Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Families.
Losing a parent
You would think that because we have parents, no matter how many times they say that they would be in our lives and will always be with us. You would think that because they’re always around throughout your childhood, they were invincible and they wouldn’t die. I was one of those kids who thought parents would be with you forever physically until that one fateful night. It was like any other typical night : watching tv with a sibling. However my mom and step father were out the whole day so I was wondering when they were coming home so I went downstairs to look at the window to see if anything or anyone was outside. On the other side of that glass and the screen door was my mom, pacing slowly back and forth while my step father was on the side of the front door quietly until I opened the door to see what’s wrong. That’s when he puts his hand on my shoulder and said “I’m sorry, Rod.” Me, looking confused, was wondering what is he saying sorry to me for. So I walked further down the walkway to my mom and I could hear her sniffling as her hands were covering her mouth and nose. I asked her what was wrong and she said sorry to me as well so I’m even more confused as into why they’re both saying sorry to me as if they did something wrong. That’s when Mom told me that my father had passed away a couple days before I was supposed to be with him for the weekend during my second week as a freshman in high school. I couldn’t really grasp the concept what I just heard so I went back to the porch, sat down and looked at the ground. Then my little sister came outside and asked what was wrong. They broke the news to her and she started crying. This was around 10 o’clock at night on a Thursday night. We’re all outside, me still in shock, my mom and little sister are crying and my step father trying to comfort us. Our neighbors next door heard them crying so they came out and was wondering what was wrong and they told them what happened. My father’s girlfriend at the time, found him in bed but he wasn’t breathing and later found out that he died due to internal bleeding also my belief of parents being invincible. I haven’t shed any tears until after the funeral and seeing him for the last time. The next time I did shed tears was during an assignment in drama class where it had something to do with our parents I think and I didn’t want to participate. My fists were balled up and tears began to roll down my face and some of my classmates asked me what was wrong though I didn’t say anything until the teacher came over, noticed the tears on my face and asked what was wrong. I told her about my father and she told me to go see the counselor we had in school. I told her what happened and how I felt so then she told me that she’s putting a group together of those who lost a parent or both so we can cope with their passing. I was the only boy in the group and the rest were female but in different grades. It went on for about a year or so until the group was no more and I got better. I understood that thinking about my father so much would affect me as a person and around others so I continued life on a normal track. I do think about him every year he passed away and on his birthday. The next time I shed tears was when after Graduating high school And enlisting in the army. I finished basic training and was about to graduate from Ft.Lee, Virginia. Three accomplishments within 5 months but it wasn’t the same without him. After that, I haven’t been able to shed tears as I kept hearing about people close to me passing away. Hearing about them hurts but it made me numb to the point that I cant cry as easily.
By Rodrick Turner 6 years ago in Families
Why Are Women Still The Primary Caregivers?
Parenting is not rocket science. When you have a newborn their basic needs are to be fed, cleaned, changed, clothed, and entertained. For this book we will call it the Five E's. As long as those needs are met your baby will grow and develop.
By Bella Rose6 years ago in Families
The Bayou and the Clutter, pt. III/IV
Chapter 3: Grow up. Ten thousand police officers swarmed over the house, at least that is what it seemed like. Iliana knew what had happened before she even got out of the car. Her father was the proud owner of many guns, and with how unpredictable his temper was, the details of what happened were unclear, but Iliana could see in her mind his body, as if looking at a scarecrow in dense fog. She approached one of the officers, and the air was buzzing with the beating of twenty thousand little wings.
By Charlie Sourire6 years ago in Families
Renaissance Mother, Bastet.
I give thanks to all of the women roaming this earth who wear the title “mom.” Women like me would not exist without them. The Renaissance Era was a time of Rebirth. We often speak of “HIStory”, but what about HER story? We typically associate men with the Renaissance Era & women were never considered. For that reason, we hardly show recognition to the women who are art, culture & full of life. I know a renaissance woman personally; my mother - an artist, birth giver & more. She endured a great rebirth when she birthed me & because of her, I am growing into a Renaissance woman for my future seeds. Our story began the moment I was pressed against my Mother’s chest in 1994. I had no idea what the next twenty-six years would consist of, but I am more than grateful for the guidance of a Renaissance woman I call “mommy”.
By Sátin Marché6 years ago in Families
She Is The Sun..
I was a little girl, with bright blooming red rosy cheeks and hair scraped back into wild long plaits when someone once told me that even your own shadow will leave you when your life becomes dark. I looked up momentarily; not fully comprehending the true meaning or weight behind their solemn words. Instead, I simply shrugged off what they had foretold me. Why would a girl so young and carefree stop for more than a mere moment to delve into those heavy words that had just been spoken to her?
By Annie Lane6 years ago in Families
An inspiration without qualifications.
A lot of women have inspired me throughout my life. I have always looked to different women at different stages in my life for inspiration, all of the women who have excelled in their respective careers. Growing up, the women that I look up to and inspire me the most was Oprah Winfrey. Because I wished, dreamt and saw myself and parents in her TV show every time I watch it. Christine Amanpour took her place shortly after I went into A levels because she was always used as the epitome of exceptional journalism used in our lecture theatres.
By Hawwah Jiddare6 years ago in Families
Bloomers or Boomers . Top Story - April 2020.
Black Bloomers are Future Guide Reference’s for Black Woman I’ve been indecisive on which women out of two in particular inspires me the most in my life and throughout instilling great values, morals, standards, respect, and no shit taking energy along with strength from childhood to adulthood.
By lurenoor006 years ago in Families
Women that Inspire
This is a story to honour my sister. She is the most amazing woman I’ve ever had in my life and I’m not just saying that. My brother and I were raised by our mother for the first 7 years of our life. We also had 4 sisters all adult age when were were born.
By Sustainable Scott6 years ago in Families
Lou Hayden's MiMi
Hiiii!! How are y'all?! My name is Desiree Barron. I'm 27, a wife, a mommy to an amazing almost 4 year old little boy named Lou Hayden, a daughter, sister, friend, blogger (Sprinkle of Rae), baker, and cosmetologist! Whew! That was a lot! I know I know this is not about me, but I said all that to say, I would not be all of those things without my mother. She is everything I aspire to be in this lifetime. She has pushed me so hard, always in my corner, and has never told me I couldn't do anything I've wanted to be. My mom's name is Barbara aka Barbie as her family and friends call her. Sounds more like "Bobbi" because we all have that southern tongue ha! But my mom has shown me from an early age, what it looked like to believe in yourself despite of people not liking you, even family, but still holding your head high and to show people love regardless of what's thrown at you or who tries to break you. She's instilled in me what a true prayer warrior is, what true devotion looks like, and persistent strong faith. My mom held things down when my dad's job had a huge layoff when I was just a small girl. She not once complained, or showed us girls that she couldn't do for her household, when my dad needed to lean on her for a few months. Mommy is the first woman who showed me what a girl boss is. She's went out in the workforce and she's headed multiple successful businesses of her own. My mom showed me what it looked like to serve your community, through no-profit work, volunteering at church, and through political ventures. From a young age, I knew I wanted to be just like her, I wanted to be a mommy, wife, and business owner. I thought if I could accomplish those things I could stand on top of the world. She never seems to waiver. She's even taken care of her mother in her sick days before she passed a 1.5 years ago. When my husband and I had my son she stopped everything, even resigned from her teaching job to come help us with the baby for a few months, so we could get adjusted and so I coud work. She did the same for my sister when she had my nephew as well. There's nothing she wouldn't do for her family. Unfortunately just a a couple weeks ago on March 28th my father unexpectedly passed away. That was a big hit for our family. My mother lost her bestfriend and husband of 46 years. I know what it feels like to lose a great father but I can't imagine what it feels like to lose my husband, my partner, and best friend suddenly. But even during this time, as we grieve, and handle my father's affairs, she has not once waivered from her faith and who she is. Her spirit is just as bright and loving as it always has been. I know it hasn't been easy for her, but she still is finding time to encourage us and everyone else around her. If I could be half the person she is, I would be satisfied. I push myself to be a better mom, friend, sister, and wife because of her. Everything I pursue, I do to the fullest because of her. I want to provide a life of ease, with a continuation of a strong spiritual foundation just like my mother has shown me. I want to succeed at my business to be able to spoil my mom the way she so deserves, so she can just continue to enjoy life easily, and so I can continue to she her beautiful smile everyday. She teaches me how to love with no boundaries, how to be a mother and a wife, how to be a sister no matter what, and friend whose shoulder is always available. I love her sooo much! My mother inspires me, motivates me, drives me, and is everything to me. She deserves her flowers now.
By Desiree Barron6 years ago in Families
