Latest Stories

Most recently published stories in Families.

What I’m Thankful For
What am I thankful for? It isn’t a difficult answer, but it is a loaded question. There are so many answers that can come from a question like this. I didn’t have a lot to be thankful for growing up. I didn’t have anything to be grateful for until I was about 15. I had a tough upbringing with little to care for or care for me. Nobody in my world worried about me. They didn’t even act as I existed. So to me when you’re never thankful for anything, and suddenly have something to be thankful for, it means a whole lot more. I was mentally, physically, and sexually abused since I was 6. Never by the same guy and all of them were people that either knew my mom or my family. I couldn’t accept it for the longest time. I would refuse to think about it and would pretend it never happened, only to have to go through it time after time. I thought when I got my first boyfriend that things would’ve changed, but they didn’t. They stayed the same way until I was about 14. I personally became numb to it. Everyone that my mom brought into the house ended up being the same way. They would drink or do drugs beforehand and then be with my mom after. I never understood it. She knew what they did to me, but she didn’t care. She didn’t even acknowledge the truth when I told her myself what was happening. It took me until I got pregnant by my boyfriend at 15 to realize that I do have something to be thankful for. I’m thankful for my daughter and all the times we’ve had, as well as the time yet to come. I’m thankful that she’s here in order to be my beacon of light when I enter my dark days again. I’m thankful for the woman and her husband and two sons for showing me what a family can really be like. If it wasn’t for them I would be in the streets trying to raise a daughter on my own with nowhere to live and no food to eat. I’m thankful that the Lord looked upon me and saw something worth saving and showing grace and humility. I’m thankful that this family took my daughter in as if she was their own granddaughter. I’m thankful for the doting grandmother and grandfather that I got when I was brought into this family. I’m thankful that we have somewhere to call home. Somewhere my daughter and I can be safe while I venture out of my comfort zone and into a profession that I love. I’m thankful that my daughter will never want for anything now that we’re safe and happy. I’m thankful for the family I have now and the family it will grow into.
By Anna Devers6 years ago in Families
Fire Call
Marcus Flag, Jr was weaving his bicycle in and out of traffic at a fast pace trying to hurry to the firehouse his family worked at. He peddled into the open garage portion with his arms up in the air and yelled a triumphant, “Yes!”. His dark curly hair was laden with sweat and his breathing was coming out in pants as he removed his medium height frame from the bike.
By DR Towne6 years ago in Families
Fire Call
Leon arrived home and was parking the car in the driveway when a bottle rocket came shooting from next door. He got out and ‘reminded’ the older teen boys next door that it wasn’t safe because of how dry it was and the city did have a burning ban on because of the wind. They were apologizing when their parent come out to find out what was going happening. Leon explained the situation to them and the parent yelled at the boys but had to leave to go to work; leaving the unsupervised reckless teenagers alone. Leon waved over to Marcus and the twins and went inside the house to get ready for the evening out with Morgan to celebrate their anniversary.
By DR Towne6 years ago in Families
Thankful for the Struggles
I am thankful for so many things. The obvious things like my five year old son, my grandma whom we live with, my good job, coffee (so much thanks for coffee). And the not so obvious things like my smart watch, my always full fridge, my reliable car, and Netflix.
By Andrea Morgan6 years ago in Families
Saying Goodbye
Parents, we love them right, we worry about them when they get older in the years. Imagine this, one day you are talking to your dad, and the next few weeks he was gone. Forever. Right? that hits. For me it a struggle not having him around.
By Amanda Rose6 years ago in Families
The Most Hated Woman in America
The American Dream A picture-perfect American family. Standing against a white wall, beaming. A smiling father and a pert blonde mother holding a baby. Then the children, in descending order. One, two, three. Four including the baby. They seem so happy — full of so much joy that it’s overflowing. This family has so much love to give.
By HK Sloan6 years ago in Families
Motherhood
Entering motherhood, you think its going to be a walk in the park. You believe that you are going to make it through all the obstacles with your significant other. But what happens if you’re doing it alone? What happens if you begin struggling with being a mom because even though you seem good, the stories from others that traumatized you.
By Viccy Cobbett6 years ago in Families
The Realities of Divorce
My parents separated when I was eight. We lived in Virginia which meant the parents had to be living separately for one year. They had to wait one full year until their divorce was final. The most fought after in court is the custody of the minor children. Parents, lawyers, judges etc consider minor children as property. In the video Voice of a child of divorce, the young boy is writing a letter to his parents, he is explaining to his parents that he has feelings, how he develops is in the hands of his parents. Parents that constantly bicker over the children, in front of the child lowers their self esteem. By putting the other spouse down in front of your child sends a signal that they aren't worthy of love or being loved.
By Lawrence Edward Hinchee6 years ago in Families
Thanksgiving Thankful
“Ready to eat”?! Thursday morning five years ago is the day it all started... Just your average Thanksgiving Day. We had ham cooking in the oven, greens on the stove, and yams being mixed into a bowl ready for the pie to be made. The air was full of love from our realities, not a worry in the world except when will my stomach stop growling. We had it GOOD!
By Michael Anterio6 years ago in Families
The Most Common Last Name In the United States
You might or might not have the common last name belonging to more than 2.4 million Americans. You might not even know what that last name is. For your information, the most common last name in the United States is Smith, and it is spelled that way instead of Smyth, Schmidt, Schmitz, or some other variation.
By Margaret Minnicks6 years ago in Families
Looking Back On What Really Matters
Who knew that the year 2020 would be so chaotic and that we would be struggling to get by. This year didn't just affect a few people, everyone was affected. Some people lost their jobs, some lost their homes and other lost their lives. People get sick and die everyday but I think this year really made us appreciate life and everything that we still have. I think it made us realize how short life can be sometimes, at least it did for me. It can make you take a step back for a moment and reflect on your life. So I'm taking a step back and pondering what I am thankful for.
By Nicole Lytle6 years ago in Families
The Best Thanksgivings Don't Need a Turkey
I grew up in Midwest farm family. One Sunday each and every month we would all get together with our Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles and cousins for a potluck meal. We didn’t gather together on set holidays especially holiday like Thanksgiving that happened during the Harvest. I never attended a “traditional” style Thanksgiving until I was old enough to start to date. We were either working in the field or volunteering to pack meals for shut ins at the Church on Thanksgiving.
By B Sweeney6 years ago in Families