Stories from the Steps

sacrifice

  • Vol.1 Chronicle 41

    (4:45AM DAD’S & A POOL & THE GOSPEL OF MARK, NOT SO) SHALLOW THOUGHTS FROM THE DEEP END WITH MISS JULIE’S POOL BOY: Miss Julie unlocked the pool gates at 4:45 this morning, not to fix the pool’s condition but… Continue reading

    Vol.1 Chronicle 41

  • Vol.1 Chronicle 39

    FOUR GENERATIONS: On one of the final 4 Sundays of September 1968, my parents, after escorting me & my sister up the only staircase (pictured) in our church at the time to 9:45 Sunday School & then down it to… Continue reading

    Vol.1 Chronicle 39

  • Vol.1 Chronicle 38: Farewell 9/2/2021

    CHINSTRAPS & HEROES, A FAREWELL TO JIMMY: I wasn’t expecting to cry today. I especially wasn’t planning on one of those heaving cries that convulses down to the gut. I’d already been a little emotional in dreading next week, a… Continue reading

    Vol.1 Chronicle 38: Farewell 9/2/2021

  • Vol.1, Chronicle 37: Keys, 8/27/1984

    KEYS, A 40 YEAR STORY OF MISS JULIE AND HER POOL BOY: Miss Julie gave me these keys for Christmas 2023. They used to work the locks of Maclellan Gymnasium on the UT-Chattanooga campus. Today, technology has rendered them useless… Continue reading

    Vol.1, Chronicle 37: Keys, 8/27/1984

  • Volume 1, Chronicle 36, Lottie’s Song

    Today, August 10th, 2024, marks 21 years since my grandmother passed away. What follows was written a year ago to her namesake great-great-granddaughter. I thought about brushing it up with a rewrite as I scrolled the socials on a sleep… Continue reading

    Volume 1, Chronicle 36, Lottie’s Song

  • Vol.1, Chronicle 34

    I ALMOST STAYED OUT THE HALLWAY: “Stay out the hallway” was written in black on 2” white athletic tape, advice on a gym door for students where me & Miss Julie voted last Tuesday. That advice in some form, has… Continue reading

    Vol.1, Chronicle 34

  • Vol.1, Chronicle 32

    THE WEDNESDAY FOOTBALL FIX, 1974 WITH LOTTIE & JULIA: As days sometimes thunder by slowly & the years are greased lightning, I find myself recognizing deeds that went by without applause. I find the words in Maya Angelou’s “Continue” both… Continue reading

    Vol.1, Chronicle 32

  • Vol.1,  Chronicle 31: Mirages

    MIRAGES OF GRIEF, THE PRODIGAL, VOLUME 1, CHRONICLE 31, STORIES FROM THE STEPS: Maya Angelou wrote, “I answer the heroic question ‘Death where is thy sting?’, with it is here in my heart & mind & memories.” I seem to… Continue reading

    Vol.1,  Chronicle 31: Mirages

  • Vol.1 Chronicle 29

    (CITY MEET, FINISH WHAT YA STARTED)THOUGHTS FROM THE DEEP END WITH MISS JULIE’S POOL BOY: It’s pre sunrise, Friday 5:39AM, & Miss Julie’s Pool Boy pours his second 28 ounce cup of emotional support coffee. Miss Julie has long since… Continue reading

    Vol.1 Chronicle 29

  • Vol.1, Chronicle 28

    VOLUME 1, CHRONICLE 28, BOTH INDEPENDENCE DAYS & PLYMOUTH ROCK: INTRO: The 6 or 7 minute read that follows in 3 chapters, is my pastor’s fault. This Sunday past, he basically told our congregation, those that weren’t thinking of beating… Continue reading

    Vol.1, Chronicle 28