extended family

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

Nobody Tells You How Hard It Is To Be A Good Stepmom
For some reason, I know that I was meant to be a stepmom. But it didn’t always feel like this, it took time, practice and a lot of effort to learn how to be a stepparent.
By Oberon Von Phillipsdorf5 years ago in Families
Family Members on Thanksgiving
It's that beautiful time of year: the leaves are burnt orange, bright yellow, and carmel brown. There’s a chill in the air, and we are about to be reunited with our family. This is where all the funny moments begin.
By Natalie Spack5 years ago in Families
My Extended Family Was Once Large
Two of my first cousins passed away in sixteen days. They were sisters and were very close to one another. One of these cousins recently retired from the teaching profession and looked forward to a life of enjoyment after 30 years of service in the field of education. The other enjoyed being a mother and took pride in her adult children. Perhaps the second sister who was left behind died of a broken heart. I guess no family member will ever know.
By Dr Deborah M Vereen5 years ago in Families
Who Is Your Family?
Watching news reports as tributes rolled in upon the death of a legendary local TV newsman made me think of how many families or communities we each probably belong to. This is especially true if there has been estrangement from blood or marriage relationships and we might fear we belong nowhere.
By Shirley Ann Parker5 years ago in Families
Too soon
You were just here. I was able to talk to you when I needed to. You filled a void in my life I felt I was missing. You became my momma. You loved me and cared about me when my own mother didn't. I didn't even get a chance to see you again or hug you one last time. Why momma, why?
By Invaded Mind5 years ago in Families
Charley and me
CHARLEY AND ME He was an old man at the age of two hundred and thirty-three: well, that’s what we all thought. We were only teens, between nine and thirteen. Our future was something we never worried about. Set in our ways at such a youthful age, thinking that we knew more than everyone else.
By Diana Coor5 years ago in Families
The Toddlers' Playground
That January morning was moderately warm, and to everybody's surprise, it induced a miracle. January days are usually frigid and folks took advantage of the mild climate either by walking, jogging, biking, reading, or by any other relaxing activity. My daily routine was almost a ritual, most afternoons I took the two toddlers to Forest Park which is located in Richmond Hill, Queens, NY. This park is flanked by two busy roads: Park lane South and Myrtle Avenue. Forest Park is centennial and it's densely populated with wildlife and vegetation, and unlikely other parks in the New York City area, it's in a decaying state. It's also customary for newlyweds to take a stroll through the flowery garden beyond the Buddy Monument and have selfies, photos, and videos taken. It was built in remembrance of the fallen soldiers who served in World War I. The Buddy Monument depicts a young American soldier in mourning prayer with his head bowed contemplating his comrade's grave and his dire fate.
By Andrew Crisci5 years ago in Families
Times Have Changed
Today we have several type of families. We have single parent families, we have same sex marriage families. We have step parent families, and we have families where the grandparents are raising the children. We also have traditional the traditional family where the mom and dad are married to each other and raising their children. The world has changed so much through out the years and there will always be debate about what is acceptable. I don't really believe I am one to judge on what family is acceptable and what family is not. There is one undeniable fact, family life is not what it used to be. Have they changed for the better, that is up for each person to decide I think.
By Adriane Kirby5 years ago in Families
Thank You, Dear Ancestor
Thank you, dear Ancestor, from the bottom of my heart, especially those ancestors of my Grandma Kate Marsh (née Watts). Perhaps you won’t be surprised, but you launched my career as a writer! You gave me the genetics for it, and then I sought education on the finer points of writing, including deliberate rule breaking. Yet until recently I didn’t realize what a rich writing heritage flourished in those counties of my youth.
By Shirley Ann Parker5 years ago in Families
Two Ships Crossing
We didn't set out to break the law. In fact, you might say we were on a quest to reverse a major injustice. Someone stole my brother’s motorbike --
By Dave Ruskjer5 years ago in Families
Kumiko
What would it take for you to leave home when you’re seventeen . . . go where no one knows you, in an entirely different country with a totally different language . . . for the rest of your life?
By Dave Ruskjer5 years ago in Families
Charlie
In my travels I have come across many unusual things and individuals with stories of their own that I rarely can comprehend how someone can survive such paroles. One of which comes from someone very close to me; Charlie. Of course Charlie is not his real name, for names are changed to protect the innocent as they say. If I were to name this individual, Charlie would be a name that would suite him just fine.
By Blackbird5 years ago in Families