Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Families.
A Storm is brewing
I've found myself in states of deep sadness, then, in a moment anger rears it's head and I'm consumed with rage....who am I angry at? My son? Sometimes; myself? absolutely! However, a bulk of my rage is centered on every single person who is able to live their life without this pain and loss; those who laugh and smile, those who have no idea how painful and debilitating my life has become - I'm angry that they don't see! That "important" to them is their job, their money, what they will do for fun next weekend.... Does that make me a terrible person? Maybe I am, maybe my rage and depression do make me a terrible person....I'm certainly not the person I was; my blinders have been ripped off, and I see this world as it truly is - a depressing place filled with hate and sadness. Do I add to it by these feelings of rage and darkness? That, makes me even sadder and angrier if I do.... I have become a wheel that continues to spin and never goes anywhere. I have allowed the depression to place thoughts in my head that I would never voice...to voice them would alert those around me to lock me up and throw away the key. I write, it helps - it may be nonsensical and misunderstood, but it's mine, and it helps me purge the darkness for a little while. Tears are not cleansing, they are the byproduct of the deep wounds in my heart and soul; the bleeding of my wounds... I have become jaded and mean... not overtly, no, I hide my cynicism and nasty thoughts from others, but the real me, the new me, the broken me is not kind, is not happy for others, is not helpful....this me, has become a monster - an angry, cynical, sad monster. I don't care if someone dislikes me, I don't care if someone thinks I'm full of sh*t....I don't care about anyone or what they might think! No one knows me anymore....not the real me, not the person who at any given moment could slide into the abyss of depression and do what I've always considered to be the unthinkable.... it's no longer unthinkable, it's just there...it is a thought. I stuff that thought down, and refuse to take action, not because I'm noble or strong or any of the other things people have said to me - No, it's because I'm weak. I'm fragile and weak. I don't WANT to be this way, but once the blinders come off, you can't put them back on! There is a storm brewing in me, and when it unleashes, when I am unable to continue shoving it down, further and further; when it rises to the surface, I am afraid of what that storm will do. Will it provide me the strength to leave this sh*t hole of a world on my terms, or will it push me further into the darkness blocking all light from me? Is healing from a loss like this even possible???? I have become so good at making people believe I'm "doing better" .... what a joke! If they could see inside my mind they would cringe in fear and pain....it doesn't "get better," I've just learned how to become the robot that I am called to be. I love my children - both living and dead and living while one of my children isn't is like a puzzle that is missing a piece that brings the whole puzzle together.....I will never be whole again....never.
By Kathleen Elizabeth Comfort-Steinbaecher5 years ago in Families
Family Members on Vacation. Top Story - October 2020.
Vacation is something we dream about all year. The beach, slow mornings, new memories and experiences, sunshine…and family. Have you ever realized how each family member has their own agenda for vacation? Those different agendas often clash and when we’re not in the heat of the moment, it’s pretty funny to look back and reflect on. That’s why I wrote this sketch. I was laughing while writing this, because it reminded me my family and myself so much! I’m sure you can relate to one of these personalities (if not all of them), and can name which family member belongs in which category.
By Natalie Spack5 years ago in Families
Just who is having this baby anyway?
The big day approaches, and everything is ready. All the newborn accoutrements are all in their designated places. You have a fresh supply of diapers, wipes, high octane coffee for your significant other, and bags packed for the trip to the delivery room. That's when the question gets dropped, "who is allowed in the delivery room?" Your mother-in-law asks to be in the delivery room. For a minute, you don't know what to think or how to respond.
By Texas Christie5 years ago in Families
Rw's My Life In Imperfection Pt 2
The time has come my parents have gone their separate ways. Divorce often affects us in more ways than one. I remember being told by my aunt that my stuttering problem came about because of that situation with my parents. We moved on to the city of Hayward CA to temporarily stay with our grandparents while my mom worked as a cook at a elderly living facility.
By Rw's Random Life 5 years ago in Families
Chrissy Teigen, John Legend Lose Son Jack
#ChrissyTeigen's latest tweet broke my heart. Here is a woman who has openly expressed her challenges in conceiving a child, who has spoken from the heart about IVF treatments while conceiving daughter Luna and son Miles, and who was both surprised and seemingly elated - I could only assume so, at any rate, given I do not know her or her husband - at the news that she'd conceived her third child naturally.
By Christina St-Jean5 years ago in Families
Peapod
One day when I was washing up in the kitchen I noticed that the bin was full. After I had dried my hands I pulled the black sack out of the bin and tied the top in a knot just loose enough for me to be able to hook my fingers through to carry it. Pulling the front door closed behind me I made my way to the outside bin area. I lifted the big communal bin lid with my left hand and was about to swing the bin bag into it with my right hand when something furry and thin wrapped around my right wrist. I jumped back, letting go of the bin lid which slammed open backwards on its hinge. I also dropped the bin bag. Whatever had gripped my wrist slithered out of the bin bag and was still hanging there. I looked at it with horror and tried to shake it off but its grip was iron tight. It didn’t have a body as such, just a long, grey, furry ‘pea-pod’ with these thin but strong tendrils curling about around it.
By Julie Murrow5 years ago in Families
Chiraq XII
Chapter 12 Big Shorty noticed the cell phone that he had gotten through a trade with a crackhead. It was still on his dresser, in the same spot next to the bags he had used to bag up his product. He stared at the phone and the baggies on his dresser, he wasn't about to let the lightest remembrance of hustling perish. He noticed that he was smelling like his grandpa's expensive cologne. He liked the smell and thought it accentuated his neatly ironed khakis and crisp white cotton shirt.
By Organic Products 5 years ago in Families
Chiraq XIII
Chapter 13 The smell of fried chicken came from Jello's townhouse as Jello sniffed the air. "I came to get that tatted on my back", Big Shorty said as he pointed at Dinky-G's back. "Where did you find Big Shorty?", asked Jello. He looked over to Big Shorty and continued, "I thought you was an old fashioned house arrest." They all stepped inside Jello's house and heard Jay-Z's "Big Pimpin" blaring out over the sound system. Nina, Jello's in-house coochie, was frying chicken and puffing a blunt. She was wearing nothing but panties and a t-shirt. Jello walked up to Nina, who was standing over the stove, and sucked on her finger like it was a rib tip.
By Organic Products 5 years ago in Families
Story behind a perfect photo
There is something very common these days....looking at other people’s pics and feeling low about our own life. Even if it is for a few minutes this thought comes to mind...”wow look at those smiles, beautiful beach and gorgeous view, these people are so lucky”
By Sadia Khan5 years ago in Families
Fitting In
Life, it's a scary thing. Suddenly we are born and as we grow we are expected to learn new things every day and build relationships and careers and just exist. What happens when you feel like you are fail every aspect of this? What happens when you feel completely alone in a crowed room? Or you feel like the most uneducated person in the room? Or you can't even get your career started?
By Katelyn Doner 5 years ago in Families
