Twins?!
I'd almost given up the idea of having any boys25 total reviews
Comment from karenina
I've just come from reading Helen's excellent interview "via script" with you about your writing and had to come sample a bit of your work!
Lucky for me I selected this one! What a great story! You have a natural writing style...very conversational and familiar and that endeared me to the tale of two sons!
Who would have guessed?
They always say if you want to make God laugh tell Him your plans.
Maybe YOU were convinced you were done having children but aha...God had that "double the pleasure double the fun--double the son plan" for you and your wife and girls! Funny about the two different birthdates... Guess there's never been a fight about which son is the elder, right?
Jan's plans were answered! Sounds like yours were as well!
A great read!
Congrats!
Karenina
reply by the author on 26-Mar-2023
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I've just come from reading Helen's excellent interview "via script" with you about your writing and had to come sample a bit of your work!
Lucky for me I selected this one! What a great story! You have a natural writing style...very conversational and familiar and that endeared me to the tale of two sons!
Who would have guessed?
They always say if you want to make God laugh tell Him your plans.
Maybe YOU were convinced you were done having children but aha...God had that "double the pleasure double the fun--double the son plan" for you and your wife and girls! Funny about the two different birthdates... Guess there's never been a fight about which son is the elder, right?
Jan's plans were answered! Sounds like yours were as well!
A great read!
Congrats!
Karenina
Comment Written 26-Mar-2023
reply by the author on 26-Mar-2023
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Hello Karenina,
I see that you're a night owl. I was surprised to see that there was a review this late. Thanks so much for the kind words. It was most certainly a surprise, but a very pleasant one. It's surprising how very different the boy's personalities are. They are each other's best friends to this day, which makes me happy. The older one, Ben, is married and he and his wife are expecting their second child. Brian has been a bachelor all his life, but he's starting to think about perhaps getting married. It's been a blessing having the boys. We have lots of good memories. Thanks again for the fine review.
Have a blessed evening.
Tom
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I am a night owl, indeed! Some 35 years as an RN working the 11-7 shift turned my "clock" around and I've never recovered! So you'r a grandpa and soon to have another grandchild? That puts the golden in these golden years (she says as she gloats about her four perfectly wonderful grandkids)--- Ben's gotten ahead start but Brian has lots of time to find that perfect mate and create a family of his own if he so desires! (Maybe even twins? --hey, it happens!)
Blessings to you as well!
2:42 AM here... I suppose I'll give that pillow one more try!
(smile)
Karenina
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Wow, thirty five years. That's wonderful. I admire all of you nurses. I don't think you get the credit you deserve. I know that things wouldn't get done nearly as efficiently if it weren't for people like you. Thanks for all you've done. I hope you have pleasant dreams and a restful night.
Blessings
Tom
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I will...but now I'm laughing because I could not resist reading your latest post! Hah!
(Did you need a nurse or did that resolve all by itself?)
LOL....
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It was self-medicating so to speak.
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Hmmm. So that's that rumble of thunder!
Got it!
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Ah, Massachusetts. I spent ten years on an "end time farm" with a group from Mass. Ware,Mass. They were considerably different from the Charleston SC group that I fellowshipped with. My wife would love to visit there. We may go there this fall. We have a friend in Townsend Vermont who used to live on the farm as well, and he and I have been friends for almost fifty years. It's a small world.
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Oh my. I used to own a home in Belchertown, which abutted Ware, and I shopped there often. It's changed a lot what with super grocery stores and their very own WalMart. I always enjoyed the quaint main street of famil owned businessed! Small world!
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I never visited Ware. There was a farm there, a Christian community that ended up in Alaska with several other groups. They were a lot more law and order, and I had a time with several of the elders from that group. When we were working at the sawmill, some of the fellows talked about picking up day or two old bread and pastries and feeding it to the pigs. They would hide behind the barn and eat pastries where the elders couldn't see them. There was some really strange ideas about sugar being somehow evil more or less. We were supposed to be getting away from things that were considered "fleshly" desires, sugar being one of them. Whenever we had occasion to go to town though from the farm, everyone would hit the three stores and stuff our faces with candy bars, ice cream, pop, cupcakes, whatever the town had to offer. Then we'd all get in the boat and head back to the farm and act innocent. Oh, those were the days. I'm so glad they're over.
Comment from aryr
Wow, definitely a story that was told in depth, Tom. To Jan and of course you, it was an interesting. I can only imagine the surprise that came to both of you. I really enjoyed the picture because it showed twin ducklings. I enjoyed your narrative notes as well. Blessings.
reply by the author on 05-Mar-2023
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Wow, definitely a story that was told in depth, Tom. To Jan and of course you, it was an interesting. I can only imagine the surprise that came to both of you. I really enjoyed the picture because it showed twin ducklings. I enjoyed your narrative notes as well. Blessings.
Comment Written 04-Mar-2023
reply by the author on 05-Mar-2023
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Hello aryr,
Thanks so much for the great review and thoughtful comments. Yes, it was more than your normal surprise I guess. I had to sit down when I heard that I was getting two for the price of one. Life is full of surprises, and sometimes, they're especially nice.
Have a blessed day gal.
Tom
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You are so welcome, Tom, I agree that I have heard that two for the price of one.
Comment from mermaids
Congrats on having twin boys, what a blessing. I enjoyed reading your story and God does answer prayers. Sometimes He gives us a little more than we asked for. Your story is a happy one and is well written.
reply by the author on 04-Mar-2023
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Congrats on having twin boys, what a blessing. I enjoyed reading your story and God does answer prayers. Sometimes He gives us a little more than we asked for. Your story is a happy one and is well written.
Comment Written 04-Mar-2023
reply by the author on 04-Mar-2023
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Hello Mermaids,
thanks so much for the fine review and comments. You're right about giving us more than we asked for. Dr. Charles Stanley says - we reap what we sow, more than we sow and later than we sow. I was just happy to have two boys to raise and they always had someone to play with. Have a blessed day gal.
Tom
Comment from Julie Lau
A great story, told in a very natural and amusing manner. I have the impression that writing is quite effortless for you, that it flows off the pen in the same way that you would relate an experience orally, which of course is what makes it such a pleasure to read. Julie L
reply by the author on 04-Mar-2023
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A great story, told in a very natural and amusing manner. I have the impression that writing is quite effortless for you, that it flows off the pen in the same way that you would relate an experience orally, which of course is what makes it such a pleasure to read. Julie L
Comment Written 04-Mar-2023
reply by the author on 04-Mar-2023
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Hello Julie,
What a wonderful review and delightful comments, thanks so much. I sometimes struggle with what to write about, and before you read this post, I had a number of folks point out some issues with various spellings. I guess I overlooked the spellcheck function. I suppose I'm kind of long winded, and as for writing style, I'm not intelligent enough to write other than how I speak. I appreciate the compliments and the six stars gal.
Have a blessed day.
Tom
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Tom - your style is the best! We don't need to be put to sleep by windbaggy pretentions. Write on (and please read my Stud Groom). Julie
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You're very kind gal. I'm kind of full of myself sometimes, but then I do something ultra stupid and it serves as a good check. Don't want to be too big headed. No one likes a show off. I'll check out your post gal, thanks.
Blessings,
Tom
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And so you did! Thanks for your great reviews. There will be more; I almost always write humour - can't help myself. Julie
Comment from Wayne Fowler
Great work! The writing, I mean. (smiley face here)
which like, so much that's happened in my life, - You don't need the first comma.
I'll bet Jan was praying for a second son in nine or ten months, not the very next day!
Best wishes.
reply by the author on 04-Mar-2023
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Great work! The writing, I mean. (smiley face here)
which like, so much that's happened in my life, - You don't need the first comma.
I'll bet Jan was praying for a second son in nine or ten months, not the very next day!
Best wishes.
Comment Written 04-Mar-2023
reply by the author on 04-Mar-2023
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Hello Wayne,
I'm laughing at your comments. It was fun work. Of course, much like hunting, after you've bagged the game, you have to deal with the long term work. I appreciate the fine review and humorous comments.
Have a blessed day.
Tom
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Hah! I remember huntin' one evening after a long day - hopin' I didn't see a deer needing harvested because of all the work!
field dressing it
goin' to get it recorded
gettin' it home
hangin' it
skinnin' it,
and at least quarterin' it for the garage fridge.
I saw myself up til midnight
I don't know if I'da pulled the trigger or not
(smiley face here)
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I understand exactly! My boys seem to want to shoot the biggest deer they can find- not me. Of course my hunting days are over, but I know how much work awaits you after you pull the trigger, and a nice spike or forked horn was plenty to deal with for me. Plus they didn't stink so bad.
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And the younger ones taste better!
But the backstrap off a big one - mmmmm-mmm
Comment from Rebecca Roberts1
What a wonderful story. I tell people all the time, "You will never regret having too many kids you will only regret not having enough."
Thanks for the nice read.
reply by the author on 04-Mar-2023
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What a wonderful story. I tell people all the time, "You will never regret having too many kids you will only regret not having enough."
Thanks for the nice read.
Comment Written 04-Mar-2023
reply by the author on 04-Mar-2023
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Hello Rebecca,
thanks so much for the great review and comments. We had never really planned on having so many kids, but once you reach a certain number, it doesn't seem to matter. Christmas at our house, once we moved to Hoonah, was a riot. Four of my daughters have three children, and my older boy has a daughter, but his wife is pregnant with a son. None of them followed our example, but with the expense and whatnot now, I can understand.
Have a blessed day gal.
Tom
Comment from Jannypan (Jan)
You did a great job detailing the birth of your sons,
Tom. I enjoyed reading it, though it was tense and
poignant. I'm thrilled everyone made it through healthy.
You gave readers great details--esp with the trips to the
hospital and the waiting for the birth(s). That doctor seemed
preoccupied, but not with the upcoming crisis. Those who
questioned you about the dates of birth were out of line.
Thanks for sharing, Jan
reply by the author on 03-Mar-2023
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You did a great job detailing the birth of your sons,
Tom. I enjoyed reading it, though it was tense and
poignant. I'm thrilled everyone made it through healthy.
You gave readers great details--esp with the trips to the
hospital and the waiting for the birth(s). That doctor seemed
preoccupied, but not with the upcoming crisis. Those who
questioned you about the dates of birth were out of line.
Thanks for sharing, Jan
Comment Written 03-Mar-2023
reply by the author on 03-Mar-2023
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Hello Jan,
thanks so much for the fine review and comments. I'm glad you enjoyed this. I imagine most people who would come across two different birth dates so close together might think we made a mistake. It actually gives us an opportunity to tell the story about the boys. The doctor worked with Jan's normal doctor at a family practice clinic. We didn't care much for him, but I guess that was neither here nor there. Years later, he passed away, a fairly young man. I met his widow when I had to sit on a Federal jury in Juneau. She was an alternate and was hoping to be called. I would have gladly let her take my place. Oh well. Have a blessed evening gal.
Oh, are you getting all that terrible wind and dust that I see on TV? I hope not. Please stay safe.
Blessings
Tom
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Yes. However, today was less, but much more is in our future--like Saturday. 😊
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Oh my, I can't imagine.
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Wednesday of this week-- we had35-45mph wind with gusts to 55 and even as high as 85 for the mountain areas. We had low humidity in the teens with the wind and blowing dirt til midnight--3 weather alerts--wind, fire alert with 2.
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Wow, and people think we have it bad. Stay safe gal, I'll be praying for you all.
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😊🐈⬛
Comment from Brett Matthew West
Can see how you might be concerned if there were no boys to carry on your name.
"mother's at the community" would read better as mothers of the community.
Very unusual and unique. Twins with different birthdays. Sure that has been a conversation piece, in more ways than one, over the years.
reply by the author on 03-Mar-2023
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Can see how you might be concerned if there were no boys to carry on your name.
"mother's at the community" would read better as mothers of the community.
Very unusual and unique. Twins with different birthdays. Sure that has been a conversation piece, in more ways than one, over the years.
Comment Written 03-Mar-2023
reply by the author on 03-Mar-2023
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Hello Brett,
thanks for the fine review and comments. Yes, its been the subject of more than a few conversations down through the years. It's been a hell of a ride buddy. Have a blessed evening.
Tom
Comment from Mary Shifman
Well, this is certainly the best story I've read about yourAlaska experience!
It's a wonderful thing that the birthing process didn't begin before you got to Juneau. It sounds like you have aa wonderful family.
reply by the author on 03-Mar-2023
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Well, this is certainly the best story I've read about yourAlaska experience!
It's a wonderful thing that the birthing process didn't begin before you got to Juneau. It sounds like you have aa wonderful family.
Comment Written 03-Mar-2023
reply by the author on 03-Mar-2023
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Hello Mary,
thanks so much for the delightful review and comments. If Jan had started to go into labor, we would have contacted the Coast Guard and they would have sent a helocopter to take her to the hospital. Of course that's a last resort kind of thing. It happens quite a bit in Southeast Alaska though, with everything being so remote, and transportation options limited due to weather or scheduling. I'm so glad you enjoyed this story. My life has been anything but dull. Have a blessed day gal.
Tom
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You are welcome. Do they still use dogsleds up there or it is all snowmobiles now?
Comment from jessizero
This was such a great story! It was sweet, entertaining, captivating, and just a little funny. I'm glad you got what you wanted in the end. Thank you for sharing, and best wishes to you.
reply by the author on 03-Mar-2023
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This was such a great story! It was sweet, entertaining, captivating, and just a little funny. I'm glad you got what you wanted in the end. Thank you for sharing, and best wishes to you.
Comment Written 03-Mar-2023
reply by the author on 03-Mar-2023
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Hello Jessi,
My word, thanks so much for the exceptional review. While I was hoping for a son, we hadn't really planned on Jan getting pregnant again. In a place without TV or radio, or sports for that matter, there wasn't a lot of other fun things to do, so most of us had fairly large families. Have a blessed day gal.
Tom
