Family Matters
A new home causes turmoil16 total reviews
Comment from robyn corum
Rod,
Boy. I'm really glad Allen got with the program. It was about to get pretty lonely for him. A big old house for him and his wife - suddenly living there all alone again - and the temps in there were about to drop... dramatically. It was about to get ICY.
But, no. Dad came around. He'd already lost his baby girl once. But this time she'd be a lot closer. Maybe a lot smarter, too. *smile*
I've read several of these family entries so far and I really like yours a lot. So far, it's sitting pretty high up on the list.
A note or two, if I may?
1.) "C'mon!" she shouted again. (")Bev will take it."
2.) As I sat, remembering ou(r) conversation,
Nice job. Good luck!
reply by the author on 26-Nov-2021
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Rod,
Boy. I'm really glad Allen got with the program. It was about to get pretty lonely for him. A big old house for him and his wife - suddenly living there all alone again - and the temps in there were about to drop... dramatically. It was about to get ICY.
But, no. Dad came around. He'd already lost his baby girl once. But this time she'd be a lot closer. Maybe a lot smarter, too. *smile*
I've read several of these family entries so far and I really like yours a lot. So far, it's sitting pretty high up on the list.
A note or two, if I may?
1.) "C'mon!" she shouted again. (")Bev will take it."
2.) As I sat, remembering ou(r) conversation,
Nice job. Good luck!
Comment Written 24-Nov-2021
reply by the author on 26-Nov-2021
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I truly appreciate your taking the time to read closely and comment upon my story, robyn. Many thanks for your kind praise and suggestions. Rod
Comment from Jerome Goldberg
RodG - Great story that points out how our actions can be influenced by many different forces. Hope you have a happy Thanksgiving - best regards, Jerry
reply by the author on 23-Nov-2021
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RodG - Great story that points out how our actions can be influenced by many different forces. Hope you have a happy Thanksgiving - best regards, Jerry
Comment Written 23-Nov-2021
reply by the author on 23-Nov-2021
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Thank you very much, Jerome, for sharing my story. Rod
Comment from Father Flaps
Hi Rod,
I enjoyed your story, a good entry for the Family Fiction contest. It is actually somewhat like our circumstance... except for our daughter, Laura, buying a house of her own. She and Alyssa have been with us since the fall of 2018. She and her husband were splitting up. I didn't think she'd be here this long... we're into the 4th year now. I'm 71 and my wife is 66. We wonder where the Golden Years are. Like my muse, they've disappeared.
It's not a good time to buy a house up here in New Brunswick, though. Real estate jumped by $30,000-$50,000 this past year. Good time to sell, but not to buy.
I'm glad you see that just the two of you is better... less cleaning, less groceries, less clutter, less wear and tear on the clothes washer & dryer and dishwasher, less electric bill, less garbage. I could go on and on. I take Alyssa to school every day, and pick her up after school as well. I make their beds, clean their cat's litter box, and their bathroom. My wife and I have definitely been busier since they moved in. As I said, the Golden Years have disappeared. I'm hoping they might find a home of their own in 2022.
Good Luck in the contest!
Cheers,
Kimbob
reply by the author on 22-Nov-2021
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Hi Rod,
I enjoyed your story, a good entry for the Family Fiction contest. It is actually somewhat like our circumstance... except for our daughter, Laura, buying a house of her own. She and Alyssa have been with us since the fall of 2018. She and her husband were splitting up. I didn't think she'd be here this long... we're into the 4th year now. I'm 71 and my wife is 66. We wonder where the Golden Years are. Like my muse, they've disappeared.
It's not a good time to buy a house up here in New Brunswick, though. Real estate jumped by $30,000-$50,000 this past year. Good time to sell, but not to buy.
I'm glad you see that just the two of you is better... less cleaning, less groceries, less clutter, less wear and tear on the clothes washer & dryer and dishwasher, less electric bill, less garbage. I could go on and on. I take Alyssa to school every day, and pick her up after school as well. I make their beds, clean their cat's litter box, and their bathroom. My wife and I have definitely been busier since they moved in. As I said, the Golden Years have disappeared. I'm hoping they might find a home of their own in 2022.
Good Luck in the contest!
Cheers,
Kimbob
Comment Written 22-Nov-2021
reply by the author on 22-Nov-2021
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Wow! Thank you, Kimbob, for sharing my story and your own. How similar yet totally different. I can understand how you, unlike Allen, would like to see your daughter and granddaughter get their own place. I do hope you get a chance to enjoy those Golden Years. Rod
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Thanks for understanding, Rod!
Comment from LisaMay
Poor Dad, he loves his daughter and grandson so much it hurts to be apart. It's a fact of life that the young sometimes disappoint their parents; it's also a fact of life that children need independence (and a dog).
Yours is a well-paced story that puts the personal emotions into context with the pandemic situation.
Corrections:
Suddenly, she and and (delete an and) Billy appeared on my doorstep
As I sat, remembering out (our) conversation
reply by the author on 22-Nov-2021
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Poor Dad, he loves his daughter and grandson so much it hurts to be apart. It's a fact of life that the young sometimes disappoint their parents; it's also a fact of life that children need independence (and a dog).
Yours is a well-paced story that puts the personal emotions into context with the pandemic situation.
Corrections:
Suddenly, she and and (delete an and) Billy appeared on my doorstep
As I sat, remembering out (our) conversation
Comment Written 22-Nov-2021
reply by the author on 22-Nov-2021
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Thank you very much, Lisa, for your insightful review and for taking the time to point out my errors. Rod
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I put myself in my own father's shoes - he would react the same.
Comment from Patty Palmer
Empty nest syndrome is a tough pill to swallow when you've been used to living together. I remember when our youngest moved to a college dorm, I thought I'd die. The first time I went to the store for things for dinner and I brought home only two little chicken breasts to cook. As time went by and he joined the Army and went to Iraq three times. Our house seemed so big. Then our oldest son's wife had a baby girl. For reasons, our son could not take care of his five-year-old and a newborn plus trying to hold down a job. I offered to keep the baby. That baby is now 18 and graduating from high school. I think these past eighteen years have been a blessing for us all. Good job with your story.
Patty
reply by the author on 22-Nov-2021
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Empty nest syndrome is a tough pill to swallow when you've been used to living together. I remember when our youngest moved to a college dorm, I thought I'd die. The first time I went to the store for things for dinner and I brought home only two little chicken breasts to cook. As time went by and he joined the Army and went to Iraq three times. Our house seemed so big. Then our oldest son's wife had a baby girl. For reasons, our son could not take care of his five-year-old and a newborn plus trying to hold down a job. I offered to keep the baby. That baby is now 18 and graduating from high school. I think these past eighteen years have been a blessing for us all. Good job with your story.
Patty
Comment Written 22-Nov-2021
reply by the author on 22-Nov-2021
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Thank you, Patty, for sharing my story and your own. I enjoyed seeing how they are similar. Rod
Comment from MissMerri
This was an actual story, showing the personality of the characters and even the transformation of the dad. I liked the ultimate lesson too, about family forgiveness. I hope this does well in the contest. It deserves to in my opinion.
reply by the author on 22-Nov-2021
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This was an actual story, showing the personality of the characters and even the transformation of the dad. I liked the ultimate lesson too, about family forgiveness. I hope this does well in the contest. It deserves to in my opinion.
Comment Written 22-Nov-2021
reply by the author on 22-Nov-2021
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Thank you so much for the marvelous review, MissMerri, and that galaxy of stars. I am especially pleased you pointed out the "ultimate lesson" of the story. Rod
Comment from Wendy G
That must have been difficult after the joy of having your loved ones under the same roof, but life does have twists and turns and she was probably wise to regain some independence. Best wishes for your entry.
Wendy
reply by the author on 22-Nov-2021
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That must have been difficult after the joy of having your loved ones under the same roof, but life does have twists and turns and she was probably wise to regain some independence. Best wishes for your entry.
Wendy
Comment Written 22-Nov-2021
reply by the author on 22-Nov-2021
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Thank you, Wendy, tor sharing my story. I think Allen and Steph ultimately were pleased to regain some independence. Rod
Comment from Dolly'sPoems
It's difficult to let go of our kids and my daughter announced one day she was moving abroad to a different country and she shocked the whole family. It was a difficult time for us but things did work out in the end, family ties are hard to sever, a fine fictional story and I could identify with the subject, much enjoyed Rod, love Dolly x
reply by the author on 22-Nov-2021
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It's difficult to let go of our kids and my daughter announced one day she was moving abroad to a different country and she shocked the whole family. It was a difficult time for us but things did work out in the end, family ties are hard to sever, a fine fictional story and I could identify with the subject, much enjoyed Rod, love Dolly x
Comment Written 22-Nov-2021
reply by the author on 22-Nov-2021
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Thank you, Dolly, for sharing my story and your own. Rod
Comment from Mark D. R.
Rod,
Covid does strange things to families. So does divorce, death, and taxes.
As for real estate, consider this scenario from a photo I saved:
Real estate agent is talking to prospective buyers.
"We really like to something a little higher." Agent replies, "OK, I can you show this same house tomorrow!"
Mark
Mark
reply by the author on 22-Nov-2021
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Rod,
Covid does strange things to families. So does divorce, death, and taxes.
As for real estate, consider this scenario from a photo I saved:
Real estate agent is talking to prospective buyers.
"We really like to something a little higher." Agent replies, "OK, I can you show this same house tomorrow!"
Mark
Mark
Comment Written 21-Nov-2021
reply by the author on 22-Nov-2021
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Hi, Mark. I truly appreciate your sharing my story and some humor. Rod
Comment from lyenochka
That's a good story and one that many can relate to as many households do grow and shrink and grow again. But the family still stays close no matter where the members live. Best wishes in the contest!
reply by the author on 22-Nov-2021
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That's a good story and one that many can relate to as many households do grow and shrink and grow again. But the family still stays close no matter where the members live. Best wishes in the contest!
Comment Written 21-Nov-2021
reply by the author on 22-Nov-2021
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You summarized my themes very well. Many thanks for sharing my story and your best wishes. Rod
