In Living a New Life, Patrice Greenwood describes the importance of a good teacher: "I truly do not remember my first motivated push until the seventh grade. It was a push that led me to want to achieve. My motivational push came from the feared teacher (now friend) Ms. Pye. .  ."

In One Inspiring Teacher . . . One Thursday, Angelina McClain tells how her cosmetology teacher helped her refocus her priorities: "Dragging myself down the hall to Cosmetology class, I arrived in class at 8:20 a.m. Mrs. Montgomery just looked at me, and I knew she was upset with my untimely appearance. I strolled to my seat and sat down. The class was already doing an assignment and instead of me joining in like I usually do, I decided to put my head down. Mrs. Montgomery must have walked over to my desk with an army of soldiers because all I felt was the floor under me shaking. . . ."

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In Staring Down the Barrel of a Gun, Cheri Alexander describes what she has learned about life and aging from her friend James: "Anyone who has ever had a gun pointed at them knows the terror you feel. At this moment you don’t know whether you will live or die. This is the same feeling you get when you are at least eighty years old. Only you know you’re going to die, and at anytime. . . ."

In Memories of a Different Time, Constantina Brown describes what she learned from Dr. Johnson about how to overcome adversity: "Herein lies a first hand account of the memoirs of a man who encountered racism, bigotry and hatred, but he still managed to go on with his life and become the successful man that he is for today. . . ."

In Would Your Friend's Prison Past Effect Your Friendship?, Rosina Johnson discovers that her friend spent much of his life in prison:  "Have you ever thought what it would be like behind prison walls? What is it like living the prison life? I found the answer to the question, after interviewing 70 year old Peter Doyle. Life behind bars is a life no one wants to live. Your freedom is taken away from you and there’s nothing you can do about it. Peter is a good acquaintance of mine, but if never occurred to me that my friend had lived the prison life. . . ."

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In An Admirable Woman, Aida Perez tells how her mother's example helped her stay strong when her husband was called up for active military duty: "My mother's name is Maria Salinas . . . She came to the United States as an illegal immigrant from Mexico. . . . While I was growing up, I remember being dragged to doctor's offices and stores where my mother attempted to communicate with people and failed. She would ask my brother to translate. Sometimes he was able to, but when he was not, my mother would be laughed at and ignored. My mother would simply walk away and try again later. . ."

In My Bright and Shining Star, Ella White tells how her mother took on the role of mother and father after her father's early death: "Daddy died when I was only eleven years old. I was next to the youngest; there were six of us siblings. Our mother kept things together. She insisted we continue to do all the things we did before daddy died to make our lives seem as normal as possible. School, work, play, we didn't stop living. . . ."

In A Special Person in My Life, Sandra Oehman tells how her mom has always and continues to support her: "When I was growing up my family went through difficulties. There were financial problems, health problems, along with many other problems, but there was a special person there for us. When I got older and had my own family, that special person was always there for me and my boys. Through all these hardships, the special person was there for us, no matter what the situation was. This special person is my mom. . . ."

In Life as an Immigrant, Olga Dimovic shows the challenges her mother encountered as an immigrant to the United States: "Vera Dimovic is a seventy year old Macedonian woman with brown hair, brown eyes, and a very kind heart. She is five feet tall and is an excellent cook. In interviewing my mother, I was privileged to experience the life of most immigrants coming to American in the early and middle 1900s. . . ."

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In Our American Dream, Claire Flores argues that her dad was able to achieve the "American Dream" when he escaped the itinerant labor of migrant work for the more stable life of a factory worker: "My dad, Daniel Navarro, is 90 years old, but looks and thinks like a 75-year-old. He is a man who has lived a long and happy life and is looking forward to an even longer one. He came to America with his family in 1920 with the same dreams and expectations of all immigrants, a car, a home of his own, and a job that paid a living wage. He overcame many trials and tribulations such as the Depression, being laid off from his job, and having a young family to support. Dad is an example of many immigrants who came to this country looking for work that paid a living wage. His employment at the United States Steel Company ultimately enabled him to live the American dream of a 'Better life for himself and his family.'. . ."

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In Sweet and Bitter, Leticia Colon thinks about has made her aunt into a bitter woman: "My nana would give you her favorite sweater if you were cold and make you a sandwich with the last two slices of bread from her loaf if you were hungry. But don’t get her upset, because she can hold a grudge. I have always been curious about Nana and why she can be bitter at times. I have actually had friends tell me they were not going with me to her house because she’ll give them her not-so-friendly stare. . . ."

In An Outstanding Woman, Renell Allen tells about her aunt, Ruth Smith: "Born February 7, 1932 in Hollendale, Mississippi, Ruth Smith has always been a very kind person, not to mention a loving aunt to me. This courageous woman has endured so much in her life that I know, if it were I who went through everything she did, I would still be crying today. As we talked I can still hear her say, 'Child let me tell you,' as she described events so colorful and vivid that I relived the past with her. . . ."

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In All That and a Bag of Chips, Arrion Shelton describes her unconventional grandmother: "When the word "grandmother" comes to mind, you usually think of someone elderly, fragile, delicate, and very calm. You also imagine someone stern, old-fashioned, and set in their ways. Not my grandmother. She is the extreme opposite. My granny is down-to-earth, out going, and very laid back. She lives as if there is no worry in the world. . . ."

In My Motha's Life Story, Spencer McDuffy pays tribute to his grandmother's determination and devotion to her family: "Everyone goes through their own sort of trails and tribulations.  Not many people can go through these hard times and still have a good outlook on life.  Some people ask the Lord, 'why is this happening to me?' or how much more can they take.  Well, Motha always tells me, 'Do not ask those questions, but ask for the strength to deal with these problems.'. . ."

In My Mentor Vuelta, Lisa Maxwell pays tribute to her grandmother, a woman with whom she did not always see eye to eye: "Vuelta’s home . . . was a haven and comfort zone. You could enter the white front door and never want to leave. It smelled of home-cooked meals with a hint of lemon furniture polish. Every time I drive by her old home, I’m overcome with vivid memories of my grandmother, and the sensations which emerge, whether feelings of elation or soberness. My grandmother was a strong willed, independent woman who could easily bring mixed emotions. She was a stubborn woman but despite this she was a very loving person who taught me the importance of life and all that comes with it, after the birth of my son, her first great grandchild. . . ." 

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In The Mind of an Elderly Man, Tamarah Lafontant tells how her grandfather's attitude has changed as he has aged: "When my grandfather used to visit me in New York, I found him to be quite pleasant. He was the typical grandparent. Loved by his grandchildren, in good shape, pretty much funny, jolly, and always in good spirits. He would enjoy going on family outings, and participating in just about anything that dealt with having fun, enjoying his family, and himself. When I moved in with my grandfather, I found myself doing things for the sake of not having to interact with him. . . ."

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In Sight Unseen, Lisa A. Williams introduces us to a woman who does not let her blindness slow her down: "If I didn’t know better, I would think that this woman could see. If just amazes me some of the things Mrs. Harris can do without the use of her eyes. Mrs. Harris is a petite, dark-skinned woman with a soft-spoken voice. As I took her hands, I noticed that they were very soft as always, and that her nails were freshly, and very well, manicured. I’ve known Mrs. Harris for over twenty years now, and there is never a dull moment when I’m around her. . . ."

In Loneliness is Not Only a Word, Rachel LaShawn McCuller shows how devastating loneliness can be for elderly people: "Could you imagine living alone, not having anyone to talk to, and not having visitors? As sad as it may seem, this is a reality to some elderly people. . . . Mrs. Brown is as slender as a model; skin like caramel; chestnut eyes; and hair with waves as deep as the ocean. She lives alone in her one bed room apartment at an adult center in Indiana. Her apartment is lightly decorated with nothing but a reclining chair and a dining room set. The apartment had no photos of any pets or relatives, and no sign of any books or a television. I could tell from the apartment that she was a simple woman who spent most of her time thinking about memories. She has lived alone for twenty years and says she never receives visitors. She was pleased to have me talk to her. . . ."

In For the Love of God, Brenda Jones tells about the most devout woman she has known: "I have never met anyone as religious as Mrs. Jennie Wooldridge. I admire her religious motivation and the time and energy she gives everyday one way or another to praise God. . . ."

In The Will to Overcome, Olivia Esparza describes how she came to respect a man she had lived with, and largely ignored, as a teen in her mother's household: "I was dreading this particular afternoon. It was time to do 'the interview.' I did not mind so much when I got stuck in my car for 20 minutes, waiting for a train to pass. To interview a 71-year-old man whom you have known for over 7 years, whose house you once lived in and whose food you have eaten, but with whom you have never had a real conversation is no easy task. I met Pedro Padilla a few months before my mother, 16 years his junior, decided we should move in with him. Our relationship, to speak of it nicely, was non-existent. . . ."

In Maureen Lived her Life by the Faith of God, Olusoji Oduneye tells of a woman who has flourished, despite a very difficult life, because of her faith in God: "Born December 1, 1930, in Clarksdale, Mississippi, Maureen said, all of her life through the good and the bad she has had Jesus in her life. She spent the first twelve years of her life on the family farm picking cotton and working in the fields. She talked as if she was proud of what she had done. She looked at her hands as if to say, yes these hands did work in the fields. . . . "

In A Hard-Working Woman, Tonyon Williams argues that Mrs. Thigpen's hard childhood gave her the skills and the will to create a successful life for herself: "When Mrs. Thigpen was fifteen years old, she had to help out with washing clothes, putting away food, cleaning tables and floors and having her 12 brothers and sisters’ clothes ready for the next day of school. . . . I think talking about these times struck a nerve. The next thing I know, Mrs. Thigpen was putting way the flour and dashed across the kitchen floor to trash the remaining donut dough, then jetted back to the coffee pot for seconds. . . ."

In The Craftsman, Martha Landeros describes her neighbor, Mr. Zigamon, a talented carver who is mentoring a young neighborhood boy while reflecting upon his life: "It was a pleasure to have met with such an interesting person, who knows how to shape a simple piece of wood, into a beautiful intricate design."

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