Comments on: Three Flights of Stairs to Safety http://www.commonties.com/blog/2007/02/07/three-flights-of-stairs-to-safety/ Listen to stories on anything from honeymoons to WWII, from award-winning journalists to first-time writers alike, from anywhere in the world. Tue, 06 Jan 2009 02:04:28 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.4 by: Stairs http://www.commonties.com/blog/2007/02/07/three-flights-of-stairs-to-safety/#comment-57160 Fri, 15 Aug 2008 19:26:00 +0000 http://www.commonties.com/blog/2007/02/07/three-flights-of-stairs-to-safety/#comment-57160 Your story had me on the edge of my seat! Not only is it a great read, but it really does reinforce what parents should be teaching their kids. Your story had me on the edge of my seat! Not only is it a great read, but it really does reinforce what parents should be teaching their kids.

]]> by: Mary http://www.commonties.com/blog/2007/02/07/three-flights-of-stairs-to-safety/#comment-16618 Thu, 10 May 2007 15:12:40 +0000 http://www.commonties.com/blog/2007/02/07/three-flights-of-stairs-to-safety/#comment-16618 Diane, I was spellbound by your story--from the first line--you tell it so hypnotically that I can see how much it affected you. It was a brush with death. I'm so happy you listened to your instincts to protect yourself and run away. While it's horrible the evil people do, it's also amazing how we have coping skills even at a young age. Even if it seems like you weren\'t listening to your grandmother, in a sense you were listening, piece by piece, to what you were observing and that it all accumulated in that moment when you were faced with the boyfriend. I also love how you categorize these guys as the \"neighborhood boyfriends\" killers and non-killers alike--it so how a child thinks. What a picture of New York too! It\'s nostaglic but the same scenarios play out today just in different settings. Diane,
I was spellbound by your story–from the first line–you tell it so hypnotically that I can see how much it affected you. It was a brush with death. I’m so happy you listened to your instincts to protect yourself and run away. While it’s horrible the evil people do, it’s also amazing how we have coping skills even at a young age. Even if it seems like you weren\’t listening to your grandmother, in a sense you were listening, piece by piece, to what you were observing and that it all accumulated in that moment when you were faced with the boyfriend. I also love how you categorize these guys as the \”neighborhood boyfriends\” killers and non-killers alike–it so how a child thinks. What a picture of New York too! It\’s nostaglic but the same scenarios play out today just in different settings.

]]> by: Crystal S. Brown http://www.commonties.com/blog/2007/02/07/three-flights-of-stairs-to-safety/#comment-2560 Wed, 21 Feb 2007 19:29:56 +0000 http://www.commonties.com/blog/2007/02/07/three-flights-of-stairs-to-safety/#comment-2560 Thank you Ms. Leon! Your story is an excellent portrayal of the lives of some children living in New York City then, and sadly now. Everyone who sets foot on within territory of New York City should read this story, especially young impressionable children, as it would be a great way to reinforce the lessons your mom, and all mothers--attempting to teach their children the universal lesson of -- not talking to, or going with strangers to remain safe in our ever growing dynamic global community Well done Ms. Leon, well done! Crystal S. Brown, Thank you Ms. Leon!

Your story is an excellent portrayal of the lives of some children living in New York City then, and sadly now.

Everyone who sets foot on within territory of New York City should read this story, especially young impressionable children, as it would be a great way to reinforce the lessons your mom, and all mothers–attempting to teach their children the universal lesson of — not talking to, or going with strangers to remain safe in our ever growing dynamic global community

Well done Ms. Leon, well done!

Crystal S. Brown,

]]> by: Abi Bock http://www.commonties.com/blog/2007/02/07/three-flights-of-stairs-to-safety/#comment-2556 Wed, 21 Feb 2007 17:48:44 +0000 http://www.commonties.com/blog/2007/02/07/three-flights-of-stairs-to-safety/#comment-2556 What a scary situation to be put in! These types of horrible things are still going on today that many of us are scared to admit. This courageous story really make you aware of what can happen in this world and makes you greatful for the good people that you do have. Thanks Diane! What a scary situation to be put in! These types of horrible things are still going on today that many of us are scared to admit. This courageous story really make you aware of what can happen in this world and makes you greatful for the good people that you do have. Thanks Diane!

]]> by: Jenny Goldstein http://www.commonties.com/blog/2007/02/07/three-flights-of-stairs-to-safety/#comment-2291 Thu, 15 Feb 2007 14:02:09 +0000 http://www.commonties.com/blog/2007/02/07/three-flights-of-stairs-to-safety/#comment-2291 I know I've read a good story when my heart starts racing- and racing it did during this story. I'm struck by 2 things in this story- how well written it was and how gripping (and utterly shattering to an 8-year-old girl) the story was. Thank you for sharing. You're a wonderful writer! And how different that part of Manhattan is today, filled with luxury condos and high-rise office buildings! I know I’ve read a good story when my heart starts racing- and racing it did during this story. I’m struck by 2 things in this story- how well written it was and how gripping (and utterly shattering to an 8-year-old girl) the story was. Thank you for sharing. You’re a wonderful writer! And how different that part of Manhattan is today, filled with luxury condos and high-rise office buildings!

]]> by: Tanvi http://www.commonties.com/blog/2007/02/07/three-flights-of-stairs-to-safety/#comment-2157 Sun, 11 Feb 2007 21:47:48 +0000 http://www.commonties.com/blog/2007/02/07/three-flights-of-stairs-to-safety/#comment-2157 Diane, Wonderfully written and a really intense experience. You were really brave in your reaction to such a terrifying experience. I've never really read such a personal account of growing up during the times of NY's tenaments so it was really interesting and wonderfully written. ~Tanvi Diane, Wonderfully written and a really intense experience. You were really brave in your reaction to such a terrifying experience. I’ve never really read such a personal account of growing up during the times of NY’s tenaments so it was really interesting and wonderfully written.
~Tanvi

]]> by: Gaurav Bagwe http://www.commonties.com/blog/2007/02/07/three-flights-of-stairs-to-safety/#comment-2142 Fri, 09 Feb 2007 23:09:40 +0000 http://www.commonties.com/blog/2007/02/07/three-flights-of-stairs-to-safety/#comment-2142 Diane, Your story was immensely powerful. It truely conveyed the the terror you were grapping with. I must say that your writing style is very engaging and I am waiting to read many more of such pieces from you. Best Regards, Gaurav Diane,
Your story was immensely powerful. It truely conveyed the the terror you were grapping with. I must say that your writing style is very engaging and I am waiting to read many more of such pieces from you.

Best Regards,
Gaurav

]]> by: Piri Halasz http://www.commonties.com/blog/2007/02/07/three-flights-of-stairs-to-safety/#comment-2124 Fri, 09 Feb 2007 05:51:30 +0000 http://www.commonties.com/blog/2007/02/07/three-flights-of-stairs-to-safety/#comment-2124 Diane, this is a really scary story. I can remember the el myself; when I was in high school, around 1951, I even had a friend who lived in a tenement right next to it in the 80s, but her building was kept much more carefully than the ones in your neighborhood. I never realized how grim life could really be under the el. How scared you must have been, and how relieved when the criminal was caught. You did exactly the right thing, in running the hell away from him!. Best, Piri Diane, this is a really scary story. I can remember the el myself; when I was in high school, around 1951, I even had a friend who lived in a tenement right next to it in the 80s, but her building was kept much more carefully than the ones in your neighborhood. I never realized how grim life could really be under the el. How scared you must have been, and how relieved when the criminal was caught. You did exactly the right thing, in running the hell away from him!. Best, Piri

]]> by: susan jarrell http://www.commonties.com/blog/2007/02/07/three-flights-of-stairs-to-safety/#comment-2117 Thu, 08 Feb 2007 20:18:09 +0000 http://www.commonties.com/blog/2007/02/07/three-flights-of-stairs-to-safety/#comment-2117 Diane, What a powerful tale, and so well told. You made my heart race! Your story makes me think of several things: violence acts have always happened (even the random, especially greusome kind); and how difficult it is to raise a child striking that balance between that child feeling safe most of the time and yet being wary and suspicious when warranted. You cannot teach someone to listen to her gut--you have been wise for a long time I see! Love you! Thanks for sharing this with me. And that picture totally makes my day! Susan Diane,
What a powerful tale, and so well told. You made my heart race! Your story makes me think of several things: violence acts have always happened (even the random, especially greusome kind); and how difficult it is to raise a child striking that balance between that child feeling safe most of the time and yet being wary and suspicious when warranted. You cannot teach someone to listen to her gut–you have been wise for a long time I see!
Love you! Thanks for sharing this with me. And that picture totally makes my day!
Susan

]]> by: Taunya Turpeau http://www.commonties.com/blog/2007/02/07/three-flights-of-stairs-to-safety/#comment-2115 Thu, 08 Feb 2007 19:12:08 +0000 http://www.commonties.com/blog/2007/02/07/three-flights-of-stairs-to-safety/#comment-2115 Dear Diane, Thank you for sharing your terrifying experience. It is such a powerful and thought provoking story. It sent chills up and down my spine. You convey a very strong message from a very frightening experience. Dear Diane,
Thank you for sharing your terrifying experience. It is such a powerful and thought provoking story. It sent chills up and down my spine. You convey a very strong message from a very frightening experience.

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