Latest Stories

Most recently published stories in Families.

Post # 1 - A blast from the past brought back by a complete stranger from Germany all the way to California
I woke up this morning, just like every other morning, and checked messages on my phone; however, this morning I came across an article posted by a friend on Facebook. It was a story about the neighborhood where I grew up roughly 50 years ago, which is located over 5,500 miles away from where I am right at this very second...
By The Venus Quest5 years ago in Families
The bird that never flew
The morning after I took my life. The morning after I took my life. I woke with a warm kiss from the rising sun. He asked me what have I done, I looked up and saw his face, how sad he was, losing someone he can't replace. I cried out to him but it was too late, the rain clouds already covered his face. I ran downstairs down the hall, open my door, and ran out to the street. I saw my next-door neighbors dog, how he was so sad, laying by the fence, he looked right through me.
By S.M.King5 years ago in Families
Love: The More The Better!
My Marriage is Beautiful! “So it’s not gonna be easy. It’s going to be really hard; we’re gonna have to work at this every day, but I want to do that because I want you. I want all of you, forever, every day. You and me… every day.”
By Amanda Jones5 years ago in Families
The Magic of Holiday Card Outtakes
Ahhh, Christmas card photos… the one picture you take that either serves as a highlight for the year, or a window into the chaos of real life. As 2020’s holiday season hits its peak, I realized I didn’t do a Christmas photo to commemorate this year. Maybe I’ll snap a few cute pictures of my dog and surly teens on the holiday to post on social media, but I didn’t even think of a Christmas photo this year. Who wants to commemorate this period of time that feels like the last semester of clown college?
By Jennifer Gulbrandsen5 years ago in Families
The Bad and the Good
We’ve done this before, why would this one be any different? It was June in 1998 and Dad was all set to retire. Along with retiring, Mom and Dad had picked out a home for them to spend the rest of their lives at. Moving day was always exciting, Dad being a minister had moved a few times and this one was no different. Except this time, none of us kids were moving with them. We all had our own places but was there to help them. Mom was having some medical issues and was able to make an appointment on moving day. Dad took her to her appointment while the rest of us supervised the moving company. This was hard work, which was filled with drinking coffee, eating donuts and sharing stories with the family.
By Al Russell5 years ago in Families
Compassion of a Two Year Old
In this ever growing world we do not see a lot of compassion towards one another. When we do, it is rare and a shame we do not see it often. It takes parents, and grandparents, even aunts and uncles to help young children learn to value another. At some point we all lose sight of it.
By Heather C. Beck5 years ago in Families
Finding the Light
In the heart of this solstice, in our little oubliettes, in a year of darkness - I want to tell you a story of light. A story of great love found in the Summer Solstice of 2006. When the sun, warm and perfect, gave me a light to carry.
By Hollye B. Green5 years ago in Families
An Ode to Christmas Past.. Top Story - December 2020.
T'was several days ago, when all through my house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse - that was, until the Vocal Team messaged me about writing this story. A story celebrating all the beautiful, little details of my usual Christmas, which every year amalgamate into something innately special and personal. (Well, every year before this one.)
By Paul Heder5 years ago in Families
Apathy, Man
"Where are you going?" It was a straight-faced question. Devoid of innocence, full of genuine curiosity. "Away," came Mom's reply.
By Jess5 years ago in Families
A Christmas to remember!
Trickle sounds of the beating rain just outside my windows pane bring a sense of calm to the chaos just inches outside. My head resting, calm and at peace til the light patter of feet come to the foot of my palatial bed.
By Jack Wayne Arnett5 years ago in Families
The Great Awakening!!!!
12/20/20 was a beautiful day. The sun was shining, the wind was blowing lightly, just enough to feel the chill but not to feel freezing. If you are from Chicago or have been in Chicago in December then you know we appreciate days that are not freezing or snowy.
By Mecca C Eaves-Glass5 years ago in Families
Crazy Covid Crisis (CCC)
What a Covid crisis this is? Locked in doors with the same faces you have to see everyday anyway, just more frequent as if that’s what we all want. Having to hear mommy all day and not hear dad’s name hardly as he escapes the madness leaving to find work, having we’ve been laid off due to Covid. Having my thought process screwed up with figuring out breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. Usually all I worry about during the week is dinner since the kids are with their day time parents( teachers) for breakfast and lunch. What a Covid crisis this is? Damn, what other meats are their to feed a person? Tired of chicken, beef, fish etc makes you think why can’t we grow other animals that we can eat just like the plants we grow. Or maybe because I’m tired of the heavy rotation and not being without a job due to the pandemic. Shit at least I have food in the house and pray everyday I have a way to feed my family thanks to assistance. I’ll tell you this at least, if I wasn’t crazy before this Covid situation I’m definitely reaching that point now staring at the walls like a person in a white padded room.Who can stay sane having to worry about if it’s gonna be an eviction notice on their door. Or having to worry about if their children will get a Christmas this year. Or even worse, if their family will still be together after the pandemic is over. Sex four days a week or more is what’s getting me through it most of the time. Eat , job search, sex, watch tv, do laundry, bored then sex. Cook dinner sex, put kids to bed, sex. Yeah I guess I lied, that’s sex about 3-4 times a day four or more days a week. What a work out... But also good for my health I guess and It keeps us going.... If the hubby is happy so am I. M up house turned into Comedy Central with the outburst and funny jokes here and there. Makes me think all this time home, we could’ve had a family sitcom happening over here. Our children aren’t happy at all and they wonder why we look depressed and I say to myself, We’d be even more happier if the kids had a good Christmas, we never had a bad one until now and it’s something we’ll always remember and take to heart. Oh boy, what a Covid crisis this has been?
By Latina Cottman5 years ago in Families