Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Families.
Parents Must Love the Good and the Bad Kids
Last night I met Holden Caulfied. Alive and well Living in Texas. Let me explain. As parents, we are guilty of labeling kids. We witness certain behaviors. We label our children’s friends a “good kid” or a “bad kid.” Most of us have said, “I don’t want you hanging out with that kid!” My fatherly instinct is to protect my children. At the same time, I know I must allow them to navigate their own path — successes and failures.
By Jeff Livingston6 years ago in Families
Clowns are not scary
When I was about 8, around 1985, I heard about a contest on the oldies radio station. It was a drawing contest. Contestants were to draw their best picture of a clown and the winner would get to go to the circus for free with 3 friends and get their faces painting by the clowns before the show. So, I promptly drew my masterpiece clown and my mom sent it in.
By Dawn Smith6 years ago in Families
The nightmare I had become my reality.
It was around the first of the year Feb or March of 2003, I was only 13. My mother and I lived in town in a mobil trailer. My mothers room was at one end of the trailer and My room was at the other end. She says I scared her, I imagine It would have scared anyone, I woke her up screaming in my sleep. She ran to my room and started shaking me saying "krystal, baby wake up It's just a bad dream". I remeber I was drenched in sweat, crying and shaking. My mother was standing at the side of my bed, trying to get me to come fully awake and realize It was a bad dream, the whole time she was telling me "It was ok I was just having a bad dream." I got awake looked up at her, she said "baby are you ok?" What did you dream?" she said; I just looked at her for a min and then My reply was "I had a dream daddy died momma!" she said; "oh baby Its ok, Its was just a bad dream.
By Krystal Rowden6 years ago in Families
Your eulogy.
Her kindred heart, her kindred soul she had her own unique little way of making the little things count - and she didn't just make the little things matter but, she also showered your soul with caramelized kisses and added marshmallow hugs and honey drew praises. She was my inspiration, my role model one of a kind woman. She was only 75 when she passed. One month before her 76th Birthday. I was devastated. heart shattered in a million pieces. As this memoir depicts her life on this earth- I would like to share some wisdom words she passed on to me. ''Don't wait for time, for time will end up wasting you". Her kindred spirit allowed her to experience life with an open heart besides her hardships that she endured.
By Jannai Calderon6 years ago in Families
Rising to the Middle with Grace
The lady who has been the biggest inspiration to me is my mom. She's not a famous actress. Nor a movie star. She's not a recording artist or a millionaire. She is however, mine. I unfortunately have to share her with two other siblings, but it's okay. Life has taught me how to share. My mom has been my inspiration not because she taught me how to rise and be on top but because she's always inspired me to rise and hit the middle and through watching her land in the middle or just barely above ground has helped me see that there's hurdles that she couldn't jump that she left for me and it's up to me to jump these hurdles and lift her up, to help her climb over. My mom showed me how to get beat up. How to get knocked down. How to stay humble and Rise when people say you'll never amount to anything. My mom taught me how to smile in the face of adversity and believe in a greater power. She has shown me that her unequivocal unshakeable undeniable faith In the universeIs what gets you to a place of joy and happiness. A place without fear or torment? It allows you to have $3 in your pocket, a black in your hand and no lighter. It allows you to be at peace with yourself when no one calls for days to see if you're alive. When you have fallen and you wonder universe how am I going to get up and make it to the bed? It's because of her that I believe that I am enough. And I am so much enough that this world doesn't deserve the privilege of belittling me and putting me down or making me feel like less than who I am. I am someone special. I am magnificent. I am that special person that our higher power ntended me to be. And when I am looking through her eyes I see how wonderful I am and the potential that I have to do great things. For years, I watched my mom work tirelessly at 2 jobs trying to keep food on the table. Trying to keep a roof over our head. I saw how to cheat the electrical system by plugging an electrical cord up to your neighbors power because you couldn't afford to pay your own electric bill and you had to use someone else's energy because you couldn't afford to get your lights back on. I know what it feels like to have to boil hot water to take a bath. I know what it's like to go to a food pantry and eat beans for a week. And when everybody says you stink you realize it's because you're gassy from the beans that you've been eating all week and the fart smell has absorbed into your clothing hasn't been washed in a week. Because of my mom I made a personal vow to myself to do better, to be better. Not because I don't love her but because I watch her struggle and I realized I don't want that for me or my children. I don't want my legacy to be pinto beans, Baked beans, Navy beans, flour, water and unleavened bread. Syrup wish sandwiches and stale crackers. And for those of you who have never heard of a wish sandwich you have bread, Syrup and you wish there was something else to put in between. I strive for greatness not because I necessarily want to achieve it. It's because I want to be able to share it with the people that I love. People who've always dreamed of being admired and of having an overflow or an abundance of money, nice things, fancy cars, and big houses. I am completely content being poor, broke I don't mind not having money because what I cherish more than anything money can't buy. And that's love. But if it takes me acquiring lots of money in order to obtain the love that I so desire that my soul longs for then universe I pray to thee let me be rich. I am currently an up-and-coming author. When you hear the name Itasca Bryant, please remember this story. Buy the book not because you feel sorry for me. But because you want to feel the love that I put into my writing and you want to help me accomplish my dream. My dreams of acquiring more love and helping others feel loved. Support me because you want to support the universe and the potential that it holds when my words are shared.
By Itasca Bryant6 years ago in Families
Soul Sister
This one goes out to my only sister. Not only is she my blood, she is my best friend. My ally. My teammate; (literally). My role model. She embodies the person that I confined in, I look up to, cherish, and value. Even when we act like ugly beasts around each other sometimes, we still find it in our hearts to forgive, smile, laugh, and forget. She is the elder, only by 10 months, born in the same year as yours truly. Secretly bringing joy to those who are closest to her and have the privileged to know the real her, she has a way of orchestrating the story being told. Naturally talented in the department of charisma and charm; she is a beauty to behold. Radiant and warm behind the curtain she draws - which protects herself from strangers who want to steal her glowing, trusting, heart - she will light up a room if she would just draw back her walls. My sister, is the one and only true friend I have ever friend. I say this because she is the only one who has truly stayed by my side through thick, thin and just plain, upside down, no gravity type fiasco's. Maybe it's because we had to put up with each other for 18+ years since we lived under the same roof, so we were forced to get over it. Though, this only made our bond stronger. And even now, when we are at a breaking point in our relationship, we still both have the decency to reach out to one another and tell each other how we feel in order to heal; because we are soul sisters, not just sisters. Sister, you are genuinely and authentically my one and only; soul sister.
By I Was Here6 years ago in Families
Making A Change
Moving somewhere out of your comfort zone isn’t always easy (I know, I’m originally from a large city and am now living in a rural town). The move was needed because the city we are originally from was no longer safe for me and my children. It’s a big change, and does take a lot of time getting use too. Being from a large city surrounded by 996,000 people to 75,000 people is quite a change. As well as not knowing anyone and being away from my family (we were always really close). It took sometime getting use to the idea of being a stay-at-home mom as I worked in my home state. I didn’t know if I could handle being away from everyone, considering my leaving during a rough time with my family. My grandmother having breast cancer (luckily she beat it and is doing amazing) and my father starting to have health problems and not being able to work, as well as my sister finding out she is pregnant with her first child. It was extremely difficult not to be there for these things when I felt they needed me the most. It was overwhelming. I was homesick. My fiancé didn’t really understand aside from my family going through things as he was never really close to his family. We moved 5 hours away from everything and everyone. Once we moved down here, I got a new phone so I could contact my family whenever I wanted too, which helped quite a bit with my feeling homesick. I was feeling relieved. I’m not really someone who has to have friends as I’m more of an introvert depending on the occasion. But being home with my kids everyday helped me the most with adjusting to everything. I felt for the longest time that being a mother wasn’t enough, that I needed to work so I could also provide for them. But realizing that I am providing just by taking care of them everyday, well, that feels like enough. It’s not a job per say, but it’s hard work. Being depressed and stressed at first because I wasn’t use to not working (I loved working) and being overwhelmed easy under stress did take a toll on me in the beginning. I finally adjusted to my life. I still miss my family everyday. But as long as I still have them in my life makes things easier as I still have them in my life regardless of the situation. So I have to say, making this move has been the best decision in my life thus far. Deciding to move wasn’t easy, but it was necessary. Deciding to take my kids away from the violent ridden city we once called home. Crime rates were rising as well as the rates of human trafficking were terrifying. I didn’t want that life for my kids. So needless to say, change isn’t always a bad thing. Especially if it’s for the bettering of whether it be your life or your kids. Go with your heart, and you’ll never be wrong.
By Cassandra Cowee 6 years ago in Families
The Epic Man
Growing up men tend to be under a lot of pressure. We are constantly competing against each other. Who will be the best from the rest.? We are expected to be epic in a variety of things. We aren't allowed to cry because that makes us look sensitive. Instead we are told to suck it up princess. Is being emotional considered to be weak. We are told its time to wipe away your tears. Its time to move on with your life. We can't even mourn properly our emotions are held in. We need to separate masculinity from leadership. The pressure from that is causing men to be overly manly. We have issues balancing our masculine and feminine. Some men are forced into leadership roles due to certain circumstances. They don’t have a choice because life gave them lemons. For example if a parent dies all of sudden. The boy has to become a man pretty quick. He has to take over the leadership role . Something he isn’t used to at all. If he has another family member that is critically ill. Who is going to pay the bills? Obviously it will be the son or daughter who has to work and pay them. When life throws things at you keep thinking positive. Growing up we are told to be epic in sports. Even though sports isn't what interests us. Why are parents so competitive? A child could be just a beginner in sports and parents expect so much. Is it because the parents have their own insecurity issues? Or are they demanding more from their child. We are still overcoming the fears instilled in us as a child. The reason parents are demanding they didn't get to do things when they were young. So the expectations are even higher now from their Child. Not all men are born athletes everyone is gifted and unique in different ways. Your child could be gifted or talented in something else. You wont know until you communicate and get to know your child. Due to lack of Confidence men suffer in today's society. We all want the best for our kids as a parent. Men are told be epic in studies. If your not a honor student society wont accept you. There are Men who have university degrees and they flip burgers. There are men committing suicide due to not being able. To handle pressure from their parents and society. They felt they were absolute failures and not good enough. So they ended their life why is that? The letter grades shouldn’t decide your fate unfortunately its true. Why is there so much competition to get jobs. Why make your child compete with other kids. The parents telling them hey you have to be a lawyer, a doctor, like your relatives son or daughter. They are forced to pursue something they don't want to do. They just do things to make their parents happy.If we don't achieve the results expected from us. There is a aftermath that men have to face. We are told we are a epic fail. We cant be anything in our life ever. The Confidence gets killed and the urge to pursue the dreams. Men are expected to be epic in bed. We do our best to provide for our family its still not enough. If we don't perform well we get thrown under the bus. We also suffer health wise while trying to get ahead in life. Men also lose out on life working so much. We tend to sit in regret because our life past by quick. Men's emotions and insecurities play a big part in society. Why is so much expected from Men? Is society or circumstances to blame. Where is the Justice for us? Justice would be served if society didn’t put a lot of pressure on men. So they didn’t have to be something that are not. Men can be allowed to be their true self . We should be allowed be us and accepted in society.
By Sammy Randhawa6 years ago in Families
