By Kanyon Shelton

My sister, Gemma, had brain surgery at only 3 months old. Everytime we gave her a bath, she would scream bloody murder when water would hit her heard, even little drops. We were worried sick.

After a while we eventually took her to the doctor, not really thinking it was something as serious as it was. When we got called back to the rooms for patients, we told them what had been happening. They ran some tests and left, no questions asked.

Later, the doctor came back with a sad face and sat down with us and gave us the worst news possible. He told my mom that my sister had two conditions, Dandy Walker Syndrome and Hydrocephalus. They are two very uncommon dangerous things. My mom's face dropped low and we were told to take Gemma to UK Hospital so they could implant a tube from her head to her stomach.

A couple days later we were in the hospital waiting for my sister to have that surgery. Hours later I was told the surgery went well. We were all very nervous for her and very scared. She was a brave little girl.

It is 2022 now and she is four years old. These days she is probably more intelligent than most first graders would be. She knows all of her ABCs and speaks in full sentences easily. She has a great memory and will remember everything you tell her. She is about three feet all now and has long curly brownish colored hair. She can finally take baths now without being in pain.

I love my sister no matter how bratty and annoying she can be sometimes. She is still my baby sister and I love her. She is funny, loving, caring, and very outgoing. She can make friends easier than me and has proven me wrong many times. She has a lot of life left to live and there is still more· coming from my little sister Gemma.

By  Gunner Jones

Have you ever lost someone and your heart just stopped? I have and it was my mamaw Lola Jones. On August 26, 2022 my life changed forever. On that day, my mamaw was feeling good so my dad, Mamaw, and I went to Corbin to buy me some basketball shoes. We got them and went back home. It got later into the day and I fell asleep. Dad had to wake me up because Mamaw was going to the ER. This was where it got bad.

Mamaw died at the hospital before Dad could get there. In the parking lot, Dad was so upset and mad that he kept punching his tailgate. Dad called us and told us what happened. Dad still to this day is lost without her. This year will be the hardest because this will be the first year that Mamaw will not be there for any holidays or special events.

At her funeral, I was a pallbearer. I figured that was the least I could do for Dad and Mamaw. On the way to the cemetery, you have to pass Mamaw’s house, so it was Mamaw's last trip out to town and out to Girdler where she lived.

When Mamaw was growing up she did not have much, but she was still grateful for what she had. That’s why she had so many clothes. She was always thankful and loved everything she got. She loved God and church too. She would wake me and my sister, Aubrey up at 8:00 in the morning when church didn't start until 11. We always left around 9:30 because she never wanted to be late for anything.

I will always have these great memories in my heart. I know God will take good care of her and keep a good eye on her and my papaw Marvin. They haven't seen each other in 19 years. I love them both and can't wait until I see them again. I love them more than they know.