humanity

Humanity begins at home.

Operation= Shoebox??!
It all started years ago, somewhere between ages eleven and fifteen, my Mother started collecting shoe boxes. She has always been a little eclectic, maybe borderline hoarder, but with an inclination for organized hording. She has always had a knack for sale shopping, and would stock up on a lifetime supply of the most random things you could think of. Living room furniture because storage for canned goods, boxed of noodles and granola bars that she had doubled and tripled coupons on, in order to leave the store with them owing her money, instead of the other way around. With a family of six, who could blame her? She did the best she could, and her best kept us fed and secure.
By Emily Atchley6 years ago in Families
Like a Box of Chocolates
Last year felt like the world had accidentally signed up for the least-desirable subscription service— and somehow kept forgetting to cancel it. It was one of those watershed, tide-turning, where-were-you-when years, whose ending provided a reminder of the illusion of time, because the new year's beginning did not magically fix last year's mess. But the messiness is where the realizations occur, where strong bonds are tempered, and weak bonds are melted away. If necessity is the parent of invention, then the business of inventing in 2020 was thriving.
By E6 years ago in Families
A Cry In Aisle Three
Before Andrea opens her eyes, she feels it, the rigid cold air around her. If not for her warm sanctuary under her comforter, she would be freezing. She buries herself further under the covers dreading getting herself out of bed. She tries to cuddle up next to her husband, Will, though she is rebuffed when he rolls over attempting to steal the whole comforter. Defeated, she opens her eyes. The clock on the nightstand reads 5:30am. Reluctantly, she sits up, moaning and shivering. As she sits on the side of the bed, her feet feel for her shearling-lined slippers. Eventually, she locates them and even manages to get each one on the correct foot. She forces herself to stand. Although she is wearing flannel pajamas, she still holds herself and occasionally rubs her upper arms to stay warm. She makes her way across the room to the window. It is still dark outside, but she can see that everything is covered in white, the wind is blowing hard and she wonders if it is still snowing or if the wind is just blowing the snow that has already fallen.
By Robyn Moss 6 years ago in Families
When Me and My Family Went Missing in the 1970s
A true story. My entire family, my mom, dad, me and my brother all went missing in 1979. I was 14, a freshman in high school. I considered this quaint little town my home. It’s wonderful people, my friends. I was on the drill team; which I loved! I played softball in the summers. I was on a bowling team in the winter. It’s where I became a Girl Scout, rode my bicycle down the Jumbo. Sang songs with my best friend out on the lawn (it was the 70s!). Where I would sing way too loud to the radio and records in my room to the dismay of the boy next door. (I owe him an apology!) Rode my bike everywhere! It is where my grandmother died. Where I got my first job. It is where I grew up. It was home.
By Paula C. Henderson6 years ago in Families
..And Back Again
My Father's Sister had passed away alone in her apartment, Toronto, ON. 2012. But that was how she wanted to live her life. As an artist; you are never alone, even when you want to be.
By SewFancyPaints6 years ago in Families
Pride & Sustenance
To be honest, I’ve experienced quite a bit of cruelty in my life, particularly my upbringing. To provide you general context, I attended school (more like competing) in an upper class district while I regularly went days without food. Less than 2 months after I turned 18, my family was finally arrested on pimping and trafficking charges. So it goes without saying that when you grow up in a cut throat environment as a child, whether socially ostracized in a wealthy community you don’t belong in, or tossed around as a punching bag between relatives for money, you seldom experience acts of kindness. Where I come from, acts of kindness are either to belittle others, or leveraged as a favor to collect later (like tax breaks).
By A6 years ago in Families
Journal Entry 1-23-21
Okay folks, I am back with another journal entry sorry I did not have anything yesterday. My hands, I tell you what hurts so bad even cleaning the house I want to cry. Well, I am up now it is 7:47 and I have my coffee, the computer at my numb fingertips, and my cigarettes.
By Audie Edwards6 years ago in Families
Cabin Stories
You might think that a cabin on top of the Alpes would have everything a person needs to have an easy-going life. But what if I tell you that despite the luxuries--redwood, marble, and a collection of first edition hardcover books--it's a dull place for someone who grew up with technology all around him. And yes, I'm talking about me. I sigh. Even if we had internet, with no electronics, it's obsolete to even think about it.
By Jose Duron6 years ago in Families
Angel on Earth
Some people come into your life that completely change it for the better or the worse. Their actions have such an impact, the rest of your life decisions derive from meeting them. Their memory enters your thoughts at various times and you contemplate how things may have been different had you not met them. This blog post is about one of those who made my life better.
By Dazeodrew6 years ago in Families
Swedish Death Cleaning: A review of my mother's latest obsession
Two weeks into the first lockdown of last year, a time that would set the tone for the rest of the year, my mother announced she was death cleaning. Specifically, Swedish death cleaning.
By Dom Borrett6 years ago in Families
A wistful windfall
I often used to hypothesize about what I’d do if I came into a large sum of money. Every time I bought a lottery ticket I would ration out the estimated jackpot in my mind. First I’d pay off the mortgage, settle up the credit card debt, then maybe take the family on a nice holiday abroad - you know, in the old days when travelling was a thing, up until 2019 BC (before covid).
By Sun Moon6 years ago in Families
Second Chance
Forty-five-year-old Pamela Hall had a lousy temper. Keeping a job was always a problem for her. Her friends would often tease, “Thank God you have no children, or you would be in jail every day.”
By Annelise Lords 6 years ago in Families