Poor Judgment

PHOTO PROMPT © Ted Strutz This was the neighborhood of Jim Rocco, the bright kid raised by a single mother.  He was her pride and joy.  “My Jimmy’s gonna to be a big-time lawyer,” she used to say. Jim did become a lawyer and eventually, a Supreme Court judge.  Then, a provocative article appeared in …

Abi’s Look at Life

"I've been thinking about life a lot lately," Abi said to Mats. "What exactly about life have you been thinking about?" "How it's like terrible traffic and peaceful pathways." "Huh?" "You know, life's ups and downs. The terrible traffic are the downs and bad times and the peaceful pathways the ups and good times." "Oh." …

The Storms

God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble – Psalm 46:1 Some trials are like thunderstorms—ephemeral—they come suddenly and then are gone within a short time.  Other trials linger until we wonder if we will ever come out of them.  During those times, what do we do?  Do we let ourselves …

Getting Away

He had just walked out of the synagogue when he saw them.  Arrested, he stood there watching Brittney with her ex-boyfriend, Andre, his heart breaking.  Burning jealousy swept through him.  They were standing a few yards away but she didn't see him. His sister, Anna joined him, saw his face and followed his gaze to …

A New Chapter

Andrea waited until he was alone and then she went over to him.  He stood looking down at the grave, his face pale.  Her heart was heavy and she wanted so much to put her arms around him.  He looked up when she was standing beside him.  She didn't say anything.  Words were not necessary. …

Love at the Library

The moment he walked into the library, he had her attention.  She had seen him a couple of times before.  He would sit at a particular table and spend the next couple of hours reading the same book.  One evening when he left the table for a brief moment, she walked by on the pretense …

Illusive Love

Broken heart, broken dreams Tired of casual relationships. Walking through life, looking for that love that seemed so elusive.  It shimmered in the distance like a mirage but disappeared as she got closer.   It was the love she read about in books.  The love she longed to experience but it was beyond her grasp. …

Motherhood

Dirty pampers.  Waking up at all hours to feed. Stressful days.  Fitful sleep.  The need for adult conversation.  Relief when Dad comes home and takes over.  You have time for yourself now.  You savor the moment.  You get to do what you want to do.   But you don't want her to grow up too fast. …

Memories of Dad

She sat on the beach, watching the sun set over the sea.  This was her favorite spot.  She came here every Father's Day since her Dad died six years ago.   She missed him terribly. A heart attack had claimed his life and robbed her of the joy of having him give her away at her wedding. And …

Shackles

As she read the two volume autobiography of Olaudah Equiano, she was reminded of how fortunate she was.  She was a black, educated woman who was able to go to the university of her choice and become what she had always dreamed of.   She and her parents left the West Indies for a better life in America.   Her …