Memoir
Best Cotton Pickin' Behavior
When the Sally Field movie, Places in the Heart. came out via VHS tape in 1984, I was so excited to rent it for my family to watch. So, I gathered my mother and her two sisters together one afternoon and we popped the tape into the VCR. I'm sure we all had a cup of hot coffee (and they had their nasty cigarettes...eewe...but that's what they did in that generation.) I was thirty at the time and my children enjoyed any movie as long as there were snacks available or they busied themselves outside on their bikes. My aunt's husband, Uncle Bill was busy taking a long afternoon nap.
By Shirley Belkabout a month ago in Chapters
The Hobo from California
I am from a family who made memories and saved memories. I found the non-descript small cardboard box, full of letters over ten years ago when I had inherited them. I'd known the letters were there because I had opened a couple to find out the overall topic/years written. The year was 1938. They were of love letters past between my mother's oldest sister, Louise, and her husband-to-be, Bill. I frankly felt a bit voyeuristic with my discovery, so put them aside for "another day." Today was that day!
By Shirley Belkabout a month ago in Chapters
The Thief and the Prince – Chapter 3: Peacock
Peacock Morning light broke gently across the forest as Kael and Arin followed a narrow path woven between towering ancient trees. Dew sparkled on the leaves like tiny crystals, and the air was cool enough to sting their lungs. It was the first time since their escape that Kael felt the world breathing again.
By Wings of Time about a month ago in Chapters
Memoir | Retirement | Part VI of VI
In 1986, the U.S. Department of Prominence provided me with opportunities to explore life beyond the confines of my low-income housing projects in Southeast Washington, D.C. From 1997-1999, I was fortunate enough to travel the globe on their behalf, offering me a broader perspective of the world. This chance to see the world at the government’s expense was an incredible blessing, a true gift from above. Working closely with U.S. diplomats was an exhilarating experience, filled with high-energy tasks and challenges. Collaborating with these dedicated individuals greatly enriched my character and wisdom. I am immensely thankful for the valuable experiences I gained while working at this federal government agency.
By Mia Z. Edwardsabout a month ago in Chapters
Memoir | Breaking Through Protocol | Part VI of VI
An urgent email was distributed to office secretaries from the Secretary at the U.S. Department of Prominence requesting that all his key staff come to the Press Room in our building for an urgent press briefing regarding his formal statement for the local and cable news outlets. I had to move quickly to ensure our bureau’s incoming assistant secretary was present at the Secretary’s press briefing. This meant I had to interrupt her swearing-in ceremony, which wasn’t an easy task. As expected, I faced resistance from her advisor.
By Mia Z. Edwardsabout a month ago in Chapters
Memoir | U.S. Ambassador | Part VI of VI
While growing up, I often watched the evening world news report on television with my mother. The evening news is where I saw mostly men as U.S. Ambassadors speaking on international relations, foreign policies, and matters concerning our U.S. Embassies and Consulates abroad. I was mesmerized by their intellect and the high-powered job they held. I wanted to work for our American Ambassadors, one day. That day arrived.
By Mia Z. Edwardsabout a month ago in Chapters
A girl and boy classmates who fell in love
The first day of tenth grade always felt loud—voices echoing in the hallways, lockers slamming, friends reuniting after a long summer. But for Elena, it was the opposite. She stood quietly by the classroom door, holding her books tightly against her chest, trying not to get swept away in the flood of students. She didn’t know many people, having transferred from another school during the break.
By osama azizabout a month ago in Chapters
The Universe Written on a Single Leaf
A philosopher discovered a leaf with veins forming patterns identical to star maps. He spent years studying it, realizing the design wasn’t coincidence but a reminder: the universe is not out there—it is in everything, even the smallest sliver of matter. When the leaf eventually decayed, the philosopher smiled instead of mourning. “Infinity,” he said, “doesn’t disappear. It only changes form.”
By GoldenSpeech2 months ago in Chapters
Memoir | The Women | Part VI of VI
I was working as a receptionist in a Congressional Bureau at the Department of Prominence, I was 26 years of age. Two women in my office were best friends. Their names were Lynette and Carolyn. They were always together. They arrived at work in the morning together, they went to lunch together, they took work breaks together, and they departed from work together. They ruled the office and often made my work life challenging, yet ironically, I ended up being the one to help one of them out of a tricky situation!
By Mia Z. Edwards2 months ago in Chapters
