A Paper Time Capsule
Viewing comments for Chapter 1 "Letter 1"Letters to my granddaughters
49 total reviews
Comment from w.j.debi
I think this is a great idea. Family history is so hard to pass along because people who have lived through the times something sometimes think everyone else knows about it or aren't interested. Usually, they just don't have any idea.
My only suggestion, since you ask, is this: if space allows, answer the following:
You state, "Deployments were the most difficult part of military life."
For those of us who are not in military families it raises the question, "Why?" Are these the times when military individuals have to leave family behind while they go off to fight? That's what I'm guessing. So is it the separation? The not knowing what is happening? Maybe your granddaughters already know these things and no explanation is needed. What about those who may come after your granddaughters and read this years or decades in the future? It could only be a sentence, but it might fill in the gap.
Good luck with this project. I look forward to reading more.
reply by the author on 02-Jun-2023
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I think this is a great idea. Family history is so hard to pass along because people who have lived through the times something sometimes think everyone else knows about it or aren't interested. Usually, they just don't have any idea.
My only suggestion, since you ask, is this: if space allows, answer the following:
You state, "Deployments were the most difficult part of military life."
For those of us who are not in military families it raises the question, "Why?" Are these the times when military individuals have to leave family behind while they go off to fight? That's what I'm guessing. So is it the separation? The not knowing what is happening? Maybe your granddaughters already know these things and no explanation is needed. What about those who may come after your granddaughters and read this years or decades in the future? It could only be a sentence, but it might fill in the gap.
Good luck with this project. I look forward to reading more.
Comment Written 02-Jun-2023
reply by the author on 02-Jun-2023
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I would love to and have decided to complete this project, they have predetermined prompts and allowed only about 100 words. I write much more. I will add an additional letter for the girls after I complete this one with more details for each prompt. Thank you for the kind review.
Comment from Sandra Stoner-Mitchell
I think this is such a good idea, I started something similar on here a few years ago and never finished it. I might take another look at what I've done. I checked out your other reviews and agree with Pam Spice, it would make it so much more interesting for your grandchildren if you did what she has suggested, especially the schooling part. Especially at the age they'll be when you give it to them. I'm sure you could make your letters two pages long. What is the letter book like? can you use two pages for your letters? You might find you'll need another book! I enjoyed reading this, Barbara, well done. :)) Sandra xx
reply by the author on 02-Jun-2023
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I think this is such a good idea, I started something similar on here a few years ago and never finished it. I might take another look at what I've done. I checked out your other reviews and agree with Pam Spice, it would make it so much more interesting for your grandchildren if you did what she has suggested, especially the schooling part. Especially at the age they'll be when you give it to them. I'm sure you could make your letters two pages long. What is the letter book like? can you use two pages for your letters? You might find you'll need another book! I enjoyed reading this, Barbara, well done. :)) Sandra xx
Comment Written 02-Jun-2023
reply by the author on 02-Jun-2023
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Yes, I have the letter book. Each page looks like it would hold about 100 words. Not long at all. I have pretty much decided to do these and then do a separate one that adds more details. I will complete this first, since I've started. Thank you for the support.
Comment from Jordyn Meyerson
This is a great read. I love the history and story line and how it really engages the reader. I also like the meaningful lessons derived from such experiences. Attention grabbing, intriguing, enjoyable to read!
reply by the author on 02-Jun-2023
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This is a great read. I love the history and story line and how it really engages the reader. I also like the meaningful lessons derived from such experiences. Attention grabbing, intriguing, enjoyable to read!
Comment Written 02-Jun-2023
reply by the author on 02-Jun-2023
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Thank you for the support.
Comment from Pam (respa)
Thanks for sharing the photo and letter, barbara. Are photos part of the project, or is that up to the writer. If so, I would explain what checkpoint Charlie is. I agree with the reviewers who indicated they wanted more. I think you have an outline of events and begin well with their dad. Maybe tell them what it was like being separated for eight months, and how their dad was during that time. Also, they would probably like to know how he felt being in so many schools. Was it easy, hard, did he fit in, etc.
The next most interesting part is when you begin, "Being a military family, we had many advantages." Expand on the things that were really interesting that left a lasting impression about a few of these places. What did their dad think of these places? Did he have a favorite one?
The lessons make a nice ending and maybe explain a little bit about "grow where you're planted." I think they would appreciate that.
I hope you are finding suggestions helpful overall. The beginning is the hardest part and should get easier as you go on. Thanks for sharing it and best wishes for the project.
reply by the author on 02-Jun-2023
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Thanks for sharing the photo and letter, barbara. Are photos part of the project, or is that up to the writer. If so, I would explain what checkpoint Charlie is. I agree with the reviewers who indicated they wanted more. I think you have an outline of events and begin well with their dad. Maybe tell them what it was like being separated for eight months, and how their dad was during that time. Also, they would probably like to know how he felt being in so many schools. Was it easy, hard, did he fit in, etc.
The next most interesting part is when you begin, "Being a military family, we had many advantages." Expand on the things that were really interesting that left a lasting impression about a few of these places. What did their dad think of these places? Did he have a favorite one?
The lessons make a nice ending and maybe explain a little bit about "grow where you're planted." I think they would appreciate that.
I hope you are finding suggestions helpful overall. The beginning is the hardest part and should get easier as you go on. Thanks for sharing it and best wishes for the project.
Comment Written 02-Jun-2023
reply by the author on 02-Jun-2023
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I am at a word limit. I would have to add an additional letter. I think I will do that. Thank you for the support.
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You are very welcome. An additional letter sounds like a good idea.
Comment from Ginda Simpson
I admire your dedication to this project. I can relate to many parts of your life, and because I can, I can fill in the blanks. Your letter is a good outline, but it also reads like an outline. What I think will make this project more interesting is to really describe the events that taught a particular lesson, or entertained you in some way. For example: expound on the idea of "bloom where you are planted." What does this mean? What were the challenges? How did you cope and thrive? What were the benefits and blessings?" I hope these suggestions help.
reply by the author on 02-Jun-2023
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I admire your dedication to this project. I can relate to many parts of your life, and because I can, I can fill in the blanks. Your letter is a good outline, but it also reads like an outline. What I think will make this project more interesting is to really describe the events that taught a particular lesson, or entertained you in some way. For example: expound on the idea of "bloom where you are planted." What does this mean? What were the challenges? How did you cope and thrive? What were the benefits and blessings?" I hope these suggestions help.
Comment Written 02-Jun-2023
reply by the author on 02-Jun-2023
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I am at a word limit. I would have to add an additional letter. I think I will do that. Thank you for the support.
Comment from Jim Wile
Barbara, whether or not your young teen and pre-teen granddaughters enjoy these letters, know that you have a great audience here on FanStory for them. It's always interesting to hear a little history about our friends, and that's what we are here. Keep 'em coming! Jim
reply by the author on 02-Jun-2023
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Barbara, whether or not your young teen and pre-teen granddaughters enjoy these letters, know that you have a great audience here on FanStory for them. It's always interesting to hear a little history about our friends, and that's what we are here. Keep 'em coming! Jim
Comment Written 02-Jun-2023
reply by the author on 02-Jun-2023
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Thank you for your support.
Comment from Wendy G
Firstly I think it's a wonderful idea, and your writing is good, but I wanted to know more. Perhaps add a little more detail about each of the three deployments eg where you and their father were while your husband was away, and what you were feeling, what adjustments you had to make both during his deployments and within each country. Perhaps speak about the schools in a little more detail. Were they all American schools in different countries? Did their dad have trouble making friends? etc. What did he learn about each country while he was there?
Wendy
reply by the author on 02-Jun-2023
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Firstly I think it's a wonderful idea, and your writing is good, but I wanted to know more. Perhaps add a little more detail about each of the three deployments eg where you and their father were while your husband was away, and what you were feeling, what adjustments you had to make both during his deployments and within each country. Perhaps speak about the schools in a little more detail. Were they all American schools in different countries? Did their dad have trouble making friends? etc. What did he learn about each country while he was there?
Wendy
Comment Written 02-Jun-2023
reply by the author on 02-Jun-2023
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I am at a word limit. I would have to add an additional letter. I think I will do that. Thank you for the support.
Comment from country ranch writer
Is it supposed to say the Berlin wall came down?
This is a great work up and presentation for this story about the family.
This is apart of history the kids will always remember the lessons learned about the history about the war while growing your life Grandpa's is very interesting and the part he played while in the military and in history.
reply by the author on 02-Jun-2023
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Is it supposed to say the Berlin wall came down?
This is a great work up and presentation for this story about the family.
This is apart of history the kids will always remember the lessons learned about the history about the war while growing your life Grandpa's is very interesting and the part he played while in the military and in history.
Comment Written 02-Jun-2023
reply by the author on 02-Jun-2023
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Thank you for your support.
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So welcome
Comment from MissMerri
I think this is such a wonderful idea, to write these letters for your grandchildren. They will be SO glad you did. Please do though, add much more detail and don't worry about length. If necessary, just divide the stories into more letters. It is the details that make any story come alive for the reader. My uncle kept a diary during WWII and I love having it to read but wish so much he had given more details about his experiences. No one minds if it is longer, as long as it is interesting. This is great!
reply by the author on 02-Jun-2023
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I think this is such a wonderful idea, to write these letters for your grandchildren. They will be SO glad you did. Please do though, add much more detail and don't worry about length. If necessary, just divide the stories into more letters. It is the details that make any story come alive for the reader. My uncle kept a diary during WWII and I love having it to read but wish so much he had given more details about his experiences. No one minds if it is longer, as long as it is interesting. This is great!
Comment Written 02-Jun-2023
reply by the author on 02-Jun-2023
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I am at a word limit. I would have to add an additional letter. I think I will do that. Thank you for the support.
Comment from Julie Lau
Do keep on with this project. At least one of your grandchildren will, at some stage of their life, be utterly absorbed with the past history of the family, and what a blessing those personal anecdotes will be then!
reply by the author on 02-Jun-2023
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Do keep on with this project. At least one of your grandchildren will, at some stage of their life, be utterly absorbed with the past history of the family, and what a blessing those personal anecdotes will be then!
Comment Written 02-Jun-2023
reply by the author on 02-Jun-2023
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Thank you for your support.