Comments on: Advent: Christmas Is Where the Heart Is

By: Mark B.

Mark B. — Thu, 16 Dec 2010 21:11:51 +0000

Not just punctuation, Ray. Good eyesight also makes a difference!

Remember back when we could see well enough to notice whether a not-quite-forty-year-old was “very gay and cute”?

By: Ray

Ray — Thu, 16 Dec 2010 19:29:49 +0000

It’s because she hadn’t spent the last fifteen or twenty years in breeding.

I read it initially as “in-breeding”. Punctuation really does make a difference sometimes.

By: Researcher

Researcher — Thu, 16 Dec 2010 19:08:25 +0000

Aunt Peg who is still cute at the superannuated age of forty

It’s because she hadn’t spent the last fifteen or twenty years in breeding. Either contempt or progeny, take your pick.

By: Carol

Carol — Thu, 16 Dec 2010 18:40:06 +0000

Mother couldn’t have a heart attack because something that serious wouldn’t allow Kit to go off and make a joyful Christmas in another way. It’s the only way the story works.

I think mother in the hospital with Christmas stress is a symbol. Without her as a best hostess in Orchardville, Christmas isn’t ruined. Christmas is more durable than that.

This is better than all the ” ______ that saved Christmas” stories that end up with the perfect traditional Christmas.

By: Coffinberry

Coffinberry — Thu, 16 Dec 2010 18:32:00 +0000

Something that struck me (probably because I’m in my mid-40s, and take care of myself as if I were invincible, which is to say, not really) was the notion that a mother in her forties could put herself in the hospital with overwork and worry over Christmas. There seems like a lot of unsaid story here.

By: ellen

ellen — Thu, 16 Dec 2010 17:41:29 +0000

Great comment, Mina. I like this story, too, for all the same reasons already mentioned. In addition, I remember perfect Christmases growing up at home and how they must change whether we like it or not. And when they do, we need to make Christmas into what we want it to be.

By: Carol

Carol — Thu, 16 Dec 2010 16:57:26 +0000

This one is my favorite too. It didn’t seem promising at first, but it worked out.

By: Mark B.

Mark B. — Thu, 16 Dec 2010 15:55:07 +0000

she was very gay and cute, even if she was nearly forty.

Couldn’t the editor have changed that “even if she was” to “despite her being”??

At least the author spelled “Kathryn” right!

By: Coffinberry

Coffinberry — Thu, 16 Dec 2010 15:16:57 +0000

there’s plenty of jello for all of us, with whipped cream

I’m sensing a theme here….

By: Mina

Mina — Thu, 16 Dec 2010 13:54:30 +0000

As much as I like sentimental tales about children and Christmas, this story is my favorite yet. So many hilarious yet charming details: Kitsy (that name!) and her soft leather flats, living on Poppy Street in Orchardville, Aunt Peg who is still cute at the superannuated age of forty, Turkey Newberg at the soigné Harvey’s Place, Howie’s shiny stubble-head, and the topper—the appearance of jello fixed properly with nary a mention of beets or pimento.

I can’t wait to refer to someone as “strictly commercial” in a world weary voice…