An American Christmas
Short Story30 total reviews
Comment from Joe_P
Mike, I love it! This story opens one's eyes about what goes on outside one's comfortable, warm home. You should send this to Readers Digest, or at the very least, your local newspaper. You are truly a gifted writer!
Joe_P
  |
Mike, I love it! This story opens one's eyes about what goes on outside one's comfortable, warm home. You should send this to Readers Digest, or at the very least, your local newspaper. You are truly a gifted writer!
Joe_P
Comment Written 23-Dec-2014
Comment from ravenblack
Just saw on the news the other day about states cutting funds for warming centers. How? New guidelines on when they will open, all according to temperature. Some states won't open the shelters until it hits -9° Fahrenheit. I guess -8° is shorts weather.
 |
Just saw on the news the other day about states cutting funds for warming centers. How? New guidelines on when they will open, all according to temperature. Some states won't open the shelters until it hits -9° Fahrenheit. I guess -8° is shorts weather.
Comment Written 22-Dec-2014
Comment from Dean Kuch
This may be listed as fiction, but you're right, it could be a reality on any street corner, in any major or decent sized city in America. We are (or, were) one of the richest nations on Earth, and yet we still have homeless people walking the streets. Sure, a lot of them choose to retain their freedom and do so instead of succumbing to a bunch of rules and regs that many shelters impose, but it's still disgraceful that they find themselves in this type of situation at all.
Well written story. Powerful narrative makes it really hit home. ~Dean
|
This may be listed as fiction, but you're right, it could be a reality on any street corner, in any major or decent sized city in America. We are (or, were) one of the richest nations on Earth, and yet we still have homeless people walking the streets. Sure, a lot of them choose to retain their freedom and do so instead of succumbing to a bunch of rules and regs that many shelters impose, but it's still disgraceful that they find themselves in this type of situation at all.
Well written story. Powerful narrative makes it really hit home. ~Dean
Comment Written 22-Dec-2014
Comment from CR Delport
Mikey, another well written story. Christmas is not a cheery time for everyone. Millions of kids don't even get a present and is just happy if they can get a bite to eat. Good luck in the contest.
Have a fantastic day.
Christelle.
|
Mikey, another well written story. Christmas is not a cheery time for everyone. Millions of kids don't even get a present and is just happy if they can get a bite to eat. Good luck in the contest.
Have a fantastic day.
Christelle.
Comment Written 21-Dec-2014
Comment from nor84
Very well done, Mikey. If it's a site contest, I'd take off the by-line. Don't see a thing wrong with it. That must be SOME vodka at $5 a fifth. Ugh. Glad you don't really live this way. Well, I'm trying to get a little reviewing done, so will move on.
|
Very well done, Mikey. If it's a site contest, I'd take off the by-line. Don't see a thing wrong with it. That must be SOME vodka at $5 a fifth. Ugh. Glad you don't really live this way. Well, I'm trying to get a little reviewing done, so will move on.
Comment Written 21-Dec-2014
Comment from Zinnia48
This is a really excellent telling of a segment of the homeless population. You do such an excellent job with giving "voice" to this character. I can see him, hear him, and even caught a whiff of his Christmas cheer. As always--thanks! Caroline`
|
This is a really excellent telling of a segment of the homeless population. You do such an excellent job with giving "voice" to this character. I can see him, hear him, and even caught a whiff of his Christmas cheer. As always--thanks! Caroline`
Comment Written 21-Dec-2014
Comment from Spitfire
Sounds as if you've been there, done that. A much needed touch of humor in the confrontation with the cop and the remark about the shopping cart. I understand why he spent the twenty on items that will dull his senses.
|
Sounds as if you've been there, done that. A much needed touch of humor in the confrontation with the cop and the remark about the shopping cart. I understand why he spent the twenty on items that will dull his senses.
Comment Written 21-Dec-2014
Comment from Sandra Stoner-Mitchell
That is so sad, Mikey. There are many people living on the streets now, what a terrible thing in this day and age. And, as you rightly point out, many are ex servicemen who have put their lives on the line for their country. Good luck in the contest, my friend. xsx Sandra
|
That is so sad, Mikey. There are many people living on the streets now, what a terrible thing in this day and age. And, as you rightly point out, many are ex servicemen who have put their lives on the line for their country. Good luck in the contest, my friend. xsx Sandra
Comment Written 21-Dec-2014
Comment from Lovinia
Hi Mikey
A pretty sad state of affairs. Service to their country and how do they get treated? I've met several Vietnam veterans in Hawaii many years ago ... I could see how badly they were still affected from the war, and I guess their unpopular return. I'm not sure which could be worse. What they suffered and then the appalling treatment. I do remember a story on here a few years ago, where an ex-vet told of her uncle who had fought in Vietnam. He died (from associated injuries in the longer term and never regained his social or monetary status). When the family applied for a burial, the were rejected because Vietnam wan't regarded as a military action (or something like that).
I was a little young to know anyone from Australia who was sent to fight. Older sisters of friends had boyfriends who never returned. I can't remember the veteran's every mentioned, or knowing anyone who admitted to having been to that war. My brother was too young. So not a war that touched me.
I hate to hear what happens and is happening, especially now as they are older. I wonder if it is similar for those returned from the Middle East, or perhaps PTSD is managed better now and these soldiers helped more with physical and psychological disability. It must be tough on the families also, especially if their loved ones serve over Christmas - seems that much worse not to be part of a peaceful and safe season of joy.
Thank you for your poignant satire highlighting the plight of these courageous individuals. We supply aid for natural disasters and war victims overseas, yet some of those countries maintain large armies, some of them out to get me/us. I wish there was an answer, there is not enough money for those in need while there are cheats on the welfare system and so much greed in big business and corruption in governments. Always important to raise awareness. I found no errors or typos. Hugs - Lovi xoxo
|
Hi Mikey
A pretty sad state of affairs. Service to their country and how do they get treated? I've met several Vietnam veterans in Hawaii many years ago ... I could see how badly they were still affected from the war, and I guess their unpopular return. I'm not sure which could be worse. What they suffered and then the appalling treatment. I do remember a story on here a few years ago, where an ex-vet told of her uncle who had fought in Vietnam. He died (from associated injuries in the longer term and never regained his social or monetary status). When the family applied for a burial, the were rejected because Vietnam wan't regarded as a military action (or something like that).
I was a little young to know anyone from Australia who was sent to fight. Older sisters of friends had boyfriends who never returned. I can't remember the veteran's every mentioned, or knowing anyone who admitted to having been to that war. My brother was too young. So not a war that touched me.
I hate to hear what happens and is happening, especially now as they are older. I wonder if it is similar for those returned from the Middle East, or perhaps PTSD is managed better now and these soldiers helped more with physical and psychological disability. It must be tough on the families also, especially if their loved ones serve over Christmas - seems that much worse not to be part of a peaceful and safe season of joy.
Thank you for your poignant satire highlighting the plight of these courageous individuals. We supply aid for natural disasters and war victims overseas, yet some of those countries maintain large armies, some of them out to get me/us. I wish there was an answer, there is not enough money for those in need while there are cheats on the welfare system and so much greed in big business and corruption in governments. Always important to raise awareness. I found no errors or typos. Hugs - Lovi xoxo
Comment Written 21-Dec-2014
Comment from ProjectBluebook
Interesting tale, but it is reality on the streets. You describe it in such detail. I know, like you know, I was homeless for six months, not by choice. Yes, there are a lot of bums on the street panhandling and pushing around carts. I made a cardboard box a home on several occasions, slept beneath via dock bridges, churches. I only slept in a mission once; that's the worse place to go -- where they steel you blind as you sleep. bad idea. I could tell you a million stories about street life. I was no bum, I worked but could not afford shelter. No place to lay your head really blows. I caught many a train to get from point A to point B. Took some skill to avoid the Bobbies, railroad cops and learn the train routes and curves to hop a moving train. "Can't catch a train,' was my nickname an Indian girl called me when returned to a local pub, giving plasma to get a drink to sooth me nerves and forget about my pedicament. Yes, some of us Americans have it good and don't now it -- until it is taken away. I see the moral of this story. Be kind to the homeless because you never know what fortunes are down the railroad tracks. Some are mentally ill -- they have no responsibilities in the gutters and streets. Even Jesus roamed the wilderness like a homeless person. he may have been frowned upon and called a bum or tramp, because he had no home. Would you turn away a homeless stranger begging for a loaf of bread and to warm his bones? I'm sure, Jesus had some that slammed the door in his face, and he was the greatest person that ever existed. I guess that is my point. Looks can be deceiving, until you walk a mile in his sandles. Maybe, the moral of this story is to treat the homeless with compassion and respect. Give them a break this Christmas season and invite them as a guest to warm their feet and for a bowl of pourage. I'm sure this story has other meaning s if you really think about it. Count youe doubloon. wackydo
|
Interesting tale, but it is reality on the streets. You describe it in such detail. I know, like you know, I was homeless for six months, not by choice. Yes, there are a lot of bums on the street panhandling and pushing around carts. I made a cardboard box a home on several occasions, slept beneath via dock bridges, churches. I only slept in a mission once; that's the worse place to go -- where they steel you blind as you sleep. bad idea. I could tell you a million stories about street life. I was no bum, I worked but could not afford shelter. No place to lay your head really blows. I caught many a train to get from point A to point B. Took some skill to avoid the Bobbies, railroad cops and learn the train routes and curves to hop a moving train. "Can't catch a train,' was my nickname an Indian girl called me when returned to a local pub, giving plasma to get a drink to sooth me nerves and forget about my pedicament. Yes, some of us Americans have it good and don't now it -- until it is taken away. I see the moral of this story. Be kind to the homeless because you never know what fortunes are down the railroad tracks. Some are mentally ill -- they have no responsibilities in the gutters and streets. Even Jesus roamed the wilderness like a homeless person. he may have been frowned upon and called a bum or tramp, because he had no home. Would you turn away a homeless stranger begging for a loaf of bread and to warm his bones? I'm sure, Jesus had some that slammed the door in his face, and he was the greatest person that ever existed. I guess that is my point. Looks can be deceiving, until you walk a mile in his sandles. Maybe, the moral of this story is to treat the homeless with compassion and respect. Give them a break this Christmas season and invite them as a guest to warm their feet and for a bowl of pourage. I'm sure this story has other meaning s if you really think about it. Count youe doubloon. wackydo
Comment Written 21-Dec-2014
