humanity

Humanity begins at home.

The Widow's Walk
The first time Abigail Greenleaf mounted the ladder that led to the roofwalk of her Nantucket home, it was an unseasonably warm day in autumn. The young woman pushed open the trapdoor and stepped out onto the platform.
By Denise Shelton5 years ago in Families
The Monster In Still Waters
I've always been in awe of the sea. Right in front of my eyes, the sea draws in as I breath in and then with a power that frightens it moves away, propelling our boat further as if alive. It's a giant living monster with ships clawing at its belly. Even now, I feel the weight of the water as it laps at our boat hungrily.
By Annabella5 years ago in Families
Current Bank Ripped Off My Daughter's Savings
My daughter is 18 and has started college. She is a wonderful girl and always tries to do the right thing. So when she came to me in January I was not expecting what happened next. She held her phone up so I could see the balance in her Current Bank Teen Savings Account. She was supposed to have $650 in her account but the balance shows $250. As we both looked at the screen the total changed to $0. At the bottom of the screen, we saw that someone in Miami FL had apparently used her account to make two purchases in a Walgreens store and wipe out her account in a matter of seconds.
By Trent Fox5 years ago in Families
The Barkeep
Each moment of our lives presents an excuse to pursue control. We sit in its grips and seek it while occasionally becoming validated by perceived successes at the practice. The idea of control is the biggest lie that the universe has ever sold us. But without its presence, who are we? I have often wondered why societies failed attempts at control result in such destruction and separation. My only guess is that it brings us down to size and allows us to descend further towards chaos. Our imperfections give our perfect world its imperfect equilibrium, and I believe that it has to be that way.
By Tyler Forte5 years ago in Families
Greasy Tony
Cultivating adversarial relationships, young Jeff Kline made a habit of. Taunt, antagonize and embarrass his peers he would for minimal laughs and praise. Jeff was, more fortunate than most kids, born into a prestigious family of great means. So he felt it his duty to make them all aware of how great he was and they weren’t. Fat kids, nerds, minorities and poor kids were on the receiving end the most. There was one kid in particular that he loved to try and humiliate, mostly because it seemed to have little effect on him. This kid did little to fight back or exchange insults with Jeff, he simply went on about his way when unkind words were hurled at him.
By Cam Rascoe5 years ago in Families
A Biracial Girl From an Interracial Couple
Hi! I’m Meah. I live with my parents on our farm full of animals. These are my friends: Sono, Evie, Zahra, Julian, Giovanni, and Kasamba. We are showing each other pictures of our families.
By Aryanna Watters5 years ago in Families
On The Weaving and the Unweaving.
I would walk with her held in my arms for hours. Meditatively treading a small spiral of passageways familiar as my own breath, warm breast at her cheek, feet moving slowly through what had become the safe, cocooning labyrinth of my home.
By R.A Falconer 5 years ago in Families
Death's Helm
There it is, the ship on the horizon. I hadn't been expecting it so soon. I thought I had more time. Clara sat in the sands of the serene beach, letting the sand run through her fingers as she turned away from the ship and let a sigh escape her lips.
By Tegan Hill5 years ago in Families
The Curse of Klutz
It wasn’t late, about 7 o’clock, but the weak winter sun was long set. My mom turned off the ignition, having just pulled the car up to the small island of gas pumps in the crumbling parking lot of the gas station near our house. I hopped out of the back seat of the car, sensing my mom’s impatience as she walked around the car towards me with quick strides. I wasn’t sure why she was in a rush, but I have always enjoyed being helpful, so I turned to shut the car door behind me (a new habit at 7). Unfortunately, I did this just as my mom closed the gap between us and pushed the door shut from behind me. I heard her sharp intake of breath, and then she screamed.
By Kayla Deskins5 years ago in Families
Mama's Garden
My mama grew up a little bit of everywhere. First in a small town, then off at a little college just a stone's throw down the road, then business school, then the biggest city she could find. When she got there, she met my Papa and together they spent years chasing dreams from a high-rise apartment. Though her childhood cornfields were replaced with skyscrapers, and the harvest moonrises turned to dark pavement and slow-burning streetlights, she and Papa made their home.
By Liz Keller 5 years ago in Families
The Perfect First Date
Carolyn was a little nervous as she got ready to go out. She was happy to be going out because the day’s events and significance were a bit depressing and she could use a pick me up. She wasn’t fond of surprises because she was a woman who liked planning and this seemed like spur of the moment. The phone call was quick and a bit mysterious. “Wear a blue dress and be ready at 7:30 pm. I’ll come get you”, was all that Jimmy said.
By STEVE ATHANASAKIS5 years ago in Families
The Spell Of Merlot
It was as if time stopped, rain drops frozen in mid air. The memory of this night would stay with me forever. The first date was out of this world. I picked Jennifer up early that Friday afternoon. The way the sun hit her eyes, had captured my soul. It was as if the sun Ray's besieged through the water finding the rarest of emeralds. With a smile I said to her let us get this adventure started. We tuned into our favorite jams on the radio driving through the mountains. Down the winding narrow road with a magical forest surrounding us on both sides. The fresh air the way her skin shined it was like it derived from the finest silk known to man. We pulled off just to the south of the road. We glanced our eyes up to the ice glazed mountain top it was as if it came straight from one of Picasso private portraits. We started our trek through the forest nothing but God’s country surrounding us. The subtleness of the birds chirping the wind swaying these giants of trees. As we made our approach to a rock perched over a cliff. Jennifer spotted the blanket and basket of wildflowers. I had my brother place there, just before we arrived. The most succulent strawberries, raspberries and blackberries picked just the day prior ly underneath the flowers. With a bottle of the of the finest Castello di Ama, “L'Apparita”. Imported from the Tuscany estate itself. Glazed bruschetta bread with a garlic Greek olive spread. Fried cherry tomatoes overtop the bruschetta with a pinch of rosemary and parmesan cheese as our appetizer. The older I get the more wrinkles I see. Time has always remained to be still. I remember Jennifer as if it were that day all over again. We later married after our amazing adventure we went on in the mountains of Montana. Hard to believe the images and thoughts the resurface out of the depths. It has been 50 years since our first trek through the enchanted forest of our youth. Each year I take the trip to remember the love I shared with her. The same rock perched over the cliff side I lay there reminded of the fond memories of my wife. Jennifer passed some years ago now. It is only I who sits surrounded by God’s country. Yet in so many ways I envision her long hair. The contour of her body the silky skin and those emerald, green eyes. All those years ago to think it was but one day that set us on a path intertwined for years to come. A whisper from my daughter Isabelle, Dad are you ready to go? As I slowly rise up overlooking the cliff side. Its always so hard to leave this place love. My heart and soul will always be here in this place this moment. It is but a shade of the sunlight we used to bask in. your mother and i. Forever will my heart be enthralled with the Spell Of Merlot. Years give us time and wisdom but the moments we share empower our lives. They shape us however big or small. This special rock perched over the cliff side in the mountain’s of Montana will bring soul food for years to come. Until next time my love as I gaze upon the sun setting over the mountain top. The cold brisk wind of her embrace as I go to turn away. Jennifer physically gone but always a part of me in spirit. 50 years to the day I will always come back here for as long as I breathe to bring back the memory of love.
By Micheal Young5 years ago in Families