grief
Losing a family member is one of the most traumatic life events; Families must support one another to endure the five stages of grief and get through it together.
Wild Orchids
I couldn't understand why she chose me, of all her grandchildren, to leave anything to. Let alone what she left me. According to my father's side of the family, I was the least responsible, the most traumatized, and, frankly, the one who knew her least.
By Nel Cestero5 years ago in Families
Where The Sunflowers Grow
I let out a big sigh and basked in silence for a few moments before I plopped onto the bare, new mattress on the bare, new floor of my bare, new home. Then, I looked over to the floor where my Dad’s black notebook was, reached over, and opened it to the page reserved by the white bookmark.
By Wyatt Boggs5 years ago in Families
Letters to Mia
“To my Mia, I hope and pray that you read this one day and know that I never stopped looking for you.” This note, among many others were written in black gel ink on the beige papers in the black notebook under the stairs. In the same room were dozens of paintings of the girl with strawberry blonde curls and a blue polka dot dress, a contact card and a black leather duffle bag.
By Britni Ariel5 years ago in Families
Secret of the Little Black Book
"Edie, I just don't get it. You would think that Mom would leave some information, some clue." Trent, a white-haired, seventy year-old-man, peered through a magnifying glass in addition to his scholarly spectacles. A stack of papers was directly in front of him and more books, newspapers and legal pads were spread across the table.
By Chris Hanson5 years ago in Families
A New Beginning.
Standing at the pulpit, she looked up, realizing that no one sitting in the pews before her was related to her. Sure, she saw her dad's partner, Margaret, but they were not friends. A deep sense of aloneness engulfed her whole being as she took a deep breath. In a heartfelt eulogy, she shared how her dad Jack had been a single dad. It was just him and her for a long time. She spoke of how he sacrificed so much to be a present and attentive dad once her mom died. She was deeply grateful to have been so cherished by a man who had known adversity and loss yet arose to be all he could be for his young daughter.
By Claudia Pornaro5 years ago in Families
MELISSA'S ESCAPE
“Mommy, when are we going to be home? I’m hungry.” Melissa sighed as she looked into the rear-view mirror at her 5-year-old daughter. Tight brown ringlets sprung out of her black beanie. Her porcelain skin illuminated by the shimmer of the snow that was pouring down on top of her old white sedan.
By Diseree Lee Zacher5 years ago in Families
The Strength of the Wolf
Anna's eyes locked on the opponents up ahead as they ran into a room the size of a football field. She stumbled but quickly regained her composure, raised her paint gun and fired off a round of paint pellets, hitting one of three faceless attackers in the chest. John and Tyler easily picked off the other two. They laid their paint guns down in defeat and backed away. She could vaguely hear the sounds of paint wars raging in the distance. Explosions of paint pellets striking targets merged with the screams and groans of the victorious and the recently-defeated, playing out against the backdrop of the sounds of the night. Vibrant, multi-coloured paint splatters from their skirmish peppered the otherwise unremarkable, grey warehouse walls, appearing as disjointed and uninspired as some first grader's art project. Wooden crates lined the floor, illuminated by the spattering of moonlight seeping through the broken windows and dilapidated ceiling, giving the room an eerie appearance. The scent of sweat and industrial chemicals wafted through the air, stifling the senses.
By Laquesha Bailey5 years ago in Families
