeal to you and send back to me within the next
two and a half years, with a thank you that seems authentic and not generic.
Thank you!
Comment Written 19-May-2022
reply by the author on 19-May-2022
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Debi, thank you for the six stars! I will see where it all goes, Terry.
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Terry, I hope I didn't insult you with my review on your story. I know it is a serious thing as we are getting invitee from kids we have never met before, so my review was mostly making fun of them. Not you in the least, but I guess it seemed funny that you and my husband feel the exact same way and thats what I was mostly poking fun at.
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LOL, No Debi, I was not insulted, I was laughing the whole time I read yours and if you want more of the same, read Karenina's review. Terry.
Comment from nomi338
Thank you for the well thought out experiment, and the chuckle it provided. I have far too many relatives to ever attempt something like this. My oldest sister had ten kids. My nephew from my second oldest sister has seven kids. I have recently discovered through Ancestry.com that I have enough relatives to start a new country. Fugeddaboutit.
reply by the author on 19-May-2022
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Thank you for the well thought out experiment, and the chuckle it provided. I have far too many relatives to ever attempt something like this. My oldest sister had ten kids. My nephew from my second oldest sister has seven kids. I have recently discovered through Ancestry.com that I have enough relatives to start a new country. Fugeddaboutit.
Comment Written 19-May-2022
reply by the author on 19-May-2022
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Thank you for the six stars! I also love the new picture! When you get that new country started let me know, I will follow you. Terry.
Comment from Wayne Fowler
Very comical. I enjoyed it.
Since it's relatively small amounts (under $100), I enclose the cash in the cards. (I know I shouldn't) And then I hate myself for having to ask whether they got it, or not, wondering if maybe there was a problem and not wanting them to think that I forgot. They are grandkids and I'm in communication with their parents a lot. They should know better, especially after once having to be asked.
Maybe when your gift is less than he cost of the announcement ...
Best wishes.
reply by the author on 19-May-2022
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Very comical. I enjoyed it.
Since it's relatively small amounts (under $100), I enclose the cash in the cards. (I know I shouldn't) And then I hate myself for having to ask whether they got it, or not, wondering if maybe there was a problem and not wanting them to think that I forgot. They are grandkids and I'm in communication with their parents a lot. They should know better, especially after once having to be asked.
Maybe when your gift is less than he cost of the announcement ...
Best wishes.
Comment Written 19-May-2022
reply by the author on 19-May-2022
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Wayne, Thank you for the six stars, and you make an excellent point. Terry.