Category: Family Stories

Mama’s Mixtape

Published on by Ann Marie BryantLeave a comment

It seemed like every time she spoke, I would respond with high-pitched whines, ever-rolling eyes, and yeah whatevers. (It really, really is a miracle that I made it to adulthood!) Worse yet, I would argue the opposite of what she was saying. If my mother stated that the sky was blue, I would claim that it had a tint of red. If she commented that it was cold outside, I would swear that I was hot. And if she yelled, “Turn down that #$&* noise!”, naturally, I cranked up the volume. (Yep, I was THAT kid..)

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Half Past Life

Published on by Ann Marie BryantLeave a comment

In the little “down” time I do have, I enjoy seeing the world. I have traveled throughout the continental United States, as well as to Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Canada, Dominican Republic, Bahamas, Jamaica, Mexico, England, France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Switzerland, Gibraltar, Morocco, and Egypt. Still on my bucket list of places to visit are Scotland, Germany, Austria, Ireland, Wales, Alaska, Australia, Netherlands, Greek Isles, Scandinavian fjords, and the Galápagos Islands. I also want to visit these must-see sites: Great Wall of China, Acropolis, Angkor Wat, Petra, St. Basil’s Cathedral, St. Petersburg, Budapest, Forbidden City, Taj Mahal, and Machu Picchu. (Wow!  That’s a whole lot of places. Looks like I will be racking up some frequent flyer miles!)

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Phenomenal Women

Published on by Ann Marie BryantLeave a comment

Now you understand
Just why my head’s not bowed.   
I don’t shout or jump about
Or have to talk real loud.   
When you see me passing,
It ought to make you proud.
I say,
It’s in the click of my heels,   
The bend of my hair,   
the palm of my hand,   
The need for my care.   
’Cause I’m a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That’s me.

— Maya Angelou

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October Lights

Published on by Ann Marie Bryant2 Comments

Instead a new light, a slightly brighter one, pried open my eye lids and again, I was startled to fully awake. Floating across the room was a small flowing drape of light, slowly rotating and moving from near the door towards the end of my bed. It was like a couple feet of weightless semi-transparent chiffon fabric, and it drifted closer to my bed.

My pulse was racing and I was angry at being almost scared. “No,” I thought, “I’m a scientist and not some ghost-story paranoid. But what is that thing?”

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Princes, Paupers, Pilgrims, and Pioneers

Published on by Ann Marie Bryant2 Comments

“There are two lasting bequests we can give our children: One is roots, the other is wings.” Teaching children values and giving them the opportunity to excel is essential to good parenting. However, I feel I must also provide my children (and myself) insight into the ones who came before us: our ancestors whose lives and stories have shaped us into who we are. This is my journey; these are their stories…

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The Case of the Lost and Found Grandma

Published on by Ann Marie Bryant3 Comments

If she had been murdered or kidnapped, something would have been mentioned in the local newspaper. Heck, at the time, newspapers printed everyone’s business: who’s visiting whom, who’s been hospitalized, and who’s up to no good. However, when it came to Alice (Manley) Cole, the newspapers were strangely silent. Maybe family lore was correct. However, since someone rarely disappears without a trace, I asked myself once again, “What happened to Alice?”

KTC has the most colorful and unique family tree, and her family tale about The Case of the Lost and Found Grandma is no exception. Enjoy.

Not Forgotten

Published on by Ann Marie BryantLeave a comment

Mac held Inga’s hand as they slowly made their way up to dirt road to the graveyard. Inga was not going to be able to do this much longer. The doctor had already told her that she needed to consider exercise that she could do safely at home. The doctor had also mentioned to Mac that he should also look for any opportunity for Inga to exercise her memory.

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