Lingering Effects

By Janet Dallas

This book was inspired by true events.

Confirming the word of God in the King James Bible stating, "For nothing is hidden that will not be made manifested nor is anything secret that will not be known and come to light" (Luke 8:17), secrets are similar to a cow in the pasture that thinks he's free. God knows the secrets of the heart. Having an honest conversation with God can change anyone's life.

Proverbs 28:13 tells us, "Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy." Amen.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Jun 23, 2023
• ISBN: 9798886169478

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Lingering Effects

Janet Dallas

ISBN 979-8-88616-946-1 (paperback)

ISBN 979-8-88616-947-8 (digital)

Copyright © 2023 by Janet Dallas

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the publisher. For permission requests, solicit the publisher via the address below.

Christian Faith Publishing

832 Park Avenue

Meadville, PA 16335

www.christianfaithpublishing.com

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

Blessed

Introduction

Reality

Really? Yes, Really

Zealous

Offended

Realness

Stunned

Uneasy

Shocked

Truth

Numb

Effects

Glimpses

Fitting

About the Author

This book is dedicated to all the people God chose to encourage me, allowing them to see in me what I could not and believing in me when I was to hurt to see. Thank you.

To everyone who thinks freedom is impossible, think possible! Not just one day but every day!

A special thanks to Maria Robles, Brieana Lee, my family, and publishing team. Thank you.

First, I would like to start by giving thanks and praise to Almighty God in the mighty name of Christ Jesus for his greatness, his unconditional love and faithfulness to all his children.

Before I begin to share one of many stories with alarming impacts, let's begin with time, a friend of truth—it conveys history. Time does not change life revelations, experiences, or the twist and curves that come with living.

Time records everything, not just the truth of overwhelming gleeful blessings but the disloyalties of fiction and deceitfulness as well.

Truthfully speaking, humans are always fighting to achieve something or another in this world, starting from birth with attention. The list goes on and on—first place, success, fame, fortune, justice, maliciousness, independence, degrees, or a family.

Yet irrefutably, some people only fight for survival. Not to be first, but to live another day. Observing unbelievable occurrences coming to life can have lingering effects!

So…in all honesty…there is no sad story here, just a real one.

My name is Symantha Brangum.

Blessed

My family grew up in a residential neighborhood. There was always a school in walking distance. We attended Barnett Elementary; however, we later transferred out and adverted a private catholic school.

When growing up, the only thing my siblings and I shared were rooms, like the kitchen, the bathroom.

We wore nice clothes—black patent leather shoes. Our everyday shoes were the brown and beige saddle oxfords. Shoes that were nicely put together but extremely ugly. My mother liked to dress well, so she dressed us the same.

Glancing up, we had beds of our own, always had food to eat, and we celebrated all the holidays. (Smiling)

Easter stands out for me.

After church on Easter, we would go over to Grandmother Groom's, where we would engage with other family members, collaborate to create thrill-seeking adventures, and have a blast!

I love all my family!

Slightly leaning back smiling, I'm not saying my family and I were exempt from persecution that would be a lie!

The best decision I believe parents can make for their newborn baby is to baptize or dedicate them to the Most High God—the Giver of life. Purposely activating God's covering and guardian angels that are assign to every human being born into this world.

Aware of the realism that the gift of existence is a priceless bequest and with maturity comes great understanding. Because some of us, no matter how infantile, get a taste of what the bitter with the sweet is all about quickly.

With this in mind, life being as it is throughout the world, there are many things people don't see, don't believe, or are totally unaware of due to lack of knowledge. Still, it does not change the truth or reality of their existence.

Soar with me through this story like an eagle in the air. (Smiling)

Introduction

Apart from the beauty and freshness of the outside splendor, on the inside of the window lived the Brangum family. How rude of me. Let me introduce them to you. (Smiles)

Biff Brangum is my dad—an average-height man in his thirties, sturdy-built, dark-complexioned, and an only child raised in the country who worked in the construction business with his father. However, when Biff got old enough to leave home, he joined the army. From there he traveled to Chicago, where he met his future wife.

Ruby, my mother—slender with long hair and an attractive, intelligent woman in her late twenties with one little daughter of her own. (Me, Symantha Marie, smiling)

Ruby's family was large; she had sixteen living siblings. Their family resided in the suburb of Chicago. Ruby was the fifth daughter next to the youngest. She studied and became a licensed practicing nurse (LPN). After many years, she changed her career and became a technician for the Mountain Bell telephone industry.

Startlingly, Ruby was introduced to Biff by one of her older sisters. (Sighs)

Grandpa Groom, Ruby's father, was a well-respected man who oversaw his family. I had the privilege of staying with my grandparents. I loved it! I was their little princess royalty! Grandfather was of Indian descent, silvered early in life, nice looking, had high cheekbones, tall, strong, well-built, and he appeared to be Caucasian.

Grandfather met his wife to be while working on an ice truck, delivering huge ice blocks. Can you imagine? An ice block! My grandfather was all that, and as I recall, he was a God-fearing, praying, and working man—thriving in the community as well as the church, servicing people, and touching countless lives. Grandfather also owned a landscaping business that he worked with his sons—a crew that kept growing and growing.