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74 pages

English

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Beginning in 2017, several close family members became ill, and I was the designated caregiver. I was always taught that you help your family and friends whenever possible without question.
It never occurred to me to do otherwise even though my life had basically stopped.
The Help Chronicles was written as a testament to the time I spent helping my family members and how I learned the varied definitions of this small four-letter word. It was a trying and sad time for me, but the help I provided for them showed me the difference I made in their lives and how grateful they were to me. Though they didn't ask, they accepted all of the help I could give them.

Sujets

Vie de famille

Relations familiales

Inspirational

Philosophie et théologie

Religion

Informations

Publié par	Xlibris US
Date de parution	10 janvier 2023
Nombre de lectures	0
EAN13	9781669862062
Langue	English

Informations légales : prix de location à la page 0,0200€. Cette information est donnée uniquement à titre indicatif conformément à la législation en vigueur.

Extrait

The Help Chronicles

R. JAY BERRY

Copyright © 2023 by R. Jay Berry.

Library of Congress Control Number:
2023900351
ISBN:
Hardcover
978-1-6698-6208-6
Softcover
978-1-6698-6207-9
eBook
978-1-6698-6206-2

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.
Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Scripture quotations marked KJV are from the Holy Bible, King James Version (Authorized Version). First published in 1611. Quoted from the KJV Classic Reference Bible, Copyright © 1983 by The Zondervan Corporation.

Rev. date: 10/11/2023

Xlibris
844-714-8691
www.Xlibris.com
848936

CONTENTS
Dedica tion
Pre face
The Standferd Family
Chapte r 1
The Mother
Chapte r 2
Chapte r 3
Chapte r 4
Chapte r 5
Chapte r 6
Chapte r 7
Chapte r 8
Chapte r 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
The Father
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
The Siblings and Coco
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
June Bradford
Chapter 31
Chapter 32

DEDICATION
A few months ago, I was speaking to a close friend of mine, Sherry Fullylove; and we were having a conversation about the recent death of her brother-in-law. I was feeling her pain while trying to offer my support and condolences when she made a statement that remained in my mind so much, so I had to write it down. She said, “My hurt does not match my emotions.” After hearing these words, I immediately thought about my sweet mother and how I felt when she passed away and how my father looked at me when he passed. I remember feeling my great losses but also not showing any outward emotions because things had to be completed in the style that my mother would approve. This book was difficult for me to pen because it talks about the loss of family members and dealing with sickness that I was unfamiliar with. But most importantly, it made me realize how helping loved ones can help ease their pain because they are not alone in their suffering. What I also realized was that it can also help the person providing the help see what the Lord meant by helping each other when times are not good and when you are required to go beyond your comfort zone.
The Help Chronicles is dedicated to my parents, Jimmie Riley Stradford and Litha Gray Stradford. My dear mother passed to glory on May 6, 2017, and my father on October 12, 2018. We all miss them so much. During their time here on this earth, they were always known to be kind, caring, and sweet individuals who would literally spend their last dime and all the strength they could muster to help anyone in need, especially their children. This help they provided to us was always unconditional and in all instances was offered out of the goodness of their h eart.
While they were loved by all, especially their children and grandchildren, let’s not forget about the family watchdog, little Coco. Though we try and emulate their giving spirit each day as we face the challenges of not having them around to receive their sage advice, it has proven to be a difficult task as we wonder, “What would Mama tell me to do, or how would Daddy handle this situation?” I will always remember the last words I had with both of my parents before they passed, but the words my mother said to me will be with me forever, because she asked me for something that has a different meaning for me now. Her last words touched a part of my being that can only be explained by telling not only her story to the reader but also my father’s story and, lastly, stories that involve my siblings. While all these stories are so poignant in their meaning, it was very difficult for me to write because I have not fully grieved what has transpired in our lives since 2010 and beyond. Hopefully, the messages that each of these stories convey to the readers will explain my anguish and the tears I have shed for many years and probably will for years to come.

PREFACE
W hen a person gets to a certain age, say around sixty or so, the gists begin one at a time. The gists are those specialists you are referred to by your primary care physician when your symptoms fall beyond their scope of treatment. You know, the cardiologist, rheumatologist, oncologist, pulmonologist, ophthalmologist, hematologist, etc. Also, about this same time, give or take a year or two, it seems that you begin to attend more funerals than you would care to think about. Now, I can say I have reached that age, but thank the Lord, that while I have been referred to a few of the major gists specialists, so far, so good.
However, I cannot say that about the number of funerals I now attend. What I have noticed, with each funeral I attend, is there is a message that I hear that resonates with me. This was never more evident than when I attended the funeral of a young man whose mother is a good friend of mine. The pastor’s eulogy message was entitled “HELP.” He referenced Psalm 46:1, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble,” followed by Daniel 6:11 and Hebrews 4:16. He then proceeded to remind everyone in attendance that God helps those who ask for it and that God’s help is always available. Tears began to form in my eyes when he reminded everyone that God’s help works when we can’t help ourselves. Of course, while I was at this funeral, I was thinking about my parents and their last days, especially the words my mother spoke. When the pastor’s message had come to an end, he ended by singing the song “All of My Help Comes from the Lord.” When the first word was sung, I recognized the song, and my tears began to flow uncontrollably. While sad thoughts were in my head, I was happy that my parents and my friend’s son received the Lord’s help.
When you think about it, there is no doubt that in everyone’s life, we all need help at various times. While we always need help from the Lord, whether we verbally ask him or even realize that fact, many times we require additional help from one another. Help is such a small word but carries so many large meanings. Merriam-Webster dictionary defines this small word to mean “to do something that makes it easier for someone to do a job, to deal with a problem, etc.; to aid or assist someone; to make something less severe; to make something more pleasant or easier to deal with; to give (yourself or another person) food or d rink.”
As you can see, this word carries many definitions but ultimately has the same meaning even when used in different scenarios. To further explain the different connotations of this word, stories based on actual events will be highlighted in The Help Chronicles . These stories chronicle how help can be required, can be requested, can be provided, and can be received. It should be noted the stories that will be shared may bring back memories to the reader of similar family stories that touched their lives recently or in the past. Hopefully, the examples shown in these stories will help deliver the powerful messages and weight of this four-letter word.

The Standferd Family
Chapte r 1

O ftentimes, I find myself thinking about nostalgic moments that my family had when we were all together—the family vacations, gatherings in the city and country, church services, and daily communications. We were definitely a close-knit family. Our parents made sure we knew the importance of family and education and that we were always there to help each other. Our father was the most handsome man I had ever seen. Of course, I was biased because he was my father, but so many people also commented on his good looks until the day he died. He was the ultimate provider for his family. The food often came from the country by way of the cattle he raised or the vegetables he grew in the family garden or the fruit from the pecan and peach orchards. His joy came from seeing his wife and children eat the actual fruits of his labor. It’s no surprise that I married a man like my wonderful father. It’s as though he’s still with me because Bernie has so many of the same values that my father posse ssed.
My mother was a very attractive woman of many talents, a beautiful soul inside and out, and everybody loved her. She loved cooking whatever our father brought home, sewing clothes for her and her children, painting the interior walls of the house, upholstering furniture, or moving furniture at least twice a month. She believed we should all look good, so she made sure we had the best clothes to wear, especially on Sundays, so much so that many people thought we were extremely well off. She liked showing us off. I do resemble my mother in many ways not just in looks but also in my love for cooking, painting, and always making sure my family dressed the part. I love taking care of my home, and I know this was instilled in me from my mo ther.
Just like my mother, my mind keeps reliving various moments we h