humanity
Humanity begins at home.
The Perfect First Date
Carolyn was a little nervous as she got ready to go out. She was happy to be going out because the day’s events and significance were a bit depressing and she could use a pick me up. She wasn’t fond of surprises because she was a woman who liked planning and this seemed like spur of the moment. The phone call was quick and a bit mysterious. “Wear a blue dress and be ready at 7:30 pm. I’ll come get you”, was all that Jimmy said.
By STEVE ATHANASAKIS6 years ago in Families
The Spell Of Merlot
It was as if time stopped, rain drops frozen in mid air. The memory of this night would stay with me forever. The first date was out of this world. I picked Jennifer up early that Friday afternoon. The way the sun hit her eyes, had captured my soul. It was as if the sun Ray's besieged through the water finding the rarest of emeralds. With a smile I said to her let us get this adventure started. We tuned into our favorite jams on the radio driving through the mountains. Down the winding narrow road with a magical forest surrounding us on both sides. The fresh air the way her skin shined it was like it derived from the finest silk known to man. We pulled off just to the south of the road. We glanced our eyes up to the ice glazed mountain top it was as if it came straight from one of Picasso private portraits. We started our trek through the forest nothing but God’s country surrounding us. The subtleness of the birds chirping the wind swaying these giants of trees. As we made our approach to a rock perched over a cliff. Jennifer spotted the blanket and basket of wildflowers. I had my brother place there, just before we arrived. The most succulent strawberries, raspberries and blackberries picked just the day prior ly underneath the flowers. With a bottle of the of the finest Castello di Ama, “L'Apparita”. Imported from the Tuscany estate itself. Glazed bruschetta bread with a garlic Greek olive spread. Fried cherry tomatoes overtop the bruschetta with a pinch of rosemary and parmesan cheese as our appetizer. The older I get the more wrinkles I see. Time has always remained to be still. I remember Jennifer as if it were that day all over again. We later married after our amazing adventure we went on in the mountains of Montana. Hard to believe the images and thoughts the resurface out of the depths. It has been 50 years since our first trek through the enchanted forest of our youth. Each year I take the trip to remember the love I shared with her. The same rock perched over the cliff side I lay there reminded of the fond memories of my wife. Jennifer passed some years ago now. It is only I who sits surrounded by God’s country. Yet in so many ways I envision her long hair. The contour of her body the silky skin and those emerald, green eyes. All those years ago to think it was but one day that set us on a path intertwined for years to come. A whisper from my daughter Isabelle, Dad are you ready to go? As I slowly rise up overlooking the cliff side. Its always so hard to leave this place love. My heart and soul will always be here in this place this moment. It is but a shade of the sunlight we used to bask in. your mother and i. Forever will my heart be enthralled with the Spell Of Merlot. Years give us time and wisdom but the moments we share empower our lives. They shape us however big or small. This special rock perched over the cliff side in the mountain’s of Montana will bring soul food for years to come. Until next time my love as I gaze upon the sun setting over the mountain top. The cold brisk wind of her embrace as I go to turn away. Jennifer physically gone but always a part of me in spirit. 50 years to the day I will always come back here for as long as I breathe to bring back the memory of love.
By Micheal Young6 years ago in Families
Lost and Found
The summer before my junior year I moved to a small town about four hours from my home town and an hour from the nearest city. Despite the distance, occasionally we would have to go to the city for bigger shopping trips. It was usually for trips to Sam's club or other such stores that didn't exist in our town. On one such trip we decided to stop at Goodwill for some random reason. In walking around the store and killing time we found a frame that had somehow passed inspection by employees in the aspect that it still had a photograph in it.
By Courtney Seever6 years ago in Families
Saturday night
The row outside got worse. It was midnight on a Saturday night in inner-city Melbourne. The gentle rain on the roof of the small upstairs bedroom would usually be a comforting sound and we would have settled into the warm bed and a deep and enjoyable sleep. But not on Saturdays. Not recently, anyway.
By Richard Lee6 years ago in Families
Passing Fancy
Passing Fancy Alfred, called Al ever since he discovered Alfred was Batman’s butler, stood tall and straight on the beach, barefoot, the warm wet sand at the ocean's edge squishing up through his toes, his eyes shut against the sun, his face tilted toward the sun while sea breezes blew through his wind-tousled white hair which had somehow remained full and thick while the hair of his friends whitened and eased away with age.
By Cleve Taylor 6 years ago in Families
Death by baby steps part 3
Statement to my Union Representative Friday 8th December I was asked to lower a blind by a resident as the sun was very low in the sky. I went to lower the blind accidentally knocked over a floor lamp; as the lampstand fell down it fell apart so lampshade, bulb and stand were separate as I went to put the shade back onto the lamp stand I was give an electric shock on my right hand. The electric shock knocked out all the electrical sockets in the immediate area so much so that the fuse board had to be reset. When I was being given them the electric shock I screamed and jumped back and obviously let go, this was witnessed by a carer Maud and several residents. I called down to reception to let them know and to send the maintenance man up to deal with the lamp while I went down to reception to fill out the accident incident Form. Once I pointed out the lamp and told Marcus what had happened he discovered that the lampshade was too tight around the lampstand which pulled off some of the insulation sheathing which is why I got shocked. After this I filled out the form and gave it to the home manager Sienna who didn't even ask me if I was ok, by this time I had pins and needles, numbness and pain in my right hand. Sienna just sign the form and didn't really say anything I was really shocked that none of the three nurses in the building was sent to at least have a look at my hand. I was also expected to continue my shift as normal so I did despite the pain that I'm used to dealing with thanks to my fibromyalgia.
By Diane Campbell6 years ago in Families
Another rainy day. First Place in Dream Date Challenge.
The rain landed with a pitter patter against the window panes. Sam drew the curtains back and tied the chord into place, looking over at Barbara. She sat in her wheelchair, facing the window. Her head drooped forward, and her hands folded neatly over the blanket in her lap. Sam hoped to slip out without disturbing the old woman but she blinked and looked over at him.
By alan pierce6 years ago in Families
Death by baby steps part 2
Chapter 3 The Beginning Once I got into the role I was mostly left to drift I had a list of minimum requirements and the compulsory education that I had to get through but as for support or being shown what I should and shouldn’t do I was left in the lurch. No one had time for me which overall probably worked in my favour, I could get to know the residents at my own speed, or at least until someone spotted me.
By Diane Campbell6 years ago in Families
One Hometown — Alternate Realities
He never really felt he belonged, except on the team. And they called him a “Token.” A few years ago, I watched the movie McFarland, USA. The film is about a cross-country team in a mostly agricultural, small town in the San Joaquin valley. The McFarland Boys Cross Country team won the first annual California State Cross Country Championship in 1987.
By Danell Boyles TeNyenhuis Black6 years ago in Families
