Chasing the Elusive Dream
Viewing comments for Chapter 23 "Holiday Drama"A southern couple's journey in the 60's,70's & 80'
30 total reviews
Comment from Jannypan (Jan)
You did a great job detailing the events of the family issues at holiday times, Beth. I enjoyed reading about them, though they are sad. I believe the way those tow acted in front of their kids was awful. I'm sure the holiday mood was gone after that. You did a great job not passing judgement and maintaining a relationship with them. I like the way you included about picking your fights.
Respectfully, Jan
reply by the author on 11-Feb-2022
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You did a great job detailing the events of the family issues at holiday times, Beth. I enjoyed reading about them, though they are sad. I believe the way those tow acted in front of their kids was awful. I'm sure the holiday mood was gone after that. You did a great job not passing judgement and maintaining a relationship with them. I like the way you included about picking your fights.
Respectfully, Jan
Comment Written 11-Feb-2022
reply by the author on 11-Feb-2022
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Thank you, Jan, I appreciate the review. Maxine and Wayne had two little boys at the time and the youngest had to have therapy for his nerves. Most of the family never forgave Richard. His little boy was born later but he never had a good relationship with his father. Richard was took quick to say words that were hurtful.
Beth
Comment from Theodore McDowell
Great story, Beth. You honestly put the family dysfunctions on display for the reader and such fights will resonate with most readers. Very well-written in a direct fashion with little melodrama. So true to life.
reply by the author on 11-Feb-2022
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Great story, Beth. You honestly put the family dysfunctions on display for the reader and such fights will resonate with most readers. Very well-written in a direct fashion with little melodrama. So true to life.
Comment Written 11-Feb-2022
reply by the author on 11-Feb-2022
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Thank you, Ted. My mother wouldn't be pleased with me airing all these family squabbles. I'm all about telling it like was. Most of those in-laws aren't around any more but there once was quite a group.
Beth
Comment from Ethan Vandervelden
Very well written. The story is actually quite wild and it's hard to believe it happened in real life. You did a really good job of creating a chapter that can be read as a stand-alone piece. Your use of vocabulary is excellent and I'm glad you told us who all the characters are. I would say there are a lot of names to keep track of but perhaps a necessary evil as most all of them play a part in the piece.
My Favorite line below:
{Joe liked to play the big shot, and he often condescended to buzz the house, at some point during the day, in his private plane.}--very clever word play with the use of "condescended" to describe both his personality and Joe flying low in his plane- I enjoyed that!
Well done! It was a pleasure to read!
reply by the author on 11-Feb-2022
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Very well written. The story is actually quite wild and it's hard to believe it happened in real life. You did a really good job of creating a chapter that can be read as a stand-alone piece. Your use of vocabulary is excellent and I'm glad you told us who all the characters are. I would say there are a lot of names to keep track of but perhaps a necessary evil as most all of them play a part in the piece.
My Favorite line below:
{Joe liked to play the big shot, and he often condescended to buzz the house, at some point during the day, in his private plane.}--very clever word play with the use of "condescended" to describe both his personality and Joe flying low in his plane- I enjoyed that!
Well done! It was a pleasure to read!
Comment Written 11-Feb-2022
reply by the author on 11-Feb-2022
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Thank you so much for the in-depth review. I'm so glad you liked it. There are quite of few people in the story. Now about all that is left is the younger generation. I'm so glad you liked it.
Beth
Comment from Begin Again
Oh, Beth..Just when we expect the best of times, sharing the holidays with family and bonding..... but for some reason that's when the ugliest moments rear their heads. You told the story perfectly and yes...it wasn't your family's fault but you suffered just as much.
Hugs, Carol
reply by the author on 11-Feb-2022
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Oh, Beth..Just when we expect the best of times, sharing the holidays with family and bonding..... but for some reason that's when the ugliest moments rear their heads. You told the story perfectly and yes...it wasn't your family's fault but you suffered just as much.
Hugs, Carol
Comment Written 11-Feb-2022
reply by the author on 11-Feb-2022
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Thank you Carol. Yes, it kind of messed up the Holiday season, particularly for my mother-in-law who wanted all her children there for ever occasion. Holidays should be the best of times but they don't always work out that way.
Beth
Comment from Donald O. Cassidy
This misbehavior does seem extreme of rudeness, Beth. I think these brothers-in-law aredrunk on money power and feel independent. Perhaps, they got money by pushing people around. Bullying in getting ahead of others is the lifestyle of some "successes."
"Holiday Drama."
reply by the author on 18-Sep-2013
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This misbehavior does seem extreme of rudeness, Beth. I think these brothers-in-law aredrunk on money power and feel independent. Perhaps, they got money by pushing people around. Bullying in getting ahead of others is the lifestyle of some "successes."
"Holiday Drama."
Comment Written 17-Sep-2013
reply by the author on 18-Sep-2013
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Thank you so much for the review. The one brother in law who feld he was too good for us, didn't even show up. Richard was just spoiled and felt nothing was ever his fault. He never learned to apologize for anything. Wayne was usually easy to get along with. I'm not sure what happened to him that day.
Beth
Comment from AprilShower
Battles between family members is a horrible experience. It's too bad that this had to happen. It sounds like there was a small Civil War going on aggravated by low sugar levels. Too bad that Both men weren't more forgiving and gracious. They could have asked for something to hold them over until the meal could be served.
Things could have been patched up even after the altercation if Richard had not lost his temper and also apologized.
Thank you for sharing this with the rest of us. I'm sure most families have these blow ups once in a while, but hopefully not too often. Sometimes when they aren't too proud to humble themselves, they can forgive and be forgiven.
Well written, Beth.
April
reply by the author on 18-Sep-2013
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Battles between family members is a horrible experience. It's too bad that this had to happen. It sounds like there was a small Civil War going on aggravated by low sugar levels. Too bad that Both men weren't more forgiving and gracious. They could have asked for something to hold them over until the meal could be served.
Things could have been patched up even after the altercation if Richard had not lost his temper and also apologized.
Thank you for sharing this with the rest of us. I'm sure most families have these blow ups once in a while, but hopefully not too often. Sometimes when they aren't too proud to humble themselves, they can forgive and be forgiven.
Well written, Beth.
April
Comment Written 17-Sep-2013
reply by the author on 18-Sep-2013
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Thank you April. I do appreciate the review and you insightful comments. Richard never learned to apoligize for anything because he never considered anything his fault. Some people are like that the rest of us have to try to work around their personality problems.
Beth
Comment from Spitfire
I love the wisdom packed into the last paragraph. My husband's a diabetic and I know he gets mean when his blood sugar is low. That may be what happened. It's good that compromises were made. My relatives for the most part get along.
reply by the author on 18-Sep-2013
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I love the wisdom packed into the last paragraph. My husband's a diabetic and I know he gets mean when his blood sugar is low. That may be what happened. It's good that compromises were made. My relatives for the most part get along.
Comment Written 16-Sep-2013
reply by the author on 18-Sep-2013
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Thank you so much for the review. I'm pretty sure both of these mens' problem was aggrivated by the fact their blood sugar had dropped.
Beth
Comment from Phyllis Stewart
One family would be there for Thanksgiving and the other would come for Christmas.
Yes, the best solution! You are so right about picking your battles. Families usually have conflicts, but when things get out of hand, it's best to stay out of it!
reply by the author on 18-Sep-2013
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One family would be there for Thanksgiving and the other would come for Christmas.
Yes, the best solution! You are so right about picking your battles. Families usually have conflicts, but when things get out of hand, it's best to stay out of it!
Comment Written 16-Sep-2013
reply by the author on 18-Sep-2013
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Thank you for the review and comments, Phyllis. I appreciate you reading this.
Beth
Comment from barbara.wilkey
In my husband's family there were five children. I have only one brother. When his family got together, it was more hectic than fun. I was glad when Brian joined the military so we were too far away to attend.
reply by the author on 18-Sep-2013
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In my husband's family there were five children. I have only one brother. When his family got together, it was more hectic than fun. I was glad when Brian joined the military so we were too far away to attend.
Comment Written 16-Sep-2013
reply by the author on 18-Sep-2013
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Thank you Barbara, When there are many in a family and many in laws, holidays sometime become chaos instead of fun.
Beth
Comment from Belinda
Hi, Beth. This is interesting, though I feel sad about the incident. Yes. personalities clash, but this does not have to grow into a fight. You've written it in an interesting way, though I keep scrolling up and down to be sure about who's who... :)
reply by the author on 18-Sep-2013
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Hi, Beth. This is interesting, though I feel sad about the incident. Yes. personalities clash, but this does not have to grow into a fight. You've written it in an interesting way, though I keep scrolling up and down to be sure about who's who... :)
Comment Written 16-Sep-2013
reply by the author on 18-Sep-2013
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Thank you for the review and the comments. I realize this story has too many characters that a hard to keep straight. Thanks for reading.
Beth
