Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Families.
A page of her
I must have seemed hysterical to these men, a teen-aged pregnant girl, sobbing and screaming and tearing things from their hands as they moved like rats through our small home. Boxes of things spilled all over the rooms, my eyes swollen and dark as if I’d been whacked, and although I knew what was going on, I wondered, how did this happen? There wasn’t much I could do to help the situation besides collect scattered beads that moments ago formed a lovely scene of sky and sun. I imagined the many hours it took her to string the beads into a belt and I felt sad..mad too and useless to do anything more but to make two piles, one yellow, one blue.
By kealan sullivan3 years ago in Families
Walking Mother Home
The rumble of the excavator shakes the decking where I stand. In front of me, trees fall in seemingly slow motion, sleepy giants hitting the ground with a force that I feel in my own chest as if it were I who had fallen. My face is wet with tears, but I can't stop grinning. I feel gratitude swell through me more poignantly than I can ever recall.
By Rhonda Anderson3 years ago in Families
The Transformation of Giving
The little black notebook rested under a layer of dust, on top of the bookshelf in the large estate, only inches from the ceiling. Although "rested" may be a poor choice of words because, over the interminable years of waiting, the notebook had remained steadfast in his purpose. He stayed proud and stoic in anticipation of what his master had foretold. "You are among the noblest of beings, notebook," he had said. "You gave everything you were created to be, with your pristine pages and unlimited potential, so that my thoughts and dreams could live on in your pages. You allowed yourself to be put to death and raised again, marked and marred, to be a perfect vessel for transporting the essence of who I am into a new destiny. You were once a gift apart from me, now your worn spine and my aged soul are as one. We have been transformed over time, you and I, by fate and by the power of my hands, to be an even greater gift to the one destined to find you, the one whose life will be forever transformed by you."
By 3 years ago in Families
Like Mother, Like Daughter
You’d never know what hit you until the time comes. At least, that’s what Elaine told herself nearly every day. Things were tough, an immeasurable amount of trying, and trying again, was in Elaine’s past, and in her distant future as well. You’d think she could handle it well after all these years, but she doesn’t, and she won’t.
By AJ Lee Young3 years ago in Families
The Little Black Book
In September of 1968 Mr. And Mrs Harry Kolochuck made a trip to Regina from Spalding Saskatchewan, This trip was indeed a special one , with the joyous news they were to adopt a five month year old boy. To celebrate they brought along Mr. Kolochuck's older brother Alex and wife Vivian as well. Four years previous Mrs. Nettie Kolochuck had been informed she could not have children of her own, After having a horrible miscarriage of birth, and tragedy of Harry's younger brother being killed in a work related accident, The adoption was wonderful news. A happy baby they named Darrell. From the beginning he bounced when he heard music on the radio, record player as well as the television. Three years later in May of 1971, They adopted a daughter from Prince Albert Saskatchewan, That they named Lynn, That Christmas, Darrell's grandmother on his Mom's side of the family, gave him a gift which was a Little Black Book. It was like a journal, to mark down important events and wishes and it would bring him good luck. As time grew on he indeed followed this, But he struggled in school with awkwardness , some weight problems, and at times a target for intimidation, He would go back to the Little Black Book as a prayer and would journal, anguish, dreams ,hopes and fears, that would hopefully disappear . In 1979, His father would have to leave the rural farm outside of Spalding, due to allergies and move to Saskatoon Saskatchewan. Darrell welcomed this, That a change needed to occur , They planned on moving to Kamloops British Columbia, But real estate was not affordable , Darrell's father made a point, That's where they were moving to in four years. In Saskatoon , Life was better, still he struggled with studies in school and some taunts were indeed still the same, He would continue to write in the Little Black Book, But no great luck was yet to happen. But Darrell had been blessed with a voice that was a clear tenor, In his mother's words a gift. Sing or speak, he shone bright as any star. In the summer of 1983, His father's dream became a reality and they moved to Kamloops British Columbia. Finally luck bestowed on Darrell , He developed lifelong friendships, school improved somewhat, and he performed with some very talented musicians. After grade twelve graduation he worked restaurants and retail and decided to pursue a career in broadcasting, Four years of a career that was doomed. Times had changed due to satellite and internet, There was no future of moving forward. He was really hoping his parents could be proud and one day work for CBC Radio. But Darrell made a major error he quit journaling in the Little Black Book which brought grief. Bad luck soon followed, A series of bad relationships, Personal and professional, addiction and not suitable job choices. Darrell was employed at a casino and later at a lumber plant that paid a handsome wage, But inside he felt his life was empty . Darrell felt as a failure, In the midst of all this, his father had passed away. Darrell drifted for some time not knowing where his life was going or ending, But then a light bulb had struck in his stubborn head and he went back to the Little Black Book and began to write again. About a year and half later, A friend Keith, a former musician had called and asked him to perform and add vocals on tracks that were going to be produced on a CD locally. They produced three hundred copies and it sold, Slowly but surely. Darrell would start to write some songs. It was then, another friend, Fred from the broadcasting years had called, They would meet and collaborate on some material. Both having a talent for lyrics as well as music of any genre, Then to Darrell's surprise some royalty payments were issued to Fred and himself. Inspired to write more, His friend Keith produced a new CD. With some new wonderful luck his confidence soared, His live performances were breathtaking, The response from the audience was fantastic, Even some standing ovations. Then one day while Darrell was walking his pet dog. He stopped at a Shoppers Drug Mart by his residence and used the numbers of his birthdate and his father's as well, As fate would play out a kind hand, Darrell won the 649 draw of 4.5 million dollars. The words of his late grandmother's would repeat in his stubborn head, the Little Black Book would bring luck, Eventually.
By Glen Sobchyshyn3 years ago in Families
Welcome to Karuta
It had been a year since the invasion. The smokey air had descended, the smell of destruction cleared as Chiyo’s family arose from the rubble to rebuild their lives. Hida-Takayama was now a ruin, a once picturesque city, filled with serene shrines and old fashioned Japanese charm had been demolished. But the people of Hida-Takayama pulled together like all good communities do, taking turns to feed each other, learn, teach and support each other.
By Jodie Knowles3 years ago in Families
The Lamps
I never saw Joanna move into her unit in our townhouse development. But from my kitchen sink, I could look out the window and see her fenced backyard crammed full of boxes, crates and garbage cans. The reason I could see the clutter and trash in her yard was because it was piled far above the six-foot fence, and was stacked up to the eight-foot height under the patio awning. It truly was an eyesore.
By Stephanie Launiu3 years ago in Families
If you're reading this
If you are reading this, To my last breath I find it hard to put you into words. For what you are, from the moment I saw you come into this world. This matched none of the stories about angels I’ve heard but here you are. To this day you’ve been by my side. My most beloved reason for existence. Sariah. A duty and honor now given to me let it be said proudly. From this day forth, blessed with a child, a mystery everyday to solve. Words inspired from Mr. Jermaine, should my presence leave this estate, I want you to read this from beginning to end. So I'm leaving you this little black book, for your eyes only. Let this collection of words be the lesson you bear deepest in your heart.
By Denzell Washington3 years ago in Families
Priceless Heirlooms
The little black book sat in the center of my mahogany dining room table, haunting me for the past two weeks. I had managed to avoid even looking at it, but as other people continued to ask questions that could only be answered in between the pages of the book's cover, I knew I couldn't avoid it any longer.
By Keaidy Selmon3 years ago in Families
"$40,000 SPECIAL"
1 I sat there staring at it for what felt like days but I knew it'd been only hours.The time since hearing my uncle spill had passed like a rush of water,bursting forward with all the zeal of that first shower splash.Perhaps that what I needed right now,I thought before returning my focus to the little black book.
By Tedmond Adiele3 years ago in Families