kbois

This was such a wonderful story of Charlie's journey to discovering himself. It's so hard when you're young to figure things out, not just sexuality, but career paths, developing friendships and learning how to navigate adulting. Charlie was lucky to find someone seasoned and who truly cared about him to be his first experience. It paved the way for him to recognize a forever relationship with Eddie. Well done tim!

It was hard to write. The only plus to losing someone you love to dementia is that it happens slowly and gives you time to come to terms with it. Saying goodbye hurts, but when it happens it's almost like a footnote. Thanks for reading!

Thanks Chris! Even though you didn't lose your parents to dementia, I'm sure it still hurt.

Did you miss this line? Jordy immediately went for the ice while I broke the seal on the Crown bottle Hmmmm?? I did channel myself into Annie. She's a great character. No more Sentinel stories. That series is done. It's been a rough year in several ways and I've had a few uphill battles. I am working on a story (non-supernatural) so eventually it'll get posted. I have an idea for another, maybe two part series. I'll have to see how it develops in my brain. So chill my loveable geek. 😘

Family dynamics seem to complicate things so often. Everyone has their own way of coping. It just sucks when that coping mechanism sucks the soul out of everyone else. That's how my brother is... difficult to be around on a good day, and downright unbearable on a bad. I just had to spend almost 4 days with him after Hurricane Milton. Next time I'll just leave, damn the expense. It's comforting knowing that we have such good memories of my mom. She was a beautiful soul. Thanks for reading!

Memories are so important when you have a loved one with any kind of dementia. To see them slowing slipping away is heartbreaking, but looking back and remembering who the really were helps somewhat. Thanks for reading!

I felt I had to write this. Dementia touches so many people's lives. Most everyone has either dealt with a loved one who had/has it, or know someone who has. I'm sorry you had first hand experience watching it steal away people you loved. Thanks for reading!

Thanks Anton! I really did have to hold back laughter at my mom's service. All I could think of was the ending of the Christmas movie A Christmas Story when they had to eat Christmas dinner at the Chinese Restaurant and the waiters were singing "deck the harls with barls of howry. Fa ra ra ra ra, rah rah rah rah. I damn near lost it. Peggy,s eulogy was very similar to what I wrote for my mom. I didn't read it though, the priest did.

Of course.

Thanks weinerdog. I was fortunate that I was one of the last ones that my mom stopped recognizing. It hurt though, the first time she didn't know who I was. It sucks. Yes, the narrators name is a coincidence. I chose it because it has a connection to my real life.

Well, hello stranger! I'm sorry you had to go through losing both your grandmothers to Alzheimers. It's one hell of an unwelcome disease. My mom was a teacher and it was heartbreaking to see her decline. Thanks for reading, and I hope things are well with you.

Thanks! I appreciate you reading it!

“Who are you?” My heart was crushed by a vise-like grip, like nothing I’d ever felt. I picked up the old woman’s hand and smiled. “My name is Kenny.” She smiled back. “I know a Kedley.” I didn’t bother correcting her. She wouldn’t remember anyway. “You look pretty today, Peggy.” My words went in one ear and out the other. My mom resumed staring out the window at nothing in particular. On the wide sill sat a little plastic flower in a small box that pendulated back and forth,

Losing a parent is never easy, especially when someone slips away slowly. Family can help or hinder the process. This is one man's perspective of losing his mom.

I'm trying. All things considered I'm doing pretty ok. I'm rather proud of myself for staying calm through everything. Especially when forced to stay with family that brings on urges that would end up requiring a GoFundMe to cover bail money. Lol These storms can really screw with your head. Mother Nature needs an ass whooping or some Haldol. 😆

It is. I have power where I'm staying but not at home yet. I'm just feeling a bit lazy and sluggish though. Thanks!

I moved locations as my patience was stretched about as far as it could be with staying at my brother's. I'm very grateful he gave us a place to stay, but he and his wife are difficult people to spend more than a few hours with on a good day. Lol. I am now at the RV park that I work at and staying in what we call a "park model". It's basically a shorter version of a single wide mobile home. There was no power, but it was still preferable to my brother's, even though the power came back on at his house. I'd rather sweat in peace and quiet than deal with negative vibes all the time. Namaste. I was able to use the propane stove at my coworker's RV and made a huge batch of spaghetti. I added the last of the chicken I made right before the storm hit (generator kept the fridge going). I think we ended up feeding 6 or 8 people tonight. Lo and behold... the power came back on in the park! Then went out.... Then came back on!! Then went out... Now waiting for it to kick in again which it should soon. At least we know they're working on the lines. I saw the best summary of this past week: To my fellow Manatee County residents who may have lost track, today is Blursday, the fortileventh of Septober. Keep your fingers crossed that the third time is a charm and the power comes back and stays on!

Hi y'all! Still no power, but I didn't expect it to be. Was at my work today doing assessments and getting in touch with my contractors for clean up stuff. Biggest problem is we had 4 RVs that either tipped over or shifted on top of their water hook up and destroyed it. Luckily our plumbing company was able to come out today and cap the lines. It's a stop-gap for now but until we get bids and all that fun stuff, there's not much else I can do. My SIL is starting to get on my nerves, but I'm tolerating my brother fairly well. He just rambles on and on and on and on..... 🤦‍♀️. It could be a lot worse. Lack of gas available is an issue too. I'm down to a 1/4 tank and there aren't any open stations near here. I'm thankful it's only 5 minutes to my work. We lucked out and the weather has been beautiful. No high humidity with low 80s during the day and upper 60s at night so sleeping is an attainable goal. Usually after hurricanes it's humid AF and hotter than hell. The power outages in my area where I live has gone from just under 600K to 515K. Some progress is better than none! Hope everyone has a good weekend!

It's always a gut punch when a relationship dies. It doesn't matter how or under what circumstances. This short story packed a lot of emotions, and reflections of a bygone era in the narrator's life. Very well done!

You never ever cease to amaze me with how you craft words into images in such a unique and touching way. I'm so proud of you.

As always, tim has shown a fantastic take on the beast called depression and made it so relatable. His imagery is nothing short of phenomenal. Poetry has never been one of my go-to's, but I will read every word of whatever tim posts because he's a master of words. Thanks for sharing xoxo

Such a wonderful story and well worth the read. CassieQ tackled an often misunderstood and ridiculed topic and created an informative and empathetic story about one person's path to discovering himself and in the process finding acceptance and love. Go read....shoo... what are you waiting for?

Wow! Great story @CassieQ! You managed to show Jason's transformation into Jay with class and empathy. So many people don't understand gender issues and are either uneducated or ignorant to those who are struggling with how they identify. I think you did a much better job than I did. Kudos to an amazing story!

Weathered the storm ok. No damage to where I'm staying. My work is another story. One home totally destroyed and two RVs flipped onto their sides. Lots of branches down as well as a few huge trees. Everyone is safe though. I'm on vacation next Wednesday so I'll probably be working straight through until then. I'll try to make it up to my place later this afternoon. I hope everyone else down here is doing ok.

Good luck and stay safe! These winds are starting to pick up pretty good. I'm about 15 miles south of you.