extended family
All about how to stay connected, strengthen ties and talk politics with your big, happy extended family.
One Tough Woman
Dear Auntie Jean, How have you been? Sorry I haven’t written before now but I got busy with life after you left. I thought I should sit down and catch you up with a few of the thoughts that I have had about you over the last 60 years or so. I don’t exactly know where to start so, I will just jump right in – sort of like you would do.
By John Oliver Smith5 years ago in Families
A Strong and Kind Person
Dear Missy: I am writing this letter to you because you are not only one of the strongest women I know but you are also one of the kindest. You are such a good person I think you could be a saint one day. We have been friends since the day you were born. I am five years older than you but the age difference never mattered, we always had the best times together and when I need your help, you are always there. But you are always there for everyone who needs your help. You are not only a wonderful cousin and friend but you are an exceptional wife, mother, daughter, granddaughter, and teacher. One reason we have such a great bond is that our grandmothers were sisters and best friends and we both took care of our grandmothers when they got older. We have always had much in common.
By Margie Anderson 5 years ago in Families
Homestead
The ground was bruised. Battered by the last of the winter storms, it squished under his feet. These woods always underwent a painful rebirth every spring. Soon fresh green shoots would rise through the forest floor and transform this soggy brown mat he walked on. The creek he followed ran quickly, swollen from the melted snow. He let its sparkling musical sounds take him back years, to when he first explored this plot.
By J. Greenfield 5 years ago in Families
What The Pandemic Taught Me About Family Holidays
“I can’t feel my toes,” I say and I’m met with a deadly stare from my sister. It’s been a long year, but with the UK lockdown restrictions eased, we finally made it to the coast of Cornwall for our annual family holiday. We’re on the beach in the sleepy fishing town, the wind is piercing and my sister has her right leg buried in the cold, wet sand.
By Stephanie Arnold5 years ago in Families
How To Declutter Your Life
Step One : Decide What to Throw Away When your cousin who lives next door opens up a pig farm partially on your property and puts a port-a-potty by your porch for his wedding reception, it may be time to consider whether or not you want to put up with that sort of thing anymore. When his mother starts trying to take your mother’s inheritance after your grandmother dies and their other sister doesn’t really do much to stop it, it may be time to think about how much of this you’re really okay with. And when your grandfather shrugs his shoulders and says that it isn’t a big deal that your cousin is creeping into your yard at night or sending you nasty emails or puncturing your boyfriend’s tires, it might just be time to consider decluttering the people in your life.
By Elaine Radosevich5 years ago in Families
Alone
The fierce roar of a mechanical monster careening in through the second story bedroom window breaks through her consciousness, silencing her tortured dreams. Not yet opening her eyes to another lonely day she lay half sleeping, half thinking as the garbage truck clambers up the street. Cars whizz by faster than they should, louder than she remembers. The night had been so still, so quiet. How could the morning be so deafening? she wonders. “Thank you God for this day,” she breathes, repeating the ritual that gave her courage to open her eyes, “thank you that I get to be my kids’ mom today!” Fully awake, the street volume decreases as her thoughts rush to drown out other distractions. “You are ALONE…..” She no longer hears the sounds of traffic as the full reality floods back... Unable to even write, her thoughts too scattered, raw, confused, bewildered, she carefully extracts herself from between the sleeping children and creeps off the thick mattress, heading downstairs. As a stair creaks she pauses, relishing the morning quiet before the children’s voices wake the ancient farm house. Declining her favorite time of day in favor of a solitary walk, she skips her shower, slipping into yesterday’s clothes left hanging on the back of her bedroom door.
By Maria Calderoni5 years ago in Families
The Inheritance
The Inheritance Kyle opened his mailbox and found a thick envelope scrunched inside. Those large envelopes are so annoying. Why do mail carriers feel obliged to push them in? They are as hard to get out as they must be to cram inside the small box.
By Steven Hernden5 years ago in Families
Wisdom of a Lifetime
Val had only few recollections of her father. They translated more as feelings and knowing’s, leaving her with more unanswered questions than the tangible memories she was able to muster. Recollection served her that her father was fun and devoted, loving both her and her brother well. This imprinted in her mind as actions, quality time, playing games and fixing toys. He was passionately devoted to their mother, Mimi. Val has sweet memories of them holding hands, laughing, and canoodling.
By Jacqueline Rathner5 years ago in Families
