My Portfolio

Eva Irene Chailland was my grandmother (granny).  She was born January 22, 1920 in Kennett, Missouri.  Her birth was like anyone elses of the time; meaning that she was born at home.   However, unlike everyone elses birth, hers was unique in one way...the doctor delivering her was drunk.  So drunk in fact that he...

The day began lazily as we sat and sipped piping hot Dunkin Donuts in the living room of the boathouse.  Perched over 16 feet above the water, the two-bedroom house has large windows overlooking Alabama's sleepy Fowl River.  The weather channel predicted only a chance of showers, so Bart, Tena and...

Whew!  What a night.  If anyone ever told me I would have some slobbering drunk egghead bawling shamelessly on the edge of my bed at 1:30 in the morning, I'd tell them they were nuts!  But that just goes to show you that in this life we have to be ready...

In one final attempt to get a response out of the menacing shadow headed for my daughter and me, I yelled as loudly as I could, "What do you want!!??"  Then, he opened his mouth and began to speak . . . "Hey, I've been looking for you.  I need to...

Chapter 1In 1978, I lived in a rural community in Northern Michigan, where a car passed by my house approximately five times a night.  It was wooded and lovely but defintely remote.  The mobile home I lived in with my two small children was neat and clean.  Although about 10 years...

For a brief period of my life I was actually unemployed.  Now, when I say brief, I do mean brief, but during those few months I was able to fully enjoy being with my two small children for more than just a couple of hours a day.We lived in rural West...

Its wings emit a whisper that flows softly through my hair;A symbol of tranquility, it churns the aromatic air.Found among green pastures it stands dignified and tall;I gaze upward at the majesty and wonder of it.But when the storm approaches it sends forth a mighty sound;From its wings the rain falls...

The coolness of a gentle breezeBlows through the meadow fair.I listen for rustle of the grassAnd smell the punguent air.A momentary silence bringsThe peace for which I long.If only evening sights and soundsCould make my spirit strong.The night owl moans and sweeps the groundWith gracefulness and speed.As my soul cries out...

We love the times when get to sit,My sister and I - we talk quite a bit.It's amazing to think that we know the Lord!But with the Pharisees this strikes an angry chord.Jesus told us someday His kingdom would come;I try to understand but it confuses me some.Will He sit on Jerusalem's...

When the world comes crashing downUpon my hungry soul;I pause, take a look around,And know I'm not half, but whole.The moon so bright and shining;The leaves all orange and red.As they prepare the silver lining;For Winter's warm and cozy bed.Who made the trees and helped them grow?Who gave the birds their...

Roses refresh us when they're in full bloom,Stop just to smell them; there's plenty of room.Take time for laughter, and get lots of rest,Then you'll give others the best of your best!Gathering sunshine along with the rain,Sweetens the soul and diminishes pain.Moment by moment your life rushes by,Grab onto its precious...

Being the fifth of ten children could be considered the worst scenario for a child seven years old.  Oh sure, it had its moments, but for the most part I was a happy little girl.  I played with my friends in our "big" back yard and learned to jump rope with my sister, Joan.  Of...

Drugs . . . The beginning of the end of who I was.  Getting involved in drugs was the worst mistake of my life or so I thought.  Actually, it was what happened as a result of taking drugs that changed me forever.  I can say it wasn't my fault, that I was...

Laughter ranks on top when it comes to my family's emotions.  Mom and Dad made sure there was a lot of it, and we have all been blessed with a good sense of humor.  Some of us have more of a devious way of delivering humor; however, I tend to stay...

After my 15 year-old daughter Rachelle completed the Rice University Piano Camp in June 2008, we knew we needed to get her to a professional piano teacher.  Rachelle has always been a very talented and dedicated piano student.  She wanted to take piano lessons when she was 8 years old.  We started her...

Last Friday, I had an experience I won't likely forget.  My friend Melanie & I went to Odyssey Healthcare, a hospice organization, to take a training from our friend Lorrie about how to work with hospice patients as I go volunteer with them, doing StoryKeeper work.We started off with several little...

It was to be another fun day of shopping for my friend Carol and me. We went to the then famous Filene's Basement in Boston. It was where most entitiled women shopped in those days. We didn't mind pretending, it was a day out for us while the children were in school.We...

So I thought I'd start by introducing the family I helped to make. I have a husband--Sam. He's just fantastic. He's nearly everything I'm not. Calm, reserved and even keeled. I tend to be the hothead and spontaneous one of the two of us. Sam brought to our family two daughers--Jen...

Since becoming a StoryKeeper I’ve notice something that keeps coming to my attention. Every one of us has defining moments in our life, an event or experience of such physical or emotional intensity that it has a profound impact on the nature and direction of our life.        Moments...

Hi my name is Christine Brackin, Cormier. I was born in Shirley, MA. January 30th, 1952. My Father Wallace Randall Brackin and my Mother Helen Martha Andreansky, Brackin lived on Fort Devens Army base with my 3 older sisters, Carole, Patricia and Susan. Dad born January 26, 1918 in Newark, NJ....