other pieces
(a sampling...some published, some not)
The Brightest Star
The synopsis is: Amidst their sacrifices suffered for the sake of future familial goals, a small and long-lasting symbol of love emerged on that first Christmas together as man and wife.
An Awfully Awkward and Quiet Thanksgiving Dinner
Synopsis: Thanksgiving dinners are often memorable—some more so than others. One time, Dad decided we'd go cut down some trees, hours before the family feast. We promised to be home in time for dinner. We weren’t.
Thank you, Mark
Synopsis: Home from basic training, Mark found himself being thanked by strangers for
his service. “I haven’t done anything,” he’d say, but I very much disagreed, after all,
he did so much more
for questions or comments, contact: stephenrusiniak@yahoo.com
Synopsis: Perhaps the hardest part of having a canine member of the family is knowing it’s time to say goodbye. My bestest buddy deserved better.
Synopsis: Too often we lament the loss of words left unsaid after the passing of a loved one, but when my dad passed away what remained was far better.
Synopsis: A father’s undying love for his son, a Viet Nam vet, long gone, gently reminds us of Memorial Day’s true meaning
Synopsis: Had I exposed myself to the virus? Maybe, but at that very moment,
family mattered more."
Synopsis: If you could spend one hour talking with anyone, living or not, who would you choose?
This history buff made his choice!
Synopsis: While the beach and I have been the best of friends—the sun, the surf, the
sand and me, we weren’t there to surf or to fish.
My most perfect present
Synopsis: Some memories of Christmas presents past remain as strong today as
they were back in the day.
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God Bless you too, Santa.
Synopsis: A seventeen year old dishwasher dressed as Santa Claus comforts a bedridden
nursing home patient during her final moments.
for questions or comments, contact: stephenrusiniak@yahoo.com
Out there on the beam
Synopsis: We wish we could forever keep our children safe, but of course, we can’t. When my daughter began competing on the balance beam as a member of her high school gymnastics team my paternal fears suddenly knew no bounds!
CLICK TO READ STORY
for questions or comments, contact: stephenrusiniak@yahoo.com
An ironic injustice (Updated)
Synopsis: My son, Michael and a friend saved someone for drowning and for their actions received a summons for illegal swimming.
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Hope's name is Danny (Updated)
Synopsis: He didn't think twice about saving the life of a stranger; about becoming a bone marrow donor—even as the process prior to donating made him sicker than he'd ever felt before.
for questions or comments, contact: stephenrusiniak@yahoo.com
That's what good teachers do
Synopsis: Today's teachers work within an environment which has been poisoned by elected officials who publicly proclaim the totality of our schools as failure factories—all the while putting their students first and foremost.
for questions or comments, contact: stephenrusiniak@yahoo.com
Tracy's kitchen center:
Synopsis: It was a reluctant reality that this father was beginning to realize—daddy’s little girl was growing up. No longer was I the slayer of her dragons, the great daddy and hero, and still, I celebrated the past while looking forward to the future.
for questions or comments, contact: stephenrusiniak@yahoo.com
The coming storm
Synopsis: The excitement is contagious and if everything goes as it should, this storm
will rage on, hopefully well into the fall.
for questions or comments, contact: stephenrusiniak@yahoo.com