Written by Dennis Harvell The Day After: The Hangover of the Heart The Good, The Bad, The Ridiculous The January Ambush It starts innocently enough. You walk into the pharmacy on January 2nd just looking for cough drops to survive the winter chill. But as soon as the automatic doors slide open, you’re hit with… Continue reading The Day After: The Hangover of the Heart
Category: Story Vault
A Smile on the 6 Train: A Birthday Tribute
Written by Dennis Harvell Just like the vibrant colors of the blooming flowers, my mother’s love has always brought beauty and joy to life. The 6 train rattles through the Bronx just like it always has, but today, the world slowed down for a moment. I looked up and saw a stranger—not a twin of… Continue reading A Smile on the 6 Train: A Birthday Tribute
Puppies, Kittens & Butterflies
Written by Dennis Harvell Puppies, Kittens & Butterflies In a sun-drenched meadow, where wildflowers painted the grass in hues of sapphire and gold, lived a lively troop of golden retriever puppies and playful kittens. Every morning, as the sun climbed above the rolling hills, casting a warm, golden glow, they would burst forth from the… Continue reading Puppies, Kittens & Butterflies
Jesse and Me: More Adventures with my Unexpected Queen
Written by Dennis Harvell Jesse and Me: More Adventures with my Unexpected Queen I realized there were so many more moments that defined her reign. Fourteen years gave me endless adventures, and even now, I’m still uncovering the ways she shaped my life. She wasn’t just a cat — she was a queen, a comedian,… Continue reading Jesse and Me: More Adventures with my Unexpected Queen
The Three of Us (Dennis, Rodney, Timothy)
Written by Dennis Harvell There are certain memories that return to you without warning, especially around the holidays. They don’t knock. They don’t announce themselves. They just rise up from somewhere deep, carrying a warmth and an ache you weren’t prepared to feel. This morning, one of those memories found me — a memory of… Continue reading The Three of Us (Dennis, Rodney, Timothy)
Timothy, The Waiting Horizon
Written by Dennis Harvell, Photograph Timothy Harvell Grief bends us toward memory,but horizons remind us of what endures. The Loss These past years still feel strange, never returning to the normal I once knew growing up. My brother is gone. Grief takes up all the space you give it—the loss of a sibling is a… Continue reading Timothy, The Waiting Horizon
My Sister and the Gangsta Squirrel 🐿️
Written by Dennis Harvell, contributor Tonia Durbin Tonia’s squirrel doesn’t just chase acorns — it patrols the Brooklyn stoop like a true guardian. Every leap feels like a reminder that even small creatures carry big Bronxlyn energy. It was a June afternoon, the kind of day when the bench feels like a familiar friend. She… Continue reading My Sister and the Gangsta Squirrel 🐿️
The Kitchen’s Silence
Written by Dennis Harvell This essay comes from a place of sadness, but also gratitude. The kitchen was once the heart of our family, and though silence has replaced its noise, the memories remind me of what truly matters. The Cold is a Liar The cold is a liar today. It promises a holiday spirit… Continue reading The Kitchen’s Silence
Six Siblings Minus One
Written by Dennis Harvell We gathered at Woolworths on Third Avenue, deep in the Bronx, weaving through crowds to make our photo appointment on time. It was my idea—a surprise for our mother, a portrait of unity, memory, and love. We waited for Timothy as long as we could, but he never came. No excuse,… Continue reading Six Siblings Minus One
Rodney, The Unwavering Anchor
Written by Dennis Harvell, Photograph Rodney Harvell 👮♂️ Bronx Hero Spotlight: Rodney, The Unwavering Anchor Rodney wasn’t just a Bronx native — he was my brother. We grew up side by side, navigating life’s joys and hardships with a bond that shaped who I am today. He passed away with the grace and courage, and… Continue reading Rodney, The Unwavering Anchor