They’re just toys they say, stuffed animals, nothing more. But they’re more to me. So much more. They were there when I needed a hug. They were there when I needed to yell. They were there when I needed to talk. And they were there when I needed to cry. I remember playing with them with my little sister. We had so much fun. We would play with them outside with animals and inside with our dolls. We would always play with them with each other. When there was a storm or a tornado, we would run to grab them. To hold them. They would calm us. Sometimes I still run to grab them, to hold them close. Because they are So Much More than stuffed animals.

I wake to a rush of anxiety pishing against my chest like an ocean wave. Thoughts of fear slam into my mind. I sigh silently in frustration, placing my hand over my heart where a very special gift rests close to me. A smooth faced rock dangling from a string slowly shredding at the ends. A cross carved in the center of one side.

When ever i touch the cross i am reminded tyat no mattsr how tough things get. No matter how lonely and lost i feel i am never truly alone.

This necklace though plain and simple, has got me through so much since i got it. I am greatful for it and for message it holds within.

it’s been a long day six hours of rehearsals you’re only fourteen now the whole world’s at your disposal

sit on the floor feel the wood on your back hear the ringing of the bells find your costume on the rack

hand in hand with your friends you walk in the cold a flash of white catches your attention and a tear softly rolled

the first blossoms you’d seen on that old, dying tree a metaphor perhaps of when one became three

the flowers on the branches mirrored the flowers in your heart and the smile spread across your face that kept you from falling apart

so this is an ode to that tree with its young, tentative life the hands on each of your shoulders rang clear the end of strife

Broken glass In front of the masses, Turning red And feeling dead I roll From my daydreams Comfort to me Gone, A toll Of staying alone.

I picked myself Up. High I held my head Past the fear I looked Past all that was dead.

I closed my eyes, Soft to the touch. I wanted to hide Under my bed— I wasn’t enough.

Broken glass In my heart Past The fire Last To part.

Dead Inside Nothing left To hide. My twisted knife In my wrists. I’m jumping off the cliff, From the sunset Straight out of my bed. I wish Aurora was dead.

Eyes Close I take The blows And pull up the covers Over my head To brace for the showers Of broken glass That takes to the dead.

Inside My heart I fell Apart, To hear The songs I no longer sing.

The dreams have faded That I once clung to For my life I’ll take your knife.

I stare at the wall, the many small wooden cases, filled with spoons. Some are commemorative, others show the many travels the collector has been on, but my favorite is a plain spoon, dull patches are setting in, showing it’s age. My great-grandma gave it to me before my first family trip. She collected spoons and wanted me to start collecting them, and get her one whenever I went anywhere. So when she died we both had a very large collection. And each one I love dearly, they all have a memory of her with them. A small one with a bell on top, meant to be the liberty bell. Another a crown, from the Tower of London. One with a monk… I paise as I look at it. I don’t remember. I smile to myself, I guess that happens when you have so many. I look over the collection. I don’t want to pack them up, I don’t want to leave this place, an irrational fear tells me I’ll lose them, I guess that’s why I find myself putting my favorite, my first one in my pocket, so I know that one is safe. So I know that one will never be lost.

“Still or bubbly,” the waitress said. Avery flashed her a generous smile. “Just a Perrier with lime. Carl pick your poison. The club has an Scotch selection or—“ Carl growled. “Look, this isn’t a social call. I just need to see those financials!” Avery and the waitress looked affronted. With its panoramic views of lush golf courses and sumptuous wicker chairs, Wilshire Country Club was unaccustomed to raised voices. A few blue hairs at the neighboring table raised their eyebrows. Avery tossed apologetic glances to the other diners. Carl scoffed loudly. “Just make that two Perriers and leave the wine list,” Avery said to the waitress. His voice was butterscotch smooth with a touch of levity. Smiling Avery sent her off. He turned his full attention on Carl. Carl was a hard man. High school lineman and an ex-Marine, Carl was tough but a lot of guys were tough. That didn’t bother Avery. Carl made his first packet wildcatting in Georgia before going into frozen yogurt franchises. Carl was smart and that made Avery nervous. Avery looked down at his Oyster Perpetual. The Rolex was heavy gold with bevel diamonds. Avery remembered how he told Belinda he was meeting an investor when instead Avery was doing a little retail therapy. The sales staff was gracious as he tried on watch after watch. Avery remembered slipping into the Oyster Perpetual, the weight made Avery lighter, more free. “Let’s stop dancing you’re cute but you not my type. I’ve invested two million in your film licensing firm but I need to see the contract with HBO as well as all the oversees licensing agreements,” Carl said. “This is basic and I don’t see the problem.” Avery watched the diamonds on his timepiece sparkle in the afternoon light. Carl studied the younger man’s face. Avery looked bored. “Carl I’ve been transparent with you but I’ll never share that information with investors. I see your uncomfortable, I don’t want anyone to be unhappy, so let’s part ways,” Avery said. Avery moved his wrist catching the light. “Wait what!” Avery patted his blazer jacket for a nonexistent check book. “No worries, let me return your original investment and your earnings from this quarter and just shake hands.” The waitress set down their waters. Avery took a long slow drink hoping Carl bought the story. A prism of light from the Rolex dazzled Carl. “Hold on just a minute,” Carl said. Avery smiled with relief behind his glass.

The clock sat incongruously on the mantle, its gold-finished bronze surface covered with the warm patina of age. With its elaborate cut-bronze floral decoration and delicate white enamel face, the clock felt out of place amongst the rest of the cheap, utilitarian particle board furniture in the house. It rested there confidently with a sturdy handle projecting from its top, leaving one with the impression that it was the only truly solid object in the room.

He hated the clock. Not only because it didn’t fit with his minimalistic interior design sensibilities, but because it reminded him that he was also a man out of place. A man out of time. The ridiculous thing didn’t even function anymore. It sat there, hands motionless, simply observing. A late 19th century carriage clock had no more purpose in 2095 than he did, and yet he and the clock had found themselves there together. And together they sat, hands motionless, simply observing.

Dear God, It’s been a while. You’re probably wondering where I’ve been, but you already know, right? Nothing should come as a surprise to the Almighty, you’ve had my future charted from the very beginning, even before you breathed life into flesh and bone, or so it is written. Which does beg the question, was my disappearance just part of your Divine plan? It was more than 1 year ago that my faith collided with the proverbial brick wall, in a moment when, everything I’d ever believed in, imploded like an explosion of construction debris. It’s taken time for the dust to settle, but as you can see, I survived. Well, for the most part. A piece of me was left behind in the rubble.

Just so you’re aware, I haven’t been idle the entire time. Granted, I haven’t stepped foot in a church since the derailment, but I haven’t fallen into total darkness. There have been some murky patches along the way, and the faint glow of light you left me still hovers in the distance. I do thank you for that, but I’m not sure I’m ready to follow it just yet.

The type of person I am I keep many things close to my heart that brings back memories as you hold or share with others. Now there are some meaningful items that I do not share with others but there are many items that may have one or more great memories attached to them. Recently after doing some spring cleaning you always end up finding and going through things. Finding things such as fortune cookies fortune, four leaf clovers, and then even some notebooks. Some of the notebooks have vey little writings just some notebooks my kids drew in and I could not throw out. When I located some of the notebooks there was plenty of empty spaces clear to write, so I begin to use them for creative writings and to always have the drawing my kids have drawn. Though such a simple every day thing the notebooks are very sentimental to me. I will write in the empty space and keep what they have done to keep all the beautiful memories from our children’s childhood.

Swiftly the breeze blows back and fourth, pinches María’s ears with the speed. As she woke up mysteriously on the roof of her house. Frightened as she was , she screamed “mommy help help” anxiety filled her appetite for the entire day. Puzzled on how she reached on the roof. Maria quickly realized the only thing that was on the roof with her was her teddy bear. Growing up Maria had a younger sibling Timothy, they spent the most time with each other. Climbed mountains, walked through the toughest valleys all together. The love for each other was immensurable. It wasn't meant to be, Timothy was born with numerous complications, Doctor's knew he had an expiry date. The parents Simon and Marisa was in despair hearing this news drops of tears raced down their cheeks. "He will live for a maximum of 8 years" said Dr. Thryix. They never told Maria, they are too scared of how terrified she would be. This information clouded their minds for as long as Timothy closes his eyes one last time. Marisa gifted a teddy bear to Maria. This was to make Maria grow a connection as close to one as how it is between she and her brother. Realistically the brotherly bond with Timothy could never be matched especially with a non living thing. Years have gone by and the sorrow and pain hasn’t faded. Hard to come to terms to bury his body, they finally put him to rest. The teddy bear had been holding the spirit of Timothy, he tried unlocking and create new memories, by bringing her on top of the roof. Tempted was the teddy bear to wrestle Maria over the roof so the siblings could reunite in one place. “Argh” the sound of Marisa grunting with a knife in her hand. After she saw what was happening she ran with a knife ready to slash the teddy bear in minced parts. Frightened has they both were, Maria ran into her mother hands. “I’m sorry to put you through this my love” whispered Marisa. As Maria noticed her mother said my love she quickly remembered her mother calls her sweety. Sparked with confusion Maria looked up and realize the person she was hugging now had an hideous appearance, ghastly smile and lanky hair; the descriptions of a shape shifting witch. The witch now knows Maria knows everything. That her plan with the teddy bear was all her idea. So she had no choice but to catapult Maria over the roof.