The Gift
A nursing home Christmas76 total reviews
Comment from Alma Barkman
Just a beautiful story so well told! The understanding of the youthful boys is so touching and admirable.
"Clinging to the boys like some small child with brand new toys" just conveyed such a poignant picture.
reply by the author on 14-Dec-2021
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Just a beautiful story so well told! The understanding of the youthful boys is so touching and admirable.
"Clinging to the boys like some small child with brand new toys" just conveyed such a poignant picture.
Comment Written 14-Dec-2021
reply by the author on 14-Dec-2021
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Thanks, Alma. The three boys are my grandsons, and the lady is my mother.
Comment from Ulla
Wow, Paul, this was a beautiful poem and so beautifully written. I sat riveted to the screen as I read this Christmas poem with a story within. What a talented poet you are. I hope you'll do very well in the contest. What a joy to read, as the old lady had her moment of joy. Ulla:)))
reply by the author on 14-Dec-2021
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Wow, Paul, this was a beautiful poem and so beautifully written. I sat riveted to the screen as I read this Christmas poem with a story within. What a talented poet you are. I hope you'll do very well in the contest. What a joy to read, as the old lady had her moment of joy. Ulla:)))
Comment Written 14-Dec-2021
reply by the author on 14-Dec-2021
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Thanks, Ulla. A true story with some additions.
Comment from barbara.wilkey
AMEN!!!!!! Thank you for sharing this contest entry with us. Wouldn't it be wonderful if all of us could share some time over the Christmas season, or better yet, all year long with an elderly person. It would so enrich their lives and in turn enrich ours. I enjoyed reading and wish you the best of luck.
reply by the author on 14-Dec-2021
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AMEN!!!!!! Thank you for sharing this contest entry with us. Wouldn't it be wonderful if all of us could share some time over the Christmas season, or better yet, all year long with an elderly person. It would so enrich their lives and in turn enrich ours. I enjoyed reading and wish you the best of luck.
Comment Written 14-Dec-2021
reply by the author on 14-Dec-2021
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Thanks, Barb. he elderly lady was my mother, and the three boys were my grandsons.
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wonderful!!!!!!!!!!!!
Comment from harmony13
I found the author's words to be lovely, caring, meaningful and creative.
I pondered on the words of this poem. Being kind to the elderly is a
beautiful way to be present. I really loved the last stanza as it makes one
stop and think! Great Poem - thank you......Maria
reply by the author on 14-Dec-2021
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I found the author's words to be lovely, caring, meaningful and creative.
I pondered on the words of this poem. Being kind to the elderly is a
beautiful way to be present. I really loved the last stanza as it makes one
stop and think! Great Poem - thank you......Maria
Comment Written 14-Dec-2021
reply by the author on 14-Dec-2021
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Thanks, Maria. The lady was my mother, I volunteered at that nursing home while she was there.
Comment from robyn corum
Paul,
You dog. I was not expecting such a tender and romantic piece. When I saw the length, I was worried for you - it's hard to maintain a good story over so much space in a poem -- but you did it beautifully. The stanzas never dragged, since you kept adding image upon image. This was magical. I hope it was true.
All wrapped up in an ancient shawl
--> consider replacing 'an'
--> All wrapped up tight in ancient shawl
Hugs and good luck!
reply by the author on 14-Dec-2021
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Paul,
You dog. I was not expecting such a tender and romantic piece. When I saw the length, I was worried for you - it's hard to maintain a good story over so much space in a poem -- but you did it beautifully. The stanzas never dragged, since you kept adding image upon image. This was magical. I hope it was true.
All wrapped up in an ancient shawl
--> consider replacing 'an'
--> All wrapped up tight in ancient shawl
Hugs and good luck!
Comment Written 14-Dec-2021
reply by the author on 14-Dec-2021
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Thanks, Robyn. It was true. The three boys were my grandsons. and the lady was my mother. I dressed it up some for dramatic effect.
Comment from nomi338
If you want to emulate The Messiah, Jesus Christ or his father Jehovah God. Give the gift that never fades, does come with a fancy price tag. It is a gift that continues to give. Give the gift of true and unselfish love. It does not cost a cent, but has more value than a treasure chest overflowing with trinkets that can rust, be stolen or destroyed.
reply by the author on 14-Dec-2021
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If you want to emulate The Messiah, Jesus Christ or his father Jehovah God. Give the gift that never fades, does come with a fancy price tag. It is a gift that continues to give. Give the gift of true and unselfish love. It does not cost a cent, but has more value than a treasure chest overflowing with trinkets that can rust, be stolen or destroyed.
Comment Written 14-Dec-2021
reply by the author on 14-Dec-2021
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You are exactly right. Thanks for the review.
Comment from Sherry Asbury
Just you!! A sweet and compassionate poem that reaches out with such a worthwhile message. Many like her will sit alone, no one left to visit - no one to care. Your rhyme and meter are fastidious...but most of all, you 'get it' and are sharing it, so maybe more boys will think of following your example. Or relatives who think their old ones won't even know what day it is so why bother. What a good man you are!!
reply by the author on 14-Dec-2021
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Just you!! A sweet and compassionate poem that reaches out with such a worthwhile message. Many like her will sit alone, no one left to visit - no one to care. Your rhyme and meter are fastidious...but most of all, you 'get it' and are sharing it, so maybe more boys will think of following your example. Or relatives who think their old ones won't even know what day it is so why bother. What a good man you are!!
Comment Written 14-Dec-2021
reply by the author on 14-Dec-2021
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Thanks, Sherry. The story is true. The boys are my grandsons, and the lady was my mother. I added a little window dressing.
Comment from Katherine M. (k-11)
This outstanding poem brought tears to my eyes. Growing old can be such a sad experience. I don't think it's traumatic, just sad, (repetition is deliberate here for once) as all the joys one is used to gradually slip away into the mists of time. In the end of course, the old person can't even remember what they have lost, which is perhaps a blessing.
reply by the author on 14-Dec-2021
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This outstanding poem brought tears to my eyes. Growing old can be such a sad experience. I don't think it's traumatic, just sad, (repetition is deliberate here for once) as all the joys one is used to gradually slip away into the mists of time. In the end of course, the old person can't even remember what they have lost, which is perhaps a blessing.
Comment Written 14-Dec-2021
reply by the author on 14-Dec-2021
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Thanks, Katherine. It brought tears to my eyes when I wrote it.
Comment from Dolly'sPoems
This is a touching write Paul, full of generous giving of someone's time to another on Christmas day. I adored the sentiments, the meter and rhymes and I commend you for spreading a little bit of gentle Christmas cheer here, much enjoyed, love Dolly x
reply by the author on 14-Dec-2021
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This is a touching write Paul, full of generous giving of someone's time to another on Christmas day. I adored the sentiments, the meter and rhymes and I commend you for spreading a little bit of gentle Christmas cheer here, much enjoyed, love Dolly x
Comment Written 14-Dec-2021
reply by the author on 14-Dec-2021
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Thanks, Dolly. Always good to hear from you. This is a true story, with some things added for dramatic effect, about my three grandsons and my mother. Miss ya.
Comment from jenintorre
Spot on!!! Loved it. Paul you are my very favourite writer on this site. I am sure this will win the competition, I definately hope so. Good luck and best wishes. Jen.
reply by the author on 14-Dec-2021
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Spot on!!! Loved it. Paul you are my very favourite writer on this site. I am sure this will win the competition, I definately hope so. Good luck and best wishes. Jen.
Comment Written 14-Dec-2021
reply by the author on 14-Dec-2021
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Thanks, Jen. You are embarrassing me with your praise.
