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.
The Flashlight
Growing up in the mountains with no plumbing, and just a wood burning stove to keep our home warm during winter was a difficult way to grow up. At 13, I had to climb into a 5000 gallon tank, halfway full of frozen water with an ice pick because my little sisters were too young, and my father was too large to fit. Breaking off chunks to heat on the fireplace for a warm bath water that couldn't even really be considered an actual bath. It was a bucket filled about ¾ full that we would use a plastic gas station cup with to pour over our heads to wash. Growing up in those conditions taught me to work hard though, I had an older step brother who wasn't around much. So that left the work to survive through the winter up to me and my dad. We'd wake up early in the morning to go hunting for meat. And our summer was spent chopping wood for the fireplace. We also spent many days picking the pine nuts from the ground when they started to fall from the tree’s (which I absolutely HATED... The sap was the worst to get off your clothes and your hair).
By Tressa Roseabout a year ago in Families
The Struggle of been a Single mom
Being a single mom is an incredibly challenging journey, filled with both emotional and financial struggles. For many, the difficulties multiply when they find themselves raising children on a low income. The pressure of providing for a family while managing all the responsibilities of parenthood can be overwhelming, leaving many feeling isolated and exhausted. However, despite these challenges, many single mothers show remarkable resilience and determination to make the best life for themselves and their children.
By Taviii🇨🇦♐️about a year ago in Families
A Silent Giant: The Enduring Legacy of a Loving Father
A Silent Giant: The Enduring Legacy of a Loving Father The weight of loss settled upon me on November 29, 2023, a day that forever altered the course of my life. My father, a man of quiet strength and unwavering love, departed from this world, leaving an irreplaceable void. His absence casts a long shadow, a poignant reminder of our precious bond.
By Ngwanagae Sabinaabout a year ago in Families
Well Kept
**This story is shared with permission. Names have been changed to protect privacy. There were no decorations, nor a pile of presents in the small home. Uganda’s prison barracks aren’t designed for show. The woman who had invited me to visit made a living for her family as a guard in the women’s prison. Her memory is dear to me, her hearth and home defied my westernized ideals of comfort.
By Holly Pheniabout a year ago in Families
No Place Like Home (Full Version)
Raindrops broke the surface tension in the pool, piercing the water in tight circles and dissolving into nothingness. So began our Christmas Day this year – a dreary sunless sky composed of silence. No sounds of laughter, holiday greetings, or excited dogs. Just a disquiet peace. I made coffee and started to make breakfast hoping the smells of biscuits and bacon would rouse the rest of the sleeping family.
By Barb Dukemanabout a year ago in Families
Sweet Memories
In the core of a clamoring city, in the midst of the transcending high rises and the perpetual murmur of metropolitan life, dwelled a gathering of four uncommon people: Aryan, Areba, Nisha, and Villon. Limited by a rugged obligation of kinship, they shared innumerable giggling filled minutes, genuine discussions, and remarkable undertakings.
By Iftikhar Akramabout a year ago in Families
