“Believe it or not, I never wanted to have children. Honestly, I felt like the world was a little too cruel, and I didn’t really want to subject him to that. But I also hadn’t met the person that I wanted to have a kid … Continue readingMom watches out for son in what can be ‘cruel world’
“We used to have a farm in Ashdown, Arkansas, this little, bitty town about 20 miles north of Texarkana. It was really inexpensive to live there. We had a small home on a dead-end road. I liked the open space and the quiet. But I … Continue readingLife on the farm had its share of challenges
It was going to be a difficult trip. Rebecca Crenshaw was flying home to San Diego to say goodbye to her grandmother, Suzanne Bradbury. But in no way was she prepared for what would actually happen. … Continue readingHer final visit with grandmother turns tragic
Rebecca Crenshaw is finding ways to deal with the suicide of her grandmother, Suzanne Bradbury. Suzanne was battling an aggressive form of cancer when she shot herself while Rebecca was visiting her San Diego home. In the aftermath of the tragedy, Rebecca says it’s helpful … Continue readingDealing with suicide in an open, honest way
The family that paints together stays together. “This is my wife. She used to work at Church’s Chicken. But after Hurricane Harvey, we got lots of calls for jobs. So she said, it’s time to work together. And I said, yes, it is. So it’s … Continue readingFamily paints loving picture of togetherness
Pat worked for years as an industrial electrician before losing her job. She said it was because of her age. Now 61, and with physical limitations, she is no longer able to work. That has contributed to her current situation, being homeless on the streets … Continue readingShe learns that age makes her dispensable
“We’re friends. We’ve known each other about three months now. We’ve been on the streets for a while.” “You would not believe how many homeless people are out here. We’ve got to kind of watch out for one another.” “I’m sleeping in her car. Thank … Continue readingHomeless friends thankful for small pleasures
Music was always welcome in the Rodriguez home. Jesus Rodriguez Sr. made sure of it. Guitars, trumpets and other instruments were lying around. And if Jesus wasn’t playing, his children would see what sounds they could coax from them. … Continue readingYoung mariachi performer is living his dream
“It was a Friday evening, less than 30 minutes before quitting time on a project at this plastics chemical plant between Bishop and Kingsville, Texas. When I went to check on things, I found four insulators working in the pipe rack 75 feet up, and … Continue readingHe helped save lives, whether on or off the job
“Probably from the time I entered high school, I started feeling this wave of … You know how when you have a bottle full of water and it’s narrowing down into a very small canal? I kind of felt like that’s how my life was … Continue readingThinking about his future can be overwhelming