Kamwulfe Publishing
 | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  |
Fleeting Moments - Chapter 1
A gentle breeze moved in and out of the newly constructed and masterfully designed Olympic stadium. It was a warm summer breeze
that rode the thermals of the prevailing trade winds and set the stage for an emotionally charged evening filled with enchantment far
beyond anyone’s expectations or dreams. For tonight of all nights, they were trade winds that held the entire stadium audience
captivated and sitting on the edge of their seats in anticipation of the final moment of truth and long awaited poetic justice for one
deserving soul. Suddenly, thousands of flash bulbs exploded then recharged and set in motion again and again by so many from so
far away. They were flashes of light from individual cameras in search of heart filled memories, flashes of light from network news crews
and flashes of light from those who were compelled by emotions to capture this moment forever. And, they were flashes of lights by not
only adoring fans but also everyday people who came to witness history and maybe, just maybe, a miracle on this night of dedication
and determination guided by fates right hand.
It was the event that only came every four years. And, it was the one event that made the entire world unite and stand in awe of a
group of young women and men called athletes. But on this evening, it was one special young woman who would work her way so
deeply into the hearts and spirits of all those in attendance no matter the final outcome. On this night, during that magical fortnight in
August, the world stood still waiting with emotions running wild when the call finally reached the young American woman named Kelsey
Cox-Stone that it was her turn to take center stage. On this night of nights, the moon had already reached its apex in the southern sky
and it too was positioned perfectly to watch history unfold in a land so far away. At first she wondered if it was a sign from above.
Maybe an omen or was it just great timing. Nevertheless, everything around her seemed to stand still as the big moon reflected the
mood of a nation and carried the hopes of so many young people as they played out their roles in the world’s greatest event on the
grand stage of life.
With a quick look and a smile, a young woman watched as her rival and the current world’s record holder prepared for her final attempt
at the current height, itself a new Olympic and World’s Record. Then with all the poise she could call to her slender body, the young
Russian woman raised her fiberglass pole and began her approach to either continued fame and fortune or a second place finish and
the crowning of a new champion of elegance, style and stunning beauty far beyond her years and station in life. With each step the
young Russian woman appeared to gain strength. With each step she grew stronger, faster and more determined not to lose and not
to give away what she worked so hard to win. Her movements reflected the outward sign of a polished professional who was at the top
of her career - a finely tuned athlete for the decade. Faster and faster she approached her final take off point and with not much
concern from the young American as she turned her head and resumed her concentration and preparation for her third and final
attempt at 5.13 meters (16 feet 8 and ½ inches) as if she was at an uneventful gathering of friends with no lasting expectations or
rewards. Then the crowd signaled the Russian woman’s destiny when they held their collective breaths and concluded with an outward
expression that meant she had failed to clear the bar thus opening the door for a new champion for the ages.
As the lovely Russian woman walked away in heartbreak, the stage was set for the young American. She was the child of dreams, the
child of determination and a young woman who defied the system. She was the child who took on the local high school board of
education and won and she is the woman who lives in silence. Yet more importantly, she is the one who holds the hopes and dreams of
every person whose felt the sting of discrimination and every person who understands the pain of rejection and the cruel label of
handicapped. And she carries the hearts and dreams of everyone from her native country, the world and especially every child who as
her now lives in silence.
When the young Russian woman finally cleared the runway and returned to her chosen area to watch in anticipation, the signal came
from one of the event judges. It was a call to action and delivered by a man who understood her condition and adjusted nicely to
accommodate this remarkable young woman. He was an elderly gentleman, well into the autumn of his years. He carried a pleasing
smile and on this evening, no doubt, a wish for success in his heart and a prayer on his lips for this young woman who has a date with
destiny. With that overture and the old fellows command of sign language, Kelsey Cox stood up and removed her warm-up suit but not
before she gazed down at the three letters that defined and separated her clothing – it read U.S.A. For a brief moment that simple
gesture brought a tear to her eyes followed by the tremendous serge of adrenalin to her blood stream and was carried directly into her
heart. Without hesitation or indecision, she walked over and carefully selected her strongest pole. This was her power pole, her
special pole designed to the letter for her exclusively by those well wishers and corporate executives at the UC Spirit athletic company
in the heart of America -- North Carolina. Then with one last look to the stands her eyes focused on the one man who held her heart
and carried her dreams for a better tomorrow. The one human who was always there from the first time she saw him on the big yellow
school bus her first day of kindergarten. Then her eyes shifted to the older man standing next to him. He was her coach, her friend
and many believed the father she never had growing up as a child of a lesser God. With a pleasing smile from Coach Taylor, Kelsey
Cox knew everything was going to work out as it was written as it was intended to end tonight.
Relaxed and yet on edge, her muscles and emotions began a sequence of events known to only a hand full of humans and horses.
They were only a select few athletes who could understand let alone identify with what she was going through at this moment in time in
her life. And it was a sequence of events that once set into motion no one could alter, no one could ended and no one could reverse
until destiny intervened. Carefully and with confidence, the American stepped onto the light blue composite runway. With a final smile
to the elderly judge, she raised her hand thus signaling she was prepared for her final attempt at the stated height, a new world record.
However, no one knew this was her final jump of the evening and her final public appearance in her professional career. Just then as
mandated by the rules and protocol, the meet official signed to the timekeeper to begin the two-minute count down. With one eye on
the big Omega digital clock position in full view near the runway approach path, Kelsey’s date with greatness was then set in motion.
The big clock started with: 2:00, 1:59, 1:58, 1:57 as young Kelsey Cox’s life began to flash in front of her. With confidence and
determination dancing through her mind she raised her big fiberglass UC Spirit pole to the vertical. Then as expected and with humility
and concentration driving her emotions, she executed her signature half step back with her right foot, leaned her tall and slender body
backwards slightly then stepped off smartly with a tremendously high left knee and began her approach into history.
With confidence and ease she began to increase her speed. Then from nowhere her mind drifted back in time, back to where it all
began and back to the pain and exhilaration of her childhood. She was back in kindergarten and her first day of school. She
remembers kissing her mother goodbye then climbing the long three steps into the big yellow school bus. Carefully watching her
individual steps, once aboard the bus she raised her eyes and saw a vision. She saw a young boy standing near his seat offering her
his position on the bus that was by now completely full. It was a kind jester that set the stage for a lifetime of unbelievable ventures,
respect and admiration. It was a jester that would change her life forever and end on a cool autumn day when life would finally come
full cycle. Then she was suddenly pulled back from the abyss when she realized she was now in the final phase of the critical and final
three step plant sequence. As if controlled by a distant and super natural force far beyond her comprehension, Ms. Cox executed
another perfectly timed and flawless plant. As instructed from the beginning of her journey, her right hand drove to the heavens while
her left arm gently collapsed thus allowing her body to begin the difficult sequence known as the first rock back. As her slender body
left the ground in conjunction with the initial bending of her big UC Spirit fiberglass pole her body entered a perfect and ever illusive
reversed “C” position that all pole vaulters work so hard to master and very few ever can. With that movement, Kelsey began her
accelerated right knee drive followed by a powerful pendulum swing of her left leg when she found herself inverted well past the 180
degrees position that very few humans have ever experienced.
Unnoticed by the human eye except for one individual, one human and the one person outside her husband who believed in this young
woman with all his heart and spirit. Sitting in the stands sweating bullets and chewing their bottom lips, two men stood still as their
hearts stopped for a moment in time. Their friend, their perfect little angel made time and gravity stand still. John Taylor said quietly:
“Damn Jacky she did it, my God she did it.” Just then the 15 foot 7 inch, 175-pound test UC Spirit fiberglass pole began releasing all its
stored energy. With ease, grace and style the big pole catapulted the child of silence and humility well into the heavens. Everything
was now in super slow motion. Her body sailed effortlessly through the evening sky on its way to history. What appeared to last forever
to Kelsey was over in only a matter of seconds as she cleared the cross bar by ten inches and began her assent back to earth and
back to reality. For a brief and fleeting moment, no doubt the little girl who lives in silence, the one child who felt the sting of years of
discrimination, and the one soul whose destiny was preordained from the moment she met her Prince Charming, momentarily touched
the face of God herself.
When gravity finally reclaimed this young woman’s body and heart, she gently fell into the spacious light blue landing area. Far from
others before her, she did not move for a few guarded seconds. Maybe it was her way of saying thank you to the heavens and all
those who were there for her along the road of life. Then with dignity and respect, she stood up and walked slowly out of the landing
area and regained her pole. Carrying herself as the dignified woman she now was and the new world and Olympic champion she had
become, she accepted her new rewards with style, grace and most of all humility. However, not before she thanked the judges for all
their help and smiles. Tonight they too met an angel and her image and demeanor would stay with them until they met her again in a
far different place. Kelsey then turned with her pole in hand and began walking back to her chosen area to put on her warm-up clothes
and gather her thoughts. Halfway back she could no longer hold her emotions in check. She looked over to her right and found her
soul mates eyes. With tears running down her face, it was her final public appearance as a professional athlete and the beginning of a
far better life with the one man who stood by her side when the world told her she could not compete because she was born defective
and now carried the label known as handicapped.
Once she reached her area where all her personal items were positioned, she put on her USA warm-up suit. With one last gaze she
stood quietly looking towards the heavens and at that moment Jacky Stone knew she was again in the arms of her Mother, the woman
who gave up her life to stand beside her only daughter faithfully. One single moment in time has now defined the life and times of Ms.
Kelsey Cox-Stone. And now all she could do was stand in the massive Olympic stadium as the crowd stood in appreciation and
continued to applause for the young woman who was the new World and Olympic champion.
Outwardly she was smiling as her tears of joy run down her lovely cheeks as the crowd expressed their respect and admiration for the
woman she was and the champion she had become. Although she could not hear their vocal cheers, cheers of love and cheers of
gratitude, she knew in her heart that she had finally completed her mission. A mission mired in pain and discrimination, a mission filled
with resistance and deceit that began a long time ago on a farm just outside of the small town where she grew up as a child.
To the untrained eye, she was all smiles as her tears of sadness and exhilaration ran down her cheeks when she turned and waved
again and again to all those who called her their hero. But, inwardly she watched as her complex and all to often and painful childhood
flashed before her eyes for the final time. They were memories of a young girl who asked for only acceptance. They were memories of
a young child who so desperately desired only an opportunity. And yet, she was continuously denied the slightest ounce of common
courtesy. They were memories of a young woman who came to an old man for help and asked for only an opportunity to prove her
worth. They were memories of a time to learn and in true gentlemanly fashion her request was granted in a mere blink of an eye and
an infectious smile that would come to mean so much more than she could have ever imagined. And finally, it was now time, time for
one more series of waves to the crowd who called her name and then she would walk off the awards stand for the last time in her
professional career.
Her fans had no idea this was her last public appearance. They had no inkling this was her final goodbye to all those that reached out
for her. And, they did not know that in her heart it was her way of saying thank you for all the prayers, all the compassion and most of
all for all the understanding for what her long journey represented. When Kelsey Cox stepped off the awards platform for the final time
in her career she was met by another little girl, who much as her, lived in silence. And like Kelsey, she too refused to let her physical
condition diminish her dreams of becoming a champion. They signed a few words then Kelsey gave her an autograph and a hug then
posed for a picture taken by the young child’s Mother. Then she looked to her left and saw the man of her dreams, the man she called
her husband and the man who carried her heart, her soul and her spirit with such tenderness and emotions. He was standing with their
two daughters as the tears were running down his cheeks as well. As she approached them she saw the sign her two girls were
holding with such honor and such pride, it simply said: “You did it Mommy.”
Next she looked over to her right for the one person who made this unbelievable dream all come true, the one man that stood beside
her when all others turned away. The one man that always told her she could do anything she set her mind to and the one person who
accepted her as a child of infinite possibilities and not a child of a lesser God all those years before. As she approached her dear old
friend, she saw tears running down his face as well and with that she reached for him for she could no longer hold back her tears of
joy. They embraced and held each other tightly for a few fleeting moments that seemed as if hours then he whispered softly into this
deaf child’s ears, “You did it kid, you did it”. Then John turned and signed his reply as her tears began running down her beautiful face
now completely out of control and without complications.
A gentle breeze moved in and out of the newly constructed and masterfully designed Olympic stadium. It was a warm summer breeze
that rode the thermals of the prevailing trade winds and set the stage for an emotionally charged evening filled with enchantment far
beyond anyone’s expectations or dreams. For tonight of all nights, they were trade winds that held the entire stadium audience
captivated and sitting on the edge of their seats in anticipation of the final moment of truth and long awaited poetic justice for one
deserving soul. Suddenly, thousands of flash bulbs exploded then recharged and set in motion again and again by so many from so
far away. They were flashes of light from individual cameras in search of heart filled memories, flashes of light from network news crews
and flashes of light from those who were compelled by emotions to capture this moment forever. And, they were flashes of lights by not
only adoring fans but also everyday people who came to witness history and maybe, just maybe, a miracle on this night of dedication
and determination guided by fates right hand.
It was the event that only came every four years. And, it was the one event that made the entire world unite and stand in awe of a
group of young women and men called athletes. But on this evening, it was one special young woman who would work her way so
deeply into the hearts and spirits of all those in attendance no matter the final outcome. On this night, during that magical fortnight in
August, the world stood still waiting with emotions running wild when the call finally reached the young American woman named Kelsey
Cox-Stone that it was her turn to take center stage. On this night of nights, the moon had already reached its apex in the southern sky
and it too was positioned perfectly to watch history unfold in a land so far away. At first she wondered if it was a sign from above.
Maybe an omen or was it just great timing. Nevertheless, everything around her seemed to stand still as the big moon reflected the
mood of a nation and carried the hopes of so many young people as they played out their roles in the world’s greatest event on the
grand stage of life.
With a quick look and a smile, a young woman watched as her rival and the current world’s record holder prepared for her final attempt
at the current height, itself a new Olympic and World’s Record. Then with all the poise she could call to her slender body, the young
Russian woman raised her fiberglass pole and began her approach to either continued fame and fortune or a second place finish and
the crowning of a new champion of elegance, style and stunning beauty far beyond her years and station in life. With each step the
young Russian woman appeared to gain strength. With each step she grew stronger, faster and more determined not to lose and not
to give away what she worked so hard to win. Her movements reflected the outward sign of a polished professional who was at the top
of her career - a finely tuned athlete for the decade. Faster and faster she approached her final take off point and with not much
concern from the young American as she turned her head and resumed her concentration and preparation for her third and final
attempt at 5.13 meters (16 feet 8 and ½ inches) as if she was at an uneventful gathering of friends with no lasting expectations or
rewards. Then the crowd signaled the Russian woman’s destiny when they held their collective breaths and concluded with an outward
expression that meant she had failed to clear the bar thus opening the door for a new champion for the ages.
As the lovely Russian woman walked away in heartbreak, the stage was set for the young American. She was the child of dreams, the
child of determination and a young woman who defied the system. She was the child who took on the local high school board of
education and won and she is the woman who lives in silence. Yet more importantly, she is the one who holds the hopes and dreams of
every person whose felt the sting of discrimination and every person who understands the pain of rejection and the cruel label of
handicapped. And she carries the hearts and dreams of everyone from her native country, the world and especially every child who as
her now lives in silence.
When the young Russian woman finally cleared the runway and returned to her chosen area to watch in anticipation, the signal came
from one of the event judges. It was a call to action and delivered by a man who understood her condition and adjusted nicely to
accommodate this remarkable young woman. He was an elderly gentleman, well into the autumn of his years. He carried a pleasing
smile and on this evening, no doubt, a wish for success in his heart and a prayer on his lips for this young woman who has a date with
destiny. With that overture and the old fellows command of sign language, Kelsey Cox stood up and removed her warm-up suit but not
before she gazed down at the three letters that defined and separated her clothing – it read U.S.A. For a brief moment that simple
gesture brought a tear to her eyes followed by the tremendous serge of adrenalin to her blood stream and was carried directly into her
heart. Without hesitation or indecision, she walked over and carefully selected her strongest pole. This was her power pole, her
special pole designed to the letter for her exclusively by those well wishers and corporate executives at the UC Spirit athletic company
in the heart of America -- North Carolina. Then with one last look to the stands her eyes focused on the one man who held her heart
and carried her dreams for a better tomorrow. The one human who was always there from the first time she saw him on the big yellow
school bus her first day of kindergarten. Then her eyes shifted to the older man standing next to him. He was her coach, her friend
and many believed the father she never had growing up as a child of a lesser God. With a pleasing smile from Coach Taylor, Kelsey
Cox knew everything was going to work out as it was written as it was intended to end tonight.
Relaxed and yet on edge, her muscles and emotions began a sequence of events known to only a hand full of humans and horses.
They were only a select few athletes who could understand let alone identify with what she was going through at this moment in time in
her life. And it was a sequence of events that once set into motion no one could alter, no one could ended and no one could reverse
until destiny intervened. Carefully and with confidence, the American stepped onto the light blue composite runway. With a final smile
to the elderly judge, she raised her hand thus signaling she was prepared for her final attempt at the stated height, a new world record.
However, no one knew this was her final jump of the evening and her final public appearance in her professional career. Just then as
mandated by the rules and protocol, the meet official signed to the timekeeper to begin the two-minute count down. With one eye on
the big Omega digital clock position in full view near the runway approach path, Kelsey’s date with greatness was then set in motion.
The big clock started with: 2:00, 1:59, 1:58, 1:57 as young Kelsey Cox’s life began to flash in front of her. With confidence and
determination dancing through her mind she raised her big fiberglass UC Spirit pole to the vertical. Then as expected and with humility
and concentration driving her emotions, she executed her signature half step back with her right foot, leaned her tall and slender body
backwards slightly then stepped off smartly with a tremendously high left knee and began her approach into history.
With confidence and ease she began to increase her speed. Then from nowhere her mind drifted back in time, back to where it all
began and back to the pain and exhilaration of her childhood. She was back in kindergarten and her first day of school. She
remembers kissing her mother goodbye then climbing the long three steps into the big yellow school bus. Carefully watching her
individual steps, once aboard the bus she raised her eyes and saw a vision. She saw a young boy standing near his seat offering her
his position on the bus that was by now completely full. It was a kind jester that set the stage for a lifetime of unbelievable ventures,
respect and admiration. It was a jester that would change her life forever and end on a cool autumn day when life would finally come
full cycle. Then she was suddenly pulled back from the abyss when she realized she was now in the final phase of the critical and final
three step plant sequence. As if controlled by a distant and super natural force far beyond her comprehension, Ms. Cox executed
another perfectly timed and flawless plant. As instructed from the beginning of her journey, her right hand drove to the heavens while
her left arm gently collapsed thus allowing her body to begin the difficult sequence known as the first rock back. As her slender body
left the ground in conjunction with the initial bending of her big UC Spirit fiberglass pole her body entered a perfect and ever illusive
reversed “C” position that all pole vaulters work so hard to master and very few ever can. With that movement, Kelsey began her
accelerated right knee drive followed by a powerful pendulum swing of her left leg when she found herself inverted well past the 180
degrees position that very few humans have ever experienced.
Unnoticed by the human eye except for one individual, one human and the one person outside her husband who believed in this young
woman with all his heart and spirit. Sitting in the stands sweating bullets and chewing their bottom lips, two men stood still as their
hearts stopped for a moment in time. Their friend, their perfect little angel made time and gravity stand still. John Taylor said quietly:
“Damn Jacky she did it, my God she did it.” Just then the 15 foot 7 inch, 175-pound test UC Spirit fiberglass pole began releasing all its
stored energy. With ease, grace and style the big pole catapulted the child of silence and humility well into the heavens. Everything
was now in super slow motion. Her body sailed effortlessly through the evening sky on its way to history. What appeared to last forever
to Kelsey was over in only a matter of seconds as she cleared the cross bar by ten inches and began her assent back to earth and
back to reality. For a brief and fleeting moment, no doubt the little girl who lives in silence, the one child who felt the sting of years of
discrimination, and the one soul whose destiny was preordained from the moment she met her Prince Charming, momentarily touched
the face of God herself.
When gravity finally reclaimed this young woman’s body and heart, she gently fell into the spacious light blue landing area. Far from
others before her, she did not move for a few guarded seconds. Maybe it was her way of saying thank you to the heavens and all
those who were there for her along the road of life. Then with dignity and respect, she stood up and walked slowly out of the landing
area and regained her pole. Carrying herself as the dignified woman she now was and the new world and Olympic champion she had
become, she accepted her new rewards with style, grace and most of all humility. However, not before she thanked the judges for all
their help and smiles. Tonight they too met an angel and her image and demeanor would stay with them until they met her again in a
far different place. Kelsey then turned with her pole in hand and began walking back to her chosen area to put on her warm-up clothes
and gather her thoughts. Halfway back she could no longer hold her emotions in check. She looked over to her right and found her
soul mates eyes. With tears running down her face, it was her final public appearance as a professional athlete and the beginning of a
far better life with the one man who stood by her side when the world told her she could not compete because she was born defective
and now carried the label known as handicapped.
Once she reached her area where all her personal items were positioned, she put on her USA warm-up suit. With one last gaze she
stood quietly looking towards the heavens and at that moment Jacky Stone knew she was again in the arms of her Mother, the woman
who gave up her life to stand beside her only daughter faithfully. One single moment in time has now defined the life and times of Ms.
Kelsey Cox-Stone. And now all she could do was stand in the massive Olympic stadium as the crowd stood in appreciation and
continued to applause for the young woman who was the new World and Olympic champion.
Outwardly she was smiling as her tears of joy run down her lovely cheeks as the crowd expressed their respect and admiration for the
woman she was and the champion she had become. Although she could not hear their vocal cheers, cheers of love and cheers of
gratitude, she knew in her heart that she had finally completed her mission. A mission mired in pain and discrimination, a mission filled
with resistance and deceit that began a long time ago on a farm just outside of the small town where she grew up as a child.
To the untrained eye, she was all smiles as her tears of sadness and exhilaration ran down her cheeks when she turned and waved
again and again to all those who called her their hero. But, inwardly she watched as her complex and all to often and painful childhood
flashed before her eyes for the final time. They were memories of a young girl who asked for only acceptance. They were memories of
a young child who so desperately desired only an opportunity. And yet, she was continuously denied the slightest ounce of common
courtesy. They were memories of a young woman who came to an old man for help and asked for only an opportunity to prove her
worth. They were memories of a time to learn and in true gentlemanly fashion her request was granted in a mere blink of an eye and
an infectious smile that would come to mean so much more than she could have ever imagined. And finally, it was now time, time for
one more series of waves to the crowd who called her name and then she would walk off the awards stand for the last time in her
professional career.
Her fans had no idea this was her last public appearance. They had no inkling this was her final goodbye to all those that reached out
for her. And, they did not know that in her heart it was her way of saying thank you for all the prayers, all the compassion and most of
all for all the understanding for what her long journey represented. When Kelsey Cox stepped off the awards platform for the final time
in her career she was met by another little girl, who much as her, lived in silence. And like Kelsey, she too refused to let her physical
condition diminish her dreams of becoming a champion. They signed a few words then Kelsey gave her an autograph and a hug then
posed for a picture taken by the young child’s Mother. Then she looked to her left and saw the man of her dreams, the man she called
her husband and the man who carried her heart, her soul and her spirit with such tenderness and emotions. He was standing with their
two daughters as the tears were running down his cheeks as well. As she approached them she saw the sign her two girls were
holding with such honor and such pride, it simply said: “You did it Mommy.”
Next she looked over to her right for the one person who made this unbelievable dream all come true, the one man that stood beside
her when all others turned away. The one man that always told her she could do anything she set her mind to and the one person who
accepted her as a child of infinite possibilities and not a child of a lesser God all those years before. As she approached her dear old
friend, she saw tears running down his face as well and with that she reached for him for she could no longer hold back her tears of
joy. They embraced and held each other tightly for a few fleeting moments that seemed as if hours then he whispered softly into this
deaf child’s ears, “You did it kid, you did it”. Then John turned and signed his reply as her tears began running down her beautiful face
now completely out of control and without complications.
Synopsis – Anticipated Silence
This inspirational story follows the life of Kelsey Cox, a
young child who lives in silence due to a tragic mistake
by her mother (Donna Cox) who was at the time no more
than a child herself when Kelsey was born. As her
journey through life begins to unfold, she befriends a
young boy (Jacky Stone) when he offers her his hand on
the first day of school as she climbed into the big yellow
school bus on her way to kindergarten. Although they
could not communicate in language, Kelsey comes to
understand the goodness and honor in his spirit and
opens her heart to this young man who becomes her
guardian angel for the rest of her life. As time passes
their friendship blossoms into romance, and when Kelsey
feels the pain of institutional discrimination she turns to
the one person who has been there for her since she
was five years old. Together they challenge the system
that denied her the opportunity to compete, only
because she is deaf. After winning a fierce battle with
the board of education president, Jacky Stone is forced
to find a qualified person who will accept young Kelsey
for what she has become and not for what society has
labeled her. With the help of Jacky Stone, this
uncommon country gentleman teaches her the complex
technique of a difficult and demanding athletic event that
will someday make her a household name and a role
model for every young girl. Upon arrival at the ranch, the
old man (John Taylor) sees something in her no one else
could, and in a blink of an eye, Kelsey Cox was
accepted. From that day forward friendship blossoms
between the old man and the lovely deaf child who asked
for only the opportunity to compete with hearing kids and
touch the face of God’s chosen creatures. As time
passes, a tremendous bond develops as John Taylor, his
wife (Cassie Taylor) and these two young kids, who seem
to redefine passion and never grow tired of supporting
each other now become family. Anticipated Silence is
her story, Kelsey Cox’s fight for the opportunity to
compete and over come an injustice and blatant
discrimination at the hands of those who set the rules. In
addition, this is a story of a young boy who fell in love the
minute their eyes met and refused to leave her side as
they reached adulthood. And along the way, Jacky
Stone gave away every thing so he could stand beside
her and wait until she finished chasing her dreams.
Emotionally, this is a story that will tear your heart out
then mend it with such honesty, with such tenderness,
tenderness that re-defines dedication and commitment,
and tenderness that is what we call -- true love. This is
a deaf child’s odyssey, a fight for equality and a fairy tale
come true -- or is it a message from above.
This inspirational story follows the life of Kelsey Cox, a
young child who lives in silence due to a tragic mistake
by her mother (Donna Cox) who was at the time no more
than a child herself when Kelsey was born. As her
journey through life begins to unfold, she befriends a
young boy (Jacky Stone) when he offers her his hand on
the first day of school as she climbed into the big yellow
school bus on her way to kindergarten. Although they
could not communicate in language, Kelsey comes to
understand the goodness and honor in his spirit and
opens her heart to this young man who becomes her
guardian angel for the rest of her life. As time passes
their friendship blossoms into romance, and when Kelsey
feels the pain of institutional discrimination she turns to
the one person who has been there for her since she
was five years old. Together they challenge the system
that denied her the opportunity to compete, only
because she is deaf. After winning a fierce battle with
the board of education president, Jacky Stone is forced
to find a qualified person who will accept young Kelsey
for what she has become and not for what society has
labeled her. With the help of Jacky Stone, this
uncommon country gentleman teaches her the complex
technique of a difficult and demanding athletic event that
will someday make her a household name and a role
model for every young girl. Upon arrival at the ranch, the
old man (John Taylor) sees something in her no one else
could, and in a blink of an eye, Kelsey Cox was
accepted. From that day forward friendship blossoms
between the old man and the lovely deaf child who asked
for only the opportunity to compete with hearing kids and
touch the face of God’s chosen creatures. As time
passes, a tremendous bond develops as John Taylor, his
wife (Cassie Taylor) and these two young kids, who seem
to redefine passion and never grow tired of supporting
each other now become family. Anticipated Silence is
her story, Kelsey Cox’s fight for the opportunity to
compete and over come an injustice and blatant
discrimination at the hands of those who set the rules. In
addition, this is a story of a young boy who fell in love the
minute their eyes met and refused to leave her side as
they reached adulthood. And along the way, Jacky
Stone gave away every thing so he could stand beside
her and wait until she finished chasing her dreams.
Emotionally, this is a story that will tear your heart out
then mend it with such honesty, with such tenderness,
tenderness that re-defines dedication and commitment,
and tenderness that is what we call -- true love. This is
a deaf child’s odyssey, a fight for equality and a fairy tale
come true -- or is it a message from above.
Anticipated Silence
Acknowledgements
This body of work is dedicated to those young girls, those
young women and those ladies who continue the struggle
for equality and honor in the face of every form of
discrimination. For you alone are our champions, you
alone are our hero’s and you alone will break down the
final barriers. And with compassion in your hearts, you
will build new bridges to the future and a far better future
because of your courage and tenacity.
For those who live in silence this novel is for you as well,
for it is my hope, my dream that someday you will achieve
your dreams and desires. So let this day stand as the
beginning when no man, no teacher and no human will
dare say – “You cannot because you are deaf or hearing
impaired.”
And finally, this novel stands in honor to all the young
boys and men who have the courage to stand beside the
women they love. The dedication to let them stand in the
spotlight alone and the humanity to be their rock, their
foundation, their true north because your love is strong,
your spirit is bright and most of all your confidence is
unimpeachable and that is why she chose you to share
her life – forever.
This body of work is dedicated to those young girls, those
young women and those ladies who continue the struggle
for equality and honor in the face of every form of
discrimination. For you alone are our champions, you
alone are our hero’s and you alone will break down the
final barriers. And with compassion in your hearts, you
will build new bridges to the future and a far better future
because of your courage and tenacity.
For those who live in silence this novel is for you as well,
for it is my hope, my dream that someday you will achieve
your dreams and desires. So let this day stand as the
beginning when no man, no teacher and no human will
dare say – “You cannot because you are deaf or hearing
impaired.”
And finally, this novel stands in honor to all the young
boys and men who have the courage to stand beside the
women they love. The dedication to let them stand in the
spotlight alone and the humanity to be their rock, their
foundation, their true north because your love is strong,
your spirit is bright and most of all your confidence is
unimpeachable and that is why she chose you to share
her life – forever.
Cassie & Cody
...For Twelve years they made life all worth
living...Thank you for choosing me as your friend.
living...Thank you for choosing me as your friend.