Lifestyle
For the lives that we love, and everything that comes with it.
What I Finally Told My Father
I was 12 when his anger flared again. Despite the consistent paid-for piano lessons, I was not as consistent practicing. Amanda, my very plump piano teacher, outed me as any good teacher should. I simply was not doing my homework. I sat on the piano bench when Dad started. He told me that I was disappointing him because I was not trying hard enough. I was not living up to my potential. He did not want to waste his money. I then did what I never wanted to do: I cried. As hard as I tried not to, the tears simply poured down my face as an unspoken anger filled my heart, ashamed of the tears. It showed weakness. I promised myself never ever to cry again. I held true to my self-induced vow for 8 years. Whenever I was teased or hurt in any way, however much I wanted, I simply would not cry. That stubborn desire was my stronghold and my answer for survival. To myself, I dared anyone to make me cry, feel remorseful, or feel anything. I simply rose above it.
By Tomas Alejandro7 years ago in Families
I'm Coping, But I'm Not Okay
June 19, 2016 will forever be a horrifyingly beautiful reality check to me. I thought I knew what it meant to be in despair, to feel as though my life was truly about to crumble and have little worth in this world. My stepfather showed me otherwise on the day he decided to kick me out. He blamed me for many things, from my sister's disinterest in her personal hygiene to the altercation between her and my brother.
By Anecia Lewis7 years ago in Families
Inappropriate Punishments: The Surefire Way to Confuse Your Dog
In dog training, timing of rewards is very important. Timing of punishments or corrections is vital. If you don’t know when your dog chewed up grannies wig or peed on the rug, don’t punish. Just make sure your dog isn't able to repeat it again. And remember that dogs have no notion of “expense” so many owners turn their dogs into shelters because they chewed up their brand new one-thousand-pound sofa. They don’t know or care how much things cost! It doesn't matter how many times you wave your credit card bill in front of their face, they don't care. They were bored, they needed something to chew, your shoes were handy.
By Lily Bloss7 years ago in Petlife
The Queue
I walk forward a few paces in the line to see Santa. There are little reindeer standing on top of cotton which looks a bit like snow. I look behind me and stare at the line of other children waiting to see Santa. There’s a bored girl right behind me, and a teenager with a small girl, and another teenager with his Dad. The elves' bells are jangling so I turn back around, and they look slightly bored at first, but then they smile when they see me watching them.
By Beth Norman7 years ago in Families