Emma Kertesz

As I Lay Dying

“I’m not brave anymore, darling. I’m all broken. They’ve broken me.” – Ernest Hemingway I keep thinking about William Faulkner’s book, “As I Lay Dying” but only the title, because I have never opened the book. Only the title applies to my current situation; metaphorically of course. Actually, I take that back. Through copious amountsContinue reading “As I Lay Dying”

A Book: The Boy Behind The Door

“If you are what you should be, then you will set the world on fire.” St. Catherine of Siena The Boy Behind The Door is officially a book. Available now on Amazon in Kindle form and paperback. Thank you for your unwavering support. Buy The Book Here

Part 3: Toledo, Ohio

“You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them.” — Maya Angelou “Invisible threads are the strongest ties.” —Friedrich Nietzsche In August of 1967, Forrest O’Dell drove Millie, and my Dad to Toledo, Ohio with Richard, his wife Sandy, and their new babyContinue reading “Part 3: Toledo, Ohio”

Part 2: Transitions

“Life has a way of testing a person’s will, either by having nothing happen at all or having everything happen all at once.” Paulo Coelho After Frank left, Millie was unable to keep the household afloat, and needed help. She called Mary, the Westfall’s close family friend and asked if they could stay with her forContinue reading “Part 2: Transitions”

Part 1: David Young

“The real challenge is not to survive. Hell, anyone can do that. It’s to survive as yourself, undiminished.” Elia Kazan My Dad was born on March 13th, 1951 in Gallup, New Mexico as David Young. When he was just a few months old, his Navajo-Native American mother made an adoption plan with Frank and Mildred (Millie)Continue reading “Part 1: David Young”

Pulling on a Single Strand

I am Navajo-Native American, my lineage stemming from my Dad’s side. I grew up in Toledo, Ohio, but my Dad was born in the southwest; a vague destination I knew of as a kid as the place my Dad would go help my Grandma with cattle drives and bring back kachina dolls for me andContinue reading “Pulling on a Single Strand”