Preserving Connections
One man's gift for memories48 total reviews
Comment from rockmann
Super story. I thoroughly enjoyed it and wish I'd gone to a small school like that. My school had a graduating class of more than 300, and if we had someone saying something about every single one of us, it would have taken it to the 36th reunion!
reply by the author on 11-Jul-2022
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Super story. I thoroughly enjoyed it and wish I'd gone to a small school like that. My school had a graduating class of more than 300, and if we had someone saying something about every single one of us, it would have taken it to the 36th reunion!
Comment Written 19-Jul-2019
reply by the author on 11-Jul-2022
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HAHAHA. Great review; thanks, rockmann.
I've been on a three-year hiatus from FS, so that's why I didn't see this delightful review until now.
I hope life has been treating you well. Are you still on the site?
Comment from Joanna S. Blue
This is a very moving account of a truly perfect moment. You make it come to life with details such as the original emcee practicing in front of the mirror, and the examples of the stand-in emcee's comments. And it was certainly understandable why the original emcee wasn't notified. You have supplied all we need to see how this story fell into place. I appreciate your background information on how the town originated. Such close-knit communities are rare these days. You are lucky to be a part of that one. And thanks for inviting us in.
reply by the author on 11-Jul-2022
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This is a very moving account of a truly perfect moment. You make it come to life with details such as the original emcee practicing in front of the mirror, and the examples of the stand-in emcee's comments. And it was certainly understandable why the original emcee wasn't notified. You have supplied all we need to see how this story fell into place. I appreciate your background information on how the town originated. Such close-knit communities are rare these days. You are lucky to be a part of that one. And thanks for inviting us in.
Comment Written 19-Jul-2019
reply by the author on 11-Jul-2022
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Hi, Joanna!!
I've been on a three-year hiatus from FS and am now in the process of cleaning out my Reviews inbox. Thank you very much for this delightful one from you. I remember how congenial and generous you always were to me, so this evoked the happiest thoughts.
How has life been to you? Are you still enjoying FS?
Comment from Debbie Pope
I had no idea that East Rochester was so quaint. I remember the first time that I talked to you, I was getting Rachelle and Rochelle and East and New all mixed up. Now I've got East Rochester down for sure. The connection between the residents reminds me of southern towns where everyone knows everything about everyone else. It's a very grounding environment for children. And, what a wonderful teacher. His memory and connection to his students is remarkable. I totally enjoyed your tribute to him and his community.
reply by the author on 11-Jul-2022
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I had no idea that East Rochester was so quaint. I remember the first time that I talked to you, I was getting Rachelle and Rochelle and East and New all mixed up. Now I've got East Rochester down for sure. The connection between the residents reminds me of southern towns where everyone knows everything about everyone else. It's a very grounding environment for children. And, what a wonderful teacher. His memory and connection to his students is remarkable. I totally enjoyed your tribute to him and his community.
Comment Written 19-Jul-2019
reply by the author on 11-Jul-2022
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Haha! This review gave me a good chuckle. You always bring panache to whatever you do, Dolly. Communication with you = A much better day. xo
Comment from Susan Morritt
Hi Rachelle
I read your story, "Preserving Connections," and found it very interesting and well-written. Your description of the new emcee, the retired history teacher, was superb, and your ending was appropriate and clever. The only thing that I could point out to you is the line "one of the best perfect moments of my life." Maybe you should consider dropping "best" or instead change it to "most."
Good luck in the contest.
Susan
reply by the author on 11-Jul-2022
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Hi Rachelle
I read your story, "Preserving Connections," and found it very interesting and well-written. Your description of the new emcee, the retired history teacher, was superb, and your ending was appropriate and clever. The only thing that I could point out to you is the line "one of the best perfect moments of my life." Maybe you should consider dropping "best" or instead change it to "most."
Good luck in the contest.
Susan
Comment Written 19-Jul-2019
reply by the author on 11-Jul-2022
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Hi, Susan!
I've been on a three-year hiatus from FS and am now in the process of clearing out my Reviews inbox. Thank you for the extremely nice one from you. It meant a lot to read.
How has life been for you? Are you still a member here?
Comment from Sandra Stoner-Mitchell
What a lovely, heartwarming story, Rachelle. To think people are still living there who are descendants of the first inhabitants. That's amazing in itself. To have someone stand up on the spur of the moment and speak to everyone who was in the class of '71 all those ago, remembering all that about them, well, what can I say? I can only just remember a couple of my friends' names who were in the same class as me during the years of 1955 - 1960. I wonder how many are still alive. Well, I can easily understand how this would be a 'magical moment' and can easily understand what it meant to everyone there when they heard their names call out. Amazing! Good luck in the contest, my friend, this was a lovely true story. :)) Sandra xx
reply by the author on 11-Jul-2022
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What a lovely, heartwarming story, Rachelle. To think people are still living there who are descendants of the first inhabitants. That's amazing in itself. To have someone stand up on the spur of the moment and speak to everyone who was in the class of '71 all those ago, remembering all that about them, well, what can I say? I can only just remember a couple of my friends' names who were in the same class as me during the years of 1955 - 1960. I wonder how many are still alive. Well, I can easily understand how this would be a 'magical moment' and can easily understand what it meant to everyone there when they heard their names call out. Amazing! Good luck in the contest, my friend, this was a lovely true story. :)) Sandra xx
Comment Written 19-Jul-2019
reply by the author on 11-Jul-2022
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Good Morning!!
I'm in the process of clearing out my Reviews inbox and came across this exceptionally lovely one from you. (of course; that's because everything you touch is exceptionally lovely.) Thank you for all these kind and gracious words. Even three years later, they mean the world. xoxox
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Aw that was a long time ago. I've been meaning to PM you, I meant to give you a six on your Birthday Presence and I didn't notice it had slipped back to a 5. That keeps happening. I'll have to have this laptop serviced. I loved the play on words with the title. Are you enjoying being back? I've been struggling to write but managed to get my chapter out. Now I'm off for a rest. Love you lots. xx
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You are only one of two people who've mentioned the Birthday Presence play on words. Thank you for the six (I'm counting it; I don't care if FS does or not!!)
It IS nice to be back. I've been enjoying it immensely.
I really wish you were better physically, though, Sweet Friend. I admire the way you continue to power through, though. I'll add that to my ever-burgeoning list of "Ways Sandra Mitchell Inspires Me."
Love you lots, too.
xoxoxo
Comment from CrystieCookie999
Delightful account. How neat that you knew a teacher like that. I was thinking a few weeks ago about an art teacher from high school who passed away 3 months ago, and how much art I have created since. I think he definitely recognized many of us have a creative streak and needed to get away from other grownups' expectations of what we were allowed to do. What a compelling conclusion, that it inspired you to want to collect firsthand memories of neighbors as well.
reply by the author on 11-Jul-2022
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Delightful account. How neat that you knew a teacher like that. I was thinking a few weeks ago about an art teacher from high school who passed away 3 months ago, and how much art I have created since. I think he definitely recognized many of us have a creative streak and needed to get away from other grownups' expectations of what we were allowed to do. What a compelling conclusion, that it inspired you to want to collect firsthand memories of neighbors as well.
Comment Written 18-Jul-2019
reply by the author on 11-Jul-2022
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Thank you for THIS lovely review, too. (I'm seeing a pattern here...) xo
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You are welcome. I see we both came back on here about the same time and catching up.
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Exactly!!
Comment from robyn corum
Rachelle,
Wow. I can see how that would have impressed the socks off everyone in attendance. I don't see that happening just anywhere - or too often. That is someone who pays attention and cares. It's a gift. A treasure.
One note, if I may?
--> Many of the residents are related to each other, and a good percentage are even descendants of the town's founders.
--> in the second sentence of this paragraph, you said almost the same thing about the relations. Perhaps restate it in a different way here?
Thanks and good luck!
reply by the author on 11-Jul-2022
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Rachelle,
Wow. I can see how that would have impressed the socks off everyone in attendance. I don't see that happening just anywhere - or too often. That is someone who pays attention and cares. It's a gift. A treasure.
One note, if I may?
--> Many of the residents are related to each other, and a good percentage are even descendants of the town's founders.
--> in the second sentence of this paragraph, you said almost the same thing about the relations. Perhaps restate it in a different way here?
Thanks and good luck!
Comment Written 18-Jul-2019
reply by the author on 11-Jul-2022
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Hi, Robyn!
I took a three-year hiatus from FS and am now in the process of clearing out my Reviews inbox. This one of yours is so extremely thoughtful and generous. Thank you for having the nicest way of making me feel so encouraged about writing.
How has life been to you since last we communicated? Are you still writing? What else is new?
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Good to see you again! I am still writing, though I've pretty much taken June off and struggling with July so far. Just had a new grandbaby! Thanks!
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Ooooh! A new grandbaby!! Now THAT's exciting. Let's hear some stats, please! Name, weight, length, accomplishments...and, of course, amount of hair!!
Nice to hear back from you, Robyn. xo
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Absolutely. I'm about to post a poem. Thanks!
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Woot!!!
Comment from judester
Great story of a warm and touching gift this man gave with mere words and memories. Everyone wants to feel special and remembered fondly.
Reminds me of the church dinners here where everyone knows everyone...and their business haha.
Nice to have a heartwarming memory to make us feel connected whenever we need it.
Cheers, j
reply by the author on 11-Jul-2022
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Great story of a warm and touching gift this man gave with mere words and memories. Everyone wants to feel special and remembered fondly.
Reminds me of the church dinners here where everyone knows everyone...and their business haha.
Nice to have a heartwarming memory to make us feel connected whenever we need it.
Cheers, j
Comment Written 18-Jul-2019
reply by the author on 11-Jul-2022
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Hi, Judester!
I have returned from my three-year hiatus and am going through my Reviews inbox. Thank you for this really nice one from you. Very much appreciated!
How are YOU doing these days? Are you in your cloistered camp in VT this summer? What else is happening for you since last we spoke?
Comment from Coco Jane
What a great memory.
Reunions can bring out the best--and the worst--in alumni.
In paragraph 14, I think the word "esconced" might be incorrect? It means "established an d comfortable." Did you mean to write "entranced"? It means "filled with wonder and delight." (Maybe I am incorrect in your intention.)
Very effective ending.
reply by the author on 11-Jul-2022
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What a great memory.
Reunions can bring out the best--and the worst--in alumni.
In paragraph 14, I think the word "esconced" might be incorrect? It means "established an d comfortable." Did you mean to write "entranced"? It means "filled with wonder and delight." (Maybe I am incorrect in your intention.)
Very effective ending.
Comment Written 18-Jul-2019
reply by the author on 11-Jul-2022
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Hi, Coco Jane!
I've been on a three-year hiatus and now am in the process of clearing out my Reviews inbox. Thank you for this really helpful one of yours. Very much appreciated...yes, even three years later!!!
How has life been for YOU? Are you still on the site?
Comment from A. Willow Bends
Oh my gosh! This is phenomenal! What a memory this man must have had and how special it must have made everyone there feel. Precious! This is extremely well told and I hope you keep it to share at some future reunion! Extraordinary! Great job. (no sixes, sorry!)
Wendy
reply by the author on 11-Jul-2022
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Oh my gosh! This is phenomenal! What a memory this man must have had and how special it must have made everyone there feel. Precious! This is extremely well told and I hope you keep it to share at some future reunion! Extraordinary! Great job. (no sixes, sorry!)
Wendy
Comment Written 18-Jul-2019
reply by the author on 11-Jul-2022
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WENDY!!!!
I've been on a three-year hiatus and am now in the process of clearing out my Reviews inbox. Thank you for this warm, gracious one of yours (all your reviews were always warm and gracious)
How has life been for you? Are you still writing? What is new with your family? xo
