Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Families.
Jehovah Jireh
She awakened before sunrise, her heart pumping excitement. She had discovered a hole in the wall in her Grandmother's attic the day before. Her curiosity had pushed her to explore it. She had reached down inside the hole . She could barely grasp an object just within reach of her fingers. It was smooth and soft to her touch. Intrigued, she carefully pulled the object up and out. It was a little black notebook. She opened it to the first page. Only two words appeared on that page. In fact, they were the only two words in the little black book, "Jehovah Jireh." She slipped the little black book into her pocket and ran down the stairs.
By Toni Compton5 years ago in Families
The Gains of Giving
I can still hear his contagious laugh; Shoulders bouncing up and down. Arms crossed in front of him as if he were able to hold it in. His bright light that illuminated all of us. But now, that light had faded into the great beyond. It sucks saying goodbye to a loved one. It sucks seeing the life of one who actually made the world a better place, suddenly gone. But here we are. It is what it is. And there’s nothing we can do to change that.
By Dallas Jackson Gold5 years ago in Families
Signs
Present Day Another gust of wind whips through the trees, a kaleidoscope of autumn leaves scattering across the path ahead of me. The familiar crunch of the pine needles beneath my feet brings me comfort, along with the knowledge that I am almost there. I pull my lightweight cardigan, the rich color of rubies, tightly around me, fending off the brisk air. Soon I will burst through the trees and the sun will warm my goosebumps away.
By Tanya Berzinski5 years ago in Families
THE LITTLE BLACK BOOK
As I looked out my large picture window at the stained glass of an established church, I wondered what had become of my best friend. She had currently won a lottery of “a big sum of money”...married and vacationed in Mexico! The previous year had been torn by health and race issues in the media and locally for everyone in the entire world. Women, with the “glass ceiling” still intact, slowly and bravely climbed the steps to be equal to man. My beautiful, super intelligent, and street smart girlfriend had been on this journey since I met her, some thirty years prior. I had chosen (with my spouse) to be a stay at home mother. That allowed me time to be of service to my community, volunteering help and raising monies to save precious historical sites. As a psychiatric nurse by trade, I was ever mindful of how my actions would affect my daughters. Of course this didn’t always work out a positive—remembering “brownies” found atop refrigerator when girls return from college...”Mother!!-what the heck?!?” As my friend continued to pursue her dream of becoming president of a college, which, by the way-she accomplished and was deemed the President that remembered student’s names and established rapport that motivated them. As we lived across the state from one another we would communicate via phone. My husband had a husband she admired & supported his dream of becoming known in the entertainment field as a musician. The lottery money was helpful in purchasing a large RV to “hit the road” at some point!! She also had dogs that lived the lives of loved children. One message I received was questionable about “loving relationship” between husband and wife?! “We are sleeping separately, he seems to not be interested in me.” My reply was to get back in that bedroom and tell him what you need. Soon after that discussion came health issues for my friend...it seemed “depression” was setting in after choosing to confront a male colleague at work. When I was asked if I thought she was “crazy”, my reply: “not any more than the rest of us.” The next round of communication was apparent a mental health issue was escalating—like “Alice going down the rabbit hole”...except this was serious! She complained of skin eruptions, hallucinations and no sleep. “Should I take medication?” she asked. I told her that would be OK prescribed by professional and does not necessarily mean for a life time. This truly psychotic woman was trying to make sense of her behaviors and sensations by continued conversations with her husband and mother. Since I had known my friend, I was always amazed at the respect, which actually appeared as “fear” to her mom. I had learned her mother had had trauma in her own life and seemingly passed it on to her child. Her husband just wanted to continue their “happy” life, as it had begun... The illness had gone too far... She was admitted to a mental health facility, given major psych drugs along with other modalities, group therapy, etc. After a week or two, she checked out. She quit the medications. She made breakfast, lunch and dinner (chili per request) in crock pot for husband. Husband returns to extremely (unusual) quiet home from manual labor work. Dogs looking at him!! He goes to throughout home, opens door to studio-His wife, my beautiful, intelligent girlfriend had shot herself in her head- dead!!! I journal...daily, in my Little Black Book〰I had recently been in touch with those having had and using “ketamine” for treatment for certain psychiatric diagnosis. I had written: (before I learned of her death!) Keep Moving my beautiful friend-Help is on the way! I am convinced this form of treatment was the answer for her deep “fear” filled life... And so I continue my journey to help others to get as much joy out of this life as possible. I’m so sorry, my dear friend. Thank you little black book for always listening♥️.
By Deborah Jensen-Bergen5 years ago in Families
Alice's Tale
Ever since I was a little girl, I'd heard stories about my great-great grandmother named Alice. Some said she had been a well respected member of her church and a woman of strong faith. Others said she had been a witch who'd put a curse on our family's line. Almost everyone in my family seemed to attribute any bad luck through the generations to the legendary curse. They all seemed to be frightened of even just the mention of her name. Then there was me. I was fascinated by her although I didn't know what she'd looked like. I'd always wanted to know more about her and exactly how a person ended up with such two opposing memories.
By Shana Webweaver5 years ago in Families
Something to Treasure
Along time ago I lived in the house. The house was so old. that the floors cracked and every time the wind blew it shook the house. This house was given to me by a family member who just passed away. The will said i could live her if I fix it up and make it come alive again. Everyone in town new that this house was haunted it became a daring spot on halloween for children to trick or treat here. Usually the towns people avoid it. To me it’s peaceful and yes there are some haunting in the house. It all seems friendly. a thing or two gets moved on occasion. But I don’t get scratched and don’t feel like I need to leave. I get written messages and have my name called out to me. I sometime I feel like i’m being watched and yes it creeps me out a few times. But not enough to leave. Most of the haunting are in the article or in the basement. That is where all the old stuff is.
By Samantha Ashman 5 years ago in Families
SAUDADE
Georgie had the restless energy and unapologetic enthusiasm Lennox had misplaced when her mom died. She’d only known Georgie a month, but the ease between them was like finding long-lost family. Lennox often forgot they had a twenty-year age gap. The older woman had swiftly taken Lennox under her wing while also becoming the best friend she wasn’t looking for. After renting a house with the $20,000 from her mother’s life insurance, Lennox had no idea her only neighbor would become a constant in her life. She’d been so intentional about keeping the world at arm’s length, but Georgie was a force. She was fireworks and sunshine, and the dark cloud that was Lennox ebbed with every interaction.
By Kerri Caldwell5 years ago in Families
