humanity

Humanity begins at home.

The Languages of Kindness and Brutality
"Ouch!" Orville Windsor cried out, massaging the right side of his head. Turning around to face his Aunt Jelesa, his mother's youngest sister.
By Annelise Lords 5 years ago in Families
The Smiling Clam Meets the Tiny Finger
My father always had an incredible sense of humor. None of us were sure how he developed this as his own parents were a somber pair and had the outward appearance of those people that you see in 19th century photographs staring out as though they see the guillotine about to come down on their necks. Somehow he was able to overcome this limitation and develop his own wry view of the world which never ceased to surprise.
By John Bowen5 years ago in Families
The Opening
The package has been sitting in the hallway all morning staring at me blandly, as only brown paper can. I wasn’t expecting anything in the post – no online purchases, no celebrations to mark, no legal matters to attend to.
By Michèle Nardelli5 years ago in Families
Zig Zag # 10
Family. When most people see or hear that word, they think of their family of origin. The family hand of cards they were dealt. The family they were assigned without being consulted. That kind of family can be a slippery slope to navigate even in the best of circumstances.
By Kathleen Majorsky5 years ago in Families
You get pumpkins after plants pumpkins, get beans after planting beans
You get what you plant. Since my son turned teen the pain of being pushed away by him haunts me every day. Where is the clingy, bouncing, curious boy? Now a cold, distant, unappreciative little critter. If it’s a business I have likely made a bad deal: big investment vs. little return.
By Bond Wang5 years ago in Families
Oh My Olga's Goodies
Years ago, I was at a friend’s house visiting her grandmother during winter break from college. At that time, after dinner, she served us a homemade chocolate cake. Not for anything, but this was the best chocolate cake I had ever tasted. Her grandmother refused to give us the recipe. It was not for lack of trying; we begged her often throughout the week we were there.
By Silvia C Corella5 years ago in Families
Cake
The short man massaged his tired, creased hands as he finished drying the last of the dishes. Taking a deep breath, he tried to transition himself from his hectic mindset of work and focus on being with his family. He took a long swallow from a bottle on the counter and tried to let his shoulders relax. Even though his back was sore from hauling lumber for 12 hours and his ears rang from the constant screams of trucks and cranes, he decorated his face in a bright smile and turned from the sink.
By Brock5 years ago in Families
Angels In disguise
“Yes Sir. I can do it.” Replied a 14 year old Manu to the much older restaurant owner. He needed this job badly to help his family. The owner/ manager was in need of a kitchen helper and Manu was fortunate enough to be at the right place at the right time.
By Gurjot K5 years ago in Families
When Your World Shatters Post-DNA Test
I never expected the basic facts of my life to change. My family has always been weird. It was something I grew comfortable with early on, that my family arrangement wasn't typical.
By Ashley 5 years ago in Families
The Slice and the Mountain
“Why can’t we explore the mountain, mama?” asked the tiniest of voices. In a tiny town. Within a tiny bakery. Sat a tiny slice, of a tiny chocolate cake.
By Matthew Toshek5 years ago in Families
She Watches Me Sing
Deep breath. I take a long deep breath. My face burns from the lights in the sky. I’m not quite sure if it’s from the heat given generously from the 700w bulbs, or the seventy plus people waiting anxiously for me to make a sound. I search amongst the shadows looking for a familiar face. It’s no use. I could only see a small light emphasizing the hairlines of each figure sitting in the dim lit venue. Before reality could have a chance to take a punch, I close my eyes for a moment.
By Claudia Cole Evans5 years ago in Families
Sunlight Under the Stars
A little boy makes his way down a poorly lit street not far from his home. He recalls the events of the evening with great chagrin as he follows his heart to the only place in all the world that grants him solace when his soul is weeping. His foot steps are as sorrowful as his face is sullen.
By Lusus Sylvanus Powhatan5 years ago in Families