An irresistible story of faith and perseverance, Life Is Short But Wide follows two families as they prove that no matter who you are or what you do, you are never too old to chase your dreams. Like the small towns J. California Cooper has so vividly portrayed in her previous novels, Wideland, Oklahoma, is home to ordinary Americans with big hearts. Among them are newlyweds Irene and Val, who graciously allow their neighbors, Bertha and Joseph, to build a house on their land. Together the couples have three daughters, all who struggle to find love and success in the changing world. But although the years may bring hardship and heartache, they also teach the importance of living one’s life boldly and squeezing out every possible moment of joy.  “Cooper’s work reminds us of Langston Hughes and Zora Neale Hurston…. It’s a delight to read.” —Alice Walker “[J. California Cooper] is my favorite storyteller. What songs she sings.” —Nikki Giovanni   “Yes, life is short. Luckily, its also filled with the magic of beguiling and provocative books like this.” — The Newark Star-Ledger   “J. California Cooper is absolutely brilliant. One of the best writers of all time.” —Jill Scott “My fifth-grade teacher . . . one day said, ‘Instead of calling and asking me for advice, try reading J. California Cooper.’” —Halle Berry   “Wonderfully crafted. . . . Cooper’s characteristic motherly wit carries an appealing raft of characters through a world tougher than it is tender, but touched with beauty and wisdom.” — Publishers Weekly   “It is as if [Cooper] is patting the seat next to us, enticing us to come sit and listen.” — Ms.   “A genius storyteller.” — The Boston Globe   “Cooper’s characters are the folk heroes of black culture.” — Essence   “Reminiscent of Zora Neale Hurston’s groundbreaking 1937 novel, Their Eyes Were Watching God. . . . Narrated with gentle wit and humor, [ Life Is Short But Wide ] explores the importance of love, religion, redemption, and family.” — Library Journal   “Cooper writes about love as if it were a small stream, a ray of hope, a whisper in God’s ear, an essence all of its own. . . . A must read full of history, wisdom and love.” — Cityflight J. California Cooper is the author of four novels and six collections of stories. She was honored as Black Playwright of the Year, and her work received the American Book Award, the James Baldwin Writing Award, and the Literary Lion Award from the American Library Association. She died in 2014. Chapter 1 * Occasionally, actually quite often, someone will refer to a family or person as dysfunctional. Which, I believe, is a sign of ignorance, for the obvious reason that 70 or 80 percent of all the people who have ever lived were dysfunctional. The other 20 or 30 percent tried to be, or had sense enough to be, a little wiser. Among them, the greatest were disliked, hated, killed, or crucified. And they weren't even perfect, except one. For instance they crucified Jesus of Nazareth, and all his disciples, Martin Luther King, Jr., Mahatma Gandhi, and others. People who thought as much or more of others than they did of themselves. People killed the people who seemed to wish good things for mankind. Throughout the history of mankind the struggle for survival on this earth has been extremely, horribly intense and never ending. Wars have been fought, almost continually, when there were enough people to pick sides and fight; and enough dispensable men to be called on to die for their leader, country, or the current god. Then there was slavery; every country or body wanted a slave. Someone to do their work or make money for them. Sometimes slaves were all a war was about. And, if not a whole war, then groups, communities, families, and friends would fight and kill each other. Ain't that interesting? Not just African slaves; every nationality alive has been a slave, at some time, for some other nation. Believe me. It would seem most of mankind likes killing. For Greed of something, for Gold or financial reward. They doing it now! You probably know all about history so let us skip, for my purpose, to the twentieth century. People are still fighting slavery in one form or another. In many parts of the world women are fighting for food or medicine, a roof for their children, or some way to keep from being raped, while some other females fight to be able to show their naked behinds, breasts, and everything else they can get out in front of somebody. In several other parts of the world people are being denied their life, or stolen from their life to be sold. Children are being stolen, every day, killed or given away. Everything I can think of, you already know. I believe all anyone wants is to be "happy." Everyone just wants to be happy. Why are they not happy? Other people. Black people, Brown people, Native Americans are treated abominably. White races are not excluded. Poor white people have a struggle to survive also, no matter what they may think.