CJ Woods III’s Story Archive

Brighter Reader

October 24, 2019 | by CJ Woods III

My granddaughter toddles across the carpeted area of her hardwood living room floor and lunges at me as I sit in the big brown “old man’s chair” her mother gave to me. Myah hands me the book she has selected from the reading corner Lauren has crafted in her room, … Read More

What’s Your Name

October 17, 2019 | by CJ Woods III

As my mother lay dying, she would occasionally indicate her cognition with brief moments of randomly recalled memories. She was often in a semi-conscious state, her failing kidneys, unflushed by medical means, leaving her sleepy, a condition her doctor foretold. But she would awaken, briefly, and startle me as I … Read More

The Helpers

October 10, 2019 | by CJ Woods III

“Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.” – Fred Rogers On Friday, September 27th, the temperature was hovering around 82 degrees outside, and at approximately 3:50 p.m., a great rotted tree, already trimmed of most of its dead branches, collapsed and crashed into the middle … Read More

The Tintinnabulation of the Bells

October 3, 2019 | by CJ Woods III

A great ringing racket in the hallway outside the metal door to my brother’s apartment startled me; I bounced from his couch and in two short strides, reached the door. I opened it and set the ringing free to bounce off the interior walls; in the hallway, a light was … Read More

A Moment of Joy

September 26, 2019 | by CJ Woods III

As we two prammed down University Avenue past the Irvington Preparatory Academy on the sidewalk opposite the school, my granddaughter and I heard the sudden rushing and rustling of clothes, and the slap of shoes on the ground. I’m assuming that Myah heard the things I did, but she had … Read More