children
Children: Our most valuable natural resource.
The Empty Chair at the Dinner Table
It started with an argument — the kind that burns through love faster than fire through paper. My brother, Amir, and my father hadn’t spoken in nearly two years. The reason? Pride, misunderstandings, and words said in anger that no one really meant but everyone remembered.
By Malaika Piolet12 months ago in Families
The Last Cup of Tea I Shared With My Grandfather
I used to visit my grandfather only on weekends. Not because I didn’t love him, but because I was always “busy.” Work, friends, life — there was always something more urgent than sitting with an old man who repeated the same stories.
By Malaika Piolet12 months ago in Families
The Call I Almost Ignored
It was a cold Sunday evening in February. I was sitting in my apartment, scrolling through my phone, lost somewhere between boredom and routine. Work had been heavy that week, and I was in no mood to talk to anyone. That’s when my phone started ringing. It was my mother. I looked at the screen, sighed, and turned the phone face down on the table. “I’ll call her later,” I told myself. Later turned into an hour, then two. By the time I picked up the phone, it was past midnight. When I finally called back, my sister answered instead. Her voice was shaky. She said, “Mom’s in the hospital. That moment still echoes in my chest. I remember how my hands trembled as I threw on a jacket and ran outside. The cold air burned my lungs, and my mind couldn’t stop replaying the thought — What if something happens? What if this was the call I was meant to take? When I reached the hospital, she was awake, smiling faintly. She looked tired but peaceful. “You didn’t pick up,” she said softly. I froze. There was no anger in her voice, only disappointment — the kind that pierces deeper than words. I sat beside her bed and held her hand. For the first time in years, I really looked at her. The small wrinkles around her eyes, the way her fingers still trembled slightly when she adjusted her blanket. I realized how much time had passed — how many calls I had missed, not just on the phone, but in life.
By kashif khan12 months ago in Families
Grandchildren Overnight Again
Okay, my grandchildren are probably a year or so younger than the photo, being at eleven and twelve years old. It isn’t all bad! Much of our time together was fun. I am just feeling my age, with very little patience for the morning scramble, “Grandma, can we go to our house before school. I didn’t bring clean pants.” We don’t have time. I will quickly wash them.
By Denise E Lindquist12 months ago in Families
MOM
It returned with a smile full of satisfaction, a face as happy as spring coming to life. In its hand was the photo of its new idol that had been autographed at the last concert. It was eleven o'clock at night, the lights were still on. The pungent smell of smoke in the kitchen filled the house, making it stifling and uncomfortable. The figure of its mother was still busy, busily cooking sticky rice to prepare for tomorrow's market sale. It happily walked in, holding the photo in its hand and kissing it repeatedly! Innocently showing it off to its mother with a carefree laugh.
By Ken Daklak12 months ago in Families
