Standing Ovations
A Funeral44 total reviews
Comment from karenina
Six star work and me here with only fives left. Please accept my virtual six! Everything about this non-fiction work about a funeral is so life affirming I was left sitting here musing and smiling... Oh, to have a standing ovation at the end of my life! To be so eager and willing to step out and step forward and LIVE every day we're blessed with! I'll be humming "Goodnight, Irene" for the rest of the evening...and I'll me smiling, thinking of this dear woman who is still winning hearts and coaxing smiles--through your writing!
Karenina
reply by the author on 08-Jan-2022
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Six star work and me here with only fives left. Please accept my virtual six! Everything about this non-fiction work about a funeral is so life affirming I was left sitting here musing and smiling... Oh, to have a standing ovation at the end of my life! To be so eager and willing to step out and step forward and LIVE every day we're blessed with! I'll be humming "Goodnight, Irene" for the rest of the evening...and I'll me smiling, thinking of this dear woman who is still winning hearts and coaxing smiles--through your writing!
Karenina
Comment Written 07-Jan-2022
reply by the author on 08-Jan-2022
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What a great review and thank you! Terry.
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What a great write!
Karenina
Comment from royowen
Heh heh, just loved the clever conclusion to your story, Irene had a better send off than any audition she engaged in . I can remember a young girl we taught in the kid's ministry, she auditioned for a part in a kid's musical at church, she was so off pitch, she could never have fitted, her mum was perplexed, and said, "She's such a good singer, I don't understand how she missed out." Nobody was game enough to tell her, she was at least as bad, heh heh, well done Terry, blessings Roy
reply by the author on 08-Jan-2022
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Heh heh, just loved the clever conclusion to your story, Irene had a better send off than any audition she engaged in . I can remember a young girl we taught in the kid's ministry, she auditioned for a part in a kid's musical at church, she was so off pitch, she could never have fitted, her mum was perplexed, and said, "She's such a good singer, I don't understand how she missed out." Nobody was game enough to tell her, she was at least as bad, heh heh, well done Terry, blessings Roy
Comment Written 07-Jan-2022
reply by the author on 08-Jan-2022
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Roy, thank you, are very kind. Terry.
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Most welcome
Comment from Melodie Michelle
Perfect entry for the Non-Fiction Writing Contest and best of wishes in the contest! The storyline was very interesting and held my attention throughout the piece and the characters interacted perfectly together;-)
Thank you for sharing and best of wishes for the New Year!
reply by the author on 07-Jan-2022
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Perfect entry for the Non-Fiction Writing Contest and best of wishes in the contest! The storyline was very interesting and held my attention throughout the piece and the characters interacted perfectly together;-)
Thank you for sharing and best of wishes for the New Year!
Comment Written 07-Jan-2022
reply by the author on 07-Jan-2022
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Thank You very much, Terry.
Comment from Mary Shifman
I read something the other day that said, "Live life as if someone left the gate open." Irene sounds as if she did just that. I think it's something to aspire to. Good luck in the contest.
reply by the author on 07-Jan-2022
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I read something the other day that said, "Live life as if someone left the gate open." Irene sounds as if she did just that. I think it's something to aspire to. Good luck in the contest.
Comment Written 07-Jan-2022
reply by the author on 07-Jan-2022
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Amen to that, and thank you very much, Terry.
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You are welcome.
Comment from Annmuma
I am giving this a six for content and topic. The story is well laid out and I was ready to stand an applaud Irene myself by the endo of the story. There is also a moral in this story that is clearly illustrated -- Don't judge a book by its cover'. We are so quick to decide 'we know' before 'we learn'. This was also a theme in your painting sale and the gay guy perception. You do quite well in illus;'trating this human failure and you do it in a way that the reader is entertained and made to think. Good work.
A couple of suggestions:
Second paragraph where you say, "She had died' eliminate 'had'
Then the closing: Consider moving the 1st sentence of the last paragraph to be the last sentence of the preceding paragraph. Let that line stand by itself. Use your 'had' here. What do you think?
Every funeral I had ever attended ended in prayer. Not this one. Two hundred people stood applauding and singing, "Good night, Irene, good night, Irene, we'll see you in our dreams." She had forced herself onto the stage of life.
There should be more standing ovations at funerals for people like her.
ann
reply by the author on 07-Jan-2022
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I am giving this a six for content and topic. The story is well laid out and I was ready to stand an applaud Irene myself by the endo of the story. There is also a moral in this story that is clearly illustrated -- Don't judge a book by its cover'. We are so quick to decide 'we know' before 'we learn'. This was also a theme in your painting sale and the gay guy perception. You do quite well in illus;'trating this human failure and you do it in a way that the reader is entertained and made to think. Good work.
A couple of suggestions:
Second paragraph where you say, "She had died' eliminate 'had'
Then the closing: Consider moving the 1st sentence of the last paragraph to be the last sentence of the preceding paragraph. Let that line stand by itself. Use your 'had' here. What do you think?
Every funeral I had ever attended ended in prayer. Not this one. Two hundred people stood applauding and singing, "Good night, Irene, good night, Irene, we'll see you in our dreams." She had forced herself onto the stage of life.
There should be more standing ovations at funerals for people like her.
ann
Comment Written 07-Jan-2022
reply by the author on 07-Jan-2022
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Thank you very much, that is a good idea. Terry.
Comment from Judy Lawless
This is a beautiful story commemorating your wife's aunt Irene. It sounds like you didn't really get to know her until she died. What a pity. Yes, more kind souls like this should be remembered with joy, not sorrow. Well written. Good luck in the contest.
One suggestion: This sentence is a little awkward. "But she did get a spot in the back of the chorus line or be in a crowd scene." Maybe this sounds better? "But she did get a spot in the back of the chorus line or as someone in a crowd scene."
reply by the author on 07-Jan-2022
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This is a beautiful story commemorating your wife's aunt Irene. It sounds like you didn't really get to know her until she died. What a pity. Yes, more kind souls like this should be remembered with joy, not sorrow. Well written. Good luck in the contest.
One suggestion: This sentence is a little awkward. "But she did get a spot in the back of the chorus line or be in a crowd scene." Maybe this sounds better? "But she did get a spot in the back of the chorus line or as someone in a crowd scene."
Comment Written 07-Jan-2022
reply by the author on 07-Jan-2022
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Great suggestions Judy, Thank you! Terry.
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You're welcome, Terry.
Comment from The_Boy_Whodunnit
Your opening sentence is wonderful, I really like it. It draws you and makes you want to find out what is going to happen. I think you have a wonderful story here, and I enjoyed reading it.
reply by the author on 07-Jan-2022
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Your opening sentence is wonderful, I really like it. It draws you and makes you want to find out what is going to happen. I think you have a wonderful story here, and I enjoyed reading it.
Comment Written 07-Jan-2022
reply by the author on 07-Jan-2022
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Thank you very much, very kind of you, Terry.
Comment from Robert Zimmerman
Hello Terry.
This is a beautiful story told with style. You consider yourself a storyteller, and I consider you one as well.
Your beginning paragraph sets the tone for the story, and you confirm the thought with the telling of it.
You tell a lot about Irene in the story. Understatement is often more profound than overstatement. That's how she comes across to me in your story and your narrative.
The finale at the funeral is touching. This is a great story for content and technique. I wish you good luck in the contest.
Robert
reply by the author on 07-Jan-2022
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Hello Terry.
This is a beautiful story told with style. You consider yourself a storyteller, and I consider you one as well.
Your beginning paragraph sets the tone for the story, and you confirm the thought with the telling of it.
You tell a lot about Irene in the story. Understatement is often more profound than overstatement. That's how she comes across to me in your story and your narrative.
The finale at the funeral is touching. This is a great story for content and technique. I wish you good luck in the contest.
Robert
Comment Written 07-Jan-2022
reply by the author on 07-Jan-2022
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Robert, that is a great compliment, and thank you for the six stars! Terry
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You are welcome, Terry. I loved the story. '46 was a great year for me too. HAHAHA
Robert
Comment from LJbutterfly
Wow! I loved this story. You gave just enough detail about Irene that the reader can easily visualize her and feel that they know her. A standing ovation by two hundred people tells you Irene affected that many people who wanted to pay tribute to her life. This story is another outstanding tribute to her.
reply by the author on 07-Jan-2022
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Wow! I loved this story. You gave just enough detail about Irene that the reader can easily visualize her and feel that they know her. A standing ovation by two hundred people tells you Irene affected that many people who wanted to pay tribute to her life. This story is another outstanding tribute to her.
Comment Written 07-Jan-2022
reply by the author on 07-Jan-2022
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Thank You, you are very kind, Terry.
Comment from nomi338
This reminds me of the advice, sing and or dance like no one is listening or looking. Living your best life does not require an audience or and audience's approval. Life is simply to be lived. If you want to be remembered fondly, try being a friend to all, never finding fault, trying always to be approving and supporting. Most of all, laughing all the way. The bible say that the apostle Paul said that the way he won converts was by being sad with the sad and happy with the happy, lonely with the lonely, friendly with the friendly. I think you get my drift.
reply by the author on 07-Jan-2022
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This reminds me of the advice, sing and or dance like no one is listening or looking. Living your best life does not require an audience or and audience's approval. Life is simply to be lived. If you want to be remembered fondly, try being a friend to all, never finding fault, trying always to be approving and supporting. Most of all, laughing all the way. The bible say that the apostle Paul said that the way he won converts was by being sad with the sad and happy with the happy, lonely with the lonely, friendly with the friendly. I think you get my drift.
Comment Written 07-Jan-2022
reply by the author on 07-Jan-2022
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Thank you very much, sir, I do get your drift. Terry
