Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Families.
Twice a refugee
Twice a Refugee Belgium Congo The Greek presence in the Congo reached a peak in the 1950s coming from around the world. The Greek communities organized their own schools and churches and Greeks were active in trade, fishing, transport, coffee, merchants and so did my parents, grandparents, uncle and my aunt moved to the Belgium Congo from Cyprus.
By Nikki Causer6 years ago in Families
Satori in the Slipstream
Hurry Up and Wait: As the plane lifts off the tarmac, you regret that you won't have a chance to see that conical shaped volcano one last time: so iconic to Japan. “Maybe it's best this way,” you think, but it doesn't still the eruptions in your heart. The plane flies west towards Incheon Airport and the last you see of the archipelago is a black sliver of seismic-shaped coastline jutting out into the rough gray Sea of Japan.
By Steve B Howard6 years ago in Families
Coparenting Soulmates
They say divorce ruins the family tree and marriage is until death do you part; well to that I say some of us will live many lives in our lifetime. I offer my experience to those who have or will experience the process of navigating co-parenting.
By Mya D Ajanku6 years ago in Families
Lioness
Strong like a lioness, she fought scorned and alone through the day. She fought through her thoughts, danced through her job going here and there rapidly, difficultly, till finally she came home to her selfish cubs, lovingly listening to their tales. We, to her, was her greatest joy. Her, to us, was our hero, though not then. We thought we were above showing love and appreciate. Yet she loved us without it. She loved us when she didn't yet love herself. She was a goddess, like Hera, working to keep our family up and running when we were abandoned.
By Maya James6 years ago in Families
My baby girl
Today I will write about my personal experience with postpartum. Women have generally talk to me about how hard it is to raise a baby and those sleepless nights but what they haven’t mentioned is how we mentally and psychically feel after having our babies. Those first few weeks after given birth was truly hard for me and sometimes even now I get those days where I just wanna lay in bed and cry all day. Postpartum starts right after you give birth to your baby but not every women experience are the same or even how long it last.
By Wendy Sepulveda6 years ago in Families
Poor little Rich Girl
Start writing...I was born in CHI.. May 15 to LaVerne Williams and Charles SOMERVILLE, I was a Premature baby 3.5 ounces.. I had to be helicoptor to Micheal Reese hospital! to go their Facility for the first for premees. After I was there for couples weeks my mom say they came to visit and my feet was bandage.. Why!!!! They did something to me.. I can't tell u I was a Baby.. but I still can show u the Mark for life! My Mom is my Inspiration she try to sue, but they told lawyers they had no record of Me.. 😪 I was suppose to be Rich, but they did something to Me and lied about it! Saying I was never there. My Mommy has be threw so much before I was born that her Strength and Resilence is so remarkable! I also stay postive! She Say I'm her lifesaver! And all I want to do was be just like her! Beauty, Grace and Sweet caring ❤ she would help strangers.. feed u and u could stay with her forever if u like! Now my Mommy is going thru.. She has kidney Failure.. I just want her to live and not worry.. she is adored by many because of her Warmth, Spirit and Joy she brings.. I watch her getting together and somedays she weak! But she never gives up! She is so Rich her beauty of skin and voice.. she is rare! She is my only Parent and I just want her to Be happy! Because she made Us happy! Me and my two Sisters Yolanda and Diamond! We may not have it all! But Our Presence will Enlighten You! I give people advice on Health and Wealth! You Are Rich! The less Worry and More Positivity U Shine! Through Meditation Creating New levels of thinking! I encourage others and my Mother! She said I'm the Mom. As a lil Girl I seen what she went thru just because she was so Beautiful, people rob and tried to kill Us for Real. MY Mom is my inspiration because she never give up! I want to show her life can be joyous! We have create our own skin and hair just using stuff we eat! I created a mask for hair! Called Bannana Silk. It overnight treament. Avacados, honey, bannanas,eggs,Aloe vera and lemons mix and apply to hair. Put on plastic cap leave for 1hr or over night! Soft and Shine hair🤩 We inspire to be loving and Beautiful inside and out! I'm a singer and songwriter. I grew up poor sometimes each just cheese. I have park benchs and cold days no heat, but I knew I had to be Strong for my Mother.. She is 5.1 and 71years young, skin of teenager! SHE will make u feel like your one of her own, if u need to talk she will always be the Grankids Fav.. My Mom has Took care of kids that not relate but they love her as Grandma ICY! I have friends that don't like Me! But say How your Moma doing? My SoN Paris adores her! She was a fashion and hair designer with Flare of Diane Ross and Chaka Khan! Skin so pretty they say what type of make up u wear . She say Nothing is my Skin☺ My Mommy is also funny and light of the party.. My Mom and Dad Born Dec.2 and Dec 3. I was a loved Child, My dad told my Mom I wanna see that shape in a tall frame. I WAS NOT IN WOMB AND HE KNEW I WAS A GIRL 1ST BORN OF HIS! I have a song called Real Good by SOMERVILLE. I just wanna make my Mommy proud! And Son Inspired! Being the 8th Child, my mommy lost twins and 3girls. I'm the baby and l look out for my Mom l'm the reason she here, your Mom and Father are Priceless they will Forever be Missed if they leave so love them to the Fullest even when they make u Mad! She has made me stronger because I know she has gave her all for her children and Grankids! She need her own Mama's House! When I was liitle Girl she use always put me in fashions shows and plays I was the Fairy God Mother in Cinderella! Always wore velvet suits and black and white baby doll shoes! My Mommy always like to be Glamourous and think outside the box. She went to Pivot Point hair school and when she walk across the stage.. her teacher called her ICY SPICY and her nickname ICY was born. A brillant soft spoken lady u would love to meet. She has impact lives and gives her last to her family, she doesn't care about money she rather give to see JOY on others makes her happy! Chritmas is her favorite time of the year.. she became santa one year, she had accident and got money gave it all away to family and friends! Her value is love, Peace and harmony! The World would be so much Better is there was no Greed and Envy! My Mommy shows u value is love for each other makes a whole difference to the Mind!🌠
By Shanta Somerville6 years ago in Families
Mary
When people hear my life story from Fostercare to adoption, stealing my identity a couple times, and all the other petty little things you did mom they wonder how I could forgive, love and miss you, yet still call you momat first I would have agreed. I use to get so angry and hurt when Mama Lu wouldsay that I was going to turn out just like you, Mama Mary. (I always had to live my life my way and we were learning together how to be a family. I'm positive I frustrated Susan no end, I frustrated myself too 😏
By Rebecca Prohaska6 years ago in Families
Toys don't have genders.
Hello, my name is Maria Munoz and I have an unpopular opinion I’d like to share with you. Like everyone else I have an opinion that I have to get off my chest or its gonna drive me crazy. My unpopular opinion is this, “Toys don’t have a gender.” What I mean by this is that I don’t believe that there are only toys just for boys or just girls to play with. Kids can play with any toys they want even if it has glitter on it.
By Maria Munoz6 years ago in Families
A virtuous woman *edited*
Words fail to describe the beauty of the one I call mama. A woman who has fought for me and loved me through my most shameful and hateful days. Through wounded knees and broken hearts. Through ups and downs and merry go rounds. Memories of my childhood burst into my mind at random occasions demanding my celebration of this very special woman. Like when she would console me about a bad grade or help me see the good in a nasty person. She has taught me so much truth and corrected me with love so sweet but oh so tough. Like her loving heart, her her hands have always been open to give me all I need and have the courage to ask for. She certainly withholds no good thing from me and my siblings. This is not to say that we are spoilt. On the contrary, growing up we had the strictest dad on the block.
By Amanda Awobasivwe6 years ago in Families
The Family You Choose
So I really did think a long time about this. My mother is a woman who broke the mold on single mothers. Raising her children and then some, after the seperations from our fathers. Who wouldn’t want look to a role model like her, that worked the 80hr weeks for baseball fees, and pointe shoes. Or my grandmother who fought through custodial rights (which was unheard of at that time) and the kidnapping of her only child or her battles with end stage cancer (she’s doing well currently). I’ve had more than my share of strong, empowered female role models. But in the end, I was left with one person. I met Yvette Baker about 4 years ago, and we could say that I was very nervous at first. I was the new girlfriend. A stranger from another state and not always every mother’s dream girl for their son. So there I was in an outfit that was obviously picked out to make an impression. I turned on the southern charm most people joke about and before I knew it we had kicked up a kinship that was more like a lifetime instead of a few years. The lead up to this meeting was proceeded by one of the worst years of my life. I had walked away from the home I had always known for good. Said goodbye to my nephew, who I had helped raise from birth. He was my rainbow after a long period of infertility. My mother who had become my best friend and confidant. I left for a place that at the time left everyone scratching their heads (Iowa). I was suffocating in that town and had finally got those wide open spaces all the songs promise. But do you know what keeps people from moving back home? Healthy roots? Like when you transfer a plant from one pot to another. You have to make sure the ability for new roots to grow is a possibility. And I was primed by the love of my own family. But it’s not always so easy, but people like Yvette make it seem as easy as watering a Peace Lilly. It’s like having another mother without all the relived memories of how much of an asshole you were at 16. When my grandmother was first diagnosed with the cancer. I couldn’t find it in myself to cry to my mother. She had so much on her plate and who was I to ask for a shoulder when she needed one way more. Yvette had been through this with her sister. So I thought if anyone could understand how I felt she would. And I was right, she did know how I feel and listened to every fear, helped me work out when was the right time to come home. In the end when I left we hugged and it was a hug that lifted the rain clouds. Made it easier to think more clearly. She lol helped me search flights. Loaned me a suit case, and made sure to feed the boyfriend while I was gone. She has made every holiday feel as inviting as home. I will find myself coming early to lend a hand to cook, or wrap a present, or bake cookies like I use to with my own mother. Did I mention ethe grandmother she became to my son from a previous relationship? Picking him up from an evening with Grandma Baker is always followed with regalings of how they watched Godzilla, and popcorn or pizza. Yvette is the type of Grandma that really listens to what you say you want for your birthday. She is a well of fashion advice. I’ve come to believe that before I met Yvette, that I never felt fully put together and had told her on multiple occasions how silly I always felt dressed up cause it just always seemed off. It’s gotten to the point where I’ve thought to just give her money and let her pick out my clothes cause I always look fly as hell when she’s selecting. Like the stunning dress she picked for my brother in laws wedding. When in Ulta together we sometimes make eye contact and know we aren’t leaving without dropping an easy $50. She’s never slighted me once for moaning about Thad not taking the trash out. It’s always met with understanding and the compassion of someone who has been there. I joke with Thad, that he doesn’t have to worry about me leaving cause I love his mom too much, and he makes jokes about how I’m the favorite child. There’s never a rush to leave, when I pop in for a chat or to love the puppies. How could you not nominate a woman like Yvette Baker? A woman who redefined what it is to be a mother-in-law. No longer are we stuck in the past of dreading a call from the in-laws. Now I look into a future where my family has grown, and will continue to, with the births of nephews, the weddings of brothers, and maybe a few puppies being adopted. Who could have ever known how much admiration would have been born on the day Yvette Baker got to meet her youngest son’s new girlfriend. I love you, Yvette, for all the years of love and support. I only hope one day I can return the favor.
By Sarah Peterson6 years ago in Families
