Comments on: A Child’s Christmas in Devon

By: Ladkyis

Ladkyis — Sat, 27 Dec 2014 08:31:16 +0000

I bet you’d find some cousins if you started to climb that family tree, and probably discover that Grandmother’s roots were not quite as aristocratic as she would have you believe.
I love your writing. Thank you

By: Katya

Katya — Wed, 25 Dec 2013 15:14:49 +0000

Dear Gentle Author, guided by the wit and elegance of later years, your pen captures beautifully the ability of children to observe life as it is: unclouded as yet by experience, but with keen eyes that understand well the joy of small comforts and the disappointment of deprivation. Thank you from one of your many friends.

By: Sally Baldwin

Sally Baldwin — Sun, 02 Sep 2012 13:53:34 +0000

Exquisite post, from last Christmas. Thank you, Gentle Author. I’m so glad of you.

By: Libby Hall

Libby Hall — Thu, 02 Aug 2012 09:20:05 +0000

Christmas: emotionally so extraordinarily complicated.

These so beautifully described memories will now stay with me as long as my old mind keeps functioning – incorporated into all….all….. the memories of Christmases past.

By: Robin

Robin — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 11:05:17 +0000

Thank you G.A. for this post.I too spend Christmas with ghosts of happier days.My mom passed in early december of ’97 and my dad the day after my birthday in Jan.’2000.We were a close family and my mom lived for Christmas.My dad lived for my mom…need I go into detail of the joy Iwas lucky enough to have had.Sadly,Christmas season has not been the same.
Your trip to your grandmother’s was similar to our pilgimage to my Pop-pop’s .There we would find a small tree with an ancient manger on display under an equally ancient painting of the Virgin.Part of this memory was the drive home; cold snowy winter’s night with old fashioned strings of lights criss crossing the streets,blowing in the gusts.Weary colours of reds,ambers,greens,and blues..tired looking,forelorn.Yet when those memories come back,it’s always with warmth and love…and meloncholy for those days long gone.

By: Anne Forster

Anne Forster — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 22:07:21 +0000

Read and understood GA, just returned from being away with what is left of my family, but unable to be with my daughter.

You may be alone now but you’re certainly not lonely with all your avid followers eager and waiting for what you have written that day.

More power to your pen.

Much love

Anne

By: Jared

Jared — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 20:59:02 +0000

Thanks for all the stories GA. I began reading your work last Christmas with the Sidney Street stuff. Fantastic.

By: MARIA

MARIA — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 14:38:23 +0000

i still laugh every time i read this story – it must be the tenth time already
gentle author, you have inspired me to write about my own dysfunctional members of the family
http://www.organicallycooked.com/2011/12/bludger.html
they were never part of greek aristocracy, but they liked to create it for themselves
they do not differ much from the rest of greek society; again, greeks are in league of their own here

By: belle

belle — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 16:27:33 +0000

I wish you lots of new adventures for 2012 and thank you for sharing them with us and especially your touching and truthful Christmas day post.

By: Denise Hoffman

Denise Hoffman — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 15:03:26 +0000

Another great piece of writing, GA! I love to read your daily journal, and after grabbing my first coffee of the day, quickly go to read it. This recollection of your early family life during Christmastime was a wonderful piece to read! It is amazing what “secrets” our loved ones take with them when they pass away, and then sometimes we, the loved ones left behind, happen upon some of those secrets. Most times, the discovery of such, makes us realise why so and so behaved in such and such a way. People are so very interesting…. Thank you so very much, for sharing this very personal account. I think most people can relate to at least one member of their family as a kindred spirit to your uncle, or your grandmother. These people are everywhere, and they are sad, sad people. But, we need people like them in our lives to fully appreciate and not take for granted, those other people that truly matter. The journey of life is a funny one though. I suppose, at the end of our journey, we can measure our life’s worth, by looking at the many people we have met, the friends we have made and grown to love, and the hearts we have touched. GA, be assured, that you are a wonderfully rich and worthy person, who by such beautiful daily writings, has made many many friends around the globe. Thank you so very much for all you do, and for being so giving of your time. I love being one of your gentle readers. Happy New Year!