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70 year old woman abandoned by her children before she died she left a package that shocked everyone

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Seventy-year-old woman abandoned by her children before she died left a package that shocked everyone. Amanda Barnes had been living alone in an ancient house in northern Texas for the past five years. She began working at a young age and had long held positions of control in the city’s enterprises. As a result of her tenacity and perseverance, almost everyone in town recognized Mrs. Barnes and always gave her honors when they saw her…Click Here To Continue Reading>> …Click Here To Continue Reading>>

 

However, as time passed, age took its toll, and the woman was forced to leave her profession to care for her family at an ancient ranch. She and her husband, Lloyd, had been married for about 40 years and had two lovely kids together. Spencer and Walt were born one after the other, and as soon as they turned 18, they fled their family’s nest. The city lights and entertainment attracted the young guys, and life on the ranch couldn’t provide them with that opportunity. Walton Spencer eventually settled down and even started a family.

Lloyd and Amanda Barnes would only get to see their grandkids a few times, and even then, only in pictures. The sons rarely visited their parents, as though ashamed of their rural roots, and when they did, it was only for a serious reason such as selling the cattle after their father died or leasing property for pasture.

Mrs. Barnes’ life fell into a dreary, depressing rut when her husband died. Despite her rapidly declining health, the elderly woman worked hard to maintain the homestead’s condition. Mrs. Barnes sat in front of the television in the evenings, looking through old photographs and recalling the moments when her family was united. The old woman wiped away bitter tears, unable to comprehend where she and her husband had gone wrong in raising their kids and why they grew up to be so self-centered.

Mrs. Barnes’ only solace came in the form of visits from Viola Ross, a nurse at the local hospital. The young woman treated the lonely old woman as if she were her own mother, paying her daily visits and delivering groceries and medications. They had known each other since Walt was a young man who had tried to woo Viola but failed due to his nasty temper. Mrs. Barnes was concerned at that moment since she had grown fond of Viola. Viola now had a wonderful husband and a beautiful daughter, Rebecca, and she avoided discussing her failed relationship with Walt.

Mrs. Barnes sat in her kitchen, her gaze drawn to the clock on the wall, its hands creeping like drowsy flies. The elderly lady had been anticipating Viola’s arrival and became concerned when the nurse failed to appear on time. The front door finally creaked open, and familiar footsteps were heard.

“Mrs. Barnes, good afternoon. What’s your mood like today? Do you have any aches, any pains? You don’t have a problem with your heart, do you?” Viola inquired, her voice concerned.

“Hello, my sweetheart. Since the morning, my head has been hurting. However, I’m already feeling considerably better as a result of your visit,” Mrs. Barnes replied softly, wiping away a tear.

Viola Ross, as was her custom, removed the items from her bag and placed them in the refrigerator. She then took Mrs. Barnes’ blood pressure and disappointedly shook her head before injecting her. “Mrs. Barnes, you’ll feel much better now. Try to sleep by lying down on the sofa. I’ll shut the door on my own,” Viola wished the elderly lady well and patted her on the shoulder. Amanda Barnes closed her eyes and drifted off into a pleasant dream in which she was surrounded by her sons and grandchildren.

As a result, the elderly lady continued to survive with the help of Viola’s visits and the occasional phone calls from her sons. Mrs. Barnes’ health deteriorated day by day as time went on. The elderly woman struggled to maintain the house in order, which had gotten run down in recent years and was crumbling before her eyes. Her boys only came to see her on rare occasions, and when they did, it was just for a few minutes.

When fall arrived, it began to rain, which may last up to two weeks. That would have been fine, except Mrs. Barnes’ roof began to leak in numerous places at the same time, and the old lady was forced to live in the dampness, putting whatever she could under the leaks. This enraged Viola the most because she knew the poor old lady had two healthy sons who could fix the roof if they so desired. The enraged nurse dialed Walt and then Spencer, but neither of them had any free time to assist their elderly mother, much to her disappointment. One of the sons had a daughter who was rumored to be getting married, while the other was dealing with a business situation. Viola then requested that her husband, Jack, assist Mrs. Barnes with the roof repair.

So, the noble couple used their own resources to repair the old roofing and remedy the leaks. “How grateful I am to my heroes! Because of the humidity, I was starting to have a cough,” Mrs. Barnes replied softly, wiping away a tear. The old woman was saddened, even though she didn’t say it out loud, that her sons had not come to help their own mother.

After a few years, Viola could no longer ignore Mrs. Barnes’ declining health. When she called Walt, she said, “Listen up, you and your brother must drive to your mother in town. It’s difficult for her to survive in this backwater. The ranch, too, is in desperate need of repair. Now, I’m going through a difficult time. Couldn’t this wait until later? Alternatively, Spencer might be able to assist. He has a larger home than I do.”

Walt responded, inventing difficulties that did not exist, as he went, “Viola, I understand, but it’s just not possible for me to come right now. You know how busy things are for me.”

Viola grasped the situation and hung up the phone. After talking with her husband, she made the decision to relocate Mrs. Barnes to her home. Even more so now that Rebecca had grown up and was in high school, she could assist the elderly lady if she needed it. Mrs. Barnes had initially fought vehemently and refused to leave her home, but Viola and her family were the only ones who wanted her, so she reluctantly accepted. The old woman had no idea when she went to this strange house that the time she would spend within its walls would be the last of her tough existence. READ FULL STORY HERE>>>CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>

Viola, her husband, and their daughter lavished the elderly woman with the care and love she had been denied for so long. And if Walt and Spencer had only visited their mother on rare occasions previously, they had ceased coming altogether, leaving Viola and her family to deal with the old woman’s care.

Mrs. Barnes’ life had obviously been extended by her relocation to the Ross residence, but as we know, time is not kind to anyone. Amanda Barnes was no exception to this rule. Despite Mrs. Ross’s best efforts, she died three days before her 80th birthday on a warm morning. Viola rushed to inform the old woman’s sons, but they reacted calmly to the news of their mother’s death, as if they had long before buried her in their hearts.

“So you’re not going to come? This is your mother, Walt. Is this even possible? Please, do not come!” Viola screamed angrily, unable to handle the thought of her parents being treated in this manner.

“No, we won’t be coming with the funeral things, and all. Our attendance won’t be worth anything anyway. You’ll be okay without us,” Walt replied and hung up. Viola’s eyes welled up with tears. She’d never been through anything like this before, and it was difficult for her to pull herself together and go on with the burial.

Viola locked Mrs. Barnes’s house after seeing her off on her final journey and mentally prepared herself for a probable visit from her sons. The woman had heard about their compulsive greed and expected the brothers to show up and split the fortune sooner or later.

So, when Viola’s doorbell rang a year later, she already knew what was on the other side of the door. However, there was an intimidating middle-aged man waiting on the porch with a leather folder in his hands. Much to her astonishment, he said, “Hello and good morning. Is it okay if I see Rebecca Ross? I’m a notary’s office agent, and I need to provide Amanda Barnes’ final will and testament.”

“Well, please come in,” Viola said quietly. Rebecca was already waiting for the notary agent as he walked into the hall. She had just turned 18 and was feeling a little self-conscious about the attention she was receiving.

With a small cough, the notary agent straightened his tie and announced in a monotone voice that Amanda Barnes had written a will in favor of Rebecca Ross. “Mrs. Barnes’ house and any money accounts are seated in her will,” the notary agent remarked. Needless to say, the notary agent’s statements left an indelible impression on Viola and her family. After all, the woman who was caring for the ailing old lady out of the goodness of her heart had no idea that she would leave her possessions to her daughter.

Rebecca’s and her mother’s eyes welled up with tears. After leaving the relevant paperwork and details, the notary agent silently exited. Rebecca, of course, had no idea that she would become wealthy. After all, the late Mrs. Barnes had a substantial amount of money in her bank account, which she’d been saving for decades.

Amanda Barnes had not forgotten about her sons, and she had left them a note that only they could read. Two cars belonging to Mrs. Barnes’ sons pulled up in front of Viola’s house the day after the notary agent left. When Walt and Spencer found that their mother had left all of her belongings to Viola’s daughter, their outrage knew no bounds.

“My mother was forced to write a will in your favor by you! You’re a crook and a thief. This is not going to work!” Waving his hands, Walt exclaimed when he and Spencer read the letter from his mother. Though his facial expressions shifted and he calmed down, the following was written in the letter:

“If you’re reading this letter now, my darling sons, Spencer and Walt, please know that I am no longer living. I appreciate your outrage about the will, but I wrote it while I was still sane and well. It took a lot of courage on your part to give me a few hours of your time. As a result, I’ve decided not to leave you an inheritance. Don’t be too hard on Viola. My old property and bank account, I believe, are of higher value in her hands. Goodbye, and please raise your children properly so that you’ll never have to go through what I have.”

The brothers walked outside and into their automobiles without saying anything. Viola hadn’t seen them in years. Mrs. Barnes only found them grieving at her grave once on the day of her funeral. But they never expressed any sort of regret or remorse for their actions.

Viola, on the other hand, continued to look after the house and the land, taking care of the legacy Mrs. Barnes had left behind. She and her family continued to live their lives, their hearts filled with gratitude for the kindness and love they had received from the old woman. And as for Mrs. Barnes, her final act of generosity and justice had made a lasting impact, leaving behind a lesson for her sons to learn from.

 

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12 Lies Our Parents Told Us That We Believed Without Question

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Growing up, our parents were our ultimate guides, teaching us about the world—even if they had to get a little creative with the truth. From quirky tales to well-meaning fibs, they often fed us lines we never thought to question.

Here are 12 of the funniest, strangest, and most surprising “lies” parents told to our readers that they wholeheartedly believed in childhood…Click Here To Continue Reading>> …Click Here To Continue Reading>>

 

Swallowed Gum Stays in You for 7 Years.

Growing up, I believed that swallowing gum meant it would stay in my stomach for seven years. I panicked every time I accidentally swallowed it. As an adult, I looked it up and laughed—turns out it’s just a myth!

If You Cross Your Eyes, They’ll Stay That Way.

My mom always said crossing my eyes would make them “stick that way.” I spent years terrified of making funny faces, only to find out in adulthood it was just her trick to stop me from doing it.

The Tooth Fairy Knows When You’re Lying.

I believed the Tooth Fairy could sense if I lied. I once “found” an extra tooth to get more money, but then I was so scared of getting caught that I confessed to my mom… who was just trying not to laugh.

Popping Your Knuckles Causes Arthritis.

My grandmother swore that if I popped my knuckles, I’d get arthritis. I’d suppress every urge to crack a knuckle until a doctor later told me it was a harmless myth. Now, I pop them whenever I like!

Swallowed Watermelon Seeds Will Grow in Your Stomach.

I spent years spitting out watermelon seeds, terrified they’d grow into a plant inside me. I felt so betrayed when I found out this was just another fun “lesson” adults liked to tell kids.

Birds Will Abandon Their Babies if You Touch Them.

My mom told me birds would abandon their chicks if I touched them, so I never got near a nest. Years later, I found out birds don’t even have a strong sense of smell, and the lesson was just to keep me from “saving” every baby bird I saw. READ FULL STORY HERE>>>CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>

The “Poisonous” Car Battery Acid

My dad told me touching the car battery would “burn a hole in your skin.” I thought the battery was oozing poison and avoided it for years, only to learn that it’s not dangerous if you just leave it alone.

Eating Carrots Improves Night Vision.

I would eat loads of carrots as a kid, believing I’d eventually develop “super” night vision. Later I learned carrots have Vitamin A, but they don’t make you see in the dark. I felt so let down!

“Keep a Diary, or You’ll Forget Who You Are.”

My aunt convinced me to write in a diary every day, saying it was “the only way to remember who you are when you’re older.” I kept journals for years out of fear, only to realize one day that memories don’t vanish that easily.

If You Make a Face Too Long, It’ll Stay That Way.

I spent most of my childhood avoiding any facial expressions that might “stick” and ruin my appearance forever. It wasn’t until adulthood that I realized there was no magical force preventing me from pulling faces.

The Moon Follows You When You Drive.

I was convinced as a kid that the moon followed me everywhere I went in the car. I’d point it out to my family every time we’d turn, and they’d nod along—no one told me the moon’s just really far away!

The Ice Cream Truck Will Only Play Music if It’s Out of Ice Cream.

I used to believe the ice cream truck only played its music when it was out of ice cream to tell kids to go home. I spent so many summers disappointed, waiting for the truck to come back, only to realize the music just meant they were driving around!

 

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How The Cornrow Hairstyle Was Used As An Escape Map From Slavery Across South America

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Cornrows have become a crowd favorite for women of every culture in the last 10 years. Whereas it used to be worn by children, especially young African and African American girls, the style has become widely popular across women of all ages.

But many do not know the deep and rich history of the hairstyle that saved the lives of many. Moreover, they do not know of its role in the freedom struggles which have led to the liberties we now enjoy.

Cornrows have long been a facet of African beauty and life. In many African societies, braid patterns and hairstyles indicate a person’s community, age, marital status, wealth, power, social position, and religion. In the Caribbean, the style may be referred to as cane rows to represent “slaves planting sugar cane”, and not corn…Click Here To Continue Reading>> …Click Here To Continue Reading>>

 

The style consists of braiding the “hair very close to the scalp in an underhand, upward motion in order to create a single line of raised row, creating the cornrow”.

Blackdoctor.org writes on the history of cornrows:

“Depictions of women with cornrows have been found in Stone Age paintings in the Tassili Plateau of the Sahara, and have been dated as far back as 3000 B.C. There are also Native American paintings as far back as 1,000 years showing cornrows as a hairstyle. This tradition of female styling in cornrows has remained popular throughout Africa, particularly in the Horn of Africa and West Africa.

African Cornrow hairstyle

Historically, male styling with cornrows can be traced as far back as the early nineteenth century to Ethiopia, where warriors and kings such as Tewodros II and Yohannes IV were depicted wearing cornrows.”

Now to its role during the Transatlantic Slave Trade:

During the Atlantic Slave Trade, many slaves were forced to shave their hair to be more ‘sanitary’ and to also move them away from their culture and identity.

But not all enslaved Africans would not keep their hairs cut. Many would braid their hairs tightly in cornrows and more “to maintain a neat and tidy appearance”.

Enslaved Africans also used cornrows to transfer and create maps to leave plantations and the home of their captors. This act of using hair as a tool for resistance is said to have been evident across South America. READ FULL STORY HERE>>>CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>

It is most documented in Colombia where Benkos Bioho, a King captured from Africa by the Portuguese who escaped slavery, built San Basilio de Palenque, a village in Northern Colombia around the 17thcentury. Bioho created his own language as well as intelligence network and also came up with the idea to have women create maps and deliver messages through their cornrows.

The site Edtimes explains,

“Since slaves were rarely given the privilege of writing material or even if they did have it, such kind of messages or maps getting in the wrong hands could create a lot of trouble for the people in question, cornrows were the perfect way to go about such things.

African Cornrow hairstyle

No one would question or think that one could hide entire maps in their hairstyle, so it was easy to circulate them without anyone finding out about it.”

Afro-Colombia, Ziomara Asprilla Garcia, further explained to the Washington Post in the article, Afro-Colombian women braid messages of freedom in hairstyles:

“In the time of slavery in Colombia, hair braiding was used to relay messages. For example, to signal that they wanted to escape, women would braid a hairstyle called departes. “It had thick, tight braids, braided closely to the scalp and was tied into buns on the top.

And another style had curved braids, tightly braided on their heads. The curved braids would represent the roads they would [use to] escape. In the braids, they also kept gold and hid seeds which, in the long run, helped them survive after they escaped.”

Garcia said with satisfaction that there has been a resurgence of braided hairstyles in Colombia in recent years. But this reality is not only evident in Colombia but all around the world.

 

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The sad end of Justin Fashanu; first known black gay footballer who commanded a £1m transfer fee

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Justin Fashanu

Justin Fashanu was the first black footballer to command a £1 million transfer fee in 1981.

He was also the first professional footballer to be openly gay. A gifted footballer loved by many, Fashanu nonetheless committed suicide on May 2, 1998, in the U.K., after a 17-year-old boy accused him of sexual assault in the U.S. where he had travelled to and met the man of whom he said their sex was consensual.

Born on February 19, 1961, Fashanu an English footballer of Nigerian heritage played for a variety of clubs between 1978 and 1997 was known by his early clubs to be gay although it was well managed not to draw the attention of the media…Click Here To Continue Reading>> …Click Here To Continue Reading>>

 

When he revealed that he was gay, he became the first professional footballer to be openly gay. His transfer from Norwich City to Nottingham Forest in 1981, marked him as the first black footballer to command a £1million transfer fee but critics say little success attended his efforts after the transfer although he continued to play at the senior level until 1994.

“After moving to the United States, in 1998 he was questioned by police when a seventeen-year-old boy accused him of sexual assault. He was charged and an arrest warrant for him was issued in Howard County, Maryland on 3 April 1998, but he had already left his flat. According to his suicide note, fearing he would not get a fair trial because of his homosexuality, he fled to England where he killed himself in London in May 1998. His suicide note stated that the sex was consensual.”

“Fashanu began his career as an apprentice with Norwich City, turning professional towards the end of December 1978. He made his league debut on 13 January 1979, against West Bromwich Albion, and settled into the Norwich side scoring regularly and occasionally spectacularly. In 1980, he won the BBC Goal of the Season award, for a spectacular goal against Liverpool. He managed a total of 103 senior appearances for Norwich, scoring 40 goals. While at the club he was also capped six times for England at under-21 level, although the anticipated call-up to the senior side ultimately never happened.”

Fashanu’s confidence and goals were soon in short supply when Coach Brian Clough in charge of Nottingham Forest discovered he was gay and was frequenting gay nightclubs and bars. When he found it tough adjusting to the playing and lifestyle demands of Clough, he barred him from training with the side leading to him scoring just three goals in 32 league games for Forest in 1981-82.

In August 1982, he was loaned to Southampton (scoring three goals in nine appearances) as he settled in well, helping the “Saints” overcome the sudden departure of Kevin Keegan. His move would have been permanent but of lack of funds. READ FULL STORY HERE>>>CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>

Other teams he played for include Notts County, Brighton & Hove Albion, Los Angeles Heat, Edmonton Brickmen, Hamilton Steelers, Manchester City, West Ham United, Leyton Orient and Toronto Blizzard.

Justin Fashanu

Although Fashanu stated his fellow players accepted him generally well following his October 1990 public announcement as gay in the Sun Newspaper becoming the only prominent player in English football to do so, he was nonetheless aware of malicious jokes made about his sexual orientation while becoming a target of constant crowd abuse because of it.

Fashanu was assistant manager for Ivan Golac who was manager of Torquay in February 1992.

It was in March 1998, that the man claimed to police that he had been sexually assaulted by Fashanu after a night of drinking. Homosexual acts were illegal in the US state of Maryland at the time, and the youth stated the act was not consensual but being performed as he awoke. The assault was alleged to have taken place in Fashanu’s apartment in Ellicott City, Maryland, United States. Fashanu was questioned about this by the police on 3 April, but he was not held in custody. The police later arrived at his flat with a warrant to arrest him on charges of second-degree sexual assault, first-degree assault, and second-degree assault, but Fashanu had already fled to England.”

On the morning of 3 May, he was found hanged in a deserted lock-up garage he had broken into, in Fairchild Place, Shoreditch, London, after visiting Chariots Roman Spa, a local gay sauna.

Fashanu’s remains were cremated and a small ceremony was held at City of London Cemetery and Crematorium. Fashanu was listed at number 99 in the Top 500 Lesbian and Gay Heroes in The Pink Paper.

In 2017, Netflix released the film, Forbidden Games: The Justin Fashanu Story.

 

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