True STories
Walk in someone else's shoes with personal narratives and true stories as told by our community.
WHEN YOU WALK BY
WHEN YOU WALK BY, YOU’VE GOT THE LOOK OF LOVE IN YOUR EYES. I’VE GOT A CLEAR BLUE SKY. I LOVE YOU, GIRL. YOU’RE MY
Love Remains
So many of us know the pain of losing a loved one. I write in empathy with you. Whilst everyone’s hurt is different, that we
Life is.
Life is never idle Life is never dull Life is always happening Life is always testing Life is never predicable Life is never set Life
Dear Brain, WTF is Wrong with You Now?
The crazy dreams are back. I thought we settled this! Photo by Vladislav Muslakov on Unsplash Hey there brain, Let’s just cut to the chase.
My friend died for me (2/2)
Welcome! If you have not read the first part of this composition (My friend died for me (1/2), you need to start here: http://simily.co/all-stories/cvpetrere/my-friend-died-for-me/ I’m actually
Why I’m Afraid to Fall in Love Again
After a summer fling gone wrong, I’m not sure how to let myself fall in love again. 2019 was a mess of a year for me.
When The Puppet Strings Break – Chapter 10 – False Hope
Image by Stephen Keller from Pixabay The drive home was unsettling. Willow distracted herself with hopes of better days as she pulled up to a
The Lost Poem
Oh no! What have I done? My happiness has been stung By a major error There’s nothing in my mind except terror It ruined a
When the Puppet Strings Break – Chapter 9 – Perpetual Motion
Image by Stephen Keller from Pixabay Willow’s reality to live a peaceful existence was slowly fading. She began to realize that Mitch and his group
Under the Rubber Tree
Each day I visit the village square, and each day the older men gather to pass time. Friends since school days, one by one they
I remember you in my heart
It was Spring when we first met. Our first meeting was not something special in terms of atmosphere. It was online in a game. We
Space Has Taken on a Whole New Meaning as a Full-Time RVer
I am the happiest I have ever been and it’s due to living tiny. Photo by cottonbro from Pexels For decades, I tried to figure
The Worn Spot on the Floor
The smell of summer morning was replaced by the sweet aroma of bacon frying when I opened my grandma’s door. She always made sure there
If Someone Claims They Attempted To Commit Suicide, Never Accuse Them Of Lying Unless You Have Proof
Don’t be an asshole, keep your insults to yourself, and at least pretend to be a kind human being
中英文讲道 When Jesus said Don’t Follow (Chinese-English Lesson, for Sunday, 31 July, 2022)
“But the LORD sent out a great wind into the sea, and there was a mighty tempest in the sea, so that the ship was
August 23: Today In HistoryPETE ROSE GETS BANNED FROM BASEBALL!
On August 23, 1989, Pete Rose, the Cincinnati Reds manager, received a settlement including a lifetime ban from baseball as a consequence of betting on
My Mother Broke Her Hip And Had Surgery Today: I wasn’t allowed to be there, but my sister was…
Being estranged from my family means I’m never told anything. But this time, it was serious. My mother fell and fractured her hip Tuesday night.
Escaping From Her Pain:My journey in and out of mental and emotional abuse
I could have walked away at any time. My friends encouraged, cajoled, threatened, and begged me to do so. One woman friend offered me sex
中英文讲道 Chinese-English Sermon: From Slinging to Drooling (May 22, 2022)
信心软弱？想想神做过什么（2022年5月22日星期日） 中英文讲道 Chinese-English Sermon: From Slinging to Drooling (May 22, 2022) 【撒母耳记上17:44】非利士人又对大卫说：来吧！我将你的肉给空中的飞鸟、田野的走兽吃。 【撒上17:45】大卫对非利士人说：你来攻击我，是靠着刀、枪和盾牌；我来攻击你，是靠着万军之耶和华的名，就是你所骂阵的以色列军队的神。 【撒上17:46】今日耶和华必将你交在我手里。我必击打你，斩你的头，又将非利士军队的尸首给空中的飞鸟、地上的野兽吃，使全地都知道以色列中有神； 1 Samuel 17:44 And the Philistine said to David, Come to
YOU’RE THE SUNSHINE AT THE END OF MY DAY
I HAVE LIVED THROUGH TROUBLED TIMES, WHEN I WAS DOWN TO MY LAST DIME. I HAVE SEEN CLOUDY DAYS, WHEN THE SUN WOULDN’T SHINE. A
Poetry Slam
I thought that I would never see A fight regarding poetry. Life can venture nothing worse, Than fisticuffs o’er flowing verse. * If poems be
August 19: Today In HistoryUS CIA SPY PILOT SENTENCED TO 10 YEARS IN RUSSIAN PRISON!
On August 19, 1960, U.S. CIA U-2 pilot Francis Gary Powers was condemned to ten years in prison in the USSR, having confessed to espionage.
Hardwired.
I am hardwired to self destruct I am hardwired to self believe I am hardwired to self sabotage I am hardwired to self help We
Little Children Of Uvalde
Little ones No one expected your short lives to end by the gun You were daughters and sons Trying to play and learn Only for
THINKING ABOUT YOU
WHEN YOU FIRST LEFT ME, I THOUGHT WE WERE REALLY THROUGH. BUT DARLING, I DID’T KNOW I’D CRY A RIVER OVER YOU. THERE IS NOT
中英文讲道 Chinese-English Sermon: Daring or Useless Touching (May 15, 2022)
承认问题，在信心里“碰”耶稣（祷告）（2022年5月15日星期日） 中英文讲道 Chinese-English Sermon: Daring or Useless Touching (May 15, 2022) • 学习目标：（1）耶稣和跟随祂的人有能力立刻奇迹般地医治人的疾病；（2）有信心自己能被治好的人，碰到耶稣（或者被耶稣碰到）时就被治好了；（3）很多人不承认自己的问题，或者不相信耶稣能帮他们，他们虽然“碰到了”耶稣，但什么都没有得到；（4）让我们不要像他们一样，与之相反，我们应该承认自己的问题，相信耶稣能帮助，在祷告中“触碰”耶稣！ Learning Objectives: (1) Jesus and His followers had power to heal people
REDBIRD AT MY WINDOW
THERE IS A REDBIRD AT MY WINDOW, LOOKING IN AT ME. SAYING SON, YOU’RE NOT THE CHILD. YOU’RE NOT THE CHILD YOU USED TO BE.
My friend died for me (1/2)
My friend died for me Dear reader, before you read on, let me tell you what this is about. I’m not trying to trick anyone.
Life’s 5 Most Important Points (God’s Way to Heaven)
Below is a relatively simple explanation (from the Bible) of how we can be sure of eternal life with God after death. If you are
中英文课 Decision Beats Feeling (Chinese-English Lesson, for Sunday, 9 October, 2022), Persist Part 2
你所做的，要交托耶和华，你所想的，就必建立。【箴言16:3】 “Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.” Proverbs 16:3 [End Preview] Dear Reader, may God grant you many years
中英文课 He’s the Boss (Chinese-English Lesson, for Sunday, 18 September, 2022)
“Peter saith unto him, ‘Thou shalt never wash my feet.’ Jesus answered him, ‘If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.’ Simon Peter
中英文讲道 Can You Change God’s Mind? (Chinese-English Sermon, Sunday, 12 June, 2022)
All other sermons / spiritual articles may be found here, each one denoted by th picture of a sunrise: http://simily.co/members/cvpetrere/blog/ God’s way to Heaven is
Bougainvillea Snow
A Prose Poem about a Teenage Crush My heart soars like a kite on a windy day, As a silent hello escapes from your mouth.
Two Paths Crossing
The story of a broken heart healed and a tiny life saved Photo by Victor Grabarczyk on Unsplash In the beginning, I did not like
A Dog Had Me Cornered in a Small Town Junk Shop
It seemed like any other thrift shop you’d find in a rural community. In small towns in Kansas and Oklahoma, they are called thrift shops
I WISH THINGS WERE LIKE THEY USED TO BE
OH, I’D LOVE TO SEE GRANDMA PEARL AND GRANDMA EMMA AGAIN. I’D LOVE TO HEAR UNCLE CURTIS PLAY THE BANJO DOWN IN NEBO BEND. I’D
Consequences of Inconsequential Words
I’ve always paid close attention to my dreams, not so much to analyze what they might mean, but to track the details of what my
I WON’T HAVE TO HURRY
ONE OF THESE DAY IF I MAKE IT TO HEAVEN, WHEN MY LIFE ON THIS EARTH IS OVER, I’M GONNA SIT DOWN AND VISIT WITH
Every Knee Shall Bow to Him (Part 3/3: When Was Jehovah Dead?)
The First and The Last: Should We Worship / Pray to / Serve Jesus? This is Part 3 of the Article. If you have
August 24: Today In HistoryPLUTO IS NO LONGER A PLANET!
On August 24, 2006, Pluto was downgraded to one of the dozens of known dwarf planets from having been the ninth planet from the sun
YOU PUT THE SUNSHINE BACK IN MY LIFE
I’D BEEN DOWN TO THE VERY BOTTOM. I’D SEEN LIFE FROM THE LOWER END. THE LORD ONLY KNOWS HOW MANY BAD ROADS THERE HAD BEEN.
One Of My Biggest Fears Could Be Coming True: Thankfully I had the opportunity to tell my mother I loved her before her surgery
Last week my mother fell and broke her hip. My sister had time to drive five hours from Toronto and was the one who spoke
I Will Never Be Ashamed To Admit I’m Mentally Ill: So don’t ever dare have the audacity to tell me to stop talking about my mental illnesses because you’re ashamed
The words “mentally ill” strike fear in the hearts of ignorant people who know only of the stereotypical mentally ill people portrayed by the media.
Hyenas and Ammo Cans
The tarmac ended one day’s drive out of Nairobi. Now, the sun is almost gone. The forest leans over the riverbank, every color that can be compounded
August 20: Today In HistoryFIRST AFRICAN SLAVES ARRIVE IN JAMESTOWN
On August 20, 1619, the Portuguese arrived in the British colony of Virginia with 20 enslaved Angolans and others who they sold to the English
The Contact Lens Battle
Contacts will be the coolest thing to have, or so I thought. The actual experience was something I never expected or was taught. I’m in
When We Don’t Understand God (English-Chinese Back-Issue, Sunday, 3 May, 2020)
“After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was
He Tried to Kill God (English-Chinese Back-Issue, Sunday, 8 March, 2020)
All other sermons / spiritual articles may be found here, each one denoted by a picture of a sunrise: http://simily.co/members/cvpetrere/blog/ God’s way to Heaven is
Did I Help Make Ooga-Chuka a Top 40 Hit?
Now, I’m not Forrest Gump, but I have had a few minor brushes with history in my life and, oddly enough, one of them involves
The First Time I Flew Alone Was To Visit My Grandparents in Florida During Christmas Break When I Was Twelve, And It Sucked: The flight there was the only part of the trip I enjoyed
My grandparents rented an apartment in Miami Beach every winter, as did many of my peers’ grandparents. Whenever possible, my mother, sister, and I would
YOU’RE JUST GOING AROUND ONE TIME
TODAY, I MET THIS OLD MAN OF YESTERDAY. HIS SHOULDERS WERE BENT, AND HIS HAIR WAS GRAY. HE SAID SON, DON’T LAG BEHIND. YOU’RE JUST
LITTLE THINGS IN LIFE COUNT
The little things in life always count. If you show a little kindness along the way, it will always be appreciated. It will count and
PEOPLE WON’T STEAL THIS FROM YOU
Some people may try to steal your money. Some people may try to steal your car. Also, some people might try to steal your land,
Sunshowers
I’ve never forgotten the day I saw it rain on a beautiful day, with the sun out. I think I was six or seven when
Don’t Trust Poems Written Late at Night on a Table of Rickety Wood
I never saw the snake that should have killed me. My first and only indication that something was amiss was my Ugandan chimp tracker and
August 14: Today In HistoryVICTORY DAY! JAPAN SURRENDERS!
On August 14, 1945, Japan’s official surrender to the Allies was announced and made public. Although Japan had already submitted a declaration of surrender to
The Povitica Polka
Discovering this savory bread while learning about my heritage Photo by Klaus Nielsen from Pexels I have always been intrigued to learn about my family’s
August 18: Today In HistoryWOMEN CAN NOW VOTE!
On August 18, 1920, a battle in the Tennessee House of Representatives ended with only one more “yes” vote than “no” to ratify the 19th
August 22: Today In HistoryINTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE OF THE RED CROSS FOUNDED!
On August 22, 1864, what would later become the “International Committee of the Red Cross,” “The Amelioration of the Condition of the Wounded and Sick
Storm Of Grief
The affliction suffered has decayed the body Taking within, killing the inside slowly Once a warrior, now unable to stand Tightly holding on to dignity
TIMES CHANGE
You get up one morning. Then you realize, times have changed. Suddenly, you realize things are different, and the times have really changed. What happened?
Today, A Chinese Shuttle Will Tumble Back To Earth In An Uncontrolled Reentry: This will be their fourth uncontrolled reentry
On Saturday, November 5, 2022, a twenty-five-ton core stage of a Chinese Long March 5B rocket will return to earth in an uncontrolled re-entry. This
Present and Promise: A Mostly True Story
I wasn’t expecting anything. Yet, there it was. The unmistakable drone of the … well … drone dropping a package on the front stoop. I
Tuskers, Ping Pong, and Spears
Three six-foot-plus Samburu warriors sat at the bar, their left hands curled around half-liter bottles of Tusker. Their right hands caressed the shafts of long,
Thanks for Ruining One of My Childhood Experiences, Motherf*cker
Now peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are the bane of my existence. Photo by Freddy G on Unsplash There are childhood memories that should remain
Story Choices
This entire story already exists, but you are only experiencing it one word at a time as you move forward through it. You could, if
ADHD And How It Affects My Writing:The difference between when my medication works and when it wears off
Being a writer with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) can be extremely difficult; focusing on making sure my article is written as a coherent and smooth read
The Last Christmas Card
An ode to my Dad who left a surprise in my mailbox after his funeral Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash I remember when I
August 25: Today In History:THE NEW YORK SUN PUBLISHED PART ONE OF “THE GREAT MOON HOAX!”
On August 25, 1835, The New York Sun newspaper published the first article proclaiming the discovery of life on the moon. The six-part series, known
The Real Story About The The Southern Border Crossing In The USA
This article tells the real story of the open borders we have now. The information I am about to tell you is all true and
Time to say goodbye.
Time to say goodbye – Poem by Ellysa Greenhalgh. He stands up against the bar, his glass of scotch & ice lifted to his lips
WHAT GOES AROUND COMES AROUND
If a rocket goes up into the sky, it will come back down. If birds fly up into the sky, they will come back down.
FORCES OF GOOD AND EVIL
You look around the world. What do you see? You see the forces of good and evil coming at you and me. If you believe
Steam Dreams
This poem relates to a time when my children were young. Whenever they were unwell they would like to lie on the sofa covered in
How To Almost Run into a Massive Hippopotamus
Three of us lurched down the narrow path carved into the dense forest. Weaving our way from one side of the path to the other, we
When the Puppet Strings Break – Chapter 6 – Something is Wrong with Louie
Image by Stephen Keller from Pixabay “I can’t put my finger on it, but something is bothering Louie.” Willow and Steve take in the last
中英文讲道 Why Do Bad Things Happen? (Chinese-English Sermon, for Sunday, 19 June, 2022)
All other sermons / spiritual articles may be found here, each one denoted by the picture of a sunrise: http://simily.co/members/cvpetrere/blog/ God’s way to Heaven is
Lost Teeth
This poem relates to the loss of true friends in previous decades when forms of communication were less easy, but travelling or living abroad was
August 21: Today In HistoryHAWAII BECOMES THE 50TH STATE!
On August 21, 1959, a ruling accepting Hawaii as the 50th state of the Union was signed by President Dwight D. Eisenhower. Polynesians who arrived
NOTHING BUT A RAT RACE
YOU’RE UP IN THE MORNING, SIX TO FIVE, YOUR NOSE IS TO THE GRINDSTONE, TRYING TO STAY ALIVE. AIN’T NOTHING BUT A RAT RACE, TRYING
When The Puppet Strings Break – Chapter 3 – Looks Can Be Deceiving
Image by Alex from Pixabay It was at this moment the wise words from her father were worthy to her next move. She can still
No Comment
I just read your powerful words Once again, it made your writer’s voice heard So many great sentences, that it’s hard to highlight Your ability
After Not Having Sex in Three-and-a-Half Years, the Adult Cartoon Character Sterling Archer is Becoming Hot: Very soon I’ll start fantasizing about having sex with him instead of with human beings
It’s been about three-and-a-half years since I last had sex, and that was the last time that a human being I wasn’t related to touched
The Somnolent Critic Reviews “God’s Bankers: A History of Money and Power at the Vatican,” by Gerald Posner
Year of publication: 2015Print length: 513 pagesPublished by: Simon & Schuster “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”-Matthew, 6:21 The Roman
Why Is There a Denny’s on the Camino de Santiago?
Wanderlust is invading my dreams. The pandemic shelved six weeks on the Camino de Santiago, but the other night my mind decided to depart without
GONE WITH THE WIND
We all start our lives with so much time. We spend it daily, until we get to the end of the line. Some of us
More
Inspired by: Inner Beauty Lie on my WattPad poems collection “Moment of Silence” I am closer to forty With one cycle, more Last year I
August 13: Today In HistoryTHE CITY OF BERLIN SEPARATES INTO EAST AND WEST!
On August 13, 1961, shortly after midnight, the Wall between East and West Berlin began to be built. The military used barbed wire to make
NOTHING TAKES THE PLACE OF YOU
THE HEAVENS, THEY GLOW. THE RIVERS, THEY FLOW. THE SUN SHINES THROUGH THE TREES. THE BIRDS SING IN THE STILL OF THE NIGHT. BUT NOTHING
When the Puppet Strings Break – Chapter 8 – The Puppet Strings Are Breaking
Image by Stephen Keller from Pixabay Willow had always been a free-spirit, believing in her dreams, following signs along the way and celebrating simple ways
When We Can’t Gather Together (English-Chinese Back-Issue, Sunday, 29 March, 2020)
For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, concerning him that hath so done
Solutions for Cleavage Challenged Chests: We must, we must, we must increase the bust
“Where are they? I can’t find them.” Not exactly what a 15 year-old-girl wants to hear when fooling around with a guy while he’s groping
SONGS ARE IMPORTANT
THE WORLD NEEDS GREAT SONGS THAT PRESENT MESSAGES FOR PEOPLE TO HEAR. PEOPLE ARE SEARCHING FOR SO MANY THINGS IN LIFE. A SONGWRITER CAN ALWAYS
MOCKINGBIRD
MOCKINGBIRD, YOU’RE HIGH IN A TREE. YOU KEEP LOOKING DOWN AT ME. DO I KNOW YOU? DO YOU KNOW ME? MOCKINGBIRD, YOU’RE HIGH IN A
When The Puppet Strings Break – Chapter 4 – An Unpleasant Encounter
Image by Alex Yomay from Pixabay The rain came down in buckets as the anticipated storm lived up to its expectations. Willow’s favorite day of
Why Rise From the Dead? (English-Chinese Back-Issue, Sunday, 12 April, 2020)
So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying
Learning: Lost in the Dark
I rest my head against the window, peering into the night at the passing Indiana farmland. The soft patter of rain and methodical swish of
中英文课 You Are What You Think (Chinese-English Lesson, for Sunday, 6 November, 2022)
But God came to Abimelech in a dream by night, and said to him, Behold, thou art but a dead man, for the woman which
A Change In Demeanor
Walking in the UPS Store, I’m excited All three retail cashiers look delighted Helping their customers get what they need I couldn’t wait till it
中英文课 A Collapsed Wall Allows Communication (Chinese-English Lesson, for Sunday, 13 November, 2022)
And they burnt the city with fire, and all that was therein: only the silver, and the gold, and the vessels of brass and of