Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Families.
Love Letters from Heather
To my grandson, Jaymison. Both your mom and dad were over the moon about your eventual arrival. Experiencing a couple of previous early losses, they crossed every finger and toe. I could see the happiness in your dad (my son) and revelled in watching your parents choose the nursery theme—baby elephants.
By Heather Down5 years ago in Families
Little Brother!
Watching her get ready for the day, nothing to do but play outside and make up dance moves to 'Ice Ice Baby' with the next door neighbors' oldest daughter. In which by the way was their biggest achievement on the walkway of our turquoise trimmed vanilla bean brick house in the summer of 1990. Dad I think was at work or possibly refereeing at a volleyball tournament somewhere in small town near us. Mom was in the kitchen listening to the bubble screened television, wooden frame with doors elegantly hiding 3 knobs and 2 switches, bunny ears positioned just right to whatever show was capturing her attention from around the corner in the living room. She put her hair in a side pony tail with the excess T-shirt to match on the side with what I thought was a red plastic Ghostbusters emblem. Finally she's done! There I am watching from the floor, waiting to see what the next move was in her routine. No shirt, Taz shorts and of course no shoes, who even wears shoes in Texas....in the summer!? I 's remember asking her if she was going outside yet because I couldn't go outside until she did if it was too early. Just to annoy me she wasn't even close to being ready. Whatever. But just like the show I was saved by the bell! The doorbell rang, it was Marissa! The other star of the dance show.
By Daniel Robles5 years ago in Families
My Little Black Book: from the Little Black Book Angel
Recently I went to a local bookstore to pick up a small notebook to keep the contact information in and passwords for use on my computer. I keep forgetting them and needed a way that I could retrieve them when necessary. I was now mostly at home…with three kids not in school and an angry husband who’d also lost his job. Since that time, he’d become more angry and aggressive than usual and began verbally abusing the kids and me. But, now he was physically abusing me in front of the kids. It scared them…and me. I began trying to escape…but he had a watchful grip on me. I was also sporting a recent black eye and some facial bruises I tried to disguise with makeup.
By Jennifer Spencer5 years ago in Families
The Black Book
It dropped onto her toes and flopped to the ground from the collection of flowers, balloons and tote bags full of bright flyers and toys from well-wishers and cancer charities. She set the gifts to one side on the unit underneath the hospital television and went back to find it.
By Kirk Kenny5 years ago in Families
Her Little Black Book
Shit!". That was the first word I ever heard her say. It wouldn't be the first time I'd heard a 10 year old use profanity. She was dressed in an all black pant suit and she carried a little black book in her hand. I should've noticed it then. The way she frowned, the way her hands twitched when she was visibly irritated; but I didn't. Charlotte, that was her name.
By Shiloh Hunte5 years ago in Families
On a matter of a few dollars
I hated cleaning out the garage. I didn't take the trouble when I started living on my own so mine was a horrible mess. My Dad's was always clean and organized. We cleaned it once a month when I was in school. But then, after my brothers and I graduated and moved out, Dad got frail. He moved into the facility and never went "home" again.
By Rebecca Fegan5 years ago in Families
