Latest Stories

Most recently published stories in Families.

Ten April's
April 11th, 2008 changed my family's life forever. The day started like any other Monday. I had the day off; my wife ran errands, including shuttling my 8 year-old son to the dentist. While on the road, my son complained of sharp pain in his arm and chest. So, instead of an oral check-up she detoured to a local pediatric urgent care. After several hours of blood work and scans, the on-call doctor shared the diagnosis. The physician found a mass in his chest. She asked my wife and I to choose a regional children's hospital and explained a life-flight helicopter would transport him to whichever one we selected. Knowing nothing about either hospital network, we chose St. Louis Children's Hospital. Within a few hours, the crew whisked my son away, and my wife, parents and I drove three hours to meet him there
By Bryan R..5 years ago in Families
The Book of Stolen Wishes
Between the sirens and the explosion of chaos in the streets, I was finding it a little hard to concentrate on how the hell I was going to get us out of this mess. I mean, I'm an unemployed middle aged dad, not a hero by any means. This is not how I planned to spend my Tuesday, but it sure is one hell of a way to die.
By Mitch Lunsford5 years ago in Families
The Funeral
“To my daughter Catherine, I leave you, my house. I hope the walls will remind you of the safety of childhood in these uncertain times.”
By Emily Bennett5 years ago in Families
Peter's Little Black Book
“I have been listening to sad songs in the shower these days” Peter murmured softly to the cockroach, who had just emerged from a small gap in the corner of the living room.
By Natalie Sandy5 years ago in Families
He Existed
I never knew my grandfather. He was killed in the war when my mother was but a child. There survive no photographs of him, no physical evidence that he ever existed. My mother’s only enduring memory of him was a man in a uniform, who kisses her crying mother, then kisses her, then walks out of the front door of their home and never returns. She only told me this when the dementia had all but consumed her mind, and she no longer recognised me as her son. Her own mother never spoke about him, her grief at having lost her husband absolute, and she confessed in me, a stranger to her now, that she had always resented her for it.
By Ian M. Williamson5 years ago in Families
8 ways to show your at-risk LGBT teenager you love them
An earlier version of this article appeared on News Break. The nation’s first large study assessing teen suicide risk by gender and self-identifying sexuality shows gay, lesbian, and bisexual children have more than double the risk compared to their heterosexual peers.
By David Heitz5 years ago in Families
The Switch
The Switch Bill I had the best life growing up. I felt loved and supported and I found everything as easy as it could be. My first girlfriend was in high school and we only broke up because of how far apart our colleges were. We drifted apart over the 4 years as we studied in different places and when we came back together afterwards it was as friends. We were just not looking for the same things. I wanted to live here back where I grew up and sell real estate and she wanted to move to the west coast and help save the planet.
By Julie Warring Amos5 years ago in Families
The Last Word
“I don’t understand why you felt the need to come” “To make sure you’re alright.” It was opportunistic, really, a chance to get the last word.
By Georgia Toews5 years ago in Families
Farm Secrets
I spent my first 24 years on a tiny 4 acre farm in between woods on the Key Peninsula in Washington state. The farm held our yellow farmhouse, vegetable fields, and pens for our several chickens, pigs, and bunnies. This farm is just a blip in the world, but it was an accomplice to a dark and terrible family secret. My name is Eva Little and this is my story.
By Lis5 years ago in Families
Discreetly Rooted In Concrete
Family will always be there for you. Until they are no longer able. Inevitable miseries; as their body disables. Sienna stepped out of the lecture hall after her class at University. She was finished Sociology for the day. The muggy heat of summer made school awful.
By Tiernan Blair-Mitchell5 years ago in Families
Anna's Little Black Book
Anna Wilson received her first little black book at the age of eleven. It was a gift from her Grandfather. It seemed an odd present in this electronic age, but an important one Anna would later learn. She, was a studious young girl, tall and willowy and he, a white haired man from the old country with a glint in his eyes when he spoke. Anna looked displeased as she opened the gift but quickly caught herself and smiled. “Thank You Grandpa” she said. Her words slightly disingenuous. Nothing could get by the old man, his eyes and ears may have lessened but his attention to the moment was unsurpassed. “May I tell you why I gave you that notebook Anna?” Grandpa asked, “Sure” Anna responded. “That notebook is an important tool for you to use in your life. It needs no batteries, no cords and no updates. Its pages are blank for a reason, to make room for your potential, yes, your potential. When you get a good idea, write it down. For ideas are peculiar things, they travel through the world looking for just the right person to bring it to life. If it’s not written down or acted on their memory quickly fades as they seek out another who will act upon it. Good ideas are worth capturing and writing down just as a person’s life is worth documenting. Do you understand?” Grandpa asked. “I think I do” Anna replied. “One more important thing, you must always keep it nearby at all times. Ideas are tricksters that like to pounce when you’re least prepared.” Grandpa laughed.
By Jeff Henningsgaard5 years ago in Families
Secrets
The sky was a deep grey with clouds rolling in as a warning of the storm to come. A light mist had already started and the tiny water droplets seemed to just hang in the air. As if time had stopped in this very moment. The weather fit the occasion perfectly. After all today was my grandfather’s funeral.
By Anna Yarbrough5 years ago in Families