Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Families.
The Wrong Funeral
Phillipe’s is a hotspot in Los Angeles. Hipsters fill the room for a good sandwich but complain about how there are no vegan options in a restaurant known for roast beef sandwiches. At least that’s what happens in today’s time. When I was younger it was our hotspot. Grandpa David's favorite joint. I can still smell the hay that covers the concrete floor, I can still see the crowds of people and taste the freshly cut roast beef on a homemade French roll. Phillipe’s also makes their own spicy mustard. The men in my family always get it and dump it on their sandwiches, but if I’m being honest, their mustard is the worst thing I’ve ever tasted. It tastes like mud mixed with mustard seed and cayenne pepper. It completely overtakes the meal and leaves a raunchy taste in your mouth for the rest of the day.
By Madison York8 years ago in Families
Joseph Holland of Somers Keeps Perseverance in the Family
A 125 pound Pop Warner Football player probably feels pretty good about his chances on the gridiron. But when a league weight limit is leveled and permanently sidelines that youngster from participating, hopefully the disappointment is managed into an enduring life lesson. The school-aged child was Somers' Joe Holland and becoming an Academic All-American at Cornell, graduating Harvard Law School and having numerous professional successes shows that the right man was definitely in his corner.
By Rich Monetti8 years ago in Families
Fatherhood: A Review in Progress
Parenting is a bitch. This sentiment might upset a select few but it is 100 percent true. Taking on that mantle means thrusting yourself into a torturous duality where one version of you mourns the death of another while simultaneously reveling in the most potent ecstasy you’ve ever known. This back and forth coupled with the sleep deprivation that comes standard issue with a new child is a brand of madness so dizzying and overwhelming that it demands a revision of every belief you’ve ever held. For example, I used to think big families looked like fun; now Cheaper by The Dozen sits more like a horror/thriller than a family comedy.
By Alex Perez8 years ago in Families
To My Father
With Mother’s Day having been a few weeks ago and Father’s Day right around the corner, we need to talk about strained familial relationships and why it’s okay not to reach out to your family members just because you’re family. I’ve never put all of this on paper in words, and it was equal parts painful and cleansing. If it helps someone sever unhealthy ties to another person or other people, I’m okay wearing private trauma on a public sleeve. I went back and forth with how I wanted to write this and decided that a letter in which I speak to him would most clearly convey my anger and pain.
By Stripes Joplin8 years ago in Families
It Can't Be Labour! I'm Only 30 Weeks Pregnant!
You never think going into your first pregnancy that once you reach the 12 week "safe" mark, you'll have to face any of the complications that can come along with growing a human inside you. Sure, we read online about them and worry from time to time, but deep down, I think we all feel like it won't happen to our baby. At least I didn't. In order to get the whole story, we'll have to start when I was 29 weeks pregnant. I had walked to my doctors appointment, and then walked to my dad's house. It was hot out (or maybe it was just my pregnant ass was overheating; it was only March in Canada) so I asked my dad for a ride home. He only has a motorcycle, but his friend was there and they were heading out anyways, so I got in the car with them. The car was a two-door, so I crawled into the back seat. Hindsight is 20/20. DON'T GET INTO THE BACK OF A TWO-DOOR CAR WHILE PREGNANT. The drive was only about five minutes to my house. We pulled up at the curb in front of where I was living at the time, and I proceeded to get out. Well, when I was getting out, my foot got caught on the passenger seat belt, and I tripped out of the car onto the grass. I hit my knees on the curb, and my hands were out in front of me to catch myself from falling on my stomach. I wasn't hurt, I was just shaken up. I was worried about baby, but nothing hurt. I didn't hit my stomach, and I could feel her kicking a few minutes after it happened... I thought we were fine. REGARDLESS OF HOW YOU FEEL, DON'T BE LIKE ME. GO TO THE HOSPITAL. The next day I was fine. Nothing was out of the ordinary. I wasn't sore except for my knees, and baby was kicking and moving as she normally would. Two days after the fall is when I started to notice a bit of a change; which still didn't set off alarm bells in my head, for some reason. I was "peeing" myself a lot. It was embarrassing and awkward, but every so often a little flood of pee would come out. I didn't even feel like I had to pee at the time so it was frustrating, especially because I was at work. I talked to a few people who assured me that it was probably just baby resting on my bladder; it was nothing to worry about. This went on for literally a week. I ended up making an appointment to see the doctor because I got to the point where I felt something was wrong. IF YOU ARE PREGNANT AND LEAKING BODILY FLUIDS, SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION ASAP. Seriously. I was an idiot for not going sooner.
By Madame Lalapop8 years ago in Families
3,000 Miles
My father was in the Army and he deployed a lot, 7 years combined to be exact. It was always different when he was gone and we all counted down the days until he came home again. My mom held down the fort and kept us all motivated and positive about his deployments. It was a normal occurrence and we all started to get used to him being away.
By Nicole Boynton8 years ago in Families
Things Only Youngest Siblings Understand
So those of you that have younger siblings might be thinking: "They are lucky they get away with everything" first of all, that is so true. However, being the youngest sibling is not all rainbows and butterflies here is a list of things that younger siblings understand.
By Adrianna M. Braun8 years ago in Families
Oops! I’m a Mom 🤷🏼♀️
I have a huge secret. I am such a wonderful procrastinator, I mean making up excuses is practically a part of my job but that’s not the secret. I keep telling myself I needed to write all of this crazy secret down, like “Hey Brianna, this shit is real, it’s happening and you better document it because you're going to forget all of the insane ridiculous details in the next few months, so get it out of your jumbled up yet simultaneously vacant mind!” This secret is big. It’s fun, it’s terrifying, there’s not really a manual on how to go about dealing with it… well, scratch that. There are lots of books about it. There are lots of opinions and “go to guides” for secrets like mine but not exactly mine.
By Brianna Rettig8 years ago in Families
Unnoticed
Chapter 1 Screaming. That is all Sam would hear through the night. At eight years old, Sam lies in bed listening to the slamming of beer cans on the hardwood floors and the crackling sound of the lighter as her mother, Melissa, lights another cigarette while sobbing in tears. I’m used to it by now, Nicole would think to herself. But the constant sound of breaking glass lies in her mind as she lays in bed, wondering if it will ever stop. Sam’s parents knew she had school in the morning, but her father, Larry, seemed not to care. The tone in his voice scared her so badly saying, “If you would put down those damn cigarettes Melissa, maybe our marriage would be worth saving!”
By Amber Crist8 years ago in Families
Why We Need To Stop Using the Term 'Daddy Issues'
My father is a sociopath; maybe not clinically proven as such but all the traits and qualities of a sociopath, well, my father has had since a young boy. He was emotionally and physically abusive to me and my family for 17 long years until he walked out on us. Then one day he walked back in expecting us to worship him and has had a stalking relationship ever since.
By Ashlyn Harper8 years ago in Families
