Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Families.
Full of Surprises
I knew I wanted children from the very beginning of time. I love them. Little did I know that wasn't in the stars for me. Every doctor spoke of the very impossible chance I would ever conceive because of PCOS or it's long name Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, being a big woman etc. I was definitely defeated and started to feel like less of a woman. Fast forward to 3 years ago I meet my partner, we go steady. 2 years fly by and I start my dream food endeavors with the help of some of the community I am doing great and my food is a success. Little did I know that in the winter, I would find out I was pregnant. What? I thought it wasn't possible, and I realized all things are possible. It was the hardest year of my life being pregnant with my son, I had to slow everything way down, so that I could take care of myself and my unborn child. I just was losing income and had to come up with something to keep us afloat. It hit me; I was going to give my small community exactly something it was lacking. A very local, very fresh, very new baby food line. I was in the right place at the right time. After getting all of the paperwork in order, and the labels, and the energy Covid-19 happened. It had put a very depressing hold on my dreams to feed the little ones in town. I know that cooking calls to a number of people but for me, it's been in my fiber just like my child has been for all of my life. I have heard it said that you live the life you deserve and well I have in some ways done just that. I have slept on subway trains and I have sung with a Grammy winning symphony. I have literally walked thousands of miles and I have driven in jaguars with heated airplane seats. I say that to provide you with the look inside my world. We all live in a world that gives us highs and lows some more than others. Before my son I was in a dark space- I hadn’t finished college at the level I should had. I was lonely and my queerness was locked down, and I was in a pit of despair. I had just lost my father to heart failure, and I was on the edge of a cliff ready to jump. Nothing was going right. I just couldn’t find home and purpose. As I settled into the notions that I would forever be alone and no one would need me like I needed them, my life’s path took all kinds of travel. I ended up in a small town, and I met a person I connected with both of us emotionally broken but enjoying each other. I then left this safety to venue to Europe where I got bamboozled into thinking I was special only to be treated like a wretch. When I wanted to come back, I went to the last place that felt like home, and boy was it full of surprises. I reconnected with the person I thought I’d lost and we created a space for one another and we learned to cultivate magic when we needed, and sometimes it gets really hard, but then our son was born and now not only are we both home, we are living in a space where my artistic freedoms are nourished and watered to grow. I find that Love, Music, and Food fuel the world I live in and I want to share it with as many people as possible. I want to encourage the open canvas’ to paint with no restrictions and live for the moments that are not kind, so that you have a reason to create beauty in the spaces you call home.
By Grace Love6 years ago in Families
Dump Trucks and Lucky Ducks
The couch nearly swallowed my little eight-year-old body in the firehouse on Boylston Street. My sister gazed out the window beside me watching colorful dots scurry around below, her homework resting blank in her lap. I leaned forward to assess the lucky ducks that sat on the center table. They were little rubber toys that my parents bought me for little accomplishments. One for my dance recital. One for the A on my math test. It was only the most elite of my collection since Mom said I couldn’t bring them all: complete with the princess one and police and three dogs. They were deep in secret spy discussion, very exclusive, oblivious to the human commotion around them.
By Margot Sonia6 years ago in Families
Clay Street
Before I write anything about my life, I often start off with a reality or a so-called flaw about myself. It's my way of working through my own patterns and behaviors and simply being as transparent as I can be as I navigate my relationships with other people.
By Xavia Johnson6 years ago in Families
Quarantine Activities for 8-10-year olds
As a kid, it was always seemed like we were constantly on the go and if we were home for more than a couple of days, it felt like an eternity. Now, with the world under quarantine, kids and adults everywhere are bored out of their minds.
By Mary Knutson6 years ago in Families
Bunny Haven
Once upon a time there was a family of bunnies who all lived in a burrow together. They were a family of four, but the runt had died during birth, which was a sad time for the rest of the family. All the family had left was a girl whom they loved so much. The family named their girl daughter Rosalina, because they saw her inner beauty that was like a rose, but she didn't see it in her. One day as she was talking to her parents a question came to her, it was about her little sibling. The question was “Do you remember my little sibling, who passed during birth?” Her parents answered as best they could. They said “ Of course we remember your little sibling, we think about her/him all the time. We miss her/him very much and wish she/him was here with us right now.” Rosalina’s mother said to her “ Always remember passed family members, it will make you feel good about yourself, when you keep their memories alive.” Rosalina’s mother’s name was Spotty because of all her spots. Her father’s name was named Sparky because of the way his coat looks in the sunlight. Later that day Rosalina decided to go lay down, and take a nap to clear her mind…. When suddenly she hears singing like that of an angel. Soon she realized that it was her sibling who had passed during birth, who was coming down in a transparent light that sparkled in the sunshine. Her sibling approached her saying”Rosalina I’ve come to warn you about a group of hunters who are traveling to your land, looking for bunnies to kill and make into bunny stew. You will need to evacuate and find somewhere else to live n the span of four days, or you will surely be killed. Rosalina looked at her sibling extremely shocked plus astonished. Slowly her sibling started to ascend into the sky like a magical light fixtured bubble which was sparkly white in color. Rosalina all of a sudden started to chase after the bubble light and then out of nowhere slipped into a magical source (also known as a portal) getting transported into an alternate universe. It was a place just like her own but completely ruled by bunnies and full of bunnies. She didn't realize it at first, but Rosalina thought this place was sensational, gorgeous, incredible, and beautiful. Later the bunnies introduced their town as Bunny Haven where all bunnies can be free and have a special place.
By Autumn Plumlee6 years ago in Families
She Paves
This beautiful lady in the photo above is Hodayah. She is a nurse, therapist, teacher, chef, driver, respected janitor, comedian, and my everything. However, professionally she is known to be my mother. These titles she attained through her loving and nurturing air that she boldly carries and exercises throughout all aspects of her life. Whether its dealing with her children, grandchildren, friends and friendly strangers, she is always kind and supportive.
By Human Being6 years ago in Families
Lovely she is in all her Glory.
Lovely she is in all of her glory. The most incredible of stories. Queen graced with a crown of honor, rich in integrity, drenched in royalty. Her love unmatched, pure in form. She drips GOLD! Her walk is commanding; strides of purpose. Can’t help but gaze. She is peace. Lingers in opulence leaving the sweetest trail. The universe shifts for her. The sun shines for her. Stars dance for her. Her beauty indescribable. Her creator so proud. How blessed we are. Intelligent, witty, loyal, kind, inspiring, lovely she is!
By Winnie Opakunle6 years ago in Families
My Mom; The Superhuman
My mom is a superhero, and I'm not just saying that because she is my mom. She is superhuman. She has super strength; she can lift a bed with one hand. She can make people feel peace; I once saw her breath peace over my tiny baby cousin as she gasped for air from feeling a pain too overwhelming for a baby. She has this amazing ability to make things happen; all my siblings and I had to do was think about being hungry, and my mom would have a full course meal already prepared. She could stretch, kind of like the mother form the Incredibles. I watched her stretch a 20-dollar bill and make it enough to feed a family of 5. I also once saw her come out of a horrible car crash, unscathed, not one single scratch, like who does that?
By Nikeeya Ali6 years ago in Families
