Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Families.
What It's Really Like to Lose Your Parents. Top Story - July 2017.
Loss is, in no way, the same for everyone. My brother, on hearing about the loss of our mother, went immediately back to playing with LEGOs. Only months later did he process what had happened, and cry about it for the first time.
By Casey Rose7 years ago in Families
One Pair of Shoes
My most significant memories of childhood center around contributions made by a protective mother and the lack thereof from an absentee dad. My Mother is a head strong island woman. My dad on the other hand is one who, from the time I met him, wondered aimlessly through life for much of his life without any specific positive direction. In retrospect, I believe I owe my determination to survive to my mother and my ability to walk away from situations at the drop of a hat is thanks to my dad. Nevertheless, I remember vividly how Mother would bend over backwards to provide and protect me and my brothers. There were times in my childhood I felt like I would choke from Mother’s protection. She did not give me what I wanted and there were times, we had confrontations about what I thought I was entitled to have. My necessities always prevailed because she always won those battles. I grew up feeling unappreciative for what Mother did for me, at least, until as a single parent I struggled with my own children’s educational, medical and other expenses. From childhood until college age, my accepted norm for family life was having my Mother provide for me and my siblings. To this, there was one exception to the rule, one pair of shoes.
By Nikao Faith7 years ago in Families
When Roles Are Reversed
Your parents brought you into this world. They cared for you, fed you, and clothed you. They made sure your homework was done, attended all your dance recitals and sporting events. They were there for you through every important milestone. Losing that first tooth, getting your driver's license, graduations, and even your first heartbreak. They were there for you when you got married, and shared the joys of you giving them grandchildren.
By Sheila Cain7 years ago in Families
Favorite Memory
When I was four years old, about the time any other kid would be bragging about being four and a half, I was told by my parents that my mother was pregnant, I knew what this was because my cat had already had two litters and my parents were always honest with me. I was, unlike many of my friends who had siblings, excited.
By Sunshine Hoffman-Reed7 years ago in Families
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome
Presently, I am looking back to years lost in my life. Chunks of time that I can not remember, some wishing I could forget. I was a reactive person, meaning not thinking about anything before I had time to make a rational, thought out plan. This on more than one occasion has landed me places most people see on television and confusion sets in. I've seen the dirtiest intentions of people who claimed to be a close friend. The wheels turning in the mind of a manipulator trying for another big score while standing side by side pretending to give a fuck about someone while leading them into a negative situation. Only pretending to console the hurt while pulling the strings in the background to benefit from the trap they set for you to walk into initially. The conniving slick plan of a person who has been a con artist simply waiting for your demise. Circling like a starved desert vulture, waiting for the right time to pounce on a carcass that has been picked over by bigger, stronger creatures. Creatures that have just taken the good parts and left this shell laying there with no regard to the respect that once beating heart deserved. A quick dive towards the dirt, gliding to the nearest spot with easy access to feast and flee when satisfied.
By Amanda Kuhl7 years ago in Families
On Being an Elder
I had a moment with my almost three year old grandson yesterday. I was taking him to the car for our ‘Granny day out’ and he hauled off and hit me across the face, hard. I was shocked and surprised as I have only ever experienced the sweetest of hugs from my little guy.
By Krow Fischer7 years ago in Families
My Kid, Your Kids, and Smartphones
So I was having communication problems with my daughter. It seemed that for some reason she just couldn’t follow any of my simple and very reasonable commands. Whether it was cleaning up behind herself or reporting an issue involving her younger siblings, Haylee proved irresponsible and it finally made me wonder why.
By Aquila Sharpless7 years ago in Families