Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Families.
Gimme Me Some of That Baby Mama Drama
We've all seen those TV shows and movies that over exaggerate the pregnancy glow and how wonderful it is to be pregnant (I mean, don't get me wrong, being pregnant is an incredible thing. You are literally creating a new human being inside of your body. It's totally badass) but they never show the down sides and/or complications of being pregnant.
By L. M. Williams3 years ago in Families
The Wisdom of Morgues and Delis
I have heard people say all they ever really needed to know is what they learned in kindergarten. Nope. I don’t think kindergarten lessons can hold a candle to what I learned over a dead body or a pastrami on rye with a pickle. I actually never attended kindergarten - it was a half day type thing and my mother wanted me out of the house at least till 3 PM, so that was out. But I can say that the countless hours I have spent in morgues and delis have been the height of enlightenment.
By Rosanna Pittella3 years ago in Families
The Mother-hood: Angie's Story
Angie sent me a text from the road - she was running about ten minutes late for her appointment. When she did arrive, she came bustling in and set her son's infant car seat down in the corner. The baby gazed around the room with an easy tranquility.
By Michelle Noble3 years ago in Families
Paying Tribute to a Legend
It was a warm day in the late summer of 1999, and I rode my bike to Walmart. I had only lived in Brantford for less than a year and only a couple of months in a new job. As I approached Walmart, I turned down Varadi Avenue not expecting anything important to happen. I spotted two men standing in one of the driveways. As soon as the older gentleman turned, I saw his face and it was one I had seen countless times on television, hockey journals and newspapers. It was Walter Gretzky. Even though he was the father of a player I wasn’t a fan of, I still got a bit of a rush to see him. This was the first time I met Walter after moving to Brantford, but it wouldn’t be the last.
By Ryan Smith3 years ago in Families
Auntie Bea's Little Black Book
My Auntie Bea and my mother were never close. For the longest time, I thought it was because Auntie Bea lived in the Garden District and we lived out here in the swamp. I’m not saying Momma was jealous, but I’m also not not saying that, ya know?
By LUCINDA M GUNNIN3 years ago in Families
A piece of my mind
I didn’t necessarily know my dad very well . But I had this sense that I just knew his whole life and what he did throughout it. I have little memories of him from my childhood that are scattered into bits and pieces like broken glass from a mirror I couldn’t see myself in. But I do have this one specific memory that’s stuck in my brain of the nickname ladybug. But I have also heard stories about him. It seems like I’ve heard thousands of those stories and they sort of make me feel like they’re my memories too! like if I was there seeing it all. I see People on Facebook posting things about him , And saying how they miss him and they hope that me and my brother are okay . But I’ve never met these people in my life so I scroll past and say aww . People usually ask me “do you want to talk about it?” . And I usually say that I don’t. And that’s because I’d rather not. even though of course I miss him And I wish that we had more time together. But talking about it actually makes me sort of uncomfortable. I’ve always liked to have my thoughts alone . I like to be alone and to think about things by myself. Me and my brother are the same way. I do appreciate the “it’s okay” or the “you’ll be okay” but I know that already . But it is a bit weird how people from my dad’s side sort of just walk into my life whenever they want without a warning that they even existed. I guess they could try now since I don’t remember from when I was younger. They don’t speak to me often but then they pop up and buy me gifts randomly. They stop again then re surface like and old picture memory in your camera roll and ask what you want for Christmas or your birthday. My birthday has always been the time where most people text me and give me gifts. I’m going to be 14 soon . That means it’s almost 9 years since i have lost my father. I was 5 . I think about how sad it is every now and then. So I’ll cry alone in my room late at night while my restless mom thinks I’m asleep, I don’t want to make her think somethings wrong so I lay down and “sleep” but really I’m Laying awake in my bed starring into the black whole that is just my ceiling in the dark . I’ve had about 3 or 2 dreams with my dad when I do sleep . That’s sort of it tho. I do hear my moms side of the family talk every while about how godly he was and how great he has was towards everyone. it’s always a different story from each person, Or a different point of view. I find it fascinating how many stories people can remember and tell me. People still ask me how I’m doing or how I’m dealing with it, And when friends ask me about my parents I tell them my father died and they say they’re sorry like it was they’re fault.But I do always politely say it’s fine. It really is tho, even though sometimes it feels unfair that my kids won’t have a grandfather, or that I won’t have him to walk me down the isle at my wedding when im grown, or that he will never be able to scare off my boyfriend’s and sometimes I feel like I’m not fine. don’t worry tho, dad’s little ladybug is okay.
By Izzabella Smyth3 years ago in Families
The Inheritance
The Inheritance by Rob Rhoades Madison woke up that morning and proceeded to start her day like every other day. She got up, started the coffee, got dressed, made breakfast, and then would sit and watch the news while eating her breakfast. She was unemployed currently due to Covid-19 and its impact on the economy. She had checked for jobs, but there were none to be had or at least ones she would consider. The highlight of her day was waiting for the postal worker to drop off her mail. She had been expecting her much needed unemployment check, which had yet to arrive. Today's mail brought something unexpected. There was a large brown envelope. She could not recall ever receiving an envelope like that unless it was from the Publishers Clearing House Sweepstakes promising you could be a winner.
By Rob Rhoades3 years ago in Families
Corner Cafe
Rain falling on the windowpane, streetlights reflecting much like Christmas without the cheerful happy feeling. My mind was stirring, wondering why it's been so long. I sip my latte in the corner cafe' alone, trying to block out the background noise. Cars honk, at a traffic light... thoughts racing. Wondering where he could be. The waitress beckons me asking if I'm ok. I nod yes...but I mean no. I feel uneasy...something's wrong.
By Jamie Chaney3 years ago in Families
Why I Hate Pickup Trucks
Why I Hate Pickup Trucks Growing up in Oklahoma, you are expected to like four things: country music, barbecue, football, and pickups. Having discovered that country music wasn’t my thing at an early age, I couldn’t afford to dislike any of the other three. And up until I was five-years-old, that wasn’t a problem. I loved barbecue, played football, and even owned a toy pickup truck or two. Life was good.
By Aaron Kemnitz3 years ago in Families
Miller's Journal
It was clear why the miniature metropolis of Mapleton was called by that name. The 150 year-old former logging community boasted glorious maple trees aligned down every block, spanning the whole of downtown. Their leaves grew oversized in springtime, brightening the gray buildings around. By fall, the little city would transform into a picturesque form of autumn, coloring it alive. The sheer intensity that the mighty maples brought to the streets of this place, those trees might have always been there, perhaps preceding the town, or inspiring it’s growth. Very few knew that the town was originally called Firland. Even locals quickly came to dismiss the idea, as it lacked the grandeur Mapleton eloquated. It didn’t quite seem to ‘fit,’ they’d say. In fact, each of their mayors for 100 years had been a descendent of General Darius P. Maplewood, the town’s first established leader.
By Jessica Weiss3 years ago in Families