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Enjoy
our story collection
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Who
we are and what we do |
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The Men I Met Along The WayCarrie-Jade Williams © Copyright 2020 by Carrie-Jade Williams  |
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It
began with the eyes. Like so many love stories. Romeo on his balcony
hoping for a glimpse of Juliet’s, Tristan and Isolde, Lancelot
and Guinevere. The list could go on but this isn’t about all
the great loves throughout history. Spoiler alert, this isn’t
even about me meeting ‘the one’. But this is still a love
story or a testament of sorts, to all the men I met along the way.
The ones I loved, the ones I didn’t and the ones who had no
idea I even existed. . . .
More...
Remembering Randall JarrellTeddy K. Makarow © Copyright 2020 by Teddy K. Makarow |
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Randall
Jarrell I knew only as a student knows a good teacher. But as I look
back to 1960, over more than 50 years ago, to those few short months
that I sat with others around his conference table in Writing
Workshop I, I can still feel myself there and I know now what I knew
then—Mr. Jarrell’s Writing Workshop was the most deeply
significant class I have ever taken....
Don't Drink The KoolaidLinda A. Dougherty © Copyright 2020 by Linda A. Dougherty |
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This
is both a catharsis for me and an invitation to my daughters to
understand my world which was so different than their own childhood.
It is a story of hope too, that we do not have to remain stuck in the
past but reconciliation is always within reach if we dare to make the
first steps. . . .
UnearthedDenise E. Fore © Copyright 2020 by Denise E. Fore |
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I
was born the sixth and last child of my parents’ marriage. My
parents were divorced a few years later and I spent my childhood
visiting my father during school breaks and holidays. I can still
feel the joy and nervous anticipation of waiting eagerly for his big
gold Chrysler to pull up in our driveway at the end of his
five-hundred mile drive to come visit his children. I was his baby
girl and like little girls do--I loved my daddy. . . .
More...
A Friend, A WoePrecious Owuamalam © Copyright 2020 by Precious Owuamalam |
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Sometimes,
no matter how nice you try to be to some people, they would never get
to appreciate the good you did for them....
My Childhood with Jorge RobejeTerence Talagon © Copyright 2020 by Terence Talagon |
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I’ve
been wanting so much to go home to Guimaras; partly because I want to
take a break from school, but mostly because I want to see my
grandfather. . . .
A Gal with a GoalSharon Morris © Copyright 2020 by Sharon Morris |
 Photo by Bruce Mars on Unsplash. |
“Trippin’
On Lactic Acid” was written in bold white letters on her dark
gray t-shirt. Her white mesh ASICS shoes with lavender and gray
accents slapped against the black track of the treadmill, set at 3.6
miles per hour, and her short brown hair bounced to the rhythm of the
jogging. Margaret gradually increased the incline to 7.5% to prepare
her for a 5K race up the side of a mountain in West Virginia, where
she and her husband Ken would vacation. . . .
More...
Who's That Lady?Rolanda T. Pyle © Copyright 2020 by Rolanda T. Pyle |
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Me, Dad and Seven ShoesIrene Joseph © Copyright 2020 by Irene Joseph |
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It's
magical, how an assortment of fond memories can spring from a pair of
shoes from the past! When I think about particular shoes, memories of
me and my Dad appear. It is ten years this Christmas that I lost my
Dad, and so as a celebration of his life with me, here are seven
pairs of shoes, whose memories I'd like to share. . . .
Mummy, Me, MemoriesIris Leona Marie Cross © Copyright 2020 by Iris Leona Marie Cross |
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Not
knowing what had transpired behind the bedroom door I had slammed
shut in a rage still haunts me. All I know is my prophetic
words
that night had come to pass. “Mark my words mummy, from
tomorrow you’re on your own. I’m not putting up with this
nonsense anymore.” The next morning, my mother was on her
own. She was dead; and I was racked with guilt....
Shape Does Not Define MeDiana Arriaga © Copyright 2020 by Diana Arriaga |
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My
hands are stained
with despair and calloused with regret, a tattered map of who I am.
When I look down, I am standing on sin and dreams. I am living, but
my shadow is not. It is my grave, but not my death. This is the
beginning. . . .
More...
A Dangerous WelcomeCharlene Duline © Copyright 2020 by Charlene Duline |
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As
our caravan of
three U.S. Embassy cars rolled through the dark, empty streets of
Monrovia, I wondered if this would be the last night of my life.
Liberia remained under martial law and a curfew had been announced by
Head of State Samuel Doe shortly after he and 27 other soldiers
disemboweled President Tolbert and took over the country on April 12,
1980. Doe had declared that no one was allowed on the city streets
from midnight to 6:00 a.m., and here was our small caravan of cars
moving through the capital city of Monrovia at 4:30 a.m. . . .
Bohemian Fruit DumplingsSuzanne Caithamer © Copyright 2020 by Suzanne Caithamer |
 Photo by Kelly Neil on Unsplash |
I’ve
always thought my mother-in-law was kind of a character, but I never
realized how much until I started writing about her. I don’t
get to see her much nowadays, as she lives so far away, but she has
had a profound impact on my life in many ways. . . .
The JohnMaureen Moynihan © Copyright 2020 by Moynihan |
 Photo by Robert Reader |
Cancer
treatment is a
voracious consumer of a patient's self image. Sources of
unconditional love and acceptance are critical as we grieve
the
body that we once had.
It’s easier to get a turtle out of its shell than a husband out of the bathroom. . . .
It’s easier to get a turtle out of its shell than a husband out of the bathroom. . . .
She Was Only Eighteen, Only EighteenIris Leona Marie Cross © Copyright 2020 by Iris Leona Marie Cross |
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For
a brief
period in my life, raging hormones had clouded my moral judgment
causing professional boundaries to become blurred. As I recall this
episode, I am left to wonder how far the pendulum of intoxicating
desire would have swung, were it not for the sobering effect and
timely intervention of that bombshell letter? . . .
More...
The Crying CouchKim
Smyth
©
Copyright 2020 by Kim Smyth
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My
husband has always been what you’d think of as a tough guy,
strong, manly, well he’s always been my rock. I’ve
come to depend on his quiet strength to lift me up in times of need
and to keep me grounded when my body feels like it’s flying
apart. Then came the day we found out he had the “C” word
and that was the day his strength was truly tested. . . .
Cookie - 1954Thomas Turman © Copyright 2020 by Thomas Turman  |
 Photo by André Freitas on Unsplash |
I
was excited to get the card from the Denver Parks Department that told
me to report for work at 5:15 A.M., so I biked down here early. The
lone streetlight 25 feet down the road barely lights the shadowy,
brooding, one story brick building and dense bushes across the street
from where as I wait in the street. I am the first one here, but I’m
not really alone because I’m on the south edge of the city zoo. The
sounds of the nocturnal animals and birds are scary yet comforting at
the same time. I can feel and smell them out there in the cool darkness
of the June morning. . . .
More...
| How
I Wake Up At The Backseat, Asking God When? |
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Winter
comes grey & dusty, like another vagabond experiencing it's
hangover on the road's
belly. Every
harmattan finds December eating weird dishes in my head & other
Christian homes left in my body. Whatever
goes into them becomes a fellowship-- a wild synagogue of my dreams
hailing a Mary that isn't
so full of grace. . . .
Chipped Beef on ToastHannah Huber © Copyright 2020 by Hannah Huber |
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Some
of the most
important people in my life I’ve met at the most unexpected
places. These people, although some of them have since passed away,
have taught me that choosing a less conventional way of living leads
to freedom. . . .
More...
Gone Past She RemainsKC Chan Wing Haw © Copyright 2020 by KC Chan Wing Haw |
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This story is about someone whom I miss dearly and still she remains inside me. She inspired me to be a writer.
She. Molly Lee was her name. She had always been a source to ignite independent education, a passionate companion to children and of her own, someone who laughed and joked without tomorrow hinting another strength to come. A lady of smiles that no longer existed in some of us but remained somewhere near her hut of declining memories. . . .
More...|
Still Here Karen H. Curran © Copyright 2020 by Karen H. Curran |
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I
have a regular gig one Sunday a month, playing piano for a worship
service at a local assisted living facility. Most residents come in
wheelchairs, use walkers, or ride on electric scooters. Many of them
fall asleep during the service. I play several hymn arrangements and
lead in singing songs; then an elder or pastor from my church reads
and teaches from God’s Word. I try to speak with each resident
afterwards, but conversation can be difficult since some of them
struggle with hearing or cognitive issues. . . .
Snowballs With SyrupTerry Mulcahy © Copyright 2020 by Terry Mulcahy |
 Old fashioned ice shaver such as Terry and his brother used. |
Although
I do not remember the exact dates, my parents moved one last time as
a family in 1960, when I was about to turn ten. The snowball stand
existed for two or three summers between 1961 and 1966. Our parents
taught us how to make the sugar syrup. They bought our first set of
flavor concentrates to help us get started. We added more as our
business took off....
More...
Twenty-five Mother's Days Without HerCathy B. Bridges © Copyright 2020 by Cathy B. Bridges |
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Today
is May 27, 2020,
and mama has been gone 25 years and 15 days. She passed from this
life to a better one on May 12, 1995. That was the Friday before
Mother’s Day. I will never forget it. I was working for an
optometrist on the other end of town when my dad called with the bad
news. Mama had died. . . .
Ghost MeetingLaura Labno © Copyright 2020 by Laura Labno
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She
opened the door and there she was. Somewhere in between a blurred
eyes-made picture from 8 years earlier and this very moment,
registered by the very same eyes. There she was. . . .
| Trudy Hunzikar - Mother Courage
Eva Bell
© Copyright 2020 by Eva Bell
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Friendships
never die. They run through life like an enriching melody. We were
friends for seventeen years, and though Trudy has gone to hide among
the stars, the courageous life she led can never be forgotten. . . .
More...
Waylaid - Postcard From New York CityMartha Patterson © Copyright 2020 by Martha Patterson  |
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Best Laid PlansStephanie Whitson © Copyright 2020 by Stephanie Whitson |
 Photo by Isaac Moore on Unsplash |
The
idea was simple. Pack up our RV and boondock across California and
Nevada, continue through until we arrive in Louisiana. We wanted to
save money and figured dry camping was the best way to do it, while
still being able to travel. As with any best-laid plans, there will
always be hiccups. . . .
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Hiking the Juan de Fuca Trail on Vancouver Island Lillith Foxx © Copyright 2020 by Lillith Foxx |
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It
was an ambitious endeavor for a first-time
backpacker. 47 kilometers of wild coastal trail, in under 48 hours.
Between the bugs and the bear scares and the beers, we managed to
come out the other side alive. I hope you enjoy this adventure. . . .
More...
A Side of BaconMaureen Moynihan © Copyright 2020 by Moynihan |
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Fear
is not the
worst part of a disease; indifference is. Compassion
matters in medical care. It matters BIG. A patient will
remember every kind thought, prayer, word and card.
They
will also will remember what was not there at all.
The radiation technician executed her duties with the same bored detachment as an express lane cashier; I was yet another item to scan. A box of Fruit Loops. A head of lettuce. A side of bacon. . . .
The radiation technician executed her duties with the same bored detachment as an express lane cashier; I was yet another item to scan. A box of Fruit Loops. A head of lettuce. A side of bacon. . . .
A Conventional RiotDoug Sherr © Copyright 2020 by Doug Sherr  |
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Kismet InterruptedDon Shook © Copyright 2020 by Don Shook |
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“Don, Don they love you.” Mari Lynn Henry, Head of
ABC Daytime Casting in New York, barely containing her excitement,
exclaimed into the other end of the phone. . . .
Three Don't DanceDon Shook © Copyright 2020 by Don Shook |
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Guilt consumed me. “My, God, she’s married!” I thought, the effects of the wine worn off. “You’re married!” I said aloud, jumping to my feet.
Toni
looked perplexed, then scowled before saying, “So?”. . .
Moving AgainHal Howland © Copyright 2020 by Hal Howland |
 Harold E. Howland, Hal, Robert Frost, Charles Howland, and Elizabeth Howland. taken at the Howland home near Tel Aviv, Israel, in 1961. |
Two
or three moves ago, I decided that the single most depressing thing
you can do in life is to relocate from one home to another. This of
course is a Virgo’s immediate response to the massive but
short-lived disruption that a government brat calls business as
usual. The most practical lesson I learned from that life of
continual uprooting is this: Always hire professional
movers. . . .
The CallerMaureen Moynihan © Copyright 2020 by Moynihan |
Photo credit Quino Al
@quinoal |
My mother calls. She speaks in 24pt Impact Bold
font and
punctuates each statement with a fantastic sense of urgency.
“Maureen!!! This is ya Mutha!!!!The lady who gave you birth!! Backwards!!”. . .
“Maureen!!! This is ya Mutha!!!!The lady who gave you birth!! Backwards!!”. . .
The VisitJames L. Cowles © Copyright 2020 by James L. Cowles |
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It was a good day. Dad picked up his new bi-focals and
could finally read without getting a headache, mom finished sewing my
sister Gloria's dress, which she had been working on for at least two
weeks and I picked up my brand new cornet and would be taking my
first lesson next week. Meanwhile, I had been instructed to practice
"buzzing" my lips and trying to get a good tone from my new
horn. . . .
Reflections of a Daddyless DaughterBarbara Brockway © Copyright 2020 by Barbara Brockway |
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My
dad was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s disease the year I was born. I
grew up with the specter of his death over me always, it was
something I never not knew, from the way adults cast pitying looks at
me, to the lack of money from the mound of medical bills, to his
bouts of suffering and the casual talk of his myriad of treatments
around our dinner table. . . .
More...
In Case of Emergency, Grab Your SeatMarnie Devereux © Copyright 2020 by Marnie Devereux |
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This morning we are up before daybreak to catch an early morning flight to Los Angeles. We are attending a wedding in Pasadena and I will be introduced to, and inspected by, Dr Nick’s surrogate family in the US. ‘Don’t worry, they know all about you’ he says cheerfully, as if that will help.
Prescott’s
Municipal Airport is tiny. The staff multi-task, especially today as
their electronic system has gone down, so everything has to be
checked manually. Our little plane is basic, no frills. We are
advised in the departure lounge that there is no toilet on board ‘So
now would be a good time to go.’ You don’t get that kind
of personal care advice at Heathrow. . . .
The American EmbassyMarnie Devereux © Copyright 2020 by Marnie Devereux |
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So
I'm sitting in the waiting room at Taunton railway station, about to
embark on the biggest journey of my life. This time tomorrow, I shall
know whether or not my visa application has been approved. I haven't
slept properly in two weeks, ever since the letter arrived inviting
me to the interview at the US Embassy in London. . . .
Upside Down Apple PieMarnie Devereux © Copyright 2020 by Marnie Devereux |
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Of
course, it all
started long before that. It was just that the 'upside down apple
pie' incident was the first time anyone really noticed, apart from
me. . . .
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Stuffed Cabbage and
Knishes Eileen W. Fisher © Copyright 2019 by Eileen W. Fisher |
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When
I think about my mother, what comes to mind is her reputation as
being a great cook. There were no cookbooks in my house, no recipe
files; everything was made from scratch. In a generation when most
women did not work, many found self-expression in cooking for their
families and friends as did my mother. It was her way of expressing
love for her family, and friends. It was her way to shine,
and to share. . . .
The Journey of 27 RoostersLori Hilton Brizius © Copyright 2020 by Lori Hilton Brizius |
 Photo by Arib Neko on Unsplash |
Every
stray or lost animal has a journey. Every little soul has a story.
Working with animals in shelters is never easy, and for almost 30
years I’ve cared for all kinds including domestic, wildlife,
farm animals and reptiles. I never imagined that one day a scraggly
bunch of roosters would melt my heart. . . .
| It Wasn't Funny At The Time Patricia M. Snell © Copyright 2020 by Patricia M. Snell |
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My
husband never tires of teasing me about the time I ran over him with
the lawn mower. He admits he should have given me a quick lesson in
how to steer and how to stop. . . .
| A
Memory of Fox Hill and Grandview Robert Flournoy © Copyright 2019 by Robert Flournoy |
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I have often wondered if
luck is something that is doled out individually in our lives, some
getting more than others, some getting none at all. Looking back, it
seems that I was extraordinarily lucky as a boy and later as a young
man, surviving experiences that had scant chance of turning out on my
side. It was like I was front loaded with a life time of luck, not to
last forever, but there in the beginning, when I most needed it. . . .
What If. . .Lew Goddard © Copyright 2020 by Lew Goddard |
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Now
I have more time to spend without going to work. I found myself
searching back in memory counting the number of times that I could
have been injured and possibly die due to the circumstances. Some of
the situations were accidental, some were intentional and others just
complete stupidity. I must say that I knew the hazards when I
employed the actions. . . .
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Women
and Children First: Paying for the Crimes of Nazi Germany Linda Jonasson © Copyright 2020 by Linda Jonasson |
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This essay is based on
the life of Elfriede Neumann, my husband's grandmother.
Winston Churchill once said: "History is written by the victors." My early knowledge of European History came from a Canadian high school textbook. Flipping through its pages, I saw vivid images of Germany’s role in the Second World War: Wehrmacht soldiers goose-stepping down the Champs-Elysees of Paris; Hitler delivering rants to a crowd of helmet-topped heads, their right arms raised at a 45 degree angle; the Luftwaffe bombing London’s glorious St. Paul Cathedral during the Blitz. . . .
Winston Churchill once said: "History is written by the victors." My early knowledge of European History came from a Canadian high school textbook. Flipping through its pages, I saw vivid images of Germany’s role in the Second World War: Wehrmacht soldiers goose-stepping down the Champs-Elysees of Paris; Hitler delivering rants to a crowd of helmet-topped heads, their right arms raised at a 45 degree angle; the Luftwaffe bombing London’s glorious St. Paul Cathedral during the Blitz. . . .
| The Magic and Majesty of the Middle Ages:
Notre-Dame de Paris Bill Ranauro © Copyright 2020 by Bill Ranauro |
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In April 1999, I made my first
trip to Europe. I
was helping three other teachers chaperone forty students on a trip
that would take us to Paris, Venice, Florence, and Rome over the next
two weeks. I was hooked on European travel after visiting Notre-Dame
Cathedral on my first day in Paris. . . .
The Secret of My MemoriesKC Chan Haw © Copyright 2020 by KC Chan Haw |
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This
story is about how the world revolves around problems I view them as
vital as our current situation may beg us to rethink how our
actions can be a contribution to our present act. I am inspired
from my recent reading by David Halberstam ‘The Next Century’. . . .
Union RapAlbert Vetere Lannon © Copyright 2020 by Albert Vetere Lannon |
 (Labor sit-in at South Africa Airlines, 1985. I’m on right, with SF Labor Council Assistant Secretary Jeff Greendorfer on left.) |
Unions
are getting a bad rap these days, often with justification. Corruption
and embezzlement in the once-progressive United Auto
Workers, individuals in other unions helping themselves to members’
dues for their own personal use, officials bought off by employers –
these garner headlines while millions of workers with leadership true
to trade union principles remain under increasing pressure to roll
back the gains made over decades of struggle. Unions, which created
the much-vaunted middle class in the United States, are now at their
lowest membership levels since the Robber Baron Capitalism of a
century ago. . . .
More...
Why Do We Watch Scary Movies?Kelly Maida © Copyright 2020 by Kelly Maida |
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