Tag Archives: welcoming

LISA LILLIBRIDGE: Live Generously

Artistic, Submissions, , , ,

Today I encountered two women on my walk. Wearing a pink, Live Generously t-shirt, an older woman didn’t look up as I said hello for the 6th day. The second woman, younger, walking two labs—one brown, one yellow—turned away when I said good morning.

I will keep trying.

Lisa Lillibridge is an artist/photographer/writer raised in South Dakota. She spends her time in Burlington, Vermont and Sandwich, Massachusetts. Her work is mostly about identity and the tricky business of finding home within oneself. See more at lisalillibridge.com.

ADRIAN L COOK: 1000 Yards

Artistic, Submissions, Top Stories, Touching, , , , ,

Gravel bit through Joel’s paper-thin soles. Sweaty tears blurred the image of the child he held and the imposing wall 1000 yards ahead.

A cage or a bullet: odds weighed.

Joel put his father’s rosary upon his only living kin. “Recuérdame, hijo mío; y reza.”

They walked. A thousand yards.

Dr. Adrian L. Cook is a humanities professor at Tarrant County College in Fort Worth, TX. He is also a semi-pro musician, specializing in the electric washboard. He lives with his wife—children’s book author Cristee Cook—their two kiddos, their pancake-colored dog, and lots and lots of books.

TONY JASNOWSKI: Welcome to the Neighborhood

Artistic, Submissions, , ,

“It’s from the Mexicans,” she explained, slicing the cake.

“Mom,” I protested. “They have names.”

“I can’t remember…”

“Hugo and Gina. They’ve lived next door for more than a year.”

“They’re nice,” she admitted, “but I don’t let them in.”

Later that afternoon, the “For Sale” sign appeared next door.

Tony Jasnowski teaches English at Bellevue University in Bellevue, NE. He is grateful for those neighbors who welcomed his own immigrant parents and siblings many years ago.