extended family

All about how to stay connected, strengthen ties and talk politics with your big, happy extended family.

My First and Last Letter to My Mom
I remember the first time I wrote to my mom. I was eight years old, sitting at a small wooden desk by the window, my legs swinging above the floor. She had left for work early that morning, leaving me with a lunchbox full of peanut butter sandwiches and a promise she would be back before sunset. I missed her before she had even gone.
By Alpha Man12 months ago in Families
Faith and Obedience: What Abraham and Isaac Teach About Trusting the Unthinkable
Faith When It Makes No Sense The story of Abraham and Isaac still asks the hardest question: Do you trust God even when you don’t understand Him?
By Peter Thwing - Host of the FST Podcast12 months ago in Families
The War of Understanding: Why Men and Women Fight Differently
Men and women often see the same moment through different lenses. What one perceives as confrontation, the other experiences as connection. What one calls “silence,” the other calls “space.” Beneath nearly every conflict between men and women lies not hatred, but misinterpretation. The battlefield is rarely the issue itself. It is language, tone, and expectation.
By Peter Thwing - Host of the FST Podcast12 months ago in Families
The Ancient Korean Secret to a Healthier, More Vibrant Life After 60
This is the promise of Korean red ginseng, a cornerstone of traditional Eastern medicine that modern science is increasingly validating. Far from being just another wellness trend, this potent root is a complex adaptogen, meaning it helps the body resist stressors of all kinds, both physical and mental. For the unique physiological needs of older adults, its benefits are remarkably comprehensive.
By Vitamax12 months ago in Families
Loneliness and Cognitive Decline | Why Emotional Interaction Matters After 60. AI-Generated.
Feeling lonely can be more than just an emotional state; it can have a real, measurable impact on our brains, especially as we get older. Studies have shown a strong connection between prolonged loneliness and an increased risk of cognitive decline and dementia. A study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society found that lonely older adults were about 40% more likely to develop dementia. This isn't just about feeling sad; it’s about a lack of meaningful social and emotional interaction, which our brains need to stay sharp.
By Kartik12 months ago in Families
The Last Phone Call. AI-Generated.
The rain hadn’t stopped for three days. Each drop hit the window like tiny knocks from the past — soft but unending. Alina sat on the edge of her bed, staring at her phone. The screen showed the last message from her mother:
By Ghanni malik12 months ago in Families
My Journey as a Writer and a Devoted Muslim. AI-Generated.
Hello! My name is Shezeen Fatima. I am a Muslim, a housewife, and a passionate writer. Writing has always been my way to express my thoughts, feelings, and dreams. It brings me joy, peace, and a sense of purpose.
By sehzeen fatima12 months ago in Families
Building Bright Minds: Understanding Children’s Thinking
Every child comes into the world with a fresh and curious mind. From the first day, a baby begins to watch, listen, and feel. The soft touch of a mother, the smile of a father, the colors of the room — all these small things start building the child’s world. Their brain is like a new garden where every sound and sight becomes a seed of learning. Each day, they collect new experiences that slowly shape their understanding of life.
By Muhammad yar12 months ago in Families
One Question Answered 30 Years Later
A Love Letter Never Received The former rector (or Episcopal priest) whose Charlotte, N.C. church we attended, and in many ways grew up in, was diagnosed with an aggressive form of Leukemia over the summer. Yet, he was more than just our rector. Fr. Bill Lantz was family.
By JM Hess | One Sojourner12 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 Kind of Love That Feels Safe but Slowly Kills You
The Kind of Love That Feels Safe but Slowly Kills You When Comfort Becomes a Cage: Understanding Emotional Numbness, Stagnant Relationships, and the Slow Fade of Connection
By Unfiltered Guy12 months ago in Families
The Day I Held Their Hope
I still remember the silence after we signed the last paper. It was the kind of quiet that follows a monumental decision—the medical tests were done, the contracts were filed, and suddenly, the dream of becoming a surrogate wasn’t just a thought anymore.
By RSMCo12 months ago in Families