Holiday

The True Nature of Relationships
The True Nature of Relationships Life is like a flowing river, ever-changing and constantly moving forward. As it flows, it takes numerous twists and turns, at times flowing with a rush of water, and at other times, it appears calm and still, like a tranquil lake. During this journey, we meet countless people. Some feel close, others simply accompany us for a while before drifting away. However, the true people in our lives are those who stand by us selflessly during times of adversity.
By Dipak Pawarabout a year ago in Families
Can Christmas be Special for Lonely People?
Seven days until Christmas, I noticed as I pulled up my google calendar today: Wednesday, December 18th, 2024. I've been waking up around 3 a.m. the past few nights. Maybe it's because I've been going to sleep around 7 or 8 p.m. I guess we could call that a luxury of being retired, though I tend to think of it as an adjustment or a change that I'm still learning to adapt to.
By Shanon Angermeyer Normanabout a year ago in Families
A Kindling of Kindness. Runner-Up in Tales of Hearth Challenge.
In 1994 I was a moody pre-teen. Preferring to be alone in my bedroom with a video game. Christmas especially. But this year would be different.
By Addison Alderabout a year ago in Families
How Bob Saved Christmas. Runner-Up in Tales of Hearth Challenge.
There was a lot about Christmas that was different that year. I was going through a break up with my wife that was really hard on my two children, 12 and 15. She’d been their step-mother for seven years, and they were very attached. Well, we all were. Christmas was her favorite time of year, so with all of this happening during the holidays, it made it especially heavy.
By Julie Bernsteinabout a year ago in Families
In the Tree. Runner-Up in Tales of Hearth Challenge.
It is almost pitch black in the bag. There is a tiny gap above the zipper where I can see the basement. Cold, musty, dank, quiet. They don't usually leave me down here so long. At least three winters have come and gone since I've seen the sun. I'm bare in the bag, naked. I don't mind the long rest between winters, but I'm sad to think I haven't fulfilled my purpose these last three years. Hopefully, hopefully, this year I will.
By kateresaabout a year ago in Families
I’ll be home . Top Story - December 2024.
Austin Stepping off the plane, the cold air blowing in from the Alleghany Mountains fills my lungs with a chill. Adjusting the strap on my shoulder, I hold my duffel in place and make my way down the stairs.
By The Invisible Writerabout a year ago in Families
Cyclone Chido's Devastation in Mayotte | Tragic Impact of Mayotte Cyclone Hundreds to Thousands Feared Dead | Mayotte Cyclone Chido Taco
The video footage of Mayotte's most catastrophic natural disaster shows the brutal reality of Cyclone Chido. Heart-wrenching images reveal neighborhoods turned to rubble. The destructive path of the cyclone has left hundreds dead and many more missing.
By Bilal Hameedabout a year ago in Families
The Hearth of Winter
Winter had descended upon Venice, Italy, casting the city in a silvery glow. The canals, though never frozen, seemed to move slower beneath the heavy sky. The world felt hushed, as though holding its breath. In the Doge Palace, a place where history seeped from every corner, Tina worked in a small café nestled within its shadow. The café, aptly named Il Focolare—"The Hearth"—was a haven for weary travelers and locals alike.
By Jason “Jay” Benskinabout a year ago in Families
The Last Christmas Together
Snow fell softly on the little town of Pine Ridge, blanketing rooftops, sidewalks, and roads in glistening white. For the Thompson family, the world outside seemed calm and serene, but inside their cozy little house, there was a weight in the air no amount of carols or twinkling lights could lift.
By samuel dadaabout a year ago in Families
Cranberries
Fresh cranberries are not easy to find on island. Canned cranberries can be found by the pallet full in the back of any grocery store, but fresh cranberries take diligence and persistence to find. When I enter this latest store my mind is so focused on my quest that I don't notice the Christmas tree decorated with purchasable ornaments, or the stockings decorated with gingerbread men and candy canes. I head toward the produce department, this is my third attempt to find cranberries and my persistence has paid off. There on the far side, tucked away in a corner, I find fresh cranberries.
By Courtney Elsnerabout a year ago in Families
A Place Called Home
They had slowly crept out of the city. Soaked roads, sleet pounding down around the car. They had just filled up the tank; after all, they needed to get there. He loved the smell of gasoline; it promised power and speed ahead. And yet, it was fleeting.
By Henrik Hagelandabout a year ago in Families
The Illusion of Relationships: Not Everything is as It Seems
The Illusion of Relationships: Not Everything is as It Seems It is rightly said, "Not everything is as it seems, and that is why the world gets deceived." This observation holds particularly true in the context of relationships. Relationships, by their very nature, evoke expectations of trust, support, and love. However, the reality is often far from what we believe. Many relationships, especially those we hold dear, can turn out to be superficial, deceptive, and, at times, downright harmful.
By Dipak Pawarabout a year ago in Families