Latest Stories

Most recently published stories in Families.

5 Signs of Dementia
The Top 5 Signs of Dementia Today, elderly patients are often diagnosed with dementia. According to the World Health Organization, dementia impacts approximately 50 million people globally. The Centers for Disease Control released a study in September regarding the impact of this illness on more than 5 million American patients. This number is expected to more than double by 2060. This means there will be a large population of families witnessing their loved one lose all sense of who they are.
By Raven Wood6 years ago in Families
Boy Mom
I became a mom at the age of 19 and I had no idea how drastically my life would change. He was a beautiful little boy with a quick smile and a laugh that could light up the room. Unfortunately his father and I did not make it and got divorced. (Probably the best thing for us!) This posed a lot of challenges over the years but that is another story.
By Jessica Smotherman6 years ago in Families
LOSS CAN NEVER BE MEASURED
20 years ago today, I lost the most important person in my life. The person who carried me for 9 months, the person who brought me into this world, the person who gave me life.
By Krista Nakano6 years ago in Families
Thanksgiving 2020, A Thanksgiving Without The Drive
This year, as we slide in to Thanksgiving and reflect on both the joys and hardships of the last year, the one thing I am thankful for above all else is the health and well being of my friends and family. This year has been an unexpectedly difficult one for nearly the entire world (though video conferencing companies and hand sanitizing manufacturers have seen growth they could not even imagine in 2019) and people are ready for a reprieve from the realities of living in a pandemic. The visions of roast turkey with gravy and sticky pecan pie have danced in people's heads since they threw out their rotting jack-o-lanterns (in mine for much longer as I am all about the Thanksgiving spread). People are thankful for their health and their family and that they have made it through the pandemic so far, but are still worried about the future and just want to share the sacrament that is Thanksgiving with family and friends and feel a connection with what is normal for a few hours. Unfortunately, many cities and states have put limitations and restrictions, if not outright bans, on multi-family gatherings in advance of Thanksgiving and greatly restrict holiday travel, requesting quarantining for those that travel. Health experts advise limiting travel and gathering sizes, even in places without their own restrictions, especially in regards to out of town and out of state visitors.
By Michael Hanson-Metayer6 years ago in Families
MY TOP 7 CHILDREN'S BOOKS AND SERIES THAT ARE A MUST
Greetings once again. This article will focus on some of my daughter's favourite books, and some of the ones that i enjoy reading to her.
By Darren Callewaert6 years ago in Families
The Lonely Christmas Tree
Meet Christmas Pine. He is this Christmas tree. But he has never seen Christmas before. You see he lives in the forest among all of his family and friends. He has always heard of Christmas and has always wished to be chosen to be a special family tree for the holidays.
By Amber Timmons6 years ago in Families
Family, Friends, and Zoom during COVID 19
Being separated from your child is the hardest thing any loving parent can go through. Words can’t begin to describe the feelings of loss, emptiness, and sadness that a parent can feel during this time. Because of COVID 19, my stepson reached out to me and his did for the first time in 5 years of separation. While COVID 19 has been a traumatic experience for everyone, I am Thankful that the recent events had allowed people to come together in a virtual world using modern communication that would not have been an option 20 years ago.
By Dr. Reanna Waugh PhD6 years ago in Families
Pro-choice Does Not Mean Pro-Abortion
I have been told that I am a bad person because I believe in the Pro-choice movement. I am pro-choice, but that does not make me Pro-abortion. I just see that it is not a black/white issue as many people believe. I think the woman/girl and their families have a right to choose what is best for them without judgement. Do not judge others, and you will not be judged.
By Cheree Cummings6 years ago in Families
Accused
“I didn’t do it! I didn’t poison my sister!” was always my plea. Being a young child then and getting accused of poisoning one of the most precious people in my life, had put a toll on my 6-year-old self. Seeing through my father’s hazel eyes, and that scowling look he gave me, made those salty, clear tears fall faster down my pink chipmunk cheeks. It was one of the worst quiet moments ever —silence drifted throughout the house. You could hear the faint pitter-patter of our little dog’s feet, walking on the kitchen tile.
By Elisabeth Tweedy6 years ago in Families
Why? Because, Because.
After my mom split, it was the all about the three musketeers- Dad, Edvan, and I. Ed- my dad- drank A LOT, but we were kids, and so I guess we didn't mind. Janet- my mom- took the one vehicle we had to get around, so we walked around a lot, it was fun, mostly.
By Jayme Rios6 years ago in Families
Being a Loving Mother to Volunteer Assassin in Less than 10 Seconds Flat
I felt enraged. Like a madwoman. I’d gone from being a normal loving mother to a volunteer assassin in less than 10 seconds flat. True story.
By Carla Dee6 years ago in Families
Years of memories
I don’t know where to begin. There are so many years of memories between us. You were there from the time I was 4-18. You were going there for me when everyone else threw me out. You raised and loved me even though you didn’t have the youth in you to rise a 4 year old. I remember when I first came to live with you I was just a scared 4 year old that was broken. I had watched the murder of my grandparents about 6 months before you got me. I had been bounced between foster homes then you came along and adopted me. I remember the ride to the airport I was sad and scared. You were a stranger and for I knew you were kidnapping me from the only home I had known. We walked hand in hand through the airport in silence. Once we were checked in we walked together somemore in silence to the gate. We had sometime to kill so you brought out some cards and we played go fish. We talked a little but it was mainly silence between us. Then it was time to board the plane to go to my new home in California. I started crying on the way to plane knowing that I was the last time I would see my old hometown. Once we got in our seats you helped me buckle up and get comfy. I remember playing more card games and looking out the window until we landed. We got off the plane and walked to the baggage claim I had never seen so many suitcases before I was amazed. After we got out luggage we went to the car and drove home in silence. As the days turned to weeks then months then years we created some amazing memories and had so many laughs. I remember the long cold winters nights sitting on your lap wrapped in a blanket watching little house on the prairie. That was your favorite show in the whole world. I sat through it even though I thought it was dumb I did it for you because I knew it made you happy. In the summer we would always take a trip for a week to our favorite lake called Blue Lake. Oh we had so much fun with all our family. I remember the late nights with all the cousins sitting around the campfire telling stories and eating s’mores. I still remember to this day you asking me why they called them s’mores. The answer you gave me was because you always want s’more. I loved when it was summer time. Summer time was my favorite season. We would stay up late and watch the sunset on the back deck while watching the deer graze so peacefully in the meadow behind us. Or how you use to take me to the community pool and watch me swim for hours on end with my friends. My favorite holiday was Christmas, all the amazing times we would cuddled up on the chair drinking hot chocolate and eating Christmas cookies while watching Christmas movies. I still remember your gentle soul comforting me when I would have to go to the hospital because I had pneumonia. You always stayed by me and made sure I was ok. You never left me.
By Tiya Ford6 years ago in Families