A Fighter

mom- strength dad- fighter jacklyn aubrey

        - A Fighter -     The smell of his cologne lingers even after he leaves me. His voice rings loud in my head when I begin to tear up.     “You’re a smart girl, you’ll figure it out.” Is what I hear and then a sense of peace over whelms my insides.      69 years ago the battle began. God only gives his toughest battles to his strongest soldiers. — I also believe he gives it to those with good hearts.      A severe case of the measles took most of his hearing and that hearing loss cost him his ability to serve God as a priest. A fire fighter was a desire of his. “At least I don’t need my ears to be on the crew.”     With somewhat of a break for the next 15 years, things seemed to go in his favor, with a wife and 4 children.      That soon ended thus restarting the war within himself and ignited the crucial decision that has brought significant happiness to him. A new wife creating two precious girls and the ability to serve The Father as a father should.       It’s been over 40 years since that occurred and it’s been easier to go to war with someone who isn’t ahead of or behind, but next to.     First was the knee replacement followed by the heart condition. He made it through both without giving in.      The internal bleed almost took him, but he fought that with no problems. Another heart issue, yet it wasn’t the right time.      Cancer times three came with chemo surgeries and treatments, a lot of courage, and months of silence while he sat in pain.      Cancer free for almost 3 years and now he has too much fluid on his brain. He’s 

    She is a very good friend, away. This friendship didn’t cost what she normally had to pay. To be accepted for who she was, not what she had, was definitely new to her. That turned into an invitation to movie night at Tim’s and Jay’s. Her friend liked Jay.     She didn’t want to be touched. They arrived greeted by drinks. A shock to her palate. Darkness over took her as she faded into the effect of the drugs. Locked in a room with no windows, stripped, and tied to a bed. The torture began — sweet child of mine on repeat, eight hours at the hands of the devil in Hell on Earth. 

- Melissa Hennessey