Lessons in the Key of Life
Viewing comments for Chapter 15 "The Holiday Greeting Pin"A music and dance teacher's improvization
33 total reviews
Comment from Dolly'sPoems
You made me smile here Rachelle and so many different interpretations of your broach as everyone was working out what it meant. But those perceptions are coming from people who have a lifetime of experience behind them including prejudices and scars! The innocent children cut straight through all that and saw the greeting straight away. The moral of this story is to not read too deeply into a simple Christmas greeting of joy and hope, think like al child! I enjoyed your words, love Dolly x
reply by the author on 08-Jul-2019
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You made me smile here Rachelle and so many different interpretations of your broach as everyone was working out what it meant. But those perceptions are coming from people who have a lifetime of experience behind them including prejudices and scars! The innocent children cut straight through all that and saw the greeting straight away. The moral of this story is to not read too deeply into a simple Christmas greeting of joy and hope, think like al child! I enjoyed your words, love Dolly x
Comment Written 08-Jul-2019
reply by the author on 08-Jul-2019
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You hit the metaphoric nail right on the head here, Dolly! Thanks for your feedback. xo
Comment from Michele Harber
This is so cute and so telling. It's an excellent lesson in perspective, and a great example of the same "he said/she said" scenario you wrote about in your story about a camping trip described very differently by a mother and daughter. I love how appropriate each comment was to the person who made it.
Just one proofing point - in case you were'nt sure this was actually from me. Where you say, "Two moms, both with workaholic husbands whom I see only on Recital Day," you should use "who," not "whom," as you're seeing the husbands, not seeing to them (i.e., using a preposition).
reply by the author on 08-Jul-2019
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This is so cute and so telling. It's an excellent lesson in perspective, and a great example of the same "he said/she said" scenario you wrote about in your story about a camping trip described very differently by a mother and daughter. I love how appropriate each comment was to the person who made it.
Just one proofing point - in case you were'nt sure this was actually from me. Where you say, "Two moms, both with workaholic husbands whom I see only on Recital Day," you should use "who," not "whom," as you're seeing the husbands, not seeing to them (i.e., using a preposition).
Comment Written 08-Jul-2019
reply by the author on 08-Jul-2019
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Very good. Thank you. I'll change that as soon as I'm done with replying to reviews. xo
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Considering the number of reviews you get, I take it you'll get to it in about three months.
Comment from Diana L Crawford
Love this! Adults can certainly make mountains out of molehills! Ha! Bravo to the children! They have no preconceived ideas to block the simple! I can't wait to see what lies in store for the poor dreydl song! LoL!
reply by the author on 08-Jul-2019
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Love this! Adults can certainly make mountains out of molehills! Ha! Bravo to the children! They have no preconceived ideas to block the simple! I can't wait to see what lies in store for the poor dreydl song! LoL!
Comment Written 07-Jul-2019
reply by the author on 08-Jul-2019
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Ugh! Even the WORDS "The Dredyl Song" make me shudder! How's that for a hint! xo
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LOL!! Well, my seniors loved singing it still at 80-90 years old! Even got the dreydl's out! I guess we revert to childhood after 75! LOL!
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I never left it in the first place...
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Amen!! :)
Comment from Jerome Goldberg
Loved it.
Communication is a delicate process that is filtered by the sender, by the receiver and by the medium. It is unbelievable, and sad, how many misunderstanding and feuds result from this And it is why it so important to communicate clearly and in the language, culture and the experience base of those who you are communicating with. (Sorry for the lecture and yes, I ended in a preposition!)
reply by the author on 07-Jul-2019
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Loved it.
Communication is a delicate process that is filtered by the sender, by the receiver and by the medium. It is unbelievable, and sad, how many misunderstanding and feuds result from this And it is why it so important to communicate clearly and in the language, culture and the experience base of those who you are communicating with. (Sorry for the lecture and yes, I ended in a preposition!)
Comment Written 07-Jul-2019
reply by the author on 07-Jul-2019
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Nothing I'd rather be lectured about. (See what I did there? I ended with a preposition too, to make you feel better...)
Awesome review. xo
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Thanks ? I feel better already.
Comment from Phyllis Stewart
No luck. No lemons. No license... fun thinking up what it might mean, but NOEL is so obvious, I'm surprised at the adults overthinking it and missing the simple cleverness of the pin. Nice of that gentleman to give it to you. That's the Xmas spirit! :)
reply by the author on 07-Jul-2019
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No luck. No lemons. No license... fun thinking up what it might mean, but NOEL is so obvious, I'm surprised at the adults overthinking it and missing the simple cleverness of the pin. Nice of that gentleman to give it to you. That's the Xmas spirit! :)
Comment Written 07-Jul-2019
reply by the author on 07-Jul-2019
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Very good point! But the ho, ho, ho was on me! xo
Comment from Winslow
Dear Rachelle,
I totally agree. What we lose sometimes as adults is lightheartedness and imagination. I wonder what I would have thought if you hadn't given the pin's secrets away in your story? It did make for an engaging holiday tale.
Cheers,
Winslow
reply by the author on 07-Jul-2019
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Dear Rachelle,
I totally agree. What we lose sometimes as adults is lightheartedness and imagination. I wonder what I would have thought if you hadn't given the pin's secrets away in your story? It did make for an engaging holiday tale.
Cheers,
Winslow
Comment Written 07-Jul-2019
reply by the author on 07-Jul-2019
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It would be interesting to know, wouldn't it, Winslow? I think because I'm around children so much --and so child-like myself-- I knew at once that it was Noel. That's why I found it so fascinating that the other adults found it such a challenge!
Thank you for this nice review. xo
Comment from Y. M. Roger
You know? At first I get the 'young eyes seeing more 'innocently', but as a teacher who is probably overly logical at times, ya know what I gleaned from the story? Here it is: the kids all got it because they are a generation being raised to speak in text language (short, symbolism rather than words) or twitter (say as much as possible through as little words as possible -- again symbolism) whereas older folks are still trying to adjust to that so we WAAAAY over-think things to try to compensate for our brains not being trained that way and, in the process, our personalities bleed into our analysis. But the last one, I'll just use a phrase I use when grading math papers some times and I simply cannot logic out where in the world the child's thinking is: I GOT NOTHIN'! ;) ;) Such a fun offering, Beautiful Friend -- thanx for the smile and for making me think (even though I'm sure that was not your intention - LOL!)! ;) :) Yvette
reply by the author on 07-Jul-2019
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You know? At first I get the 'young eyes seeing more 'innocently', but as a teacher who is probably overly logical at times, ya know what I gleaned from the story? Here it is: the kids all got it because they are a generation being raised to speak in text language (short, symbolism rather than words) or twitter (say as much as possible through as little words as possible -- again symbolism) whereas older folks are still trying to adjust to that so we WAAAAY over-think things to try to compensate for our brains not being trained that way and, in the process, our personalities bleed into our analysis. But the last one, I'll just use a phrase I use when grading math papers some times and I simply cannot logic out where in the world the child's thinking is: I GOT NOTHIN'! ;) ;) Such a fun offering, Beautiful Friend -- thanx for the smile and for making me think (even though I'm sure that was not your intention - LOL!)! ;) :) Yvette
Comment Written 07-Jul-2019
reply by the author on 07-Jul-2019
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I can definitely see your point. The fly, however, in this ointment is that this particular story is nearly twenty years old. So texting was really not the same commodity then that it is now. Do you write "I GOT NOTHIN'" on the illogical thinker's paper --or is it more like what you say aloud in a moment of complete frustration?
At any rate, thank you immensely for this superior review. I like that you're a thinker. (But I still know you would have guess "Noel" correctly.) xo
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Naaah...wouldn't do that to the poor snowflake souls...hehehe...I just put a big question mark and leave it at that! ;) ;) Take care! :)
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Yes, gawd forbid we crush anyone's delicate little psyches!! (I shutter to imagine what will happen to them when we, their caregivers, bite the dust!!!)
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Oh good grief! Pretend I spelled that correctly: shudder.
Comment from Robert Zimmerman
Hey Rachelle. The interesting thing I read in the story is the way different people see the same thing. Every one saw the same pin but each one had a different interpretation. That is a picture of life. Every one sees things generally how they want to. I laughed at the response of the Jewish lady at the end. Robert
reply by the author on 07-Jul-2019
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Hey Rachelle. The interesting thing I read in the story is the way different people see the same thing. Every one saw the same pin but each one had a different interpretation. That is a picture of life. Every one sees things generally how they want to. I laughed at the response of the Jewish lady at the end. Robert
Comment Written 07-Jul-2019
reply by the author on 07-Jul-2019
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No, no, she's Christian; I'm the Jew she oh-so considerately allowed into her house anyway. But seeing me wearing that pin, her conclusion was that it must symbolize "No Christmas" because that is what I represent to her. (And ps here's the worst part: she's my mother-in-law!! It's twenty years later, and she's still having the hardest time with it.) OY!
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I went back to read it again and I misread the last paragraph. I'm sorry. Now I get it. It's a very funny story.
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Thank you. xo
Comment from Rikki66
Sometimes the simplest things in life are the most difficult to see. Like the forest is unseen for all the trees. Darlin as always you set the tone.
Rikki:)xo
reply by the author on 07-Jul-2019
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Sometimes the simplest things in life are the most difficult to see. Like the forest is unseen for all the trees. Darlin as always you set the tone.
Rikki:)xo
Comment Written 07-Jul-2019
reply by the author on 07-Jul-2019
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I appreciate this, Rikki. Thank you! xo
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Most Welcome.
Rikki:)xo
Comment from Joanna S. Blue
I like how you introduced your chapter with the way you acquired the pin. I can see you at the Dollar Store (a haven for teachers) and it establishes a holiday spirit. I was amused by all the varied responses, especially by the harried mother with "no life." But your point is serious - how we develop prejudices as we age. And can't see things as what they are, and just enjoy it. And I hoped I would have responded "noel." Congratulations on winning Book of the Month!
reply by the author on 07-Jul-2019
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I like how you introduced your chapter with the way you acquired the pin. I can see you at the Dollar Store (a haven for teachers) and it establishes a holiday spirit. I was amused by all the varied responses, especially by the harried mother with "no life." But your point is serious - how we develop prejudices as we age. And can't see things as what they are, and just enjoy it. And I hoped I would have responded "noel." Congratulations on winning Book of the Month!
Comment Written 07-Jul-2019
reply by the author on 07-Jul-2019
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My favorite was "No Lesbians." Like, that's a holiday greeting you? I'd see your little cherub and wave and exclaim, "No Lesbians, Suzy!"? Like, HUH?!
Thank you for the seeing the underbelly of it, despite the humor. I really appreciate this review a lot, Joanna. You have the keen observant eye of a writer. No wonder you're so good at the craft.
Thanks for the BoM shout out! I appreciate it. xo