Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Families.
4 THINGS YOU NEED IN YOUR BABY GROOMING KIT
Every human being needs grooming, including babies. If you make a habit of grooming your baby since birth and continue it through their adolescence, they will understand its importance and start doing it by their selves.
By Ayesha Tabassum5 years ago in Families
BELIEVE IT OR NOT
I have 1/3 Spanish, 1/3 Chinese and ½ Malay in my blood and I grew up in a household riddled with superstitions and ancient beliefs. As it is very well known, the Philippines had been occupied by the Spanish Conquistadores for almost 350 years and merchant trading brought Chinese into the islands of the Philippines. These migrations have enriched our customs and traditions and no matter what colour or ethnicity one may belong to, I have observed that there will always be some sort of interknitting of customs, beliefs and traditions of these cultures,….. superstitions, no exception. For example, if one broke a glass or anything breakable, one needed to break another piece of breakable item meaning that the breakage had been paired, (it was believed that bad luck come in twos) if this was not done, it is bad luck and the next breakage would be an accident of the one who broke it or someone close might encounter an accident or bad luck. Another one is the building of stairs in an Asian especially a Filipino home. I have to mention this because Feng Shui is the norm in Chinese home and is beginning to be adapted by Filipinos with Chinese ancestry. Oro, Plata, Mata which are Spanish words, translated to Gold, Silver, Death are one of the norms. The builder must ensure that the last step of the staircase wouldn’t be mata or death. If it ends in Oro or Plata, which is gold or silver, this will attract wealth. Still another popular belief is the spilling of salt which is an omen of evil misfortune and this action can be counteracted by taking a pinch and throwing over your left shoulder where evil is standing behind waiting for open entry to come in. The thrown salt will blind the devil and will be powerless. I have to emphasize that I have considered these beliefs funny and never really affected by it and such just ignored it.
By Nilda Juliana Johnston5 years ago in Families
The Biscuit Principle
"I learnt a very specific lesson, a piece of sound Wisdom from my Papa, as a young child, every night before bed my Nana would make my siblings and myself a hot drink, she would give us the Biscuit Tin to take into the lounge , where my papa would be sitting in his chair, stationed in front of the TV.
By Nia Onor'e5 years ago in Families
Our House: the Days of Covid 19
Even before the pandemic was declared, my year started with a stressful 'bang'! My boss of many years had suddenly made the decision to retire. He left in mid-January; then my daughter in law's best friend and first cousin in Turkey passed away suddenly and she made a quick trip home to say good-bye just as we were first hearing about Wuhan. It was scary to think of her traveling so far so she made the decision to leave my youngest grandson home with his dad. My son and I altered our work week to take care of him.
By Sharon Smith5 years ago in Families
a freedom all my own
I hadn’t meant to. I really hadn’t wanted to do a lot of things in my life. I hadn’t wanted to spend every weekend of my childhood water skiing. I hadn’t wanted to play Monopoly as my family’s only source of bonding (the game often did more harm than good). I hadn’t wanted to date my first girlfriend, she had this odd cheese like smell. I hadn’t wanted a dog for my 10th birthday, I had asked very clearly for a hairless cat. I hadn’t wanted to study theology in college and I most certainly hadn’t ever had an ounce of desire in my heart to become a minister.
By O. Bree Mays5 years ago in Families
Marriage is more than a Wedding
There are different approaches to marriage. There are the people that feel you need to date for a specified length of time, followed by a long engagement, then have a big splash of a wedding. Another segment believe that time is irrelevant to love and a brief acquaintance is enough before a wedding as long as it feels right. My personal belief is that either method can be successful depending on the approach of the two people making the marriage commitment.
By Camille Losey5 years ago in Families
Chiraq VI
Chapter 6 "Good God!", she said as her arms tightened around Big Shorty. "My grandbaby is home! Are you okay?" asked Big Shorty's grandmother. Big Shorty simply laid in her bosom, enjoying her warmth. Her mouth opened in astonishment when she saw his face. "He just has a little black eye, nothing a little ice can't handle.", his grandpa said. "Who hit my grandbaby in the eye? Are you alright?" Big Shorty was over-whelmed by the questions from his grandma. "I'm okay, I took care of him and sent him home crying!", exclaimed Big Shorty. Big Shorty was flustered as his grandparents crowd around him.
By Organic Products 5 years ago in Families
Forever friends
Dear sis, The universe got a little brighter the day you were born. Mum loves to tell the story of how I was in the birthing suite watching you be born. Every few minutes I would wipe mum’s face with a wet cloth and go back to have a look at her birthing you, mum’s little helper, she called me. That was the day I met my forever friend, best friends for life.
By Louise Sly5 years ago in Families
Avenues: The Finale, Part 2
“Do exactly as I say or she dies,” Oliver started, then gestured for me to move away from Susie. I obeyed, not willing to let my pride get either of us killed. I wondered how the hell he got up here when Luey’s men were parked downstairs, keeping watch and on the staircase. A disguise maybe? Whatever it had been, it worked and I was trying really fucking hard not to lose my shit and tackle Oliver to the ground. He could get trigger happy and shoot away at Susie.
By Sharlene Alba5 years ago in Families
Grief, Fear, Love and Meanness
Grief, Fear, Love and Meanness People deal with grief differently. I respect that. Some deal with it by walking away and going on with as normal a day as possible. Some cannot face it head on but neither can they find their way to act “normal” and so they spend the day with family or friends who are also grieving. Another person may need to cancel all normal things and isolate themselves choosing to spend the day alone.
By Paula C. Henderson5 years ago in Families
