Where Have All the Carolers Gone
Dragging Christmases Past to Christmases Present43 total reviews
Comment from Realist101
I love the passion conveyed in this Jay. I can't sing. Not a note, and have never heard caroling except on the boob tube. I think it's society degrading into a Godless wanderland. But your post reads beautifully and I hope you won this contest! Suse
reply by the author on 07-Jan-2022
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I love the passion conveyed in this Jay. I can't sing. Not a note, and have never heard caroling except on the boob tube. I think it's society degrading into a Godless wanderland. But your post reads beautifully and I hope you won this contest! Suse
Comment Written 07-Jan-2022
reply by the author on 07-Jan-2022
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Thank you, Suse, for your encouragment, but it didn't take home the honors. I tied for 3rd, but I'm cool with that. Thank you for tuning in and hope to see you again.
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I really enjoyed this post... and appreciate your encouraging reviews too. I'm trying to keep going but my health is keeping me slowed down. Best wishes in all things for you Jay!
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I'm so sorry to hear about your poor health. I have been fighting against the rude encroachment of age, and in that respect I understand the frustration that ill-health brings. All we can do is what we can to stay above the malady. Not to sink into it. At least the age thing.
Comment from Frank Malley
Mr. Squire's fine Christmas story, "Where Have All the Carolers Gone," takes delight in traditional Christmases and mourns the loss of tradition in American Christmases. Alas, we don't sing, and when we do, too often it is in cautious, self-conscious little tones that we release what should roll out as strong joy from our hearts. Even when we celebrate and drink, Americans, including myself, are embarrassed by strong emotion.
There is a Christmas we share with the world, and a Christmas we share with out families. I don't know how young people are experiencing Christmas, but I do hope that it is a holy day that can stimulate joy and the release of song from all of us.
reply by the author on 06-Jan-2022
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Mr. Squire's fine Christmas story, "Where Have All the Carolers Gone," takes delight in traditional Christmases and mourns the loss of tradition in American Christmases. Alas, we don't sing, and when we do, too often it is in cautious, self-conscious little tones that we release what should roll out as strong joy from our hearts. Even when we celebrate and drink, Americans, including myself, are embarrassed by strong emotion.
There is a Christmas we share with the world, and a Christmas we share with out families. I don't know how young people are experiencing Christmas, but I do hope that it is a holy day that can stimulate joy and the release of song from all of us.
Comment Written 06-Jan-2022
reply by the author on 06-Jan-2022
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Such lovely thoughts, Frank. Your singing voice may not please you, but your thinking, feeling, creating voice certainly should. It pleases me. I must follow you. you have a lot to say. Thank you for your kindness and your lovely 6th star!
Comment from lancellot
Very nice look back into the past. One of the benefits of living a long and full life is that you have so much to share, and many holidays too.
I thought you did a great job in speaking in a conversational tone. I felt like being in the room and getting the story by word of mouth.
reply by the author on 25-Dec-2021
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Very nice look back into the past. One of the benefits of living a long and full life is that you have so much to share, and many holidays too.
I thought you did a great job in speaking in a conversational tone. I felt like being in the room and getting the story by word of mouth.
Comment Written 25-Dec-2021
reply by the author on 25-Dec-2021
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Your thoughts mean a lot to me, Lance. Thank you so very much.
Jay
Comment from nomi338
At the risk of sounding like a bargain basement Bob Hope: Thanks for the memories. I do remember caroling, but I did not enjoy it for very long as I moved away from the neighborhood where it was common practice after just two years, to relocate to the West Coast where nothing is customary it seems. I have an even better memory, one where a group of friends, myself included, found a family recently relocated to the city with nothing but a sad looking little tree. We brought them enough food for a week, toys for their two kids, and a few personal things for the husband and wife. The memory of the looks of gratitude on their faces has been enough to warm my heart for decades now.
reply by the author on 24-Dec-2021
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At the risk of sounding like a bargain basement Bob Hope: Thanks for the memories. I do remember caroling, but I did not enjoy it for very long as I moved away from the neighborhood where it was common practice after just two years, to relocate to the West Coast where nothing is customary it seems. I have an even better memory, one where a group of friends, myself included, found a family recently relocated to the city with nothing but a sad looking little tree. We brought them enough food for a week, toys for their two kids, and a few personal things for the husband and wife. The memory of the looks of gratitude on their faces has been enough to warm my heart for decades now.
Comment Written 24-Dec-2021
reply by the author on 24-Dec-2021
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Nolan, you were the spirit of Christmas and are deserving of those memories. Thank the Lord for people like you and your friends. Thank you for rewarding my post with the coveted six stars. I am so grateful.
Comment from RShipp
I am here in the states... and I have not see nor heard a Christmas caroler in years. Way before the COVID things took life.
It is a great question... where are they?
Best of luck with the Christmas Story contest.
reply by the author on 24-Dec-2021
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I am here in the states... and I have not see nor heard a Christmas caroler in years. Way before the COVID things took life.
It is a great question... where are they?
Best of luck with the Christmas Story contest.
Comment Written 24-Dec-2021
reply by the author on 24-Dec-2021
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Thank you, RShipp for the validation of my experiences. I'm glad this piece had some meaning to you this Christmas season. Merry Christmas.
Comment from Spitfire
What a wonderful essay to give to us on Christmas. You should have sent this to the editor of your local newspaper. Maybe a pastor would have seen it and taken the hint with his choir.
I love reading your prose, Jay. A brilliant combination of dialogue an narration. So many good phrases here such as
flowing like honey." I wish I had the tool bar that allowed me to cut and paste! My favorite line is about the comparison to muscle memory .
Have a wonderful day tomorrow.
reply by the author on 24-Dec-2021
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What a wonderful essay to give to us on Christmas. You should have sent this to the editor of your local newspaper. Maybe a pastor would have seen it and taken the hint with his choir.
I love reading your prose, Jay. A brilliant combination of dialogue an narration. So many good phrases here such as
flowing like honey." I wish I had the tool bar that allowed me to cut and paste! My favorite line is about the comparison to muscle memory .
Have a wonderful day tomorrow.
Comment Written 24-Dec-2021
reply by the author on 24-Dec-2021
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Our newspaer has gone the route of most ... online. But geez, Shari, you really know how to swell a fella's head. Thank you for your always kind words and the 6 lovely stars. Truly, I hope you have friends and family around you this Christmas day. You will hold a part of my thoughts.
Jay
Comment from oliver818
Oh yes it would be lovely to have this still, although to be honest I have never heard or received Carolers. But I love Christmas carols and I hope your wish comes true one day.
reply by the author on 24-Dec-2021
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Oh yes it would be lovely to have this still, although to be honest I have never heard or received Carolers. But I love Christmas carols and I hope your wish comes true one day.
Comment Written 24-Dec-2021
reply by the author on 24-Dec-2021
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OH, I hope my wish comes true for you as well, Oliver. Everyone should enjoy wallow in that elation at least once in their lives. Have a Merry Christmas, friend.
Comment from Katherine M. (k-11)
This is a detailed story, presumably true, of the narrator's childhood Christmases. The picture is extremely well-painted. The image leaps off the page. I particularly liked the description of everything to do with the cup of drinking chocolate - most realistic.
reply by the author on 24-Dec-2021
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This is a detailed story, presumably true, of the narrator's childhood Christmases. The picture is extremely well-painted. The image leaps off the page. I particularly liked the description of everything to do with the cup of drinking chocolate - most realistic.
Comment Written 24-Dec-2021
reply by the author on 24-Dec-2021
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Thank you so much, Katherine. The story is as true as my memory will allow it to be. At the time I'm sure I didn't feel the emotion as keenly as I do now. Yes, most people enjoyed the cocoa scene.
Comment from D Kiffiak
Well written Jay! Where indeed are the Carolers? Shrouded in masks and ordered to stay home. Well you have posed the question and hopefully there are those who will take up you call, take off their masks and sing joyfully and loudly. Maybe you might call out, "Join Me - Let Us Go Caroling!" Why not you become the Jay Piper with the clarion call to community?
Thanks - very much enjoyed this writing. Have a Special Christmas beyond remembering....
reply by the author on 24-Dec-2021
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Well written Jay! Where indeed are the Carolers? Shrouded in masks and ordered to stay home. Well you have posed the question and hopefully there are those who will take up you call, take off their masks and sing joyfully and loudly. Maybe you might call out, "Join Me - Let Us Go Caroling!" Why not you become the Jay Piper with the clarion call to community?
Thanks - very much enjoyed this writing. Have a Special Christmas beyond remembering....
Comment Written 24-Dec-2021
reply by the author on 24-Dec-2021
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Oh, I 'm so happy this Christmas Eve that my story touched you. Thank you so much for rewarding me the coveted 6 stars. That means a lot! Have the Merriest of Christmases, my dear friend.
Comment from Melodie Michelle
Exceptional story my friend and perfect for the Christmas Story contest entry and best wishes in the contest;-)
The storyline was very captivating and held my attention throughout the piece. I absolutely loved the narrative want you wrote the story;-) This work was well thought out and well written!
Thank you so much for sharing and may God bless you and your family this Christmas;-)
reply by the author on 23-Dec-2021
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Exceptional story my friend and perfect for the Christmas Story contest entry and best wishes in the contest;-)
The storyline was very captivating and held my attention throughout the piece. I absolutely loved the narrative want you wrote the story;-) This work was well thought out and well written!
Thank you so much for sharing and may God bless you and your family this Christmas;-)
Comment Written 23-Dec-2021
reply by the author on 23-Dec-2021
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Melodie, I appreciate your kind words and the always appreciated 6 stars. I'm thrilled my story resonated with you. God bless you and yours this Christmas season as well.
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;-)