A Paper Time Capsule
Viewing comments for Chapter 7 "Letter 7"Letters to my granddaughters
44 total reviews
Comment from Paul Manton
I can tell you right now, Barbara, if you'd attended the schools where I taught, you would have been a veterinarian long ago! Because I was fortunate to work in a milieu where equality was considered a minimum - we built on that the aspiration that any child could be anything they desired - they just had to go and get it - and we would back them all the way - and the best of modern British education is fervent about this philosophy.
Apart from that St.Francis is someone who has inspired me for most of my life; I visited Assisi in 1984 and had an escorted tour by an American friar - wondered at the life of St.Francis in the huge Giotto frescoes that covered the walls of the interior, and considered the irony of his simple little church now being encased in this monumental basilica of shining white marble.
I admire your letter to your younger self - and have to applaud the advice, but now of course, the road is clear - any profession is yours - you just have to go and get it.
Francis gave up wealth and success - a very high price - but he utterly changed the church of his day. You, by sacrifice and determination (even if, like Francis you have to defy your father), may make a miracle of your life too.
Paul
reply by the author on 14-Jul-2023
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I can tell you right now, Barbara, if you'd attended the schools where I taught, you would have been a veterinarian long ago! Because I was fortunate to work in a milieu where equality was considered a minimum - we built on that the aspiration that any child could be anything they desired - they just had to go and get it - and we would back them all the way - and the best of modern British education is fervent about this philosophy.
Apart from that St.Francis is someone who has inspired me for most of my life; I visited Assisi in 1984 and had an escorted tour by an American friar - wondered at the life of St.Francis in the huge Giotto frescoes that covered the walls of the interior, and considered the irony of his simple little church now being encased in this monumental basilica of shining white marble.
I admire your letter to your younger self - and have to applaud the advice, but now of course, the road is clear - any profession is yours - you just have to go and get it.
Francis gave up wealth and success - a very high price - but he utterly changed the church of his day. You, by sacrifice and determination (even if, like Francis you have to defy your father), may make a miracle of your life too.
Paul
Comment Written 13-Jul-2023
reply by the author on 14-Jul-2023
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Thank you for the support and understanding.
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You're welcome, Barbara, as always.
Paul
Comment from Wayne Fowler
Very well done.
I too wanted to be a veterinarian, until I calculated the cost.
But considering that many children can be compared to little critters...
(smiley face here)
reply by the author on 14-Jul-2023
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Very well done.
I too wanted to be a veterinarian, until I calculated the cost.
But considering that many children can be compared to little critters...
(smiley face here)
Comment Written 13-Jul-2023
reply by the author on 14-Jul-2023
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Thank you for the kind support. Having raised boys I see a close resemblance. LOL
Comment from mermaids
I enjoyed reading your post, it is a wonderful letter to your grandchildren. I too, thought much about being a veterinarian when I was a child but it was greatly discouraged. My father encouraged me to be a doctor not a vet. I would receive remarks from others that it was too much work to become a vet. I agree with you and encourage girls to follow their dreams.
reply by the author on 13-Jul-2023
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I enjoyed reading your post, it is a wonderful letter to your grandchildren. I too, thought much about being a veterinarian when I was a child but it was greatly discouraged. My father encouraged me to be a doctor not a vet. I would receive remarks from others that it was too much work to become a vet. I agree with you and encourage girls to follow their dreams.
Comment Written 13-Jul-2023
reply by the author on 13-Jul-2023
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Thank you for your kind support.
Comment from w.j.debi
Good job letting the girls know they can be anything they want to be.
My parents were supportive, but my mother still considers some things should be done by women and some men. I considered being a horse trainer, but found that some of the horse breed associations were more accepting than others. Examples: Arabian Horse associations allowed women to show stallions, but Quarter Horse associations didn't allow women in the arena with the stallions except maybe to hand out the trophies. That made it harder to get people to hire you as a trainer. I'm glad things have changed.
I agree, your granddaughters should get this letter when they are considering college. It's perfect timing to know they can go forward any way they choose.
reply by the author on 13-Jul-2023
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Good job letting the girls know they can be anything they want to be.
My parents were supportive, but my mother still considers some things should be done by women and some men. I considered being a horse trainer, but found that some of the horse breed associations were more accepting than others. Examples: Arabian Horse associations allowed women to show stallions, but Quarter Horse associations didn't allow women in the arena with the stallions except maybe to hand out the trophies. That made it harder to get people to hire you as a trainer. I'm glad things have changed.
I agree, your granddaughters should get this letter when they are considering college. It's perfect timing to know they can go forward any way they choose.
Comment Written 13-Jul-2023
reply by the author on 13-Jul-2023
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Thank you for your kind support.
Comment from lyenochka
I loved learning that you have a way with animals and would have loved to cure and heal animals! Yes, you could have been a fine veterinarian. But those I know who worked in the field have had their hearts torn when dealing with the hard choices of whether to let animal die or keep it alive and suffer because the owner wants to do the chemo to keep it alive a few months longer. Or in my brother-in-law's case, he has so many animals because people leave their animals because they can't afford to pay. So I'm glad you were able to bless your students!
reply by the author on 13-Jul-2023
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I loved learning that you have a way with animals and would have loved to cure and heal animals! Yes, you could have been a fine veterinarian. But those I know who worked in the field have had their hearts torn when dealing with the hard choices of whether to let animal die or keep it alive and suffer because the owner wants to do the chemo to keep it alive a few months longer. Or in my brother-in-law's case, he has so many animals because people leave their animals because they can't afford to pay. So I'm glad you were able to bless your students!
Comment Written 13-Jul-2023
reply by the author on 13-Jul-2023
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Thank you for your kind support. My oldest granddaughter AriAnna is studying to be a vet. She works parttime at a vet office and is struggling with bringing home animals. LOL
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I'm sure it's a temptation to have a Noah's Ark at home!
Comment from Sankey
Good on you, Granny, looking out for your granddaughers. I think it is great for kids to know what they want to do in their lives in spite of daddy overruling that desire. we have been discussing in my old High School group on Facebook about when girls were allowed to do woodwork and metal work. It is great that girls can play cricket and football and stuff these days. Should this have been...but still my heart yearn(ed)[s]
In author notes...if I did them i(n)dividually.
reply by the author on 13-Jul-2023
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Good on you, Granny, looking out for your granddaughers. I think it is great for kids to know what they want to do in their lives in spite of daddy overruling that desire. we have been discussing in my old High School group on Facebook about when girls were allowed to do woodwork and metal work. It is great that girls can play cricket and football and stuff these days. Should this have been...but still my heart yearn(ed)[s]
In author notes...if I did them i(n)dividually.
Comment Written 13-Jul-2023
reply by the author on 13-Jul-2023
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Thank you for your kind support. I have made the corrections.
Comment from Jannypan (Jan)
Wow, how times have changed, Barbara. You made an
excellent point about choosing careers, I believe your
granddaughters will enjoy how things were different then
and appreciate how they can follow their dreams. Your
words were well thought out and descriptive. I liked the
use of shorter prose as you stated in notes.
Thanks for sharing, Jan
reply by the author on 13-Jul-2023
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Wow, how times have changed, Barbara. You made an
excellent point about choosing careers, I believe your
granddaughters will enjoy how things were different then
and appreciate how they can follow their dreams. Your
words were well thought out and descriptive. I liked the
use of shorter prose as you stated in notes.
Thanks for sharing, Jan
Comment Written 13-Jul-2023
reply by the author on 13-Jul-2023
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Thank you for your kind support.
Comment from Paul McFarland
You have a good thing going here, Barb. It will be interesting to see these two girls sitting together going over these precious letters. I hope you are around to enjoy this.
reply by the author on 13-Jul-2023
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You have a good thing going here, Barb. It will be interesting to see these two girls sitting together going over these precious letters. I hope you are around to enjoy this.
Comment Written 13-Jul-2023
reply by the author on 13-Jul-2023
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Thank you for the kind support.
Comment from Debbie D'Arcy
This is a great story to enthrall the granddaughters! Anything about animals and an ambition to be a veterinarian is bound to engage them. In the third para I would put an (a) before veterinarian. I also think it's a smart move to end your stories with that little nugget - the lesson learnt. Well done, Barbara! This is coming along excellently. Take care Debbie PS I don't seem to be getting your posts sent through to me automatically -this one was found in the list.
reply by the author on 13-Jul-2023
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This is a great story to enthrall the granddaughters! Anything about animals and an ambition to be a veterinarian is bound to engage them. In the third para I would put an (a) before veterinarian. I also think it's a smart move to end your stories with that little nugget - the lesson learnt. Well done, Barbara! This is coming along excellently. Take care Debbie PS I don't seem to be getting your posts sent through to me automatically -this one was found in the list.
Comment Written 13-Jul-2023
reply by the author on 13-Jul-2023
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Have you fanned me? If so you should get them, if you've fanned me and don't get them, check with Tom. Thank you for the kind support and I will that missing word.
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Thanks Barbara, I thought I had.
Comment from royowen
I'm modern thinking I agree with you, but who understands a mindset, we all have them, there are instances were only Aussies think in a certain way, Americans too, As my sister in law was raised under a communist system, there seems no way she would consider God as existing, but then God can change a mind, He changed mine. He's into the impossible, Beautifully written Barbara, blessings Roy
reply by the author on 13-Jul-2023
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I'm modern thinking I agree with you, but who understands a mindset, we all have them, there are instances were only Aussies think in a certain way, Americans too, As my sister in law was raised under a communist system, there seems no way she would consider God as existing, but then God can change a mind, He changed mine. He's into the impossible, Beautifully written Barbara, blessings Roy
Comment Written 13-Jul-2023
reply by the author on 13-Jul-2023
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God does work miracles. Thank you for the support. Dad was doing what he thought was best for me. I did minor in microbiology. LOL
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I would hate to think I restricted my girls in any way. But who knows the human mind? Only God. But I?m sure you were a wonderful teacher, that?s what seemed to me anyway.
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I enjoyed teaching so it wasn't all bad. LOL Thank you for the kind support.
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All three of my girls taught, or teach, a very noble profession, Elaine still receives thanks from ex students today,