humanity
Humanity begins at home.
Clouds
It was Mom who taught me to look at the clouds. She would say there is always that one cloud in the sky that is just for you at that exact moment. Sort of like if God was a merry traveler in the middle of a festival creating animal balloons and he hands a special one to you. Whether it was your favorite one or not, you still felt loved and important.
By Jacob Samuelson4 years ago in Families
The Red Bull: Transmutation of Violence
For a long time, a memory lingered just below the surface of my consciousness. Indistinct, felt, so real. Sometimes it rose above the realm of intentional thought and made itself known. I could not discern if it was a remnant from a childhood experience, the residue of a film or book, my own imagination seeking solidity or completion of a fairy tale begun . . . or the shadowy images, provocative and powerful, of a dream. I only know that when it dropped into my mind, and then departed, it nearly overwhelmed me.
By Amara Mahrala4 years ago in Families
Shaping Stewart
In her sixties, my mother picked up puzzling as her main hobby. I say, “hobby”, though what I mean is her coping mechanism. Rest assured; I could count on her to see through the highs and lows of each day, given that there are still pieces to put together. My mother could leave no task, project or mission incomplete. I, on the contrary, had a history of fragmentation; I could be given a whole picture but, fail to see or understand it, until I dismantled it piece, by piece. This was my hobby and my coping mechanism, especially when it came to the untimely death of Stewart Willow.
By Gee, Thanks4 years ago in Families
Being Scout
Full disclaimer ahead of this story: My youngest daughter's name is Scout, but it also isn't. Actually, her given name is Sydney. And while a lovely name, "Sydney" is only really used by her grandparents and when I really need to get her attention in a loud voice.
By Cheryl Wray4 years ago in Families
The Gold of Home
As Lucas stood on the footpath facing the derelict house the plans starting winding their way through his mind, trying to sort themselves into some sort of order. Smiling at those plans he was now very comfortable with this being the last house he would ever work on, this bowed and holey structure was going to be home.
By Diana Trezona4 years ago in Families
Begin at the Beginning
“So, where are you from?” It’s a common question, one I myself use reflexively at the cusp of an awkward silence when I’m getting to know someone. And always, a minute or so later, I find myself reflexively regretting it because inevitably the question will get turned back to me. And the answer isn’t bad, it’s just complicated, and the telling of it always ends with having to explain, and explain my explanation, until the listener (who undoubtedly was expecting a simple answer) wanders off, eyes glazed. After inevitably telling me that I should write a book about it.
By Abigail Fellows4 years ago in Families
The Santa Files - My Friends Call Me Nick
In 1979, when I was 8 years old, Ontario Canada had seen one of the worst snow storms in history, in just one week, the week before Christmas. My family was driving to Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, to spend Christmas with my Grandparents. My mom and dad thought that it would be a good idea for me and my brother to see Christmas in North.
By Matthew Hill4 years ago in Families
Edwards and his Wife
Gwen was in her last trimester and in another city to prepare to have her baby boy. She was 8 months and has been having contractions which haven’t been too serious where she needs to go to the hospital to deliver. Gwen didn’t want to have her baby in another city but because her pregnancy is a high risk she had no choice but to go. Edward was okay with it because he knew his wife would be with her parents and be taken well care of. He was just worried that he wouldn’t make it to be there for his son's birth, as it means so much to him to be there. Edwards stood behind in the city their home is at so he can work and get bills paid.
By Gabriela Marcial4 years ago in Families
