Comments on: The Gentle Author’s Childhood Christmas

By: Jill

Jill — Fri, 26 Feb 2016 10:45:43 +0000

A treasure as usual. I can so relate to many strands woven here, Victorian values are the only way I can put it into any perspective. Feelings were not allowed or encouraged to be revealed. More a seen and not heard sense of approval, more likely if one kept quiet! Reveal your true self only to be ridiculed. Sad but true and true love is forever searched for…

By: rosemry

rosemry — Wed, 06 Jan 2016 20:03:59 +0000

One of your best posts GA….and that is saying something. You are a great storyteller and your genuineness rings through.

Too many people put a gloss on Xmas that may or may not be true – I think it’s time to tell it like it really is and connect in a new way on the 25th.

Your reader from Downunder.

By: Sally Hirst

Sally Hirst — Wed, 30 Dec 2015 19:28:37 +0000

This account resonated, not in the specifics of the experience but in the detail of emotions. I am an only child. Christmases were not perfect, jolly family affairs, yet they are my memories and, like you, I cherish them fondly.
Thank you for another year of varied and interesting posts. We can rely on you and that’s rare. No pressure though – we will forgive failure!

By: Joanne

Joanne — Mon, 28 Dec 2015 09:41:03 +0000

Thank goodness Mr Pussy can be relied upon.

By: Dianne

Dianne — Mon, 28 Dec 2015 04:14:09 +0000

Dear Gentle Author, I hope you are able now to realise that you are no longer alone as I’m sure ALL of the many subscribers to your blog have you in their hearts. Just as your personal writings fill us with warmth then we send that feeling in return to you. An only child like you, I had a rocky relationship with my mother and no knowledge of one lot of grandparents and only a distant grandmother on the other side and I too am the last of my family. We can’t change what has been, we can wish they had been different and only come to terms and peace with the fact that they are as they were. As part of your subscriber family I am grateful to you for letting us into your life, for showing us so much of your London and for introducing us to characters we would otherwise never meet. I look forward to your daily musings for many years to come and wish you a peaceful and happy 2016.

By: Sheree

Sheree — Sun, 27 Dec 2015 23:37:09 +0000

Oh,how poignant and touching and so vividly told. I can visualise the faded images of these stories as you tell them so beautifully. They should be made into a call the midwife type of series. I hope you shared this Christmas with friends. Thank you.

By: Constance Marie Pierce

Constance Marie Pierce — Sun, 27 Dec 2015 21:50:33 +0000

I feel such sadness at the story of so many unhappy Christmases suppressed by another’s cruel ways, yet, a poignant joy in the one Christmas your family was confined at home through illness and thus discovered the kindness of a true Christmas afternoon together. So very sorry for the sadder parts of your childhood.

As was written above, you are not without family. We are all your family now ~ people from all over the world, beguiled by the depth of the gifts you share with us daily. I am sending good thoughts and kind love to you at Christmas time. ~ Wishing you a Happy Christmas this year, Gentle Author ~

By: jeannette

jeannette — Sun, 27 Dec 2015 17:20:04 +0000

for those of us who spend christmas alone as a matter of choice over spending it with our families, thank you. free at last. except perhaps of goose leftovers, much like dorothy parker’s ham. of which, it was the definition of eternity, two people and one ham.
paradise.

By: Nina Archer

Nina Archer — Sun, 27 Dec 2015 13:54:28 +0000

…… so interesting and sad and I especially love the phrase ‘ … playing alone in the dusty chill …’ – may all your Christmases be warm happy ones now Gentle Author, thank you for all your lovely daily writings – so much appreciated by all who read them ….

By: Ian Harris

Ian Harris — Sun, 27 Dec 2015 11:22:51 +0000

I have not commented on here for a few years but have been an avid daily reader since you started your wonderful blog. This story is a masterpiece and touched me deeply.
I wish you only good things for 2016.