grief
Losing a family member is one of the most traumatic life events; Families must support one another to endure the five stages of grief and get through it together.
Hope, Inherited.
The luxurious blue bathrobe hung on its hook next to the shower. The tag the nursing home had placed on it to label it as her grandmother’s still stuck beneath the brand label, one Eliza didn’t recognize. She didn’t inherit much from Daphne Brown, as the name tag indicated, but her parents had offered her this robe when they moved her from her own room in the nursing home to one with a roommate. As she stepped out of the shower, dried, and hustled into the warmth of the robe, Eliza’s thoughts floated to her Gram, as they often did.
Emily BrowningPublished 3 years ago in FamiliesDear Lana,
*** Trigger warning: Mentions of suicide of a loved one. *** Lana Booker-Yang was only five when she had perfected the most amazing grilled cheese sandwich recipe. Since her parents spent most of their days arguing over little things, Lana needed to learn to be independent. As bad as life was for Lana, things only seemed to get worse. With Lana's dad "missing" after promising his return, Lana's mom still stuck on Lee's passing, her life was a wreck.
Anastasia DayPublished 3 years ago in FamiliesEnvelopes
James wished he’d never checked the mail that day. Perhaps if he hadn’t checked the mail, he wouldn’t have found the small black moleskine notebook. And if he hadn’t found the notebook, he would still be completely unaware of his father.
Kaci CooperPublished 3 years ago in FamiliesFeed Your Dreams
Dad always likes to tease me that I'm accident-prone. Now here I am, at 24, lying flat on my back on the sidewalk after taking one step out of my apartment complex. It hardly snows here in North Carolina, but it makes sense this would happen on the first day I’m starting my new job. On the bright side though, the snow is still pretty.
Kayla StevensonPublished 3 years ago in FamiliesRed Sonder
My grandfather, who I called Pops, leaned forward from his wooden chair as if to tell me something. The holes on his wool, hay like, sweater expanded as he crossed his arms and rested them on his knees. His tired eyes looked at me and he exclaimed “I always knew something big would come of you, didn’t think it would be as curious as this”. He chuckled and leaned back with a worked up look on his face. “well son’ he said, “you have a big decision to make here and whatever in hell you decide to do you make sure to tell yourself it’s the right thing”. I looked down at my knees spread wide by a black leather bag stacked tight with Ben Franklins. There it was, on top of all of it the little black notebook.
Henry RojasPublished 3 years ago in FamiliesJanuary 8, 2018
January 8, 2018 at nearly 8am on an ordinary Thursday morning she slipped away. As Monique sat motionless in the dark room, she could feel the warm wet tears running down her face onto her lips, she tasted the salt and sorrow of the liquid. She could hear the faint sobs of her father and siblings in the background. But all she could think was now what?
Kelli Sheckler-AmsdenPublished 3 years ago in FamiliesEvan's Lesson in a Little Black Book
Evan McNeilsen looked at his phone as it buzzed to alert him of his father's call. Miles...the name flashed across the screen with no real substance at all. No contact picture, no assigned ringtone. Just Miles. Evan's mind could not remember the last time he'd called Miles...Dad. He had not heard his father's voice in years. Their relationship had been reduced to a quick text every year on the day he was born, followed by a conversation with his Mom about how much they missed him. Why was he calling? Evan's thoughts were answered by another buzz as the text popped up across his screen…"It's Mom, Evan call me."
Teena MariePublished 3 years ago in FamiliesGolden Sun
Everything I ever saw through my childhood eyes was covered and painted in gold by the sun. The trees had always been green, but if I squinted my eyes, I could make out the flakes of golden resin that floated amongst the verdant leaves. The shimmering gold was all around me. From the wrought iron gate to the patio that led to a small, humble brick home we owned. And like Christmas trees adorned with twinkling lights, my world was beautiful just like the night sky.
Javier DuenesPublished 3 years ago in FamiliesA New Life
Dressed in a lovely flowing black dress I walked solemnly to the celebration. Aunt Asteria was my most favorite aunt, even though she technically was not family. Asteria was my late mother’s best friend, they spent so much time together that she was basically my other mom. It happened late last year Asteria was diagnosed with stage four breast cancer, the doctors gave her one year to live, she didn’t make it one year. After her diagnosis, she went straight to chemotherapy and from then her health deteriorated quickly. Now here I am walking into her funeral, walking into my second mother’s funeral. As one can imagine I was a mess. The funeral was an elegant affair celebrating her life. I thought I was the last one left at the funeral so I left my purse and phone on my seat and went to say goodbye one last time. Walking out of the funeral I was numb and did not realize that there was a paper in between my phone and purse.
Samantha GriesingerPublished 3 years ago in FamiliesThe Toad.
1. It was a toad. It was late when I took Maxi outside last night to relieve himself before bedtime. I was sitting on the couch falling asleep to Storage wars and was finally able to catch my breath after a long day. Maxi, as is his habit, appeared out of nowhere on my right side by jumping up on the ottoman, dropping one of my slippers in my lap along with play barking at me, menacingly, and baring his teeth. I said to him, "OK, OK, I take you outside" and moved to get up quickly. He immediately stopped barking, jumped off the ottoman, and as I started to walk, ran around me in a quick circle. His doggy eyes were very excited as he continued circling me, panting while I lumbered toward the front door, the toes on my left foot half numb from neuropathy.
Roxanne Jacqueline MooneyPublished 3 years ago in FamiliesMom's Little Book
Mom’s Little Black Book life within the pages by: Elizabeth Montaño It was impeccable timing, that roaring clap of thunder as the casket lid came down. That awful, heart-cleaving sound of finality, muffled by Mother Nature. It was a blessing in disguise. I had so dreaded that gentle thud, knowing how much you would’ve hated it.
Liz MontanoPublished 3 years ago in FamiliesAll The Little Things
The old couch in the corner starts to swim before my eyes. The dust filled air and the light filtering in through the old windows gives everything an aged yellow hue. I can’t believe we let Aunt Lou become such a packrat. We knew she was dying, but we couldn’t bring ourselves to prepare. She died almost a year ago and we’re still sorting through all of her things. The thought sent a jolt of pain to my heart. Almost a year and I miss her everyday. My mom said it would pass with time, but I still feel her absence everyday. I look up to stop the tears from falling knowing that if I start the garage will never be emptied. Everything that was fit to be given was claimed by Aunt Lou’s friends and our relatives months ago. All that’s left is the odds and ends that nobody seems to want. I know it’s all junk and most of it will need to be thrown away. But I couldn’t bring myself to do that. I can still feel her here amongst all of her things. How could I part with even one little thing if looking at it would summon her spirit?
Emma BarfieldPublished 3 years ago in Families