Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Families.
Magnolia
"How are you doing, Magnolia, dear?" My attention snaps to the small woman before me, the haze clearing from my vision as I take in her worried expression; deep creases lining her eyes as she squints at me through smudged glasses. It's no doubt obvious to everyone but her that the lenses are no longer suited to her failing vision, but I won't be the one to say so.
By Alex Brier5 years ago in Families
Godspeed
“You have to —” Jack stopped mid-sentence to lick his cracked lips. He tasted a bit of dry blood and cursed, “You have to honor a woman’s dying wish.” He finally slurred out and stumbled over a pile of rocks. “I didn’t want the boy. I mean, he ain’t a bad kid. He’s just bad for me.” He sat on the ground, stirring a pile of dust.
By [email protected]5 years ago in Families
Learning to Be Better
From a very young age I watched my father, as well as my grandfathers and uncles, do things that typically fall upon the man's shoulders. My dad was a jack of all trades. He loved taking things apart and putting them back together. He could also work with everything from a car's engine to a computers modem and everything in between. 2 of my 3 grandfather's had garages filled with tools and machines to take on just about any task you could think of that could pop up around the house. I grew up in a family where calling someone to fix a problem for you was unheard of because either my dad could fix it, or someone else we were related to could.
By Samuel Steele5 years ago in Families
Love, Loss and everything in between
If you have children in your life you know there are those moments of pure amazement and wonder. This little person might have come to you as a result of planning and conceiving, through adoption, fostering, in your role as Auntie or Uncle, or even as a teacher or coach. And it doesn't really matter what your connection is to that life, because regardless of how that bond was fostered, you have shared something special, a spark that binds you to them.
By sarah rosellini5 years ago in Families
The Revealing
Henry Casille was walking down the street on his way to the park as was common for any pleasant spring morning in the quaint little community he lived in. It was important for him to get his exercise or at least that's what he was told at his last wellness checkup. As his phone vibrated, he reached into his pocket to examine it, all without stopping, to see that the message was from his wife, Mara. They had just celebrated their golden anniversary and were honored with a surprise party by their children and grandchildren. Henry smiled as he returned his phone to his pocket. Such a simple endearing text was typical of her, and it was consistent with the loving and loyal aspects of her character that he had enjoyed for all these years.
By Vince Coliam5 years ago in Families
Rescuing the Crospey
“And what are you going to do with all this money, once it’s in your account?” Mia looked up expectantly. The money had been a surprise. My uncle Francesco, a school administrator in Haymill, had left me $20,000 in his will. I remembered, of course, having looked after his property after a fire had gutted his barn and partially damaged the farmhouse ten years ago after Aunt Maria had died. I came to love that farmhouse and the scraggly land with its dried riverbed. It had an unemphatic beauty, spare and unadorned flat ground, with willow oaks at the western perimeter and sweetgum and tulip poplars on the eastern. In the two months I had become close to Uncle Fran. Since then I had visited him at least once a year, the last two times with Mia, as our engagement ripened; I never expected to be in his will.
By Roger Lathbury5 years ago in Families
The Giveaway
He watched the young lady tearfully hand over her baby to the new parents who would adopt the baby. The Young Lady peered at the man standing just outside her room. He had such distinct facial features, she thought, noting the chiseled cheeks, his deep blue recessed eyes, and scruffy beard.
By Elle P. Brown5 years ago in Families
Birth of an NYC Street Musician. Top Story - January 2021.
So my mom had married a loser, or had gotten matched to one, then married him. It's a long story, but in the church I grew up in, people are matched; meaning voluntary arranged marriages. Sometimes it works out, but in my mother's case, among others, it did not.
By Marlena Nkene5 years ago in Families
My Hero
I am going to share with you the story of a hero. The cape he wore wasn’t like what you’d see in the movies like Superman. It was hidden under his dirty jeans, calloused hands, and worn out button-down shirt. His eyes always screamed fatigue, yet when the end of the day had drawn to a close, he would always come back and tuck me in. The gentle smile that spread across his face reminded me that my hero had returned. I’d forget about the beatings.
By Jennifer S. Benson 5 years ago in Families
