Life is All About Change
My younger brother leaves Tioga to join the military36 total reviews
Comment from Judy Lawless
What a sad day for you, Ann. It must have been hard having someone in your life you were so close to, just decide to move a long ways away. You've done an excellent job of telling this story and the conflicting emotions you were dealing with. Good luck in the contest.
reply by the author on 22-Nov-2021
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What a sad day for you, Ann. It must have been hard having someone in your life you were so close to, just decide to move a long ways away. You've done an excellent job of telling this story and the conflicting emotions you were dealing with. Good luck in the contest.
Comment Written 21-Nov-2021
reply by the author on 22-Nov-2021
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I appreciate the good luck wishes for the contest. Lord knows I need them!! Thanks so much for reading and commenting. It was a difficult day, but so necessary to growing up. ann
Comment from Mary Kay Bonfante
This change is your life must have been so hard for you! John was your partner in adventure. You really tried so hard, to advocate on behalf of your brother, with the school -- but his heart wasn't in it. Hopefully, he eventually got his GED, maybe even through the Army (I don't know if they offered that).
My two suggestions:
Every thing is going to be fine."
-->
Everything is going to be fine."
Why, can't you do that for John?
Why can't you do that for John?
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That's a nice photo of farm country, or the land in the country, out where you lived.
Thelma (probably, still Thelma #1) sounds like a kind stepmother.
Sixteen is extremely young, for a kid to enlist! I didn't realize that they could join the service, that young. I guess they could, with parental consent -- I don't know if that's still the case. It had to be during the Vietnam War. That sounds rather frightening. It's hard to imagine that he was more frightened of algebra, than of Vietnam. You must have been so sad, to see him leave.
reply by the author on 22-Nov-2021
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This change is your life must have been so hard for you! John was your partner in adventure. You really tried so hard, to advocate on behalf of your brother, with the school -- but his heart wasn't in it. Hopefully, he eventually got his GED, maybe even through the Army (I don't know if they offered that).
My two suggestions:
Every thing is going to be fine."
-->
Everything is going to be fine."
Why, can't you do that for John?
Why can't you do that for John?
***
That's a nice photo of farm country, or the land in the country, out where you lived.
Thelma (probably, still Thelma #1) sounds like a kind stepmother.
Sixteen is extremely young, for a kid to enlist! I didn't realize that they could join the service, that young. I guess they could, with parental consent -- I don't know if that's still the case. It had to be during the Vietnam War. That sounds rather frightening. It's hard to imagine that he was more frightened of algebra, than of Vietnam. You must have been so sad, to see him leave.
Comment Written 21-Nov-2021
reply by the author on 22-Nov-2021
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I don't know what the age is for enlisting now, but, at that time, a 16 year old could enlist with a parent's signed permission. That is ultimately what John did. He never went to Vietnam, spent most of his tour in Germany. He did get his GED and has had a good life, lives not too far from me and we talk often. Thanks for the review. ann
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I'm glad that John never went to Vietnam, that he got his GED and that you guys still have a great relationship.
I'm wondering how you went from being called Olevia, to Ann. But that's probably another story!
Love and blessings, Mary Kay xoxo
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My name is Olevla Ann. When I was introduced to my first husband as "Olevia' his response was that he hoped I had another name. I said 'Ann'. He said something to the effect of 'works for me' and the rest is history. If I get a phone where someone asks for Olevia, I know it is a acquaintance from long ago!
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Oh, that's convenient! Thanks for explaining. I've never heard of anyone who spelled "Olevia" that way, unless it's also pronounced differently.
Anyway, thanks, Ann.
Comment from Annette R.
Your love for John jumps off the page even without your author comments. I had to read it twice to understand you couldn't imagine a life without Johnny and with your step-mother. Perhaps restructure that sentence. I looked up Tioga and found one in 6 different states but assume yours was Louisiana. Loved the sentence about the quiet being silent and chin-between-the-forefinger-and-thumb pose.
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reply by the author on 21-Nov-2021
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Your love for John jumps off the page even without your author comments. I had to read it twice to understand you couldn't imagine a life without Johnny and with your step-mother. Perhaps restructure that sentence. I looked up Tioga and found one in 6 different states but assume yours was Louisiana. Loved the sentence about the quiet being silent and chin-between-the-forefinger-and-thumb pose.
This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.
Comment Written 21-Nov-2021
reply by the author on 21-Nov-2021
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Thank you. You are correct that the sentence needs to be re-structured. I will do so immediately. thanks.
Comment from Robert Trudel
Yes, life goes on and I don't need to tell you that growing up and leavings and changes are never easy. In a manner it would have been an error for the teacher to let him pass algebra, only extending the pain and the ennui. It was really time the let the kid go and find his way. Great write.
reply by the author on 21-Nov-2021
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Yes, life goes on and I don't need to tell you that growing up and leavings and changes are never easy. In a manner it would have been an error for the teacher to let him pass algebra, only extending the pain and the ennui. It was really time the let the kid go and find his way. Great write.
Comment Written 21-Nov-2021
reply by the author on 21-Nov-2021
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Thank you for reading and reviewing. Of course, you are correct that Mr. Dossman made the correct decision. He was also my teacher for both Algebra 1 and II -- I had the advantage of being in the advanced classes, a smaller group of students with a lot of hands on instruction. I was always in the gifted group and that made it doubly difficult for John in our small school. Too many teachers measured John by my abilities, rather than his own strengths. Thank you for reading and commenting. ann
Comment from Susan Newell
I'm sorry that I am reluctant to give two of my sixes to a single writer on a single day. You have again written a beautiful story about coming of age, in more ways than one. I loved this line: The quiet had never been more silent than it was in that hole between the question and the answer.
I really believe you have a strong foundation for a book. Your writing is just so . . . warm, in the best way. I look forward to more.
One proofing note:
like her for saying it, but less accept any comfort -- do you mean "much less?"
reply by the author on 21-Nov-2021
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I'm sorry that I am reluctant to give two of my sixes to a single writer on a single day. You have again written a beautiful story about coming of age, in more ways than one. I loved this line: The quiet had never been more silent than it was in that hole between the question and the answer.
I really believe you have a strong foundation for a book. Your writing is just so . . . warm, in the best way. I look forward to more.
One proofing note:
like her for saying it, but less accept any comfort -- do you mean "much less?"
Comment Written 21-Nov-2021
reply by the author on 21-Nov-2021
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I did mean 'much less' and will make an immediate correction. Thank you.
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Most welcome!
Comment from Terry Broxson
Ann, another interesting story of growing up and moving on. Sometimes, that is very hard to do. Sometimes, it is fun and adventurous. The more I read of you life during those times, I think you have a wonderful book if they are all added together. I think of it "Life with Father." Olevia"s Story.
This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.
reply by the author on 21-Nov-2021
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Ann, another interesting story of growing up and moving on. Sometimes, that is very hard to do. Sometimes, it is fun and adventurous. The more I read of you life during those times, I think you have a wonderful book if they are all added together. I think of it "Life with Father." Olevia"s Story.
This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.
Comment Written 21-Nov-2021
reply by the author on 21-Nov-2021
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I am thinking about another book. I've got about 100 stories that could be made into chapters. If I am successful in creating more of a 'retired' life after the first of the year, I think I'll try putting one together. I appreciate you! ann
