Trips and Journeys

GUILT TRIPBack in the '60s, two high school juniors' plan to have fun and raise hell leads them into conflict with the new principal and ultimately led to the deaths of four people. Forty years later, Andy Miller, a successful, philanthropic attorney, has devoted his life to atoning for his youthful mistakes. When he receives an invitation to his 40th High School Reunion, does he dare go back and face his past?THE JOURNEYMama and I set out on a train trip to Daddy's funeral because, at the time, she was afraid to fly, but the journey turned into more than a train ride. It was a journey back in time, revealing family history, secrets, laughter, tears, courage, and triumph in the journey of life.MISSYBorn to an alcoholic, drug addict, raised by uncaring foster parents, subjected to ritual abuse at school, married to a drug dealer and child molester, abused by her beloved son, Missy expects the worst from life and she gets it.SUGARHer AKC name was Kay Dee's Bubblin' Brown Sugar, but after she became a part of our family, she was known as Sugar Brunn. This five-pound Yorkshire terrier brought me so much joy and taught me many lessons. She never knew she was tiny, and she never gave up. She never knew that it was anything special to constantly escape the jaws of death. Like the proverbial cat, she truly lived nine lives.ISRAELIt was Thanksgiving when we got the news, and although we went through the motions of Thanksgiving dinner, it was hard to get into the spirit of it. As Carrie said, "I have nothing to be thankful for." Our friend Israel was dead. It was so hard to believe. How could someone so full of life be dead? And yet there were things to be thankful for. We could be thankful that we knew him and that for six years he enriched our lives. Israel was outrageous, crazy, and exasperating, but he was also friendly, loving, and generous. He had more chutzpah than anyone I've ever known, but he also had more charisma.

-- Linda Brunn