A Christmas Bonus
A Bonus vs A Loan44 total reviews
Comment from Tom Horonzy
Nice guys. Both of you. I have done similar things in the grocery line but not to the extent expressed herein. A buck or two but the joy of their faces, the lit-up smile made my day as much if not more than theirs.
Happy Turkeyday.
reply by the author on 24-Nov-2022
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Nice guys. Both of you. I have done similar things in the grocery line but not to the extent expressed herein. A buck or two but the joy of their faces, the lit-up smile made my day as much if not more than theirs.
Happy Turkeyday.
Comment Written 24-Nov-2022
reply by the author on 24-Nov-2022
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Tom, thank you, and as you point out, it ain't the amount that matters. Terry.
Comment from Katherine M. (k-11)
Oh, this is so good. First it brought a chuckle (thinking it would be less if she repeated the price. I often do that!). Then it brought tears (so much unexpected kindness in this world that we all complain is going to hell in a basket). I will try to think nice thoughts from now on. Kate xx
reply by the author on 24-Nov-2022
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Oh, this is so good. First it brought a chuckle (thinking it would be less if she repeated the price. I often do that!). Then it brought tears (so much unexpected kindness in this world that we all complain is going to hell in a basket). I will try to think nice thoughts from now on. Kate xx
Comment Written 24-Nov-2022
reply by the author on 24-Nov-2022
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Kate, thank you for the six stars! I hope you have a great Christmas season. Terry.
Comment from Wayne Fowler
A unique Christmas tale of goodwill and cheer. I was afraid you were going to go predictable and make the benefactor an angel, which I accept as valid and real, just don't like predictable stories.
Good work. Nicely written.
Good luck in the contest.
reply by the author on 24-Nov-2022
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A unique Christmas tale of goodwill and cheer. I was afraid you were going to go predictable and make the benefactor an angel, which I accept as valid and real, just don't like predictable stories.
Good work. Nicely written.
Good luck in the contest.
Comment Written 24-Nov-2022
reply by the author on 24-Nov-2022
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Thank you Wayne! Happy Thanksgiving, Terry.
Comment from Jesse James Doty
This is a heartwarming story. I understand you are suffering from covid. I hope you feel better soon, my friend. This tale of generosity speaks highly of you and I am proud to know you would do such a thing as to carry around a one hundred dollar bill just in case you run into the elder man who helped you on that day in the pharmacy. Thanks for showing your sympathetic generous nature. You are one of a kind.
Jesse
reply by the author on 24-Nov-2022
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This is a heartwarming story. I understand you are suffering from covid. I hope you feel better soon, my friend. This tale of generosity speaks highly of you and I am proud to know you would do such a thing as to carry around a one hundred dollar bill just in case you run into the elder man who helped you on that day in the pharmacy. Thanks for showing your sympathetic generous nature. You are one of a kind.
Jesse
Comment Written 24-Nov-2022
reply by the author on 24-Nov-2022
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Jesse, thank you for the kind words, Happy Thanksgiving to you and the kitty! Terry.
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Sunny and I say thank you and hope you feel better soon!
Jesse
Comment from Wendy G
A beautiful story with a double impact. I think it was very kind of you to not show yourself in case he couldn't repay the loan. Also, nice to think that your father's influence was still a motivating factor for you, wanting him to be proud of you.
Wendy
Suggestion: 'Why did you do that?', as the action was past tense, not present conytinuous tense.
reply by the author on 24-Nov-2022
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A beautiful story with a double impact. I think it was very kind of you to not show yourself in case he couldn't repay the loan. Also, nice to think that your father's influence was still a motivating factor for you, wanting him to be proud of you.
Wendy
Suggestion: 'Why did you do that?', as the action was past tense, not present conytinuous tense.
Comment Written 24-Nov-2022
reply by the author on 24-Nov-2022
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Wendy, thank you for the kind words, and the tense thing, I can't seem to get those right. Terry.
Comment from lyenochka
This feels like a true story, Terry! I love it! And that is the best Christmas bonus ever - to share generosity with our fellow humans at their time of need. You were first the recipient and then you returned that favor for someone else. That's a beautiful thing! I hope this does well in the contest!
reply by the author on 24-Nov-2022
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This feels like a true story, Terry! I love it! And that is the best Christmas bonus ever - to share generosity with our fellow humans at their time of need. You were first the recipient and then you returned that favor for someone else. That's a beautiful thing! I hope this does well in the contest!
Comment Written 24-Nov-2022
reply by the author on 24-Nov-2022
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Helen, thank you, it is a true story. Terry.
Comment from karenina
How on earth could I not leave six stars with you after this masterful (non-fiction!) heartwarming start to my (1 AM) Thanksgiving holiday!
I've no doubt this was about you. I think of my departed father all the time, Terry.
I only ever wanted to make him proud.
I feel like he's channeling a message from your dad, insisting I pass it on.
Your Dad?
He is INDEED proud!
Bless you as you recover from Covid my friend...
Karenina
reply by the author on 24-Nov-2022
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How on earth could I not leave six stars with you after this masterful (non-fiction!) heartwarming start to my (1 AM) Thanksgiving holiday!
I've no doubt this was about you. I think of my departed father all the time, Terry.
I only ever wanted to make him proud.
I feel like he's channeling a message from your dad, insisting I pass it on.
Your Dad?
He is INDEED proud!
Bless you as you recover from Covid my friend...
Karenina
Comment Written 24-Nov-2022
reply by the author on 24-Nov-2022
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Karenina, thank you for the six stars. Last night I lay in bed and for some reason this story from long ago popped up in my mind. The thought occurred to try and tell the little story from two points of view.
So, I got out of bed and wrote and posted it, I must be feeling better, it still made sense this morning. Terry.
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If this is any indication, any vivid brain fog has lifted!!! Yay!
Warning: Pace yourself. I know I tried to do too much too soon!
Love the moral of the tale...
Keep feeling better!
Hope you had a restful Thanksgiving.
Karenina
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Thank you for the good advice. The cough is better.
Comment from Rachelle Allen
This luminous story is the Christmas bonus for all of us here on FS who read it. Simultaneously so touching and beautiful and heart-wrenching, because what does anyone who's lost a beloved parent want in this life more than to have him look down on us and be proud? (Did you see the movie The Sixth Sense? When Haley Joel Osment tells his mom he can see ghosts, specifically his grandfather, she challenges him with, "Oh yeah? Then what's his answer to my question?" The little boy replies, "Always," which makes his mother sob. He asks, "What's your question to Grandpa, Mama?" She says, "I ask him, Are you proud of me?")
Glorious read, Terry. I couldn't have enjoyed it more. Thank you for starting my holiday season off so beautifully. xo
reply by the author on 24-Nov-2022
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This luminous story is the Christmas bonus for all of us here on FS who read it. Simultaneously so touching and beautiful and heart-wrenching, because what does anyone who's lost a beloved parent want in this life more than to have him look down on us and be proud? (Did you see the movie The Sixth Sense? When Haley Joel Osment tells his mom he can see ghosts, specifically his grandfather, she challenges him with, "Oh yeah? Then what's his answer to my question?" The little boy replies, "Always," which makes his mother sob. He asks, "What's your question to Grandpa, Mama?" She says, "I ask him, Are you proud of me?")
Glorious read, Terry. I couldn't have enjoyed it more. Thank you for starting my holiday season off so beautifully. xo
Comment Written 24-Nov-2022
reply by the author on 24-Nov-2022
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Rachelle, thank you for the six stars. Thank you for the beautiful review. Terry.
Comment from Douglas Goff
I just really love your writing. You are so very good. To show both sides was a wonderful technique and really wise.
No catches, but a suggestion:
When I got in my car, I thought, why do you do that?
(Maybe did instead of do)
Just sounds better to me but it's just my two cents.
Regardless, this is a 6 star all day long for me. Great work my friend!!!
reply by the author on 24-Nov-2022
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I just really love your writing. You are so very good. To show both sides was a wonderful technique and really wise.
No catches, but a suggestion:
When I got in my car, I thought, why do you do that?
(Maybe did instead of do)
Just sounds better to me but it's just my two cents.
Regardless, this is a 6 star all day long for me. Great work my friend!!!
Comment Written 24-Nov-2022
reply by the author on 24-Nov-2022
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Doug. Thank you for the six stars. You are absolutely right it should be did, I will change it. Terry.
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Great work on this one. Really liked it!
Comment from Debi Pick Marquette
Oh Terry, that is not nice to make me cry right before bedtime. Please tell me you had this prepared before you got sick. My first week, I tried to write but just couldn't think with a 101.4 temp so I posted things I had written before then. I always have oodles of stuff written. Anyway, this is such a touching story, that brought me to tears at the end. It is so what people need to hear right now.
I did have one issue with it however. The 75 yr old guy who I assume is you, is not old. Maybe at 85 he will be, but I would prefer to call it, "this aging man, who I was surprised when he said he was 75, because he looked remarkably great for that age, which is about my dad's age, if he was still alive" You see! You're not old. Even the guy in my version said so.... Lol! You probably feel old with trying to fight this Covid tho! Right? So how are you feeling? I know you are tough, But please take care of yourself. Will you be spending the day alone? I am saying prayers daily for a speedy recovery, my friend. I am So thankful for your friendship!
And thanks for this awesome story! I just need to know since it says non fiction, is it true and about you?
reply by the author on 24-Nov-2022
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Oh Terry, that is not nice to make me cry right before bedtime. Please tell me you had this prepared before you got sick. My first week, I tried to write but just couldn't think with a 101.4 temp so I posted things I had written before then. I always have oodles of stuff written. Anyway, this is such a touching story, that brought me to tears at the end. It is so what people need to hear right now.
I did have one issue with it however. The 75 yr old guy who I assume is you, is not old. Maybe at 85 he will be, but I would prefer to call it, "this aging man, who I was surprised when he said he was 75, because he looked remarkably great for that age, which is about my dad's age, if he was still alive" You see! You're not old. Even the guy in my version said so.... Lol! You probably feel old with trying to fight this Covid tho! Right? So how are you feeling? I know you are tough, But please take care of yourself. Will you be spending the day alone? I am saying prayers daily for a speedy recovery, my friend. I am So thankful for your friendship!
And thanks for this awesome story! I just need to know since it says non fiction, is it true and about you?
Comment Written 24-Nov-2022
reply by the author on 24-Nov-2022
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Debi, the story is true. It happened years ago. I was a younger man of about fifty at the time. I had not thought about the story in years, maybe the Covid brought it back. Thank you for your kind review. I hope all of your family has a great Christmas. Terry.