My Patty Playpals
From four years old to present day37 total reviews
Comment from Jacob1395
It sounds like a very special friendship that you have, Debi. I liked how you recounted how you wanted the toy for Christmas, I could feel the joy you must've felt when you did eventually get what you asked for. An excellent, well told piece. I enjoyed reading it.
reply by the author on 28-May-2024
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It sounds like a very special friendship that you have, Debi. I liked how you recounted how you wanted the toy for Christmas, I could feel the joy you must've felt when you did eventually get what you asked for. An excellent, well told piece. I enjoyed reading it.
Comment Written 28-May-2024
reply by the author on 28-May-2024
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Jacob, thank you for such a lovely review and comments. I appreciate all the kind words for my friend and my doll. I have been blessed with friends and with that being said, I feel blessed by yours too.
Thanks again, my very dear friend. Love, Debi
Comment from davisr (Rhonda)
You brought tears with this one, Debi. It started with the sacrificial gift of Patty Playpal, through the fire that took her away, and on with your special friend who has been such an integral part of your world. Thank you for sharing all of this with us. We love you and I know Patty must!!
Love you,
Rhonda
reply by the author on 27-May-2024
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You brought tears with this one, Debi. It started with the sacrificial gift of Patty Playpal, through the fire that took her away, and on with your special friend who has been such an integral part of your world. Thank you for sharing all of this with us. We love you and I know Patty must!!
Love you,
Rhonda
Comment Written 27-May-2024
reply by the author on 27-May-2024
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Thank you my dear friend for the awesome review for this one. You are so sweet and I appreciate your lovely review and your six stars. Thank you from the bottom of my heart, my beautiful friend. You are truly the best. Yes', you and your adorable Kylie too. Love you both, Debi
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Awww, hi Debi!! I hope all is well in your neck of the woods. We're dealing with serial nasty weather here is North Texas. Seriously, no Master Gardening for me this year.
Love you, lady,
Rhonda
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Yes, here too. Check your email later and I will send you a picture of yesterday.
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It's funny how that same system, had to have been, struck us both. Nasty weather, for sure. It seems to have finally eased up here. We had a brief rain this morning...hopefully that's it so we can finally plant what's been growing in the greenhouse.
Much love,
Rhonda
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They say here that today is the last nice day,, so get out there and enjoy it, because Summer is here. It has been so nice even having windows open with straight down rain. And boy, rain it has done. A lot almost every day for weeks. Downpours.
But at least no tornados here. Southern MN got hit bad but we are fine. Still thousands without electricity. But we have a generator, so that helps. Glad you and our little sweetie pie are fine. Love you too, and so thankful for wonderful and Godly friends such as you.
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Debi, you're so kind!! You're right about the end of the cooler weather. I was telling my sister yesterday that we will soon be back to the typical North Texas summer days of hot and dry, leaving behind the memory of all this rain.
I'm lucky to have you for a friend, you who always care for others above yourself!
Hugs,
Rhonda
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I truly feel the same about you, but you have no idea how much those words mean to me today. Thank you with all my heart.
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God Bless. I love you!
Comment from Father Flaps
That's a spectacular story, Debi! I thoroughly enjoyed it.
There were 4 of us kids when we were young, and I knew Christmas was hard for my parents. Perhaps I was more mature because I was the oldest. But I never looked to presents to make my Christmas. I replaced that part with other things. For example, I loved to hunt for the Christmas tree. That was one thing Dad didn't have to think about. And I was a perfectionist. I combed the woods behind our house for the very best fir tree.
I also enjoyed playing ball hockey on the road with my friends. I think I would have been a good hockey player with skates if we had a rink in those days.
And I enjoyed watching Christmas shows on TV... especially "A Charlie Brown Christmas" and "A Christmas Carol" (1951 version with Alastair Sim).
Of course, I always looked forward to the Christmas turkey supper! My mother was a great cook!
I was happy with any present. I never complained. Christmas has always been my favorite time of the year.
I really enjoyed the part of your story about Patty Playpal, and how your friend became the reincarnation of that special doll. Good of Glen to see it.
That must have been so terrible for you as a young girl, to come home and find your house burned down. Your early poetry gone, as well as your beloved doll. Very tough.
Thanks so much for sharing this, Deb. Nicely penned!
Hugs,
Kimbob
reply by the author on 27-May-2024
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That's a spectacular story, Debi! I thoroughly enjoyed it.
There were 4 of us kids when we were young, and I knew Christmas was hard for my parents. Perhaps I was more mature because I was the oldest. But I never looked to presents to make my Christmas. I replaced that part with other things. For example, I loved to hunt for the Christmas tree. That was one thing Dad didn't have to think about. And I was a perfectionist. I combed the woods behind our house for the very best fir tree.
I also enjoyed playing ball hockey on the road with my friends. I think I would have been a good hockey player with skates if we had a rink in those days.
And I enjoyed watching Christmas shows on TV... especially "A Charlie Brown Christmas" and "A Christmas Carol" (1951 version with Alastair Sim).
Of course, I always looked forward to the Christmas turkey supper! My mother was a great cook!
I was happy with any present. I never complained. Christmas has always been my favorite time of the year.
I really enjoyed the part of your story about Patty Playpal, and how your friend became the reincarnation of that special doll. Good of Glen to see it.
That must have been so terrible for you as a young girl, to come home and find your house burned down. Your early poetry gone, as well as your beloved doll. Very tough.
Thanks so much for sharing this, Deb. Nicely penned!
Hugs,
Kimbob
Comment Written 27-May-2024
reply by the author on 27-May-2024
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Oh Wow, Kimbob. I never expected this surprise this evening. You are so wonderful, my friend. I can't believe you did this for me. Reviewing would have been nice enough, but another six stars. I am sorry, but I am flabbergasted and amazed at your sweet generosity. Thank you with all my heart. You are truly the best!! Lotsa love, Debi
Comment from jmdg1954
I apologize for creating this so long after you posted it. I've been no working crazy hours and have been on FS infrequently. I have over 100 messages in my box. So I'm picking and choosing what I'm reading first. And guess who's at the top...
Your post about Patty Playpal (who I never heard of, yup that's right I didn't play with dolls) and of your lifelong friend, Patty was heartwarming. I could feel the love coming through your words in your entire story, even in how you got Patty Playpal.
This was joyful to read (except of your childhood home being burnt to the ground, that's something cannot fathom). Thank you for sharing a part from your life.
Be well sis!
John
reply by the author on 27-May-2024
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I apologize for creating this so long after you posted it. I've been no working crazy hours and have been on FS infrequently. I have over 100 messages in my box. So I'm picking and choosing what I'm reading first. And guess who's at the top...
Your post about Patty Playpal (who I never heard of, yup that's right I didn't play with dolls) and of your lifelong friend, Patty was heartwarming. I could feel the love coming through your words in your entire story, even in how you got Patty Playpal.
This was joyful to read (except of your childhood home being burnt to the ground, that's something cannot fathom). Thank you for sharing a part from your life.
Be well sis!
John
Comment Written 27-May-2024
reply by the author on 27-May-2024
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Thank you, John, my dear friend for the awesome review for my Patty Playpals. You are so sweet and I appreciate your lovely review and your six stars. Thank you from the bottom of my heart, my awesome friend.
You are the best, my dear slightly little brother. Love, Debi
Comment from joann r romei
I really enjoyed this, you were blessed to have a great friend, and how charming, your mom made the gifts by hand, and for 7 children, must have been a hectic household.
reply by the author on 28-May-2024
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I really enjoyed this, you were blessed to have a great friend, and how charming, your mom made the gifts by hand, and for 7 children, must have been a hectic household.
Comment Written 27-May-2024
reply by the author on 28-May-2024
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Hi Joann, no, believe it or not, we had our chores and life was pretty structured. My mom was a school teacher, but rarely got much sleep during the holidays, because she would do all her sewing, crafts and coloring bags late into the nights when we were all sleeping. She never let us know she was doing this. Her gifts were the heart of our Christmas' because they came with so much love. She was a remarkable lady. I wrote about her in a story last month, as she was the reason why Oprah named acts of kindness for teachers.
Thanks for this lovely review for my Patty Playpals. I appreciate all your kind words for it. Love, Debi
Comment from Mrs. KT
Hello, Debbie,
The sentiments in your narrative are heartfelt, and I can understand the connection you feel between the doll you cherished as a child and your dear friend.
Where your posting bogs down for me is the lack of details that could
enhance your presentation.
Now I realize that you have received numerous six-star reviews, and that I am more than likely offending you, but here it goes:
1. With seven children in your family, you relate to the reader that the Christmas you were seven years old, at a time when money was tight and most of gifts received were homemade, you alone received the longed-for and precious Patty Playpal. I would have shared with readers how your siblings felt about your receiving such a lovely non-homemade gift, or explain to readers that it was common for one child to receive a special gift while the others did not. My husband is the eldest of nine. Whenever a sister or brother celebrated a birthday, my mother-in-law always gave the other children boxes of Cracker Jacks so that they would not feel slighted.
2. Your mom taking the photo of your family with her to school was fortuitous because it wasn't burned in the fire. That needs to be explained to the reader. Otherwise, there is a disconnect in the flow of your narrative.
3. When you begin describing your friendship with your friend, Patty, to the reader, you share that the two of your worked together. And yet, when you became debilitated with the cyst on your spine, "Patty would come over every morning to help me out of bed and into the wheelchair. Then, she would get me dressed and do what she could to help me after she fed me breakfast. It had slowly gotten so bad that she stayed with me all day and every day." How could Patty do all of that if the two of you worked together? Did she quit her job? And how did your husband and family feel about this arrangement?
In that vein, I would share with the reader the following passage:
After I got married, I worked with a woman named Patty, and in a short time, we became great friends.
And then describe/connect for readers:
I remember when I was waiting on my second major spine surgery, I had a large cyst growing on my spine. I could not even get out of bed alone. Patty would come over every morning to help me out of bed and into the wheelchair. Then, she would get me dressed and do what she could to help me after she fed me breakfast. It had slowly gotten so bad that she stayed with me all day and every day. My spine surgeon tried to get an earlier date for my surgery, but there was a nurses strike going on at that time, which made it impossible.
4. Move the following to the second paragraph from the end:
We have now been best friends for over forty years. We enjoy our time together, especially all the hours of playing cards, along with our husbands. (In fact,) (we've)We've spent so much time together that our children are like siblings. Forty-plus years later, they still are, and we are still best friends.
Again, your narrative is heartwarming, but restructuring and adding more details will enhance your presentation.
Thank you for sharing,
diane
reply by the author on 27-May-2024
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Hello, Debbie,
The sentiments in your narrative are heartfelt, and I can understand the connection you feel between the doll you cherished as a child and your dear friend.
Where your posting bogs down for me is the lack of details that could
enhance your presentation.
Now I realize that you have received numerous six-star reviews, and that I am more than likely offending you, but here it goes:
1. With seven children in your family, you relate to the reader that the Christmas you were seven years old, at a time when money was tight and most of gifts received were homemade, you alone received the longed-for and precious Patty Playpal. I would have shared with readers how your siblings felt about your receiving such a lovely non-homemade gift, or explain to readers that it was common for one child to receive a special gift while the others did not. My husband is the eldest of nine. Whenever a sister or brother celebrated a birthday, my mother-in-law always gave the other children boxes of Cracker Jacks so that they would not feel slighted.
2. Your mom taking the photo of your family with her to school was fortuitous because it wasn't burned in the fire. That needs to be explained to the reader. Otherwise, there is a disconnect in the flow of your narrative.
3. When you begin describing your friendship with your friend, Patty, to the reader, you share that the two of your worked together. And yet, when you became debilitated with the cyst on your spine, "Patty would come over every morning to help me out of bed and into the wheelchair. Then, she would get me dressed and do what she could to help me after she fed me breakfast. It had slowly gotten so bad that she stayed with me all day and every day." How could Patty do all of that if the two of you worked together? Did she quit her job? And how did your husband and family feel about this arrangement?
In that vein, I would share with the reader the following passage:
After I got married, I worked with a woman named Patty, and in a short time, we became great friends.
And then describe/connect for readers:
I remember when I was waiting on my second major spine surgery, I had a large cyst growing on my spine. I could not even get out of bed alone. Patty would come over every morning to help me out of bed and into the wheelchair. Then, she would get me dressed and do what she could to help me after she fed me breakfast. It had slowly gotten so bad that she stayed with me all day and every day. My spine surgeon tried to get an earlier date for my surgery, but there was a nurses strike going on at that time, which made it impossible.
4. Move the following to the second paragraph from the end:
We have now been best friends for over forty years. We enjoy our time together, especially all the hours of playing cards, along with our husbands. (In fact,) (we've)We've spent so much time together that our children are like siblings. Forty-plus years later, they still are, and we are still best friends.
Again, your narrative is heartwarming, but restructuring and adding more details will enhance your presentation.
Thank you for sharing,
diane
Comment Written 27-May-2024
reply by the author on 27-May-2024
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Diane, you have not offended me at all. I couldn't agree more with you. This story was written to go into a contest, However I had not read the directions correctly and changed my mind at the last minute and released it outside of the contest. There was a word count for the contest so it was written with only 300 words at the time that I released it. I do normally have all the details in my stories but are alway much longer. So yes, I will probably go clear up some of it.
Also, I was also releasing the poem for another contest and got so busy I decided to keep it short. However, I thought about all those things and did a tug of war with myself about keeping it short or adding details. Now, I may go back and add the things that I know may clear up some questions. LOL, for instance, I should have known when I explained in one of my thank you's to someone how sometimes when we wanted something really bad, one of us would get a gift and another time someone else would. We all just understood that was the way it was.
However, some parts like my mom not bringing home the photo album should have been a given, but maybe not for everyone. I love a story when someone gives me enough credit to figure something out on my own.
Thank you so very much, Diane. I do appreciate you saying something. As nobody else did so it felt like they all understood. Yes, three hundred words don't adequately tell this kind of story. Thanks for the kind comments too. And also for taking the time for me. You are very kind. Getting good feedback always means a lot to me. Especially when it is done so respectfully.
Love, Debi
Comment from Dr. Nad
Wow Debi, that was such a moving story that encapsulates many aspects of life's complexities. Job said "The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away blessed be the name of the Lord." What a blessed "God story" to communicate Gods compassionate provision to all of your many family members on FanStory. This was so well written. Thanks for sharing with all of us!
reply by the author on 27-May-2024
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Wow Debi, that was such a moving story that encapsulates many aspects of life's complexities. Job said "The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away blessed be the name of the Lord." What a blessed "God story" to communicate Gods compassionate provision to all of your many family members on FanStory. This was so well written. Thanks for sharing with all of us!
Comment Written 27-May-2024
reply by the author on 27-May-2024
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Thank you my dear (slightly) younger brother, for the awesome review for this one. You are so sweet and I appreciate your amazing review and your six stars. Thank you from the bottom of my heart, Dan. Love, Debi
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You are most welcome, my favorite big sister. I really believe with all my heart that when Satan brings pain into our life, God will bring healing through hidden blessings that are sometimes overlooked. I?m glad you didn?t overlook Patty. (The Real One)
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Thanks Dan. You are so sweet. But you knew that. LOL.
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Thanks so much for being such a sweet brother too!
Comment from karenina
What a joyful, sad, emotional, heart-wrenching yet satisfying true account of your Patty Playpal and the signs of things to come! God always provides, doesn't he?
Maybe we don't' understand in the moment, but as life sifts by like that sand in the hourglass, we begin to see the millions of little miracles that have brought us through the toughest of times.
I had a Patty Playpal too! (My "real" truest friend was named Karla, and she died too young of ovarian cancer) --
Your mom taught you early never to give up hope and always to be strong. You've proven that a hundred times over!
Karenina
reply by the author on 27-May-2024
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What a joyful, sad, emotional, heart-wrenching yet satisfying true account of your Patty Playpal and the signs of things to come! God always provides, doesn't he?
Maybe we don't' understand in the moment, but as life sifts by like that sand in the hourglass, we begin to see the millions of little miracles that have brought us through the toughest of times.
I had a Patty Playpal too! (My "real" truest friend was named Karla, and she died too young of ovarian cancer) --
Your mom taught you early never to give up hope and always to be strong. You've proven that a hundred times over!
Karenina
Comment Written 27-May-2024
reply by the author on 27-May-2024
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OMGosh,, I just got here and I cannot believe what you have done. Thank you so much for the wonderful review for this. And also for the six stars as I was hoping this would do well. I appreciate so much the wonderful comments and love the fact that you also had a Patty Playpal.
She became my best friend even more after the deal with my uncle, so yes, having a Patty in my life is special. She is one I can relate to and hug here.
But having a Karen in my life is just as special to me in just a couple years time. Thank you for that. In fact I am in touch with my friends more here than the ones here. Yet you still love them all the same. Thank you again, my other bestie!! Love, Debi
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Big smiles...
I love that you have a "real" Patty still in your life.
Somehow that seems to be such a blessing!
(And you absolutely deserved a "six" for this!)
Comment from LateBloomer
Hi Debi, this story is so sweet and endearing. I'm sorry that you lost your Patty Playpal when your family's home burned down, but then God sent you a real live replacement to be at your side throughout the days of your life. Of special note:
my husband will remind me how God replaced my doll with a real live Patty Playpal, but this one came with wings.
(Is this Patty still alive, or is she your friend who has passed away?)
Great photos. I have no memory of a Patty Playpal. I sure wish I did.
Well done. Xo. M
reply by the author on 27-May-2024
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Hi Debi, this story is so sweet and endearing. I'm sorry that you lost your Patty Playpal when your family's home burned down, but then God sent you a real live replacement to be at your side throughout the days of your life. Of special note:
my husband will remind me how God replaced my doll with a real live Patty Playpal, but this one came with wings.
(Is this Patty still alive, or is she your friend who has passed away?)
Great photos. I have no memory of a Patty Playpal. I sure wish I did.
Well done. Xo. M
Comment Written 27-May-2024
reply by the author on 27-May-2024
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Hey Sweetie, thank you for the kind comments for this one. No, the friend who died was my friend from high school. She was Paula, but this is Patty who has been with me since the kids were real little. She has two girls and I had two girls and a boy. So poor Jason was always getting picked on. Jason was taught respect for girls right from the start so he would put up with it a lot. Well one day, Stacy was pretend beating him up and picking on him, like a surrogate sister would do, and I couldn't take it any longer and I said, Jason, go for it. And he knew just what I meant. I thought Patty and Dale would get upset and leave, instead they looked at Jason and said, it's about time you stood up to her and quit taking her bs.
Her and I have always been good with anything the other one says about our kids. So, we never even argued about anything. Not once.
However, I don't see her nearly as often since covid. But we talk a lot.
Speaking of, it is time for us one of these days. Don't you think?
Thanks again, dear sista. Love ya! Debi
Comment from Monica Chaddick
This was a beautiful story. What a wonderful friend, and a wonderful tribute to your friend. I think we all have cherished childhood items that we remember fondly. I lost some of my writing when my high school burned, as my English teacher had it in her desk.
reply by the author on 28-May-2024
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This was a beautiful story. What a wonderful friend, and a wonderful tribute to your friend. I think we all have cherished childhood items that we remember fondly. I lost some of my writing when my high school burned, as my English teacher had it in her desk.
Comment Written 27-May-2024
reply by the author on 28-May-2024
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Monica, so you know how I felt by losing my writing?
I thank you for such a lovely review and comments. I appreciate all the kind words for my friend and my doll. You are right, I have been blessed with friends and with that being said, I feel blessed by yours too.
Thanks again, my very dear friend. Love, Debi