The stories of HeroicStories.
by Sharon Zeff
California, USA
On April 26, 2002, every parent’s worst nightmare came true for me: my two step-daughters, Anna, 6, and Emily, 4, were abducted from daycare by their mother, who had recently lost custody. The police said it was not their problem — it was a “civil matter”. It took five days to get them to write a report and six days to get the girls into the missing persons computers.
by Julie Conley
Grove City, Ohio, USA
My first job after college was working for a small apartment complex as a rental agent. I actually enjoyed a lot of the job, interacting with residents, solving problems, and meeting new people. The downside was working with the owner and manager. I became the resident flunky.
By Arry Tanusondjaja
Jakarta, Indonesia
I studied in Adelaide, Australia, from 1992 to 1995. My parents actually could not afford sending me overseas so my sister decided to finance my study there. I had been living in a shared house for a while with two friends. Then, one night when everybody was out enjoying the weekend, some burglars got into our house and ransacked our rooms. Along with the things that he took was my newly bought stereo. A couple of weeks before, I had to beg to my sister so that she would allow me to buy a stereo. I promised that she could deduct $50 from my $500 monthly allowance.
by John
Massachusetts, USA
My elementary and junior high school years were difficult. My parents divorced when I was ten years old, my brother was nine, and my sister was five. Home life was not easy.
Geri Winters
California
After a recent business trip, I was returning home to Northern California. Since I live a four-hour drive from the San Francisco airport, I had left my car at the airport parking garage for the return trip.
By Bryan Nolan
Texas, USA
The summer I was six my family moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin. I spent most of my days playing around the house or hanging around my mother. But finally fall arrived and I began school in the second grade. I went to St. Eugene’s and was introduced to my new teacher, Sister Monda. I was a bit taken aback by this kind woman with robust features. She was nothing like I imagined a nun would be. She had a loud voice, walked briskly about, and always wore a smile.
by Tony Keyes
Japan
When a child begins elementary school in Japan, it’s customary for him or her to receive a “Ransel” — a standard sized backpack satchel that will be a status symbol for the six years of elementary school. Having just bought one for my son, I can understand its value, measured in the breadth of the smile on his face when he tried it on for the first time.
Richard M. Rosene
Cincinnati, OH
I was slated to undergo knee replacement surgery at Christ Hospital in Cincinnati, Ohio. The hospital strongly recommended that my wife and I attend a class that would explain what to expect on the day of surgery and during the ensuing therapy. We had no hesitation signing up for the class; it seemed like a no-brainer.
I hope summer is treating you well! When I first encountered HeroicStories, well over a decade ago now (yikes! More like a decade and a half!), it spoke to me right away. There’s no shortage of “bad” news to be had – heck, that’s what it means to be news, after all; something out of … Read more
By Kevin S.
Texas, USA
After 25 years of varied drug abuses, I was using between $200 to $1000 worth of crack cocaine daily. I had lost my friends, my marriage, 20 years of savings, most of my possessions and the will to live without crack. Thoughts of suicide were constant.
No one knew that I was using drugs besides my dealers and me. I thought it was funny to answer honestly when asked “How’s it going?” I’d say, “I’m trying to keep my crack habit down to $200 per day.” I was amazed at the response: laughter. Since I never talked about using, no one knew.