Stories tagged “One Month”

  • A Time To Be Born . . . A Time to Die

    On November 1st she grabs her plastic hair bonnet. It is raining outside, but it is All Saints Day and she must make it to 6:30 morning mass. She shuffles across the bedroom floor and delicately grasps the rosary her son made in elementary school under...

  • A Time For Every Purpose Under Heaven

    I had just read the poem I wrote after dad died on November 11, 1998. It was Friday the 13th and the poem was wrenching. He died alone, in Atlanta, in a truckstop. He was 58 years old and the heart attack was massive. At 3:30 a.m. the phone rang. ̶...

  • Billy's Rainbow

    On her way home from the funeral, a melody popped into her head. She sang it aloud in the car. She hadn’t been able to turn on the radio since Billy died. It kept her company instead of the classic rock that she and Billy enjoyed and played. The ...

  • Calendar of a Blind man...

    November 1st: The smells are changing. John wonders if it’s New Year yet. Lucy and Susan pass away, thank heavens. John is cold but the nurse’s don’t bother with more blankets. November 2nd: John sleeps until midday, he doesn’t ...

  • Calendar of a Blind man...part 2

    November 7th: John has a terrible dream. He cries like a baby for two hours. The doctor says: “He’s too weak, I’m afraid. I still think he won’t live out the month.” November 8th: Sophie visits. John remembers when her mot...

  • Calendar of a Blind man...part 3

    November 13th: Unlucky Friday. John coughs all night. The doctor’s are alarmed. The air smells of spring and John knows he’s hallucinating. He can hear Tessie singing and hope laughs. November 14th: John is recovering. He fought for Tessie....

  • Calendar of a Blind man...part 4

    November 19th: The doctor gives John a neck support and returns the pillows. They don’t smell right. John complains, but the nurses don’t understand him. The illness is forcing him to lose his speech. November 20th: The nurses take away his...

  • Calendar of a Blind man...part 5

    November 25th: The wind is very cold and John is scared as it beats against the house. He thinks it might fall over. The nurses laugh gently and call him a “silly dear.” November 26th: John sees Tessie running to the stairs and follows her....