humanity

Humanity begins at home.

Being Scout
Full disclaimer ahead of this story: My youngest daughter's name is Scout, but it also isn't. Actually, her given name is Sydney. And while a lovely name, "Sydney" is only really used by her grandparents and when I really need to get her attention in a loud voice.
By Cheryl Wray5 years ago in Families
The Gold of Home
As Lucas stood on the footpath facing the derelict house the plans starting winding their way through his mind, trying to sort themselves into some sort of order. Smiling at those plans he was now very comfortable with this being the last house he would ever work on, this bowed and holey structure was going to be home.
By Diana Trezona5 years ago in Families
Begin at the Beginning
“So, where are you from?” It’s a common question, one I myself use reflexively at the cusp of an awkward silence when I’m getting to know someone. And always, a minute or so later, I find myself reflexively regretting it because inevitably the question will get turned back to me. And the answer isn’t bad, it’s just complicated, and the telling of it always ends with having to explain, and explain my explanation, until the listener (who undoubtedly was expecting a simple answer) wanders off, eyes glazed. After inevitably telling me that I should write a book about it.
By Abigail Fellows5 years ago in Families
The Santa Files - My Friends Call Me Nick
In 1979, when I was 8 years old, Ontario Canada had seen one of the worst snow storms in history, in just one week, the week before Christmas. My family was driving to Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, to spend Christmas with my Grandparents. My mom and dad thought that it would be a good idea for me and my brother to see Christmas in North.
By Matthew Hill5 years ago in Families
Companions
The marigold is a companion plant that is said to prevent insect pests from attacking some of the home vegetable plants in a garden. The flower also has magic in it if one takes the time to be present with it.
By William Rosenberg5 years ago in Families
David and his Goliath
When David was little, he had watched his mother drowning. He was not sure what exactly she had been drowning on but one day she was dead. Simply one soul taken, left in an empty shell.
By Jess S5 years ago in Families
Edwards and his Wife
Gwen was in her last trimester and in another city to prepare to have her baby boy. She was 8 months and has been having contractions which haven’t been too serious where she needs to go to the hospital to deliver. Gwen didn’t want to have her baby in another city but because her pregnancy is a high risk she had no choice but to go. Edward was okay with it because he knew his wife would be with her parents and be taken well care of. He was just worried that he wouldn’t make it to be there for his son's birth, as it means so much to him to be there. Edwards stood behind in the city their home is at so he can work and get bills paid.
By Gabriela Marcial5 years ago in Families
Heat
Water sprayed my face as the sprinkler came my way before rotating back. I wiped my face with my free hand and scooted towards the other end of the wooden bench, surprised that the thing could reach this far across the concrete driveway. Looking at it, I now see why more weeds are growing in between the cracks in the pavement than flowers in the newly raised flower beds leading to the front door. It wasn’t turned on before I got here, but the day grew warm and the sky was as blue as J.P.’s eyes on this perfect summer day.
By Rebecca5 years ago in Families
The Last Time I Smiled Was When I Saw There Was No More
I left my parents' home when I was 12 years old, to go live in the capital with my older brother. My brother needed someone to take care of his younger children while he and his wife (my sister-in-law) went to work. My father granted the first son's request and sent me to the capital to take care of my older brother.
By Casimiro Filipe 5 years ago in Families
Meant to Be
Jared stepped back from the counter; glancing around as he began tidying up and preparing for the end of his shift. His gaze landed on a packet of seeds from the wire carousel sitting to the left of the register.
By A.J. Sand5 years ago in Families
Mary's Gold
It was a cold, wet night. A harsh wind blew from the East, pelting the windows on the side of the Holden Rodeo. Torrents flowed across the front windshield , the wipers straining under the water's weight. Joe pressed his chest against the steering wheel, eyes focused on what he could barely make out of the road ahead. Earlier in the afternoon as light was fading into glowing oranges and dusty browns, a wallaby had sprung out of nowhere catching the right headlamp before landing with a horrible thump. Joe had pulled to a stop on the roadside and walked back to the injured animal. He looked around for a large rock in order to do the humane thing, but there were none, so he moved the shaking animal to the roadside curb and left it. Again he felt overwhelmed with a sense of hopelessness and anger at himself. 'You useless, old man. All you ever do is wreck things.'
By Andrew Benson5 years ago in Families
If It's Two Minute Noodles You're Doing OK
When I look around, all I see right now is sadness. Even as I write this, I am struggling to find that uplifting narrative thread, that salve for the hurt, the tonic for the negative, themes I usually feel compelled to have running through the story. After all, there's enough doom and gloom, right?
By Tricia Duffield5 years ago in Families