Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Families.
What we carry inside
I sat on the floor of the basement, my hands covered in the thin layer of dust that comes from looking through old photos and letters. Happily strewn across my lap were the treasures I’d found in this box: grandpa’s harmonica, amber jewelry galore, a handwritten log of winning lotto numbers from the 1970s - my grandma’s doing. She died when I was young.
By Karina Palukaitis5 years ago in Families
My Father's Hands
My Father’s Hands His face is fading in my memory. I try to hold on, but his hands are what is clear to me. The smooth, straight fingers had clean, short nails. His second finger slanted slightly at the tip, which he had cut off while slicing food for us. The doctor stitched it together at an angle, and it remained that way. The back sides, lightly specked with freckles and sparsely covered with dark hair, had begun to show signs of age. On the underside, the skin was stretched so tight and smooth that the identifying lines seemed barely perceptible.
By Marissa Olivier5 years ago in Families
Letter To My Dad
Dear Dad, It will be 3 Years in August from the day you finally got rest, to be honest I am quite glad you went when you did, 2020 was a horror story the world was living. COVID-19 has taken so many lives, so where you are must feel quite busy. I keep finding myself wondering how you would be in this situation, knowing your Daughter works within the public unit so I am more at risk working with the public, although work hasn't exsisted in the last 2 months but that's another letter. I keep thinking you would probably make a joke about finding a bunker somewhere and saying it will be like I am Legend, you would have been careful for Nan's sake but it would drive you mad if you had to quantine with her and knowing you wouldn't have been able to see James and I. It's tough. Really tough, but others in the world/country have it worse. I am lucky I have Mum. You have missed so much, Olly and I are still a couple and going strong although I now live back with Mum and Olly lives with his parents again, no argument involved but I had an opporunity that I just had to take and Olly... well Olly fell out with the landlady and had enough (which I am not surprised about) We are both well despite the rapid COVID-19 cases in the area. Although because we live seperatly we cannot see eachother - that's hard, not being able to be with your partner is annoying and frustrating. As you are probably aware Grandad Ron passed away - he was just coming up to his 92nd birthday, you've probably had so many conversations with him (please say hi for me) I moved in and kept his lovely house warm while Mum put it on the market, it was wonderful having my own space, somewhere I could just do what I wanted, sing what I wanted, eat what I wanted. Then the house sold and Christmas happened. So I am back where I started, which don't get me wrong is wonderful, I am not alone and I am happy but I do miss my own space, not bothered by someone asking me to do the dishwasher or washing or even housework. I miss being able to do stuff like in my own time and not being judged because I haven't done it straight away. Anyway it shouldn't be long before I am in my OWN house. Thanks to you by the way - You have given James and I the best gift in helping us get on the property ladder, it would have been impossible without you. Obviously we would much rather have you in our lives, to be able to just pick up the phone and speak with you, or knowing you will be walking me down the ilse (one day) but the thought of knowing it was you that helped me buy my own house is just as special.
By Rainbows Have Nothing To Hide5 years ago in Families
A Gift of Another Time
I will never forget the look we gave each other as we stood outside the door and stared with anticipation at the key. We knew that once we passed through that threshold nothing was going to be the same, and we could hardly wait! Ronnie was old fashion, another reason why I loved him so much. With no hesitation he scooped me up in his arms, unlocked the door and carried me in.
By Marie Floria5 years ago in Families
Brockport, New York
What can I say about my little upstate town in western New York? I was born and raised in Brockport and raised my children here. I don’t believe I’ve ever understood the value of this little hidden gem, before now. This historical little storybook college town nestled along the Erie Canal looks like a scene out of the movies. Its Victorian buildings give it the charm of something magical.
By Kristen Viscardi5 years ago in Families
To Giselle, Love Grandpa
She awoke to the sun peeking through the opening in her living room curtains. The rays were so warm and bright. Squinting to see, she slowly arose from her supine position on the couch. Pushing the wisps of hair from her face, she began to remember the events of the night before. Was it all a dream, or did she really see her deceased grandfather? Sitting straight up now, she placed her elbows on her knees, beginning to think she was going mad. How could she really believe that her grandfather, who died 13 years ago, had sat with her on the same couch that she had just awoken on? Reaching for the glass of water on the coffee table caused her to jump. The smell of his cologne, the wrinkles on his face, the sound of his voice that she missed so much. How could she imagine that? It was all too real to be a dream. But the little black book he had handed her…where could it have gone?
By Jacqueline Plumley5 years ago in Families
Brockport, New York
What can I say about my little upstate town in western New York? I was born and raised in Brockport and raised my children here. I don’t believe I’ve ever understood the value of this little hidden gem, before now. This historical little storybook college town nestled along the Erie Canal looks like a scene out of the movies. Its Victorian buildings give it the charm of something magical.
By Kristen Viscardi5 years ago in Families
