The Ripple Effect

  “Mom?  It’s John.  Just calling to say we’re home now.” We had spent an entire week with my mother.  We cooked for her almost every day, took her out for oysters, looked through old photos, sat with her in the kitchen and shared coffee, and listened as she told stories of her childhood to […]

February

  February’s winds brought heavy grey skies Thick with a Southern surprise I stood at the window, took in the sight Of a tree, sturdy and aged, that’s brought us many a morning delight A home to sparrows, mockers, Juncos and warblers that Enchant with song, dazzle our eye, and often confound the cat She […]

Sky Dive

At 7,000 feet, the jump master opened the door and offered me a thumbs up.  The air whooshed through the cabin, animating the nylon of my jumpsuit.  As the green patchwork gently retreated past the spinning props and whistling wingtips, I stood up, gripped the hand rail, and hesitated. “John, I have a job I […]

My Underwear was Showing

  Rob’s face held no secrets. His last six days had been sleepless, full of pain and suffering, tears and anguish and it showed. His brother, just 34 years old, lay in a linen-draped casket just an arm’s reach away. What must have been going through Rob’s mind? Perhaps visions of the two of them […]

Our Last Kiss

  Our last kiss Was it that long ago? A smile, a hug, a caress Once so abundant Promise me Never taken for granted A hand Delicate, steady, firm Tell me, it’s still there A laugh, a twinkle, applause Thank you, it meant so much A dream, a wish, a prayer Persuade me, it’s all […]

Get Back on That Horse!

  “Goodnight John.  Goodnight Tommy.  Oh, and in the morning, before you get out of bed make sure you shake out your shoes real hard before you put them on, just in case a scorpion crawled in during the night.  And if one does comes out, squash it with your shoe.  I love you.” And with […]

A High Note

  Finally the rain had abated.  The last four or five Saturday mornings have been awash in combinations of rain, lightning, wind and thunder.  However, this past weekend the biggest meteorological threat was sunburn.  We all slept in to what I consider late, 7:30 for the adults, 9:00 for the teenagers.  After sharing coffee and […]

Dear God,

It’s been six months and you know how your people love milestones and I guess I’m no different.  So I’m writing to say thank you.  I know I promised I was going to do some things better but I don’t feel like I’ve followed through.  I promise I’m trying.  I apologize for not coming to […]

Solo, Page 49

I can’t remember being shy even though my Mom swore up and down that I was.  I usually sat in the front of the class, didn’t mind speaking up, raised my hand often and volunteered when needed.  As an English Lit major, it was not uncommon for me to recite Byron, Shakespeare or a give […]

Goodbye Melet

  I’ve done plenty of tough things in my life and being a Dad is definitely the hardest; the job description changes almost daily.  As both parents and children grow and evolve so do the challenges of parenting.   Yet I’ve known folks that have made it look easy and Melet Antonakos was one of those […]