Sherry Riddick
Bio
I am many things. If someone tells you good or bad about me. Believe them, I only reciprocate the energy given. I will cut off any negativity.
Stories (3/0)
Darius and the D Hive
It may seem like a life's journey. It is a nice moment in time. I am writing this because maybe some will better understand the loyal cousins (as we all refer to ourselves). It has only been 6 short years, but so much has happened in everyone's lives. I was on periscope one day, it was new so I was just thumbing through it. At the time it was like 6/7 people and how humble Darius was as I look back would say it will be nice if 35/40 people would join. He was so funny and I think he had finished or was about to finish his first cookbook, "Stories". I don't know if he knew how big that our creator was showing up. He would get so excited when a cookbook was sold. That's when I KNEW he was raised by his grandmother, so was I. My gram always taught me, no need to ever seek out greatness, it will find you. Greatness always recognizes the other. His joy brought me joy, every time because he was genuinely so surprised, hoping to sell 30 books. He lived in New Jersey, had hair, and wore black glasses. He was a combination of happiness, sweetness, confidence, peace, and love all wrapped up in one. I didn't realize his height or what a 6'4 man looked like. My sons are 6'10 and 6'4 but they are young men. When we finally met, he was massive to me and kinda scared me, but he was so gentle and kind. Then the infectious laugh, it felt just like home, like a long-lost brother, but that cooked amazingly. On the periscope app, we laughed, cruises, food tours, cried, cheered, went through sorrow, gained new cousins, new people joined, babies were born, cousins married and divorced, family members passed away, step class, peloton bike exercise, training, different cleansings, keto, vegan, operations, veneers, health issues, needing advice, boyfriends, girlfriends, wives, husbands, allergies and his gummies, hanging out enjoying each other, a family reunion every day, so many things and Darius' spirit bought all of this together. That is why when we say we are not new to this but true to this, it is honest. This whole group has grown more into a family; yes when new people join now and ask questions; we try to help unless they are too much then Darius steps in. I am thinking back to a few specifics. First are the fast food' prayers and the way he would say in your "skinny" son's J*sus name, am*n. Also in the pray*r, he asked our creator to remove the bacon off the back of his neck and that he wants to be so skinny when he turned to the side he would not be seen. My imagination is broad, when I thought of that picture, instantly I choked laughing. The next one when he drove to Atlanta and did not drive and hit something then had to have the tire repaired, next was when he shaved his hair off and would "as he said" tie his hair up. The phone calls were amazing especially with "Esther" and the moving truck people. So many more, I can honestly say, the only time I ever saw him upset is when he periscoped his aunt that had Alzheimer's and someone said something off the wall, Darius went in, that person had to cry. Another part of life together is I went back to school to get my degree, three of my other children graduated high school, and two to college, one is on her way in the fall. Also, Darius and the D Hive mean a lot to me because three years ago my daughter was killed. Darius made a specific scope for me, people were inboxing me to get on, but I couldn't. Although, I felt the love, hugs, donations. This was definitely my tribe! Right now, I am laughing just thinking about him in the store on the customer service microphone, or at a restaurant eating something foul, the faces. On work-cations, when deciding where to travel, not wanting to step foot in Europe, what do they have there? If the food is not good, just know that Darius will not be visiting, he said we do a different kind of travel. This has been a laugh down memory lane. I did not even write about some things, but my stomach hurts from laughing. If I did not think we were a family; someone gets it messed up, with food ingredients, needs to be dealt with and cracked on, Darius has it! One of the greatest things to me is the special bonds, sisterhoods that were created through this group. I am not going to specifically mention names, they know who they are. Did I mention that he was a very proud gay man, no? Oh, he is gay and I did not mention it because I only mind the business that pays me and his sexual preference does not pay. Today I look back and there are so many more great things that I did not discuss, but I must say that joining this group was one of my best decisions.
By Sherry Riddick3 years ago in Humans
Best Friends for 47 years
I am writing this because normally friendships don't last this long. I was born in 1970, she was born in 1971. We met because we were neighbors, and became best friends and sisters through the years. We've done life together, growing up, boyfriends, graduations, husband, kids, their graduations. Rita has two kids Doni and Joshua. I have four (Appiffany, is an angel now) John, Jaydell, and Lola. We laugh because her daughter Doni and my daughter Lola are both named after her mom and dad. Even funnier to me of how the world goes around, my cousin's name is Ella (Joella, Gram) and Rita's new great-niece or nephew will be named Avery (Uncle). I decided to document this because I think it's weird when I speak to someone and they don't have a friendship this long. Rita and I are coming up on 50 years of friendship, so I have decided that it was time to cement it. People ask me, how does it feel to have a friend that long? I always ask them, how does it feel NOT to have a friend that long? It is because I don't know, we have known each other the majority of our lives. You know you are great friends, when one goes away and whenever you guys talk, you don't skip a beat. You get together and pick up right where you left off. In the beginning, we played in between our yards, mostly hers. Any kid game, we played Jax, 1,2,3 redlight. As we got older we played double dutch, skated all around, every game. Went to Cavallo's store often. Our big thing was riding bikes, we rode bikes from sun up, until I had to go in for bible class. I know she must've gotten frustrated, it seems my mom would look out the window and wait until we were right in the middle of a game and I had to go in. We had bible class, before leaving, at noon if we were home, and in the evening before dinner. Rita would ask, can you stay out today. I would ask my grandmother, of course, she said yes. Not (DOROTHY, my mom) though. It seemed her answer was always No. Now that I think back, maybe she was trying to protect me, from what? I don't know, I don't think she ever said yes when she was around. Our childhood was great, we would go to the movies. Hang out at the plaza when we got away with it. As we got older, she went to Wilby High School and I went to Kaynor Technical High School; we befriended other friends but always came back together. Rita and I always seemed to end up in the middle of something, we always were removed, somehow. Always there for one another, we accepted our extended friendships, but no matter what it was not ever going to be a Rita and Sherry. We always knew that we could talk about anything and get honest answers, laugh, cry, anything. I am so grateful because even though we are not alike, we are alike. We both allowed each other to grow into the beautiful souls that we are today. Through every trial and test, no matter where one of us may be at if the other knows we will be there shortly and pick right up where we left off. Great friendships do not always come your way but when one does cherish it, nurture it, and love it. Especially during these crazy times, I know she knows I say anything that comes to my mind, she quietly smiles and says Sherry you know that is not my thing and lets me go on. So much more to share but I have to talk to my Bff first. Until then, we are coming up on 50 years of friendship Rita, we gotta celebrate something Special and Big. How can we top a friendship like this? We can just add to the beauty of it, more memories.
By Sherry Riddick3 years ago in Humans
The Gold Heart
The year is 2417, her name is Amelia, but is called Emily. Independence is where she is headed, it is a dark world out there, but she has always had to make her way. She was "accidentally" separated from her family 5 years ago because she was mistaken for another's parent's child. Emily's parents were so afraid of it happening again, they fled. When she escaped and was able to return, it was to nothing, everything was gone. The only thing she had is a gold heart locket around her neck, that belonged to her mom and dad, they each took their necklaces off and combined them into one. Emily's promise to herself was was to give each of them back. She realized she was alone, scared, hungry and decided that anywhere was better than Smithfield, Canada. That began her trek, she made it to Alaska in hopes of a better life. It was not, Alaska is brutal and actually worse than what she left, this was not a life for a city girl. To get there she faced a long, hard fight and did not have the energy or means to go back to Canada. The days were cold and harsh, the nights were almost unbearable. She worked in the kitchen at a local restaurant, the owner allowed her to board in a room over the bar, it had no heat or electricity, but it kept her out of the brutal elements. When it was really cold, she would sneak back into the bar and have shots to warm up her blood and curl up in a booth. In March of the next year, word was sent along the trails that her family was headed that way. Each passing second her excitement grew, as hours turned into days and weeks. Finally, they made it, her mom, brothers, sister but where was her beloved dad? Sadly he passed away on the trails, due to slipping off of a cliff. His body was being transported in. Emily was able to share her life with the rest of her family, she gave her mom part of the gold heart-shaped locket back. At her dads' services 10 days later, she was able to give his portion of the chain back. She shed tears, then looked up, it felt as though someone wiped her face. She knew that somehow, someway, even though they had a rough road ahead, they would survive because family sticks together. As Emily and her mom walked hand in hand away, she knew that she was going to get her through this. The small town, which seemed not to care, all came out to support their newest member, old man Kelley ( a local wall holder, drunk) was to be sure to let her know that this was the first and last time, they would all get together like this. As tough as this was, they were all able to smile. The family wished they could take time off, but they needed a home, the next day everyone started back to work. The boy's truck drivers, detailing. The girl was in the kitchen with her sister Emily, as mom was home and taking care of the house. There were no breaks given, it was work from sun up to sundown, go home, eat and bed, they all dreamed of one day off. Their mom oftentimes talked about one day off and only working from Monday-Friday. This way has surely changed and must have been in ancient Egyptian times. Her mom, Sally often talks about things from an unknown time, that seem like a dream. Emily has never seen pavement, concrete, trees, or grass, it's always steel. metals. It would be really strange to see any of these things, actually, she tells her mom it may scare her. Emily remembers her dad telling her bedtime stories about this strange world, but she thought it was a made-up fairytale. After she has grown up, she heard other people talking about what their ancestors say. Now thinking back, she remembers that she had saved the contents of both lockets, it was four seeds. The puzzle all came together now, it was now against the law for any trees or green. Her parents had someone get these four seeds so she could plant and grow, learn to love. This, was why her father said he planted many things and had the biggest fruit for her one day, it was that day. Emily went and purchased a pot and some plastic flowers. She carefully planned not to get caught. She made a composting area in the basement of their home. When it was soil, she planted the seeds asked questions to her mom, how did her ancestors take care of their plants. She then grew her seeds, it was lettuce, blueberries, watermelon, and tomatoes. Emily finally understood what her dad's seeds were and what his biggest fruit was for her. She began to preserve, stock, and the new seeds, she dried out to have the next seasons. Life was still hard, she wondered why people did not take care of their natural world? It is a time that she would have loved to be a part of. Her mother, beams with pride, but will not say that she knows. Emily has not begun to share with others because it is a crime, but she is planning to slowly open the world back up to these endless possibilities. The four plants are named Paul's Palace, in her mind. After one of her creators, her dad. Emily often thought back to the small gold locket and how she thought it was just a symbol of love. She now knew that it was so much more, it was a symbol of life.
By Sherry Riddick3 years ago in Fiction
