Latest Stories

Most recently published stories in Families.

Lost Hope
“Could life go any more wrong?” That is what I thought to myself as I sat in the chair across from my grandfather’s hospital bed. There I was watching his life slip away as his body was devoured by sepsis. His once smooth ebony chocolate skin was now a gray-scaled leather. My thoughts continuously drowned out by the beeping of his heart monitor machine and inconsistent heartbeat. He mustered up enough strength to beckon me over to his bedside with his pointing finger. I quickly wiped the tears away from eyes and walked towards him. As I leaned in closer to hear his whispers, he slowly placed his hand over mine.
By Samantha Martin5 years ago in Families
The Time I Shaved a Dead Body
Given the choice, most people would prefer a sudden, quick death over a long, drawn-out demise. We are selfish. The sudden unexpected option is a much sadder experience for our loved ones. When we linger on, whether in a hospital or at our homes, our family members get a comforting sense of relief once we pass as our suffering has ended. They’ll remind each other that we’re now in a better place.
By Adrian R5 years ago in Families
Love Letters from Heather. Top Story - February 2021.
To my youngest daughter: Your brother might have caught my attention, but you sealed the deal. I knew the second I spotted your freckles, curly hair, and impish smile. You stole my heart instantly.
By Heather Down5 years ago in Families
Dead Man's Last Wish
The flight to Minnesota was short, but felt long. I never expected having to fly back home to attend a funeral for a grandfather who refused to acknowledge that I even existed. Hiding out in the funeral parlor's extra-small bathroom, I stared at my reflection, anxiously adjusting my tie and fixing my hair. It was all just too much. Mother had insisted I attend, stating that, “Grandpa George would want you here.” Yeah, I doubt that.
By Victoria Gordon5 years ago in Families
The Mexican Theatre Incident
My parents grew up in a small Mexican border town located near Rio Grande City, Texas. My maternal grandfather was very successful, and owned 'El Indio', a favorite watering hole of the town's more elder (male-only) residents. Back in 1979, atop the town's largest hotel, somebody had decided to build an open-air movie theatre. This hotel (it's still there - the theatre's gone) is located directly across the street from my grandfather's cantina.
By Adrian R5 years ago in Families
Treasure Hunt
"Hey Mom." "Hi baby, you all settled in?" "Yeah, it's a cute little attic apartment. I think the floors are mostly original to the house"
By Liza Rivera5 years ago in Families
You Think Your Brother was Bad?
Like many young boys, I used to get a kick out of scaring my sister. My sister, I imagine, has won many "whose brother scared them the worst" conversational contests. The truth is, I really shouldn't have done it. But I was young.
By Adrian R5 years ago in Families
Goodbye
I sat curled up on a rock a little way out into the water. The rest of my family stood on the shore in small groups, fragmented like always as my mother scattered my grandfather’s ashes into the waves.
By Georgia Martin5 years ago in Families
Time Travelers Notebook
The rain begins to pour down and small water pools form outside as Evan flips the sign in the window of Reader’s Café from ‘OPEN’ to ‘CLOSED.’ Grabbing his jacket and bag from the upstairs office, he looks at the picture of his parents on the wall. They are standing in front of the café all smiles on the first day it opened.
By Angelica E. 5 years ago in Families
The Little River Crone
For those in my life who’ve handed me beautiful seeds. The Little River Crone Once upon a time in the middle of the Maine woods, many years ago, there came to be a witch flying over the treetops in her clunky spaceship, and seeing a little river, she made to land the craft near it. Being a young witch, and this being her first trip through space, she was not used to operating a flying contraption, and therefore, she landed quite hard and quite close to the little river, the craft bumping along as it came to a halting stop. The witch had a few bumps and bruises but hurriedly checked on her parcel, a precious glass box, with dirt and mineral inside.
By Annemarie Kate Morse5 years ago in Families
A Father's Acceptance
Nakia lays in bed listening to the alarm ring. She cancels the alarm and begins the process of becoming the Nakia she has seen in the mirror since she was six. This was a routine that she had grown accustomed to over the last five years. A routine she had so desperately clung to because it gave her a sense of control and order, something she was never allowed in her youth. After two hours of perfecting her makeup, sliding on her black dress, and strapping on her heels, she was ready.
By Travis Hunnicutt5 years ago in Families
Home Is Where The Heart Is
We as humans take so much for granted. I hate to start this out negatively, but I do not mean it negatively; I mean it nostalgically. I grew up in the beautiful country of Germany. My dad was in the Army for longer than I have been alive, and that is where he met the love of his life. Luckily, my dad was in a position where he could choose his work assignment, and I got to spend most of my childhood over there, and one year in New Jersey and two other years in the lovely country of Italy. I have been in the United States for sixteen years now, from Washington State, Idaho, California and now Illinois but Germany seems like yesterday and nothing compares.
By Trina Ferry Bateson5 years ago in Families