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The Gift of Gold  by PIppinfan1988 3 Review(s)
Baggins BabeReviewed Chapter: 1 on 5/9/2006
This is such a sweet story and I was very touched by the depiction of the Gaffer's grief. What moved me the most was your description of little Mari in the wardrobe, trying to 'smell' her Ma. My grandmother died leaving eight children, the youngest a 2 day old baby and the second youngest a girl of 2years. My mother told me how little Norah would huddle in the cupboard and wrap herself in their mother's clothes.

I love the fact that the ribbon is handed down to Bell's grand-daughter - who will one day be the wife of the Thain.

Author Reply: Oh, I really am sorry to hear about how your grandmother passed leaving her children behind. :-( I am certain that had she been given a choice, she would have stayed with her babies loving them and raising them, bless her heart--and little Nora.

Well, let's just say that Mari "smelling her ma" via her clothes came from personal experience when I was a child, and we'll leave it at that. ;-) I thought readers would think me cracked if I had ever wrote about smelling clothes, but then I was inspired by a scene in a movie I had watched sometime before writing this, and so here it is. Thank you for the feedback--and thank your for your encouraging words!

Pippinfan

LarnerReviewed Chapter: 1 on 5/9/2006
Something old, something new....

Love the love expressed in the gifts both for Yule and the marriage. And am glad Goldi wore it for the memory of her grandmother and of her aunt. A small bit of sunshine on a rainy day, courtesy of Bell, Rosie and Lily, and Marigold.

Author Reply: ...Something borrowed, something blue! :-)

A small bit of sunshine on a rainy day

You know, I didn't really think about that, but yeah...you're right. :-) Thank you so much for reading and for all of your encouragement. :-)

Pippinfan

BudgieloverReviewed Chapter: 1 on 5/8/2006
What a lovely story ... sweet and sentimental without being cloying. I loved the idea of passing traditions (and ribbons) to the next generation. Hamfast's grief was especially well-written - his grieving sounded very true to anyone who has lost someone dear, and yet it was 'hobbity' at the same time. You are becoming extremely good at manipulating your readers' emotions!

Author Reply: Thank you for the feedback on whether or not I over-did it; plausibility is something I always strive for--I may not nail it all the time, but I do aim for it. :-) LOL, if I've accomplished anything with a reader's emotions, then I chalk it up to a good tale. :-)

Thank you for reading and for all of your encouragement!

Pippinfan

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