Heroes Archives - Colleen Kelly Mellor: I Write of Heroes

April 6, 2022

“Hands Off, My Man!”

“Hands Off, My Man!” Oh, she was cagey. Before the attendees arrived, she slunk in and chose the seat at the back of the room, right next to Paul who, for all intents and purposes, was oblivious to her intentions. It was then I saw and heard her: “Oh, you look just like Roy Rogers […]

August 9, 2021

Amanda DiLeone Carson: Funeral Director/Embalmer

The Final Caretaker….Funeral Director/Embalmer People who know me—or my writing—know I often focus on caretakers…the everyday heroes among us. The following is a young woman I first met when I was teaching. I liken her to Charon, the mythical guide in Greek mythology who ferried the dead across the River Styx to the Underworld, for […]

Releted TagsCranston East embalmer funeral director funeral homes Nardolillo's Rhode Island

May 24, 2021

Diane Woods Blansett: One of the Caretaker Army

“I see Wayne occasionally glimpse through my soul and sometimes it breaks my heart” … Diane Woods Blansett Her Southern accent came clearly across the airwaves to me, just as certain as my Rhode Island “drop the r’s” did to her, I am sure, for Diane Woods Blansett is from Cleveland, Mississippi, a farming and semi-industrial community […]

Releted TagsAlzheimer's Caretakers dementia senior issues

April 8, 2021

Two Heroes Joined by a Wristband

Recently Kentucky Air Force Col. Mark E. Baran retired from the United States Air Force. He’d worn a Prisoner of War/Missing in Action (POW/MIA) wristband for 18 years, etched with the name of my brother-in-law, Col. Fredrick Mellor, a POW and Rhode Island’s first casualty of the Viet Nam war. My account about Fred being shot […]

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March 13, 2021

Caretakers: “Alz. Partners,” A Poem

“Essential Worker” We’re indispensable The necessary cog In a smooth-functioning machine Known as “the Caretaker Army” Our constant care Of loved ones Enables others To live care-lessly. We get no pay…no help Tho’ hours are long No days off Or vacation time. 16 million Americans? Provide 20 billion hours Of volunteer work each year To […]

Releted TagsAlzheimer Partner Caretakers