immediate family
Blood makes you related, loyalty makes you family.
545 West 125th Street
Summer nights at 545 were usually sweltering, noisy, and buzzing with activity. From the vantage point of our second-floor fire escape, we were always privy to what went on below. Our neighbors, mostly Antilleans, looking to escape the heat of their small, non-airconditioned apartments, would come downstairs as soon as the sun set to sit in what they hoped would be the cool New York City night air and find some respite. I, for one, always marveled at the range of materials they would bring down to sit on. Some would bring a beach chair or two. Others would borrow milk crates from the bodega next door. Still, others would find a spot on the front stoop of our building on 125th Street in West Harlem, often blocking the entrance but graciously moving out of the way as others came in and out. My earliest memory of home is this tenement building and community. I lived there with my family for my first 12 years, and we always called the building by its number - 545.
By Margaret Jimenez3 years ago in Families
A Trip of Light: The Narrative of Martha Agnes
Stepping off her small bed and pulling a bulky cardigan over her nightgown, Lena headed towards the top of the narrow, steep staircase that led from the attic bedroom to the kitchen below. She listened intently, trying to make out the quiet voices coming from the lower level.
By lahsen ezahouani3 years ago in Families
Notes on my first public appearance.
Photo by Redd F on Unsplash It felt weird to not write anything of consequence last week, after consistently writing for eleven weeks now (this is my twelfth, which feels like a milestone of sorts.) It was nice to just be present, to enjoy the time exploring San Diego with my husband, and to just check out from things for a few days, but it still felt weird, and I felt a little bit guilty. I don’t know where the guilt came from since I don’t technically owe anyone anything, I don’t have an editor or a deadline, and my two-piece a week goal is strictly for myself, but maybe it is because I felt like I was letting myself down a bit or not taking my weekly steps to doing this professionally or reaching my goals. Maybe I just felt like I was letting all of my five paid subscribers down by not providing content that they paid for (even though my five paid subscribers are my mom, my dad, my sister, my aunt and my husband and I think they would all forgive me and still love me even if I never wrote another thing ever again- but seriously, how do I get more paid subscriptions here?!) Maybe I just am taking this journey seriously because I want it so badly, and taking a week off feels like I’m not applying myself. But here I am, and I feel rested, my brain feels fresh, it is the astrological New Year, so onward we go, and it feels like things are about to get much, much easier, even if I don’t quite know how yet.
By Morgan Longford3 years ago in Families
The Inkwell Warrior: Maya's Battle Against Literary Prejudice "2"
but maya didn't back down. "We need a dedicated course on African Literature," she argued, her voice gaining strength with each word. "We need events showcasing the vibrant tapestry of African culture, not just a tokenistic festival thrown together during Black History Month!"
By Ahmed Latreche 3 years ago in Families
The Inkwell Warrior: Maya's Battle Against Literary Prejudice
The humid Georgia air clung to Maya's skin like a second shirt as she navigated the bustling campus of State University. It was her freshman year, and everything felt exhilaratingly new – the towering brick buildings, the energetic shouts across the quad, the sheer diversity of faces. Coming from a small, predominantly white town in rural Georgia, Maya had never encountered such a melting pot of cultures. Yet, amidst the initial excitement, a knot of unease tightened in her stomach. She was the only Indian student in most of her classes, and the subtle glances, the whispered jokes – they felt like pinpricks on her exposed skin.
By Ahmed Latreche 3 years ago in Families
Sleepless in Solitude
I hear people talking about how they have to be in bed by 10pm for example, and they start their days at 5, 6am. Oh, they are so exhausted and cannot wait for bed but their cat was purring all night or the dog was upset so they did not sleep well. They need a cup of coffee to get their energy back and wake up. Oh dear, sorry love.
By Esther Oyewole3 years ago in Families
From the Laundromat to the OR: The Heart of Dr. Elias Thorne
The rhythmic clatter of Mrs. Thorne's sewing machine was a lullaby that both soothed and gnawed at Elias. Soothed because it meant his mother was near, gnawed because it represented the constant struggle that defined their lives. Their cramped apartment above Mr. Lee's Laundromat pulsated with the city's frantic energy, but inside, their world was a cocoon woven from dreams and desperation.
By Ahmed Latreche 3 years ago in Families
Whispers of Legacy: The Tremont Family Saga
Title: Whispers of Legacy Chapter One: Roots In the heart of the verdant countryside, nestled amidst rolling hills and fields of golden wheat, stood the modest homestead of the Hartleys. It was here, in the quaint village of Oakvale, that the story of the family dynasty began.
By Priya Patel3 years ago in Families
The Story of Violet
Her name was Violet Kawaikoeahiokekuahiwi Wong Hoe and she was my father’s mother. Born in 1900 to a full-blood Hawaiian woman and a Chinese laborer who came to Hawaii to work on a sugar plantation, Grandma was the most influential person in my life. She taught me what it meant to be Hawaiian. More importantly, a Hawaiian woman.
By Stephanie Launiu3 years ago in Families
Unveiling the Essence of Her Heart. Content Warning.
In the intricate tapestry of human emotions, the heart stands as a symbol of profound complexity. Beyond its physical form, it serves as the vessel for our deepest sentiments, desires, and vulnerabilities. "Her Heart," in particular, encapsulates a myriad of experiences, each contributing to its unique essence. Join us on a poignant journey as we unravel the layers of "Her Heart," discovering the nuances of love, resilience, and compassion that reside within.
By sasanka perera3 years ago in Families
