The cold fall is settling outside, and the semester is coming to an end. What consumes most of my days now are essays and piles of school books that wall me into an inescapable room. It’s all boring and dreary, a mirror of the changing seasons outside. My thoughts now are swamped by finals and…
Category: Non-fiction
Bobby by Dennis Taylor
I was a college freshman, Eastern Illinois University, on a full athletic scholarship. Free meals, free tuition, good roommate. Clai Dungy was a track star. Life is good! Brother Bobby (Robert Dale Taylor) was 10 years old and I was his hero. I took him everywhere. We went to football games, wrestling, baseball. We got…
There Is A Snake In My Boot by Trisha Nelson
Based on a true story “Miguel, you need to clean up your room!” Miguel could hear the irritation in my voice. He scurried to his room, and I could hear him picking up his toys and his shoes. It stopped suddenly after a few minutes. I marched to his bedroom, putting my hands…
How to be a Non-Perfectionist by Amber Miller
I can’t really speak to what it’s like to be a perfectionist, but having grown up with a mother who is a hyper perfectionist, I can say, hallelujah. Instead of learning from her and learning how to meticulously iron clothes, measure, and fret over every tiny detail, I went the other direction. I developed skills…
The Message by Brenda Ottosen
I’ve read there are those who believe their loved ones were given a warning that death was approaching. Some were visited by loved ones who had already passed. Others felt the overwhelming need to prepare for a trip. And some people received a sign to escort them, or coax them, toward a bright light. The…
Swim Team by Cindy Jewkes
“Skylar, it’s time to GO!” I hollered while ushering Robbie and Nash into the family minivan. Goldfish crackers were permanently smashed into the carpets, and there was a neon yellow stain near Nash’s seat from spilled slime during a road trip. “I’m coming!” came Skylar’s voice from the bathroom. “Don’t forget your swim bag!” The…
A Night in Siena by Cindy Jewkes
When I was a college freshman living in the dorms, a girl in my hall lent me her Josh Groban CD, insisting that I just had to listen to it. I was entranced by the exotic, beautiful music and immediately fell in love with the sound of the Italian language. Maybe it just sounded really…