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GamgeeFest's Keepsakes  by GamgeeFest 9 Review(s)
AltheaReviewed Chapter: 36 on 8/12/2009
This is darling. Sam is such a wonderful father and his family is a joy.

Author Reply: Thank you, Althea! The Gamgee children are lucky to have such a wonderful pair of parents, and Sam treasure every one of his children.

PeriantariReviewed Chapter: 36 on 8/12/2009
THat is one of the most original and fun stories i've read from you! I liked your explanation of why Tolkien had Lily Gamgee in earlier drafts and that is so cute that Ruby wrote it in and then felt really guilty in doing so. I like your last paragraph too-- it tied everything up really nicely.
Well done, GF! =)

Author Reply: Thank you, Peri! It occured to me one day that maybe the professor stumbled upon this incorrect tree and didn't realize it was an error until later, hence the confusion over Lily. :) Ruby was the perfect canditate. Being the youngest girl, she would want a little sister to play with. I'm glad you enjoyed this!

AntaneReviewed Chapter: 36 on 8/12/2009
I love that Ruby acknowledges her miscarried? stillbirth? sibling who is just as real as any of them. I am actually the oldest of four, even though only three of us survived to birth and I have a niece/nephew who was miscarried also very early on. So wonderful to have this life acknowledged by Ruby and also love Sam's loving gift to his youngest daughters, both of them.

Namarie, God bless, Antane :)

Author Reply: It never occured to me that Lily could have been a miscarried child, but that is always a possibility. I too have an older half-sister who died very young, SIDS I think, way before I was ever thought of. My mother has three or so miscarried siblings, or siblings that died within the first years of life.

Ruby's Lily is purely imagined. Tom was the last of the Gamgee brood, leaving Ruby without a little sister to dote upon and two little brothers to annoy her senseless. :P It's no wonder she made up a little sister to play with and share her gripes about rude little Robin and Tom! ;)

Thank you for reading!

AndreaReviewed Chapter: 36 on 8/12/2009
Awww... What a sweet little story!

“But has she ever brought you milk and biscuits in the middle of the night? Or sat up with you when you were feeling scared or sick? When was the last time Lily braiding your hair or helped you with your sums or taught you how to fish?”

Of course, Hamfast refers only to things older siblings do, but I liked his answer very much. The Gamgee children always stick together!

And I loved Sam's reaction to Ruby's addition in the Red Book and the parting gift he gave her.

Happy belated birthday to you :-)

Author Reply: Thank you dear! Hamfast, having the advantage of being one of the middle children, knows well the benefits of having and importance of being older siblings. Ruby might be annoyed with her siblings at times, but she will come around to seeing his point.

Sam is a wonderful father to his children. They're lucky to have him. She will treasure that gift for the rest of her years. :)

cookiefleckReviewed Chapter: 36 on 8/11/2009
God, you killed me with that last line!

They all came alive on the page. Wonderfully written and I loved Sam-dad's understanding and patience.

Author Reply: That last line sort of came out of nowhere. I considered cutting it, but then couldn't bare to do so.

The Gamgee clan is always fun to write. The children are so sweet, and Sam is ever the wise and gentle father. :)

Thanks for reading!

LarnerReviewed Chapter: 36 on 8/11/2009
Dear Ruby and her imaginary little sister! How wonderful! And love Sam's reaction to it all! Yes, that's our loving Sam! And a joyful birthday to you!

Author Reply: Ruby and Lily are quite the pair, I'm sure. :) Lily does sound like the ideal little sister! Sam knows when to be gentle with his children, and when to be firm, bless him. Thank you for reading! *hugs*

lbiloverReviewed Chapter: 36 on 8/11/2009
Oh, I really loved this, Gamgeefest. The family dynamics are beautifully done, and Sam is so dear. And the ending really choked me up- what a lovely parting gift he gave Ruby. Thank you so much.

Author Reply: Thank you for reading, LB! I'm so glad you enjoyed it! The Gamgee clan are such fun to write, and Sam is the best dad anyone could ask for. That ending wasn't intentional. It rather wrote itself and then I couldn't bare to cut it.

DreamflowerReviewed Chapter: 36 on 8/11/2009
Aww...this was sweet.

I love the idea that Ruby made up a new sister-- I suppose she felt a mite deprived, being the only one of the lasses NOT to have her own little sister to play with. It makes perfect sense to me.

I was tickled at Sam calling his sons the wrong names. My mom had only three of us, and she would do the same thing! What complicated it more was all of our names started with a "B", and she would tangle the names up. I can't count the number of times I got called "Belarbra" or "Barlinda", LOL! It must have been even harder for Sam and Rose with that passle of kids!

I also loved the wise and gentle way Sam dealt with the problem, and how he sentimentally kept the page with the extra name on it!

What a fun story! I love your little Gamgees!

Author Reply: Thank you, DF! I'm glad you enjoyed it!

Ruby was just hoping for a little sister, but she got two little brothers instead. You just can't dote on a little brother like you can a little sister. And they clearly don't understand how to play tea. :D

My parents only have my brother, my sister and me. My sister and I are ten years apart. You would think that would be sufficient amount of time for them to remember her name and therefore mine. But they get us mixed up all the time. Even if we're in the same room and they say her name, I know when they mean me, or vice versa. With thirteen children, I would be surprised and astounded if Sam and Rose never got them mixed up!:D

Sam could have been the original "Don't Sweat the Small Stuff" author! Yes, Ruby did wrong, but she was punishing herself enough without him adding more to it. I imagine Sam had similar sentimental items for each of his children to give them upon his sailing; the Red Book couldn't have been the only thing he gave over to the care of his children.

shireboundReviewed Chapter: 36 on 8/11/2009
What a lovely birthday mathom for us, and such a unique idea for a story! Well done.

Author Reply: Thank you, dear! I'm glad you enjoyed it. I was thinking about Lily one day and it occured to me that this could be the reason for Tolkien's confusion. :D

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