The Help Chronicles

The

Help Chronicles

R. JAY BERRY

Copyright © 2023 by R. Jay Berry.

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.

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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

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CONTENTS

Dedication

Preface

The Standferd Family

Chapter 1

The Mother

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 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 heart.

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 drink.

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

Chapter

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