extended family

All about how to stay connected, strengthen ties and talk politics with your big, happy extended family.

Divine Interventions
Divine Edwards lived a life nothing short of traumatic. Though today she stands strong and divinely supported she would be the last to say her life struggles were neither easy nor enjoyable. From the time she returned for another life cycle she’d dealt with life's hardships trauma after another. Well into her adulthood Divine would suffer through almost anything imagined.
By SpeciallyPicked BySource5 years ago in Families
STILL STANDING
She was born the oldest of four from her mother and the middle of seven from her father. She was her parents only child together. Most of her life she felt like the black sheep in both parents’ household. It was not always that way she could remember as far back as the age of five, when children saw the good in everything and everyone. She was blessed not only to know both her grandmothers as well as her grandfather she was blessed to have her great-grandparents as a part of her life also.
By Goddess By Nature5 years ago in Families
The Black Notebook
Michael rushed out the door, late for an important meeting again. He grabbed his overcoat and threw it over his arm. It was going to be a cold one, or so the news said. The sun was shining and it felt like it was nearly forty degrees outside. Hell, there were even birds singing and chirping in the morning sunlight.
By Brandon Talbot5 years ago in Families
Potato Salad
Potato Salad It could have gone any number of ways. There was no reason for anyone to pay attention, what with the baked beans and potato salad, the tire swing and the lawn chairs. It was the familiar commotion of a family gathering, kids chasing farm cats through the yard, adults chatting while my uncle manned the barbecue.
By Darcy Creviston5 years ago in Families
Judge Not...But You Are So Judgeable
Even though I pride myself on being a liberal progressive and emapthic human being, every now and then I get a thunk upside my head.
By Judy Helm Wright5 years ago in Families
Mini Me
Do you remember when you were little and you had that one cool older cousin? You know, the one that you wish were your older brother or sister. I had one, and I remember I always wanted to grow up to be that person for my younger cousins. Although I have amazing relationships with all my little cousins, I have the deepest connection with my cousin, Morgan.
By Aivreyz5 years ago in Families
Benny
She lowers her beak and threads through her cold plumage. It's a cold night at the farm and their warm barn invites her in. The snow is thick and frigid. Benny's family was not comfortable with her anymore. She would have to fly solo. She spreads her wings and takes off from a beam in the barn. Her face is as white as the snow surrounding her. Her eyes, darker than the blackest mouse she had caught. She ends her flight by perching on a fence post out in one of the farthest fields.
By Holda Crocker5 years ago in Families
Kind Words For Kind Deeds.
Last year my elderly father suffered a devastating health crisis that rendered him unable to care for himself. He can walk a little around the house, use the toilet, bathe himself with some help, and eat independently, but beyond that, he cannot provide his own sustenance. I traveled there to help as much as I could, a story that I already told in my piece Happiness Is My New Year’s Resolution. I spent months there, helping as much as possible so my mother could leave the house and wouldn’t lose her job. But a thought hunted me relentlessly: what will happen to my mother once I have to go back to work and my own life? How will she handle this hardship on her own? She didfn’t have the resources nay the intention to put my father in a nursing home. How, then, would she manage?
By Adriana M5 years ago in Families
Finding Family
Generally genetics equal family. But is it so easily defined? There is much about this subject that is mixed, messy and lovely. Our family often strongly influences the person we grow to become. I want to also acknowledge the extended family members here too.
By Toviyah Lowe5 years ago in Families
Mother-In-Law
Mother-in-laws can come in a variety of different types. Kind of like baseball cards. You never know what you’ll get until you rip open that cellophane wrapper. You’ll either get ones with great stats and impressive careers, or ones you immediately wish you could pawn off on your friends. Without searching hard you can enlighten yourself with horror story posts of mother-in-laws all over social media. This is not one of those. THIS is a true story, of just one of the reasons I can say I married into a truly interesting family.
By Arron Nelson5 years ago in Families
Are Aunties Nicer Moms?
Aunties Are Nicer Moms because they can love you up and send you home lol.... What would I have done without my aunties? I am not JUST speaking of my mother’s sisters. I am writing this to pay homage to the ladies in my life that have taken me in and treated me as if I was their biological niece as well.
By Mecca C Eaves-Glass5 years ago in Families
Making Christmas Special
We all know how rough this year has been, but that doesn’t mean Christmas isn’t just as special. Families and friend won’t be Ake to gather like we have in the past, but let’s take this opportunity to be thankful for what we all have and not a grinch about what we don’t get for Christmas this year.
By Sara Aulds5 years ago in Families