Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Families.
Aunt Silva's Diary
"Services for Silva B. Hilton, 91, a lifelong resident of Anderson County, will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at Mound Perry Baptist Church with the Rev. Lonnie Joe Doyle officiating. Burial will be at The Barrett Family Cemetery under the direction of Bushy Creek Funeral Home.
By Ricky Brown3 years ago in Families
Forever in a Notebook
In the corner of a dimly lit room sat a young woman gliding slowly on an old rocker. The house was silent except for the longing cries of a baby. As she rocked herself, a slow shadow of her sunken figure rocked back and forth with her keeping her company.
By Jennifer Castillo3 years ago in Families
THE DAY A MORTICIAN BECAME FAMILY AT A FUNERAL
THE DAY A MORTICIAN BECAME FAMILY AT A FUNERAL The day started like most others, dressing, and casketing loved ones for their funeral services and cremations. I logged in all the new residents at my care center, they had arrived overnight. Our facility prepared all the loved ones for 11 funeral homes in our Southern California area. Things could get busy at our care center, but we all loved what we did for a living, so it made our days go fast and felt rewarding.
By Lorie stewart3 years ago in Families
Knowing me was Key
The Lobby I stood in this dark, poorly lit parlor trying my hardest to remember some of my earliest memories with my mom, but I felt like a mental fog had descended on me these last 2 weeks and everything was harder to navigate. Strangely, I could only remember very early memories that included both my mom and dad despite them having been apart for most my life. The memories were of them being warm and kind to each other which if you had seen them sharing a table at my college graduation dinner you would have never believed. I quickly did the math on this bittersweet memory that seemed locked into the front of my mind like the slides of an old picture show in constant rotation around my fragile emotional state. Twenty-two years ago sounded like a terribly long time ago, but being 26 years old in this position I was in today felt like I was terribly too young to be dealing with the loss of my mother. I felt the prickly sharpness of tears fighting their way forward on the back of my eyeballs and that strange but familiar tightness in my throat that signified my mascara was 7 seconds away from creating a hot Crayola disaster down my face. I felt them, the tears, as they well up in the basin of my eyeballs and glossed over the surface of my eyes.
By Andrea Elizabeth 3 years ago in Families
Rescued
Finally! A real day off. Eve exhaled happily as she boarded the Amtrack in L.A., on her way to enjoy a beachfront house that she rented in San Diego for the weekend. She was running late as usual, and of course she barely made the train before the doors closed. Everyone on the train was already seated and seemed to be completely oblivious to Eve, just the way she wanted it. Hmmm, a teenager with no cell phone or ear pods? Now that’s a rare sighting, Eve thought as she spotted the disheveled youth.
By Remaliah Evans3 years ago in Families
True Treasures
It had been a scorcher that summer, the summer of 1953. But the eleven year old twins had loved every minute of their vacation away from the dreaded confines of school in their small town. They were free as far as they were concerned and felt totally alive.
By Shirley Belk3 years ago in Families
Little Black Book
The carriage house was dark. However, the full moon bled through the windows and highlighted Edward’s six-foot pubescent frame, black hair, and blue eyes as he leaned over the second story rail. It was late, and yet Edward hadn’t moved from that spot since eight in the evening. His mind was whirring at speeds that hadn’t been reached since he was a small boy. His imagination was wrapped in the little package his Uncle had found behind the wall. Edward wondered if what he and his Uncle had found was valuable. If so, how would they go about finding the results? He yawned and let out a slight sigh. “Well if it is true, then I’ll have made some money, but if not I’ll be no better off” he whispered underneath his breath. His Uncle’s snoring found its way up through the floor planks and drew his attention away from his contemplation. A wolf howled in the distance, and a cold wind blew through the chinks in the carriage house walls. His attention glided back across the room to the package. The contents lay across his work table. A compass, a silver pen, and a little black book. Edward walked across the room, and lit the candle that was on the table. He slowly opened the tattered pages of leather bound book. A page fell to the ground and he scurried to pick it up. It read “Last Will and Testament” and was signed by a “William Adam Ferrell”. Edward placed the page back in the book and then flipped the page and started to read. “To the reader of this book, you have stumbled on the greatest find of your life. Having no heir, family, or friend I have found myself at a loss concerning my belongings, and financial securities”. The flame flickered out due to a sharp wind cutting through the wall. Edward grabbed a match, hurriedly relit the candle, and began to read again. “I know that you are most likely questioning the validity of this find, or if someone has already found its contents. Let me put your mind at ease. My name is William Adam Ferrell, and for my entire life I’ve been considered an outlaw. There was a bounty on my head upwards of fifty-thousand dollars due to my incessant robbing of stagecoaches”. Edward whistled loudly, and then immediately held his breath to listen for his Uncle’s snoring. All of a sudden, Edward heard his Uncle say “Boy I know you’re reading that book we found, put it away and go to bed. There’s plenty of daylight tomorrow for that sort of thing”. Edward responded “Yes Uncle”, closed the book and laid down on his mattress. “A real outlaw’s memoirs” Edward thought as he slowly fell asleep. Next morning, Edward awoke early and jumped out of bed. He was excited to read the book. However, the book and is contents were gone! Fear gripped him. Had someone stolen the book? Wait, who knew about it, other than him and his Uncle? Just then, Edward’s Uncle called upstairs; “Breakfast is ready”. Edward scurried downstairs and rushed to the table. He spouted off breathlessly “Uncle did you take the book”? His Uncle looked at him with a grin and said “Yep, I sure did”. “I Also read it, and it would appear that it’s genuine”. Edward let out a sigh of relief, and then shoved an egg into his mouth. “Can I read the rest of it?” Edward asked through a full mouth. Edwards Uncle shrugged his shoulders and handed him the book. Grabbing it quickly he opened up to where he had left off. “Not only did I rob stagecoaches, but I also robbed several banks in the process. Having been shot only days ago, I fear that the grim has come for me. Therefore, I’m leaving in a place, discoverable herein my entire wealth and belongings. Should you locate it, you will have fair days for some time. Best of luck and may you have a better day than mine”.
By Samuel Fleming3 years ago in Families
The Little Black Book
“If you are reading this, it means I AM DEAD.” Words you did not expect to see. Shocked. Devastated. Sadness filled inside you. You look at your sister’s gloomy, pale face with tears in your eyes while slowly lifting your hand to her coffin. In your other hand is a small black book left to you by your sister, which the lawyer insisted that you do not open until the wake. Shuddering, the next few words mystifies you. “Please DO NOT read ahead. I need you to TRUST me. YOU are my everything and I LOVE you.”
By Rebekah Obst3 years ago in Families
Hidden Magnolias
I've always had a deep love for all-white Victorian houses in the country. It was something about them that was strangely inviting and screamed "Queen's Palace." The bright white paint that bled onto the streets made it mandatory for everyone to blow the horn, greeting anyone sitting on the porch. This porch was expansive with a bench swing, various seating areas, plants, and the number one spot parallel to the small staircase was the Queen's Throne. Now you may wonder, who is this Queen that I speak of whom thrives in this stunning home? This place of residency belonged to the beautiful Queen Clarice.
By GHOST Wryter3 years ago in Families
The Book According to Dennis
The weather was beautiful, the day we buried my dad. The sun shone over the rolling hills of eastern KY; I had seen it many times before, yet that day was unlike anything I had ever witnessed. My dad was in the air, I could feel his energy. The quick wit and authority made everything go just right.
By Windy Wonder3 years ago in Families