extended family

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

Survive to Thrive
My years at Foxcroft are by far some of my favorite memories. I struggled there at first. It was a huge departure from what I was used to.But then I blossomed there. Foxcroft was a huge turning point in my life .
By Karolyn Denson Landrieux4 years ago in Families
Upended Tables, Forgotten Buns
The Sweeney family Holiday get-togethers are epically chaotic, full of love, laughter, and quirky family madness. The full-on holiday traditions ended when my mother passed away. Still, when parts of us manage to gather, we remember and continue the chaos. I know she’s laughing with us.
By Mary Haynes4 years ago in Families
Fields Ablaze
The bonfire blazed as we roasted our hot dogs over the hot flames. Our dogs wagged their tails excitedly as they ran from one Fourth of July reveler to the next, and the fireworks exploded overhead in a myriad of colors. Across the road, on the other side of the barbed wire fence, one wayward rocket burst, instantly igniting the dry Texas grass in the pasture beyond.
By Laura Pruett4 years ago in Families
Busting Balls
He had many nicknames, but usually preferred to be addressed as Red Power Ranger. My blonde-haired, blue-eyed, cherub of a brother was born the year I turned thirteen. His name was Gabriel – like the Christmas angel – and he sometimes believed he could fly.
By Holly Pheni4 years ago in Families
A Very Aquarium Christmas
On a Hawaiian Island ... Somewhere... “I’ve always longed to be different. Just like some of these humans lurking on the outside,” said the Angelfish, in a melancholy tone.
By Delusions of Grandeur 4 years ago in Families
After-Brunch Tears
We had brunch together this morning. Kristie, Dayo, and baby Kayo. Noelle, Carter, little Sadie and baby Brynn. And me. Kristie, Noelle and I clustered around one end of the table, still reveling in all being together again after 12 years of living in different places. We've all changed so much in that time, but we've stayed in touch. The most visible and tangible changes are evident in the husbands and children who have been added to our group.
By Janna Ehrenholz4 years ago in Families
The First resident of.....
Not just another beautiful face guys! I clearly understand why she is taken and her soul is as pure as gold. She's the very walking words of Prince's song "Friend, Lover, Sister, Mother/Wife". Regretfully, I can only speak on the friend aspect (no pun intended, Sir) and can only admire a person with such a beautiful personality.
By Jay LeTron Dobbins4 years ago in Families
ESSENTIAL QUALITIES OF A GOOD MOTHER
A mother is the female parent of a child. A woman may be considered a mother by virtue of having given birth, by raising a child who may or may not be her biological offspring.
By Uthman Monarch4 years ago in Families
Inheriting My Family- Part 1
Last year, I lost my dad to a sudden heart attack and to be honest, it took quite a bit of time to get myself back together. At the time of my dad’s death, I was still in my final year of university and had spent most of 2020–2021 cooped up at home due to Covid restrictions.
By Isa Nan4 years ago in Families
Miracle Baby
Leaves of yellow and orange filled the floor of the forest as a fall breeze swept them gently into the air. The ones that have rooted off their branches dried up quickly leaving a crunch with each step Martha’s scaley feet took. Martha walked in this spot of the forest every day for the last two years. There was no one to bother her- no elves, humans, or dragons like herself. It was calming to clear her mind from the world. Around her stood maple trees losing their blanket of colors to the ground around them. Families of squirrels ran around their trunks as mother birds nested in their branches.
By David S. JohnsonWilliams4 years ago in Families
Could Not Find Happiness But Love Won
Many years have passed since our marriage and the children have grown up. One day a strange accident happened, which upset my past, present, and future peace - my husband lived in a city where the atmosphere was suffocating. There were many restrictions on women there, while before marriage I was used to the nurturing and free environment of a relatively big city, where I studied education, so when I got married, when my in-laws came, I was horrified by the restrictions and fell ill. My life partner understood the cause of my illness and said don’t worry, I will stay where you are happy. If you don't want to shift to the city and live there, I will sell my land and close my factory here. Even if I become a coward, I cannot see you unhappy. If your parents have kept your name faithfully, then I am no less faithful. I was a bride and became silent. How would you respond to such big things? Amir was a stranger to me. He belonged to a tribe living in the mountains but had become somewhat enlightened after his education, however, he was a total stranger to me. I did not see them before marriage. This marriage was arranged by a friend of my father with his friend's son. It was only the third week of our marriage together. Although we had become lifelong companions, we were still unfamiliar with each other. I did not know about his habits and he did not know about me. I am an educated, considerate home girl. Before the marriage, the servants always stand at the door to obey my orders, while here it was a prison up to the wall. Here you do not come out with your own will and can't beat these houses here for sightseeing. How I can think about outings when I never saw a bird in these houses? When Amir spoke heartwarming words, I started thinking with a cold heart. Can I spend the rest of my life here?
By Amna Bibi4 years ago in Families
Magical Halloween Memories From an 80s Kid
’Tis almost the witching hour and we’re in full swing for Halloween 2022. I have seen so many awesome, clever, and adorable costumes on social media all day. That’s the most fun aspect of Halloween for me, here in my middle age years.
By The Mouthy Renegade Writer4 years ago in Families