Grammy's Memoirs 2018
Viewing comments for Chapter 4 "Educating Patty"Bits and pieces of my life for my grandchildren
50 total reviews
Comment from rtobaygo
Good morning, Patty
I can't begin to imagine what you had to endure. Being a teacher I was unfortunately aware that certain students were having problems with their parents, affecting their behavior and academic performance.
Take care and stay safe,
Ray
reply by the author on 29-Apr-2017
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Good morning, Patty
I can't begin to imagine what you had to endure. Being a teacher I was unfortunately aware that certain students were having problems with their parents, affecting their behavior and academic performance.
Take care and stay safe,
Ray
Comment Written 29-Apr-2017
reply by the author on 29-Apr-2017
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Hi Ray; thank you so much for your thoughtful review. I appreciate your comments about being a teacher, and I've often wondered what Mr. Steven's true intention was. I have come to realize that he was dealing with four classes of thirty children all day. I imagine that keeping up with all of our situations was difficult to manage. However, I DO know that all of my teachers were aware of my situation in life,
~patty~
Comment from padumachitta
hi..a six for being brave and for telling a hard and compelling story. I know what it is like to live in frear and toalways try and proove something. It is exhausting. Well done to get it out, good on ya
reply by the author on 29-Apr-2017
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hi..a six for being brave and for telling a hard and compelling story. I know what it is like to live in frear and toalways try and proove something. It is exhausting. Well done to get it out, good on ya
Comment Written 29-Apr-2017
reply by the author on 29-Apr-2017
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Thank you so much for stopping by to read and review. I appreciate your kind words of encouragement, and I am happy to see the shining six stars. Yes, this was a hard story to write, but it was good to get it all down on paper. The experience was very freeing.
~patty~
Comment from LaRosa
How painful to have lived such a fearful childhood. You drew the reader into the scene and made it so real.
'The razor was about to slice my life'...' I could hear the harsh whistle of the leather.'
I wince at the thought, and at the same remembrance in my childhood.
You voiced the imagery, the fear, the anger and challenge of learning to trust. How harsh even teachers can be.
I'm so sorry; but is it ok to say 'proud' of you to actually face it enough to write about it.
You have accomplished so much and your grand children must be so proud of you.
reply by the author on 29-Apr-2017
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How painful to have lived such a fearful childhood. You drew the reader into the scene and made it so real.
'The razor was about to slice my life'...' I could hear the harsh whistle of the leather.'
I wince at the thought, and at the same remembrance in my childhood.
You voiced the imagery, the fear, the anger and challenge of learning to trust. How harsh even teachers can be.
I'm so sorry; but is it ok to say 'proud' of you to actually face it enough to write about it.
You have accomplished so much and your grand children must be so proud of you.
Comment Written 29-Apr-2017
reply by the author on 29-Apr-2017
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Hi - thank you for saying you are proud of me. I did get through it all, and I am blessed with a great life now. I love my husband and he loves me. Alcohol doesn't have any place in my life. Writing about this incident was freeing, and I can put it to rest. Hopefully, I won't have any more dreams about it,
~patty~
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who knows, maybe someone out there will find strength after reading your story! God bless you!
Comment from davisr (Rhonda)
Wow, I can feel the emotion in this chapter. I can tell it was hard to write, but it has to help to get it out.
Congratulations on you accomplishments. You took your gift and used it to your advantage in spite of what you lived through.
Great job handling a hard experience,
Rhonda
reply by the author on 29-Apr-2017
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Wow, I can feel the emotion in this chapter. I can tell it was hard to write, but it has to help to get it out.
Congratulations on you accomplishments. You took your gift and used it to your advantage in spite of what you lived through.
Great job handling a hard experience,
Rhonda
Comment Written 29-Apr-2017
reply by the author on 29-Apr-2017
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Hi again, Rhonda; yes, this was an emotional chapter and difficult to write - but it did help to get it all out and down on paper. I found the process very cathartic and feel like I can put this to rest now. I appreciate your thoughtful review,
~patty~
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You are quite welcome.
I experience much the same when I wrote the poem about my two grandbabies. I cried through most of it, but have felt a sense of relief since.
I'm sure you have some more of those tucked away!
Comment from nuthead
Riveting story, Patty. I've missed some of the earlier chapters. I'll try and catch up when I have time.
You are so courageous to write this. Memoir writing can be tough, to say the least.
"Life was balanced on a razor's edge." <-- I feel this. Tread carefully, do not upset the balance, except no one really knew what exactly would upset that balance... And then it happens. He finds the pic, puts you, a child, on the spot, on the edge of the razor. :(
The smile on his lips didn't quite reach his eyes, <-- great description.
I ran to my room and tried to find a way to avoid going back out there. <-- this really resonates with me. I remember feeling that many times growing up. A terrible burden on a child. :(
Riveting story. Wow, by the way, on all those degrees!
I look forward to reading more.
reply by the author on 29-Apr-2017
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Riveting story, Patty. I've missed some of the earlier chapters. I'll try and catch up when I have time.
You are so courageous to write this. Memoir writing can be tough, to say the least.
"Life was balanced on a razor's edge." <-- I feel this. Tread carefully, do not upset the balance, except no one really knew what exactly would upset that balance... And then it happens. He finds the pic, puts you, a child, on the spot, on the edge of the razor. :(
The smile on his lips didn't quite reach his eyes, <-- great description.
I ran to my room and tried to find a way to avoid going back out there. <-- this really resonates with me. I remember feeling that many times growing up. A terrible burden on a child. :(
Riveting story. Wow, by the way, on all those degrees!
I look forward to reading more.
Comment Written 28-Apr-2017
reply by the author on 29-Apr-2017
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Hi Shirley; thank you so much for your thoughtful and concise review of my work. You are so right - memoir writing is tough, but I've learned a great deal about myself as I've worked through these chapters. If you do go back and read the preceding chapters, I hope you find them meaningful.
~patty~
Comment from PoemsOfDD
Patty, I was gripped with this story. I felt your worry, hesitation, fear at being interrogated by the man who is/was your father. I felt the disappointment of an unfair and discouraging seventh grade teacher. I understand the blur of not being able to recall the words out of your mouth and the consequences that followed when standing in that kitchen years ago. This placed me at the scene wishing I could save the day. A fantastic read and now I feel I must read your other chapters as I think I may be one or two behind. I shower your with a six and look forward to the next chapter. ~DD
reply by the author on 29-Apr-2017
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Patty, I was gripped with this story. I felt your worry, hesitation, fear at being interrogated by the man who is/was your father. I felt the disappointment of an unfair and discouraging seventh grade teacher. I understand the blur of not being able to recall the words out of your mouth and the consequences that followed when standing in that kitchen years ago. This placed me at the scene wishing I could save the day. A fantastic read and now I feel I must read your other chapters as I think I may be one or two behind. I shower your with a six and look forward to the next chapter. ~DD
Comment Written 28-Apr-2017
reply by the author on 29-Apr-2017
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Hi DD; thank you for your thoughtful and concise review of this piece. Your wonderful exceptional rating was just icing on the cake. I'm so touched that you wished you could be there to save the day. I've never heard those words before - not from my mother, sister or brother. Your review made me cry happy tears. The meaning behind these words was heard,
~patty~
Comment from Heidi M
Wow, this would have been really difficult to write about. Kudos to you for your strength in facing what must be a horrific memory. Your writing is clear and concise, which can be difficult to accomplish when dealing with such a personal, emotional issue.
reply by the author on 29-Apr-2017
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Wow, this would have been really difficult to write about. Kudos to you for your strength in facing what must be a horrific memory. Your writing is clear and concise, which can be difficult to accomplish when dealing with such a personal, emotional issue.
Comment Written 28-Apr-2017
reply by the author on 29-Apr-2017
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Hi Heidi; thank you so much for the encouraging review. This was a difficult memory to write about, but I feel like a weight has been lifted from my shoulders. Your kind words are greatly appreciated.
~patty~
Comment from sunnilicious
Cute photograph. You have come a long way since back then. And you have many accomplishments to be proud about. Good reflection. Nicely thought out autobiography in a short story format. Great work :)
reply by the author on 28-Apr-2017
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Cute photograph. You have come a long way since back then. And you have many accomplishments to be proud about. Good reflection. Nicely thought out autobiography in a short story format. Great work :)
Comment Written 28-Apr-2017
reply by the author on 28-Apr-2017
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thank you for your lovely review. I appreciate your kind words and compliments. This was very freeing to write. Formatting and boiling it all down into a story was the final therapy I needed. Thanks for reading along,
~patty~
Comment from BeasPeas
Family life like this is an eye opener for the reader who, thank God, never experienced anything but a tranquil home life. I never heard my parents raise their voices--ever. You're a survivor. Kids who have to go through volatile situations at the hands of those who are supposed to love them are very brave. The best part is that you found yourself and accomplished something important. Marilyn
reply by the author on 28-Apr-2017
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Family life like this is an eye opener for the reader who, thank God, never experienced anything but a tranquil home life. I never heard my parents raise their voices--ever. You're a survivor. Kids who have to go through volatile situations at the hands of those who are supposed to love them are very brave. The best part is that you found yourself and accomplished something important. Marilyn
Comment Written 28-Apr-2017
reply by the author on 28-Apr-2017
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Hi Marilyn; thank you so much for your warm words of encouragement. Its amazing to me - I've been through years of counseling and therapy, but writing this chapter lifted a great deal of pain. It was very freeing, and I'm glad my FanStory family was here to support me.
~patty~
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Hi Patty. I do think that our writing is a great catharsis and our friends are the cushion that comfort us.
Comment from JDRBAR
Writing from such an emotional background is extremely difficult, yet you manage to put it in a semblance of order that can be felt by those who read it. A couple of sentences need a touch up. "My mother had dated someone else while he was gone. My brother and sister were too old for him to bully. Divorce papers had been filed, but never finalized. Life was balanced on a razor's edge." Awkward and confusing.
I was also abused by my father, so I know how hard it is to write of these instances
reply by the author on 28-Apr-2017
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Writing from such an emotional background is extremely difficult, yet you manage to put it in a semblance of order that can be felt by those who read it. A couple of sentences need a touch up. "My mother had dated someone else while he was gone. My brother and sister were too old for him to bully. Divorce papers had been filed, but never finalized. Life was balanced on a razor's edge." Awkward and confusing.
I was also abused by my father, so I know how hard it is to write of these instances
Comment Written 28-Apr-2017
reply by the author on 28-Apr-2017
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Hi; thank you for stopping by to read and review. I will look at those sentences and see if I can 'massage' them to make them more coherent. I think I was going for the staccato effect; a bunch of quick sentences to lead up to the 'razor's edge.'
I do appreciate your time to read and review, and I welcome your feedback,
~patty~