Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Families.
Simon
Spending a week in Chicago wasn’t exactly on my summer list of to-dos’. When my mother called me and asked me to come home, without reason, I initially said I couldn’t make it. But when she called every day after that, for four days in a row, asking the same question, I finally agreed. Partially to make her stop calling but mostly because I was curious as to what she wanted. We didn’t have the best relationship when I was younger. She was so hell bent on vodka and feeling sorry for herself that she missed dance recitals, spelling bees and even graduations. I got used to her not showing up. I got used to her choosing herself over me and eventually, I grew up to be just like her. Selfish.
By Talon Smith6 years ago in Families
The Letter
Hidden away on the inside of the jacket he found a letter, its creases worn. It was one he had read a thousand times, but that he'd not seen in quite some time. The jacket, a black, leather biker’s jacket which he'd once worn nearly every day, had been tucked away in the corner of his closet. The motorcycle he’d long ago gotten rid of, but he couldn’t ever bring it on himself to get rid of the jacket. Once more, he opened the letter and read.
By Diana Anderson6 years ago in Families
The Bottle & The Nutcracker
Every year when the cold starts to crawl across the nation, and the warmth runs away out of its grasp, the same memory always pops up. I'm tempted to do the same thing each time but I always do the same thing every year and hold off until December 1st. I have always felt that if I strayed outside of that particular date that it would be a betrayal to some degree. I know its irrational but sometimes it really feels that severe.
By Amanda Wilson6 years ago in Families
Deer Season
The sun rose and began its languid trip around the sky. Its light stretched among the woods, finding hidden spaces, covering others in new shadows. Dawn’s warm yellow glow didn’t capture the way the frigid air stopped your breath, or how on really early mornings if you didn’t keep the air in your mouth for a little while it would sting your lungs. On November mornings, the world was still quiet.
By Matthew Donnellon6 years ago in Families
Harold the Happy House
Harold the Happy House loves living on Smile Street. He is 15 years old, which is very young for a house. His family has a mom, a dad, a little girl and a guinea pig named Hamilton. He is very proud of his family. His best friend, Maggie, lives next door with her family. Maggie has a puppy named Lily.
By M. Lynn Hosie6 years ago in Families
Why I Go Overboard for My Kid’s Birthday
Every year during my son’s birthday party, I get mixed comments. From “Oh my gosh! I need your help with my little one’s birthday. You are so creative!” to “Wow, go overboard much? I mean, it’s not like he’s going to remember it anyway.”
By Kassondra O'Hara6 years ago in Families
5 Creative Ways to Spend Time with Your Family
Today’s society is always so rushed. We always seem to be in some form of chaos, whether we are in the middle of doings things, thinking about the things we haven’t done, or planning the things that we need to do. We have to remember however, that those things, tasks, meetings, deadlines, chores, and everything else that we "must" do can often wait. They can wait until we do the things that really matter, and that is spend time with the people that we love. We need to build those bonds and enhance those relationships while we have the chance. Spending time with family can done in so many ways and can truly be the most creative thing in our busy lives.
By Kassondra O'Hara6 years ago in Families
JULY 4 1994
on July 4th 1994 was claimed as the bloodiest day in Rwanda, a small country in the heart of Africa, millions of innocent lives were lost when this beautiful country was turned against its self by outside force’s, how do I know this? Cause I was there my self, I saw and heard everything with my own eyes and ears. I was just a baby only 1 year and a half old, my mom carried me on her back as thousands of civilians ran and fled there homes and towns as a group known as the Hutus or interahamwe made a move moment against my own kind after outside countries intervened and wispered words of death into there ears that made them become killing machines, as my mom made an attempt to flee with the group she was separated from my dad, back than he was young and really strong. That happened several times when they would get parted and days later, weeks later and even many many months later they would reunite, in that country nowhere was safe cause the war began in the democratic And republican of Congo and anywhere people decided to go, where met by nothing but guns, machetes, clubs with nails, torches, anything that could be used to kill you. There was no mercy there was blood everywhere, if you were a woman you were captured and sometimes raped before you were killed, sometimes you were lucky to come across someone who would rape you than let you go but than still, you were in danger of coming across a possible road block which they were set all over the country, most of the time this innocent woman ended up committing Suicide, even though they set them free it was useless to Cary a burden, a baby from the people who wanted to wipe them from the face of the earth, not even knowing that they would’ve to see tomorrow. If they weren’t caught hiding in fields of corn or green bananas and killed? They were eventually gonna die from starvation or deases from hiding in swamps for many many months, today I’m grateful to be living today, cause this senseless war began even before I was born, in the prior year in 1993 both the president of Rwanda and Burundi were returning home from a conference they had in the United States and Canada. At exactly 3am as the plan flew over the border in between the country, an RPG intercepted the plane blowing it into smitherines. Into a huge fire ball that shook the ground to its core. All radio and TV communications were shutdown and that’s when both countries fell into a ditch they were bullied into by other nations. As both countries fell into depression and despair? Pointing fingers at one another, that’s when they over powered us taking over the capital city of Rwanda Kigali, causing absolute chaos in there path, many peywere forced to flee into naboring countries to lay low, and as they were gone? People, brother and forgets and sons who knew what it meant to watch there country burn and dead bodies swimming in there own blood, although knowing they were out numbered and had zero advantage weapon wise? Knowing that defending there country meant committing Suicide? They formed small infentry teams, groups to go fight back taking our country back city by city. Already excepting there destiny rather they live to see the country at peace again? Or if they All die fighting? It was worth it, they weren’t going to die without fighting for the truth and the light, on that day they were called inkotanyi, hero’s, saviors and defenders, guardian angels of Rwanda, in 1994 the ultimatum was set, they we’re going to charge in rather they die or live it was up to god, as the enemy had the same mindset the inkotanyis attacked voraciously day by day, city by city, even on top of mountain Kilimanjaro, a living volcano that this hero’s turned into there military base, the enemy acting like a predator that hadn’t fed for months ran wild crushing everyone and everything in there path, those who never fled the country paid the price with there lives, with the inkotanyis being lead by the current today president of Rwanda kagame? On July 4th they made charge for the capital over whelming the enemy’s forcing some to flee in retreat? And many to lay on the ground lifeless, the man and woman who sacrificed them selves, those who left there wives, husbands, baby’s, families, were all rewarded on that day as they arose victorious, they sang and danced all night, on the next day for the many following month’s. The same groups were broken up into small teams to search for those who are in hiding, many say that as they were down deep into the hills and swampy muds, they could hear voices calling out to them, telling them that it’s okay, you could come out, the war is over we won, many not believing those words stayed hiding thinking that it’s a trick to get them to get out and than get killed. In 1998 my mom and dad moved back to Rwanda where they kinda settled, and they started to raise a family, my dad secretly left my mom to go into the capital to look for a job just so he could provide for her, he loved us so much that he searched for what ever he could so he could give us as normal of a life as he can, but unfortunately every good things has to come to and end at some time, every year on July 4th we celebrate by building the biggest bin fire you ever seen, to commemorate those who payed down there live for us so we could be here today, till this day I here that I had 2 older sisters I never knew about who unfortunately got caught by the devils hand during that nightmare, but I believe I one day we’ll get to see them again, if you enjoy this story? Let me know, this is just the genecis of it, stay tuned
By AimsNation Conquerors6 years ago in Families
Get it out
I'm sitting on my daughter's porch steps...again. But now it’s cold and dark. I miss J. I hate that I couldn't hold my own shit together enough to help him with his shit. He always had arms around me telling me it was gonna be okay. But I see how I have put others’ needs before his, just to secure a place to live. My anxiety and distractedness growing harder and harder to deal with. His attempts at employment triggering paranoid episodes more and more intense. And when he reached his limit and I was already shutting down, we broke. We hurt each other. Badly. We said things that never should have been said.
By OneMooreCrystal6 years ago in Families
Sledding in the Berkshires
It is the brink of the 2020 holiday season and unlike any, we have ever known. One way or another we will all try to do our best to salvage traditions in light of social distancing. Perhaps gift shopping is best done online which isn’t terrible since most of us shop online already. Technology will provide virtual visits when travel and gatherings are not safe. I know it seems really impersonal maybe even lonely but these are the times we are currently living in. Even if things cannot be the same as years gone by we will all have to find a way to get into the holiday spirit and make the best of things. Personally I am excited for our first snowfall not a dusting but at least a couple of inches. Although this is something many would rather do without but for me it brings back some wonderful childhood memories.
By Marilyn Glover6 years ago in Families
Get it out (continued)
Maybe “he” needs me or something. I don't want to be at a shelter. If he needs me I don't want to go through another night of hell in the truck with him. When he is "okay" a night of talking and snuggling in the truck is the best thing ever. When he's not "okay" it is hell. I should just ask his friend what’s up.
By OneMooreCrystal6 years ago in Families
