Comment from JT traveller

Average

Americans say lucked out just like us, as Australians, say lucked in. I find that funny.My husband and I chose not to have children, hence, I cannot relate to your writing. If this is what brings you joy then carry on. Live a blessed, joyous life. Happy New Year.

 Comment Written 31-Dec-2022

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reply by the author on 31-Dec-2022

Hello Jacqueline,
How interesting. Every culture has adopted a unique dialogue. Jan and I wanted children, but we hadn't planned on having as many as we did. Now I can't imagine anything other than a big family.
Have a blessed New Year.
Tom

Comment from Elizabeth Emerald

Excellent

Charming reminiscences vividly rendered. As is so often the case, hilarious for all at the time, save for the butt of the joke. I can see why this escapade became ensconced in family lore. Happy 2023. Cheers. LIZ

 Comment Written 31-Dec-2022

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reply by the author on 31-Dec-2022

Hello Liz,
So nice to hear from you gal. The kids all have a pretty good sense of humor. They can dish it out as well as take it. As you can imagine, there was no shortage of scenarios that took place in our household. It made life interesting, if not maddening at the time. Have a blessed New Year.
Tom

Comment from Jannypan (Jan)

Excellent

Hahaha, Tom, you painted a perfect picture of that
incident. I could see it even now years later. I imagined
it was funny then and even funnier now. What did you
and your wife think about it? Your words flowed smoothly
and created great imagery. As they say, boys will be boys,
right?
Thanks for the laugh, Jan

 Comment Written 31-Dec-2022

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reply by the author on 31-Dec-2022

Hello Jan,
thanks so much for the great review and comments. We didn't know about it until the next day. Brian looked ridiculous with his bald white head and all these little nicks all over his head. Years earlier Ben had decided he wanted to cut his hair. He looked stupid too, but we made him go to school like that. It sounds harsh, but we wanted him to know that there are consequences for your actions. Lord knows, in Hoonah he might have set a new trend at the time. Whenever we all get together the stories flow like good wine and we laugh till we hurt. Have a blessed New Year gal.
Tom

Comment from Ginda Simpson

Excellent

I can totally relate to this story as I am one of twelve children, most of us now in our seventies, and when we get together the stories of our adventures still surface, perhaps with a little embellishment. Yes, hard work for the parents, but large families do have fun. Thanks for sharing this story with us.

 Comment Written 31-Dec-2022

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reply by the author on 31-Dec-2022

Hello Ginda,
Large families seem to be a thing of the past. I hadn't planned on having so many kids, but life happens. I have never regretted having them all. We might have ended up with more, but when the boys were born, Ben was born natural and Brian was C-section due to complications. While the doctor was inside anyway, the decision was made to cut, tie and burn Jan's tubes. I'll tell the story of their birth some time down the pike. Wow, twelve kids. I can only imagine the great stories. Thanks so much for the great review and comments. Have a blessed New Year.
Tom

Comment from jessizero

Excellent

This was quite a story! My niece once cut her own hair because her "scissors were hungry." She didn't shave her head, though. I can't imagine having a child shave his brother's head with dull razors. It's painful to imagine, but funny. Your story about how you ended up with so many children was amusing, too. Thanks for sharing this funny memory, and best wishes to you.

 Comment Written 31-Dec-2022

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reply by the author on 31-Dec-2022

Hello Jessi,
The other brother cut his hair once when he was in grade school. Kids are attracted to things like matches and scissors and other things they can get into trouble with. Thanks so much for the great review and comments gal. Have a blessed New Year.
Tom

Comment from Tpa

Good

An excellent story and a memory to treasure. I enjoyed your style of writing that in some parts gave me smiles, especially when people wondered how you got so many children. GOOD WRITING.

 Comment Written 31-Dec-2022

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reply by the author on 31-Dec-2022

Hello Tpa,
thanks so much for the fine review and comments. We've got a lot of memories from when the kids were growing up. Some are good and some not so much so. We never knew what to expect when we came home at night. Have a blessed day.
Tom

Comment from LJbutterfly

Excellent

This is a delightful story about triumph over challenges. Nine people in one bedroom is unimaginable. But all sorts of funny things can happen with seven children. I enjoyed reading this humorous story, and I'm sure you have plenty more. Thanks for sharing.

Happy New Year.

 Comment Written 31-Dec-2022

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reply by the author on 31-Dec-2022

Hello LJ,
We certainly had the challenges to deal with. Just having seven kids was enough of a challenge. There was only ten years difference between them all, so that added to the fun. It all worked out though. I can't imagine having a smaller family. Thanks so much for the great review and comments. Have a blessed day.
Tom

Comment from Sarah Robin

Excellent

Thanks for sharing this post. I got the giggles. My two sons decided to be blondes. Their peroxide dye jobs weren't the best, but the hair eventually grew out. You are right. With kids, there is never a dull moment. Well done! Sarah

 Comment Written 31-Dec-2022

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reply by the author on 31-Dec-2022

Hello Sarah,
Thanks for the fine review and comments. We never dealt with the blonde issue, although there was a time when a lot of the kids were doing it at the school. Of course Brian didn't have any hair to turn blonde after the incident. We had plenty of other things we dealt with over the years though. Have a blessed day.
Tom

Comment from Helena Cheu

Average

I like the casual tone. It reads a bit in Grandpa Simpson's voice, with a bit more sense within the nonsense. I like the humorous beginning about how it happens that one has seven kids, but the story gets kind of weak when you bring in Autumn. The ramble-ness of the narrator disappears. I think there's an opportunity there to characterize the kids a little bit. I also think the last line is a bit unnecessary. Reversing that statement into the positive, such as a twist on the cliche "the more the merrier" or something to that effect, will keep the piece welcoming to those who do have smaller families.

This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.

 Comment Written 31-Dec-2022

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reply by the author on 31-Dec-2022

Hello Helen,
I appreciate your frank and honest review. Because this was a non-fiction piece I felt I needed to stick to the story as it occurred. I do appreciate your input though. Have a blessed day.
Tom

Comment from Sandra Stoner-Mitchell

Excellent

Memories that are good enough to keep coming back really are funny. I loved this one, it just sounds like my brothers. Boys are far worse than girls when it comes to things like that. I bet you'll now come back and tell a fabulously funny thing that one or all of your daughters did. I really enjoyed reading this one. Well done. :)) Sandra xx

 Comment Written 31-Dec-2022

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reply by the author on 31-Dec-2022

Hello Sandra,
thanks so much for the great review and thoughtful comments. You're right about the boys. I suppose the girls got into things that they weren't supposed to, but the boys were less sneaky about it. I don't know if the girls were just smarter or if I didn't have my guard up around them so much. I'll have to search my memory and listen to the girls when they get together to see if I can find something to write. I'm sure that something will surface. Have a blessed day.
Tom

reply by Sandra Stoner-Mitchell on 31-Dec-2022

I didn't have any daughters, but I was one, and if my mum was still alive, I'm sure she could give you a list of the things I got up too! 😂xx