Finally, they were alone together in the booth. It wasn’t an I-Hop, but pancakes were pretty much a horse apiece when it came to late-night dining. Kayleigh looked nervous. And any relief she may have felt from the waitress’s brief presence disappeared the moment she returned to the kitchen.
BF-26: David (Chapter 03)
Posted by Jacqueline on July 23, 2015
https://justonetake.com/2015/07/23/david/
BF-26: Kayleigh (Chapter 02)
It had already been a long night and the bars had been closed for only an hour. Kayleigh wiped her hand across her brow, stretched her back, and let loose a long sigh.
“Order up,” Mike called out.
“I’m on it,” said Kayleigh with resignation.
Posted by Jacqueline on July 21, 2015
https://justonetake.com/2015/07/21/leagh/
BF-26: Reese (Chapter 01)
The first time it happened, she didn’t understand what it was taking place within herself. It was the first day of school – the first day of junior high. Reese had been dreading this day all summer. The months-long break gave her an escape from the daily torment subjected upon her by fellow classmates. Well, one classmate in particular – the pretty, the popular, the stuck up and snobby Elaine Sanden.
Read the full post »
Posted by Jacqueline on July 21, 2015
https://justonetake.com/2015/07/21/reese/
Suffering with grace
One of my favorite spiritual leaders growing up was a priest named Father Jim. I believe he came to our small-town parish in the mid- to late 90s – I remember being about 12 years of age. I didn’t realize what a big deal it was at the time, but mine was the first CCD class where both the boys and the girls were trained to be altar attendants.*
My sister, brother, and I all served at mass dozens of times – probably hundreds if you were to tally up the instances between the three of us. As a child and even as a teenager, I probably didn’t fully appreciate the role I played as an altar attendant. Regardless, I think it was important as a young person for me to understand that a religious community – just like any other community – has jobs that need done and members of that community have a responsibility to fulfill those roles when needed.
Posted by Jacqueline on October 13, 2014
https://justonetake.com/2014/10/13/suffering-with-grace/
November 26, 2013
November 26, 2013 – 9:00 a.m.
It is another early morning – up and at the Smithson house by 6:30 a.m. My husband drops me off at their twin home and heads to his own place of employ.
The house is dark, but Mike* is awake and fixing his morning cup of coffee. I whisper “good morning” to him. He smiles and whispers the greeting back to me. I grab a pillow and throw blanket and place them on the couch and lay down as he starts up his truck and leaves for his job. I might have fallen asleep, or I might have just blinked my eyes slowly – but there is little Anna in her pajamas looking at me with her big adorable eyes. I get her some breakfast.
Posted by Jacqueline on October 13, 2014
https://justonetake.com/2014/10/13/november-26-2013/
November 14, 2013
Written in my journal October 7, 2014 around 2:30 a.m.
It is another early morning – up and at the Smithson* house by 6:30 a.m. My husband drops me off at their home and heads to his own place of employ.
The house is dark, but Mike* is awake and fixing his morning cup of coffee. I whisper “good morning” to him. He smiles and whispers the greeting back to me. I grab a pillow and throw blanket and place them on the couch and lay down as he starts up his truck and leaves for his job. I might have fallen asleep, or I might have just blinked my eyes slowly – but there is little Anna* in her pajamas looking at me with her big adorable eyes. I get her some breakfast.
Posted by Jacqueline on October 13, 2014
https://justonetake.com/2014/10/13/november-14-2013/
September 24, 2014
Written in my journal October 7th around 2:00 a.m.
I drove downtown around six-thirty that evening. I grabbed my bag from the passenger seat, locked the doors, put the keys in my pocket, and started walking. As I walked, I looked around at the other pedestrians and cars passing by. It looked like a typical day. But this wasn’t a typical day. I was going to a sacred place, a place where many desperate women go to get help to protect their very lives and to assert the most vital part of our humanity – our right to choose.
Last Thursday, as I sat on Lucy’s* couch telling her about what it was like losing a second child the words flowed from me like an underground spring that was bursting through the ground for the first time.
“Our choices are more important that people realize. Our choices are what make us who we are. When you take someone’s choice away, you strip them of their humanity.”
Posted by Jacqueline on October 9, 2014
https://justonetake.com/2014/10/09/september-24-2014/
November 26th – R.I.P. Jacqueline
November 26, 2013 – around 2:00 p.m.
I feel alone. I feel small. I feel unimportant.
I feel despair and hopelessness take over.
Posted by Jacqueline on October 7, 2014
https://justonetake.com/2014/10/07/november-26th-r-i-p-jackie-kodadek/
What it means to be human
Don’t expect to get the answer from Heather Zinger. And according to her, you won’t find it anywhere – no matter where you may look.
Posted by Jacqueline on August 13, 2014
https://justonetake.com/2014/08/13/what-it-means-to-be-human/
Untitled – Section One
Chapter One
The Announcement
Once upon a time, there lived two young boys who were just on the cusp of becoming young men. Each of the boys had a guardian to watch over them. One guardian was named Ana and she (being the smaller of the two) looked after the younger brother, Derek. The other guardian was named Precious and she looked after the boy named Taylor.
Posted by Jacqueline on August 4, 2014
https://justonetake.com/2014/08/04/untitled-in-progress-section-one/
Just One Take 