Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Families.
I Come From...
I wrote a poem a long time ago. I took pictures from old photo albums, recorded videos (of videos) as we replayed them from an old VCR and I created something that really defines me, as a woman, as a mother, as someone in this country just trying to become SOMETHING... or more importantly: SOMEONE!
By 4AvynsFuture5 years ago in Families
Home Has No Bounds
Everyone seems obsessed with having a physical home to return to? As if having a place to show up to will make sure you get back to it every night. Why does it matter that you’ve been in the same place for ten years, sounds a little boring to me.
By Nunchi Goya5 years ago in Families
Love Notes
I don’t like to dwell on it, but when I was barely ten, my mother passed away. Even given the expectation due to her long illness, it still hit really hard. She may not have been perfect, but she was my mother. Irreplaceable. Dad and I both had loved her very much.
By Jason Knightman5 years ago in Families
Cracks and Crevices
There was a spider web in the corner of the room shrouding with shadow and black. The light was diminishing so that the other corners could also be filled with darkness. It was like the corners were it’s source, and the color bled into the rest of the room, even though I knew it was just the absence of light. The fragile trap set by the spider looked stiff and unmoving. If you took a picture, you’d think it was silent, and you’d be right.
By Moses F. Merino5 years ago in Families
February 3, 2020
It smelled different. There it was, his usual place, and hers right beside it, where they left the water and the food. She followed as he walked over there. He bowed his head, and grazed the bottom of the empty water bowl with his nose. Her tail brushed by him as she sunk into the bed, where the weathered rubber toy and tennis ball lay just as she had left it. He joined her. Above them, a hand turned the tap and warm water flowed out, hitting the ground and trickling into a gentle stream away from them. Then, they rose and drank. It was their place, still.
By Sophia Bower5 years ago in Families
Tomorrow May Be Today
As Pastor Landrum stood in the podium preaching over a casket. Giving his condolence to the family members of Mrs. Jackson. Due to it being a pandemic, only a few people were allowed to attend the funeral and so the only people who attended was her son and three grandchildren. "Sister Jackson lived a wonderful long life of one-hundred-and-four years of age. Leaving behind her only Son (Jansmeel Jackson) and three beautiful grandchildren. Mrs. Jackson outlived her three brothers, two sisters and husband. I recall the first day I met Mrs. Jackson. With me being new to the church and replacing the former pastor, she gave me a hard time. Letting me know that this church wasn't about that drama stuff so I better not be bringing it into this one and I better do right because not only will I have to deal with God but I will have to deal with her too (chuckles)," Pastor Landrum continued. "One thing I know, from that day on, I looked at Mrs. Jackson like she was MY mother. So, I can tell you I fully feel the pain that you may be going through and I do understand it. Loosing someone is hard I know, But just think what Mrs. Jackson would most likely tell us all at this very moment, 'Baby, God Got me now! I lived my life, continue to live yours! '" The family chuckled and shook their heads up and down in agreement, because that sounded exactly like their love member. The pastor continued with scriptures, then Mother Landrum stood up to sing "Just As I Am" by Mahalia Jackson. Pastor Landrum prayed, then informed the family that they may view the body as long as they please, but to please stop by his office as he has information that he needs to tell everyone.
By Mella Cheeter5 years ago in Families
Hometown Special of the Day...Death
My hometown and I have a love/hate relationship, but as the saying goes nothing worthwhile is easy. Many times, I have moved away and boldly stated, “I am never going to live in that tiny town again”. However, a force or circumstances have always drawn me back home. So, what is it about this one store town that keeps this adventurous chick coming back for more, death. Ok, wait don’t run away and think I’m just some crazy woman, stick around for the story and the bittersweet relationship with death.
By Mikey Lane, MS, LPC, Energy Healer, Medium5 years ago in Families
Everything doesn't happen for a reason
"Everything happens for a reason" the words reverberated off my spine, threatening to couple me as I spoke to my grandma, unaware of the traumas that plagued my small mind. I was closed off about my own experience as a child, afraid that if I opened up, my brother would be released into the sea of foster system never to be seen again.
By L.D. Malachite 5 years ago in Families
How Does this Work?
For weeks I have seen commercials for this site called vocal and wondered, "what on earth is this platform?" They say it's a way to make money by telling your stories. My question to that is, "what stories are they wanting to know?" I want to figure out what exactly this platform is? So, here I am. Are you still reading this? My name is Anthony I come from the Midwest. I live in the Kansas City, Missouri Metro area. Yes, Missouri, not Kansas. The reason why I say that is because even that jackass (Donald Trump), who use to be in office, mistakes us as Kansas. When our Football Team, the Kansas City Chief's won the Super Bowl last year when he congratulated the great state of "Kansas" for their Super Bowl victory the previous year. Any consolation, we made shirts to commemorate "Kansas's Victory" in quick fashion as a middle finger for those who don't know how to read a geographical map. Anyway, I have been in Missouri for 20 plus years since my mother moved us here due to my parents splitting when I was about nine years old. And I have been here ever since.
By Anthony Anthem5 years ago in Families
