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Comment from royowen
This is so sad Wendy, I never met either of my grandfathers, what was spoken of them was in hushed tones, so my stories and anecdotes are lost in the maelstrom of antiquity, but at least you know of him, that is my great regret, past my mother and father I have no jewels to share. I'm envious of those who can share their experiences, perhaps that's why God has mercy on us, beautifully written Wendy, blessings Roy
reply by the author on 14-Sep-2022
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This is so sad Wendy, I never met either of my grandfathers, what was spoken of them was in hushed tones, so my stories and anecdotes are lost in the maelstrom of antiquity, but at least you know of him, that is my great regret, past my mother and father I have no jewels to share. I'm envious of those who can share their experiences, perhaps that's why God has mercy on us, beautifully written Wendy, blessings Roy
Comment Written 14-Sep-2022
reply by the author on 14-Sep-2022
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Yes, your story is equally sad, as we both have a sense of being incomplete with no generational heritage. But we were never allowed to speak of the war, of course, even in our own home, because of my father as well. The men who had been in war kept everything bottled up. Thanks so much for your review and understanding.
Wendy
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Well done, thanks for sharing
Comment from zanya
I'm intrigued by the final comment- this literary portrait is filled with riches of social history and life and living, especially the reference to 'shell-shock'- how differently we describe such states today- filled with sentiment - it's evocative and poignant.
reply by the author on 14-Sep-2022
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I'm intrigued by the final comment- this literary portrait is filled with riches of social history and life and living, especially the reference to 'shell-shock'- how differently we describe such states today- filled with sentiment - it's evocative and poignant.
Comment Written 14-Sep-2022
reply by the author on 14-Sep-2022
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Thank you Zanya. I appreciate your words so much. Yes, you are right, this IS social history, just as much as stories of picnics or fishing trips with grandparents. That is such an encouraging thought. Many thanks for the honour of a six star review - that also is a great encouragement to keep writing. Very much valued.
Wendy
Comment from barbara.wilkey
Thank you for sharing this emotional story with us. I do understand. My oldest son, Greg did five deployments to Afghanistan. He retired from the Army after 26 years in a year ago. He is on 100% disability because of what happened to him there.
reply by the author on 14-Sep-2022
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Thank you for sharing this emotional story with us. I do understand. My oldest son, Greg did five deployments to Afghanistan. He retired from the Army after 26 years in a year ago. He is on 100% disability because of what happened to him there.
Comment Written 14-Sep-2022
reply by the author on 14-Sep-2022
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Thank you Barbara for your understanding. I hope Greg is being well supported emotionally, and that he is able to share his pain with professionals who can help. We often don?t acknowledge them in the same way as if they had actually died. As children we never knew anything, just that the war was not a topic for discussion.
Wendy
Comment from karenina
Wendy! This is spectacular! So many today think of PTSD as a "recent" phenomenon... Perhaps the name of the diagnosis is modernized, but I know from my own dear grandfather that "shell-shocked" was/is one and the same!
This is engaging from the first sentence to the last. You quietly bring us in with your perspective as a young child, introducing the smell of "Pink Palmolive soap" ~~ Isn't it amazing how smells can conjure up memories?
Your grandfather was a patriot. I'm reminded of that line in Milton's poem: "They also serve who only stand and wait."
Everyone in your family was affected by your grandfather's war experience.
Six stars for sure.
"I wish I had some stories."
What a heart-wrenching ending.
Me too, my friend... Me too.
Karenina
reply by the author on 14-Sep-2022
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Wendy! This is spectacular! So many today think of PTSD as a "recent" phenomenon... Perhaps the name of the diagnosis is modernized, but I know from my own dear grandfather that "shell-shocked" was/is one and the same!
This is engaging from the first sentence to the last. You quietly bring us in with your perspective as a young child, introducing the smell of "Pink Palmolive soap" ~~ Isn't it amazing how smells can conjure up memories?
Your grandfather was a patriot. I'm reminded of that line in Milton's poem: "They also serve who only stand and wait."
Everyone in your family was affected by your grandfather's war experience.
Six stars for sure.
"I wish I had some stories."
What a heart-wrenching ending.
Me too, my friend... Me too.
Karenina
Comment Written 14-Sep-2022
reply by the author on 14-Sep-2022
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Thank you very much Karenina, for your understanding! Also for the six lovely stars, a great honour. Yes, he was unable to talk about his war experiences, but in fact it affected his whole person and everyday life, and therefore all subsequent generations. I greatly appreciate your review.
Wendy
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My honor...
Comment from Pantygynt
An interesting story but I got in a bit of a muddle over the sirens. Where an when did your grandfather experience air raid warning sirens? He fought in WW1, being an Australian that probably meant Gallipoli, where there was not much of an air war as I understand it. So I am wondering where his air raid experience came from. Did he live in Darwin during WW2? I understand that city suffered from Japanese air attacks in WW2.
I would have appreciated that being clearer. Apart from that, I found this an excellent family history.
reply by the author on 14-Sep-2022
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An interesting story but I got in a bit of a muddle over the sirens. Where an when did your grandfather experience air raid warning sirens? He fought in WW1, being an Australian that probably meant Gallipoli, where there was not much of an air war as I understand it. So I am wondering where his air raid experience came from. Did he live in Darwin during WW2? I understand that city suffered from Japanese air attacks in WW2.
I would have appreciated that being clearer. Apart from that, I found this an excellent family history.
Comment Written 14-Sep-2022
reply by the author on 14-Sep-2022
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Thanks so much. He served on the Western Front with the AIF mainly in France I think, perhaps Belgium also. I could add that to the notes.
Wendy
Comment from RodG
I found this story surprisingly poignant, especially at the end when you express your regrets you have no grandfather stories to relate. I get confused as to the order of time events take place. You begin by telling us how your grandparents moved in with you and then we're given a flashback to explain how WWI affected your grandfather. From the on I get confused as to WHEN things happened.
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reply by the author on 14-Sep-2022
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I found this story surprisingly poignant, especially at the end when you express your regrets you have no grandfather stories to relate. I get confused as to the order of time events take place. You begin by telling us how your grandparents moved in with you and then we're given a flashback to explain how WWI affected your grandfather. From the on I get confused as to WHEN things happened.
This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.
Comment Written 14-Sep-2022
reply by the author on 14-Sep-2022
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After their children married and moved away they bought a small house, which is where we visited them as children. As they grew older they sold that house and moved in with us until they got a cottage in the retirement village. I?ve added a couple of sentences to help clarify. Thanks for pointing it out. I appreciate your review.
Wendy
Comment from PENofFIRE
Your story is so well written, I felt I was there with you. I can almost smell the scent of Pink Palmolive soap and flowers. It was a simple story of people who lived simple lives, no embellishment needed. I loved how you wove everyday life into this beautiful story. Best wishes for winning the contest.
reply by the author on 14-Sep-2022
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Your story is so well written, I felt I was there with you. I can almost smell the scent of Pink Palmolive soap and flowers. It was a simple story of people who lived simple lives, no embellishment needed. I loved how you wove everyday life into this beautiful story. Best wishes for winning the contest.
Comment Written 14-Sep-2022
reply by the author on 14-Sep-2022
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Thank you very much! The six stars are a great honour, and are highly valued. This one isn?t in the contest (which required a "proper" story "told by grandparents, while you were living with them"). The requirements made me sad, as not everyone has had such experiences, but I loved my grandparents even though they were not typical perhaps. Thank you again!
Wendy
Comment from Susan M Symonette
I love the simplicity of it. The quiet dignity of your grandfather's death touched me. My own father managed his own passing in a more violent way, so that hit home with me. Your story without a story engaged me, wondering what you would find to write about if you didn't have a story to tell. Thank you for sharing.
reply by the author on 14-Sep-2022
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I love the simplicity of it. The quiet dignity of your grandfather's death touched me. My own father managed his own passing in a more violent way, so that hit home with me. Your story without a story engaged me, wondering what you would find to write about if you didn't have a story to tell. Thank you for sharing.
Comment Written 14-Sep-2022
reply by the author on 14-Sep-2022
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Thank you very much Susan! I appreciate your thoughtful and understanding review, and I am sorry to hear about your father. So tragic for him and for you and all the family.
Wendy
Comment from Tom Horonzy
Such a touching story. You continue to amaze, and are contrary to the saying, you can't keep a "good man" down, because you are woman. Very nicely done. Keep them keys atapping.
reply by the author on 14-Sep-2022
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Such a touching story. You continue to amaze, and are contrary to the saying, you can't keep a "good man" down, because you are woman. Very nicely done. Keep them keys atapping.
Comment Written 14-Sep-2022
reply by the author on 14-Sep-2022
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Thanks so much Tom. A very encouraging review as always.
Wendy
Comment from Wayne Fowler
Nice telling.
So sorry about your PC.
Can you even imagine the lives of FanStorians without electronic wizardry? When ALL writing was on a typewriter and the only ones to share it were those who received it passed around, or got illegible carbon copies? I remember errors at the bottom of the page necessitated retyping (with two fingers) the entire page. Or inserting a sentence required retyping multiple pages.
Best wishes.
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The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.
reply by the author on 14-Sep-2022
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Nice telling.
So sorry about your PC.
Can you even imagine the lives of FanStorians without electronic wizardry? When ALL writing was on a typewriter and the only ones to share it were those who received it passed around, or got illegible carbon copies? I remember errors at the bottom of the page necessitated retyping (with two fingers) the entire page. Or inserting a sentence required retyping multiple pages.
Best wishes.
This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.
Comment Written 14-Sep-2022
reply by the author on 14-Sep-2022
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So true. That?s one thing about the present we can be very thankful for. Thanks for your review. Always appreciated.
Wendy
