Reviews from

At Home in Mississippi

Viewing comments for Chapter 34 "Lessons in Humility"
Growing up in the 40 and 50 in MIssissippi

18 total reviews 
Comment from Bill Schott
Excellent
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This story, Lessons in Humility, is well documented and reminds me, and I'm sure many, of how we came to understand the importance of friendship and showing concern when it was needed. Great lesson learned.

 Comment Written 01-Aug-2024


reply by the author on 03-Aug-2024
    Thank you Bill, I appreciate your comments.
    Beth
Comment from LJbutterfly
Excellent
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Young children can often be cruel to each other. There was a girl in my sixth grade class who no one liked. I wanted to be friends with her, but did not because I thought the other kids would pick on me like they did her.

Your well crafted story reminded me of that time. I admire your honesty for admitting you were unfair to Ollie Mae, but changed your outlook after you viewed Jo Ann. These are great memories.

 Comment Written 30-Jul-2024


reply by the author on 13-Aug-2024
    Thank you for then nice review. Kids are aware that who they make friends will might cause others to dislike them. It takes courage to make friends with someone other look down on, but it might have the reaction that Jo Ann had on me. I admired her more for being friendly to the girl. Kids have to gradually learn good judgement.
Comment from Dawn Munro
Excellent
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Aw, you what a cute kid!

""Oh, he's just taking a few days off. ..." -- Hm. Sounds like a big, fat fib to me. But then, we do tend to tell some whoppers to protect our kids I guess. Some things are just not age-appropriate information.

"Jo Ann, whom I mentioned in my last chapter, didn't seem to have any girl in particular she was close friends with." >> grammar -- ends with a preposition. Should read, "...with whom she was close friends."

"I was so ashamed of myself I wished I could disappear into the woodwork. I recognized Jo Ann as a better person than I was. I decided I never wanted to say anything negative about a classmate again." Wow. That's impressive. Good for you!

"How much or little a person had never really mattered to me again." Isn't that exactly right! None of us is perfect, and a few of us seldom learn at all -- you, it seems, were top notch as a kid. Good for you! And good story!

 Comment Written 29-Jul-2024


reply by the author on 13-Aug-2024
    Thank you, Dawn. I really far behind answering my review but I deeply appreciate all of your comments and great review.
    Beth
reply by Dawn Munro on 17-Aug-2024
    I've given up even trying to answer -- hence my note in the forum. (*smile*) You're very welcome.
Comment from lyenochka
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

That's so hard to confess having said something you regret. What's is admirable is that you changed your opinion of Jo Ann because she did not judge based on class differences. And you quickly followed her lead and became friendly to a child who was shunned by some of the kids. It shows a strength of character to quickly change your opinion and become friends with Ollie Mae.

 Comment Written 29-Jul-2024


reply by the author on 11-Aug-2024
    Thank you Helen. I would have found it very hard to confess back then but it has been a long and hopefully I learned my lesson and wouldn't do anything like that now. I really appreciate the six stars.
    BethThank
Comment from Dolly'sPoems
Excellent
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Your skill in writing your story makes life sound so exciting in your household Beth and I enjoyed your progressive tale of your childhood and the characters surrounding you. An entertaining post, love Dolly x

 Comment Written 28-Jul-2024


reply by the author on 11-Aug-2024
    Thank you Dolly. I don't remember thinking my life was anything but boring back then but it seems more idealic now. I really appreciate the review.
    Beth
Comment from Debbie D'Arcy
Excellent
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A well constructed story from the start. You could so easily have launched into your father being fired but, instead, you built up the interest. Likewise, a nice build-up with your school life and circle. And, in particular, your friendship with Jo Ann and the lesson learnt, honestly and sincerely conveyed. Well done, Beth. Some suggestions below:
I hadn't gotten (it) out of my system
It was as (if) nothing had happened
throwing toilet paper on to tree(s) or on house
Jo Ann who(m) I mentioned..

Take care Debbie

 Comment Written 28-Jul-2024


reply by the author on 07-Aug-2024
    Thank you Debbie. I'm sorry to be running behind answering reviews but you know I always appreciate yours. You are always so encouraging.
    Beth
Comment from royowen
Excellent
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Kids can be so cruel and mean to one another, and although I wasn't actively unkind to another child, I would still listen to the gossip and cruel things kids said, and auto suggestion is still a powerful weapon, you're right, people deserve to be treated with dignity and deference, beautifully written Beth, blessings Roy
Typo ; I haven't got (in) out of...it?

 Comment Written 28-Jul-2024


reply by the author on 30-Jul-2024
    Thank you Roy. I always get a lot from you comments. I appreciate the review.
    Beth
reply by royowen on 30-Jul-2024
    Bless you
Comment from Pam Lonsdale
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No one else seems to have mentioned this, but I have some of your first paragraph missing after "short-circuited."

Second paragraph: "There is sas a person who would never outright lie,"

"tricky talk" .ome work he needs to do around here."

"even her family, that Dad had been fired." (Missing "knew"?)

Was Ollie Mae black or was she poor? If she's in the basement she's one or the other but I don't think you tell us which.

This is a good story to include in your book (even though I think I remember your dad losing his job from another chapter?), but you should maybe go back and edit, and assume your reader doesn't remember characters, like Ollie Mae, who you talk about in your stories. If she's not a main character, you have to remind us who she is.

Hope you are doing well and are enjoying some of this very hot summer.

xo
Pam

 Comment Written 28-Jul-2024


reply by the author on 28-Jul-2024
    The reason no one else mentioned it was because it wasn't like that when they saw it. I must have tried to correct something and accidently dragged part or the first paragraph into the second. Sorry about that. I hope I've got it corrected. Ollie Mae is white. Black children couldn't attend our school.
Comment from Ric Myworld
Excellent
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Life is a learning process, and sadly, we have to get some time under our belts to figure things out. Everyone isn't the same, and few of us are either as fortunate or unfortunate as we might think, or have thought. LOL. Thanks for sharing.

 Comment Written 28-Jul-2024


reply by the author on 30-Jul-2024
    Thank you Ric. Learning is a slow process sometimes and often when we know better we still choose the easier way.


    n

















    Beth
Comment from joann r romei
Excellent
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I also remember kids from school who were unkempt, odd, quiet and bullied, looking back I wonder how their home lives were and it saddens me, I was never cruel to anyone but I wish I had tried to befriend one of those loners.

 Comment Written 28-Jul-2024


reply by the author on 11-Aug-2024
    Thank you again Joann. Yes, after saying what I did I was ashamed of myself. The girl didn't know but Jo Ann did and didn't do it again. We could have their lives better if we reached out to them. They must have been hurting.