Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Families.
We Do Fill More than Just One Role
Mom’s of new-born children are facing many struggles. Not only have they performed the literal miracle of breeding and giving birth to a new human, but they also frequently have to explain themselves to others. Everyone and their uncle have an opinion about how the baby is dressed, whether or not one should be breastfeeding, and many comments about when the mom is going back to her job. As if a young mother becomes some kind of common good after giving birth, everyone feels obliged to share his opinion with her unasked and mostly unwanted.
By Tom Fenske5 years ago in Families
Uncle Al
She was dead. I went to the soundless player piano, picked up her glasses and put them on. I figuratively saw the world through her eyes and ignored the slight blur from the prescription stronger than my own. She had placed them on top of the enigmatic black Moleskine she authored from time to time. I left the house tucking the little black book in my generous coat pocket. I left the door unlocked and walked away, eyes to the street glasses inching down my nose.
By Amy Louise5 years ago in Families
Stay Connected
Dear Friend, Good morning – rise and shine. Hope you had a good night. What’s that – your baby sleeps through the night? Good, good… that’s good. You do know that babies need to feed every 6 hours to get sufficient nutrition, though? Good, good… just don’t let him wake too many times, if so, he’s manipulating you, and you need to let him cry.
By Elena Brooks5 years ago in Families
Sunset
Outside, the sun was sitting low on the horizon. He hadn't said more than a few words when he returned from the hospital in many hours. She had been mindful of not disturbing him, occasionally giving him a hug and saying that she loved him. She wasn't sure what else to do. Every now and again, he would let out a loud, broken sign, as if the sorrow that was growing dark and silent inside him was trying to escape.
By Elena Brooks5 years ago in Families
The Price
Of course, Jerry Rolestein knew it was wrong, but he also knew that it wouldn’t be much longer until his family would be out on the streets. With his parents’ marriage already wavering as it was, how much longer would it be until his father’s sanity cracked and he left them? It wasn’t unbelievable, was it? But truth be told, how often does an opportunity come around like this? And it was no mere coincidence that this book would find its way into his locker, he knew that much. No, someone placed it there. The only question now, was the person acting as an angel or a devil?
By Justin Lawhorne5 years ago in Families
Sepia-Stained Memories . Top Story - February 2021.
Summers at the Jersey seashore were my lifeline as a girl in the 1980s, especially after my parents’ divorce that brought uncertainty and instability into my adolescent universe. Before I was born, my paternal grandparents purchased a seasonal house in Ocean City, making “America’s Greatest Family Resort” the backdrop of the best moments of my childhood. My younger sister Becky and I spent lengthy, sun-drenched summers with my father and grandmother on this island well-known for Blue Laws – meaning it was not just a “dry” town, but on Sundays you could only purchase necessities. Ocean City was known for being tame and family-friendly, especially when compared with nearby Wildwood and Atlantic City.
By Jennifer Christiansen5 years ago in Families
Twenty Thousand Reasons
Twenty Thousand Reasons I hear the roaring of the waves crashing against the rocks at my feet, but where it usually delights me, something feels like it’s missing today… because it is. I stiffen and shift on my throne of rocks, forcing off the tears that are so ready to fall down my unwilling cheeks. All I want is for you to be sitting beside me…
By Mycheille Norvell5 years ago in Families
