humanity
Humanity begins at home.
On The Weaving and the Unweaving.
I would walk with her held in my arms for hours. Meditatively treading a small spiral of passageways familiar as my own breath, warm breast at her cheek, feet moving slowly through what had become the safe, cocooning labyrinth of my home.
By R.A Falconer 5 years ago in Families
The Curse of Klutz
It wasn’t late, about 7 o’clock, but the weak winter sun was long set. My mom turned off the ignition, having just pulled the car up to the small island of gas pumps in the crumbling parking lot of the gas station near our house. I hopped out of the back seat of the car, sensing my mom’s impatience as she walked around the car towards me with quick strides. I wasn’t sure why she was in a rush, but I have always enjoyed being helpful, so I turned to shut the car door behind me (a new habit at 7). Unfortunately, I did this just as my mom closed the gap between us and pushed the door shut from behind me. I heard her sharp intake of breath, and then she screamed.
By Kayla Deskins5 years ago in Families
The second Rule of Carebear - we always look after each other like we are family.
In the last two years, despite being a college educated white woman, everything I have ever believed has been twisted to the point I could not go back to my job as a Juvenile Probation Officer, which legally I still have and want nothing to do with. I knew the best of the world two years ago, police officers were good, they solved crime, didn't turn their backs on their own, they didn't want to hurt, lie and victimize people, Police Chiefs took looked into it when a majority of their force was targeting one person, they were also lovers and friends, who never didn't have time to help me when needed information or someone to tell me I mattered. Now, I can barely remember a good one. I know them when I see them but I always considered them family, I wanted to be a lawyer to protect their rights. I created a beautiful project for them, which I would do if things weren't so hard. I don't want good ole boy backroom justice. I want the truth to be told, people to listen to it and be outraged like I am. To say she is too important to lose, there is no one like her and she should never have struggle, hold everyone accountable or worry for a second about her animals. I want the good people to help me build Carebear, to knock down walls, for amends to be made.
By Justice for All5 years ago in Families
Mama's Garden
My mama grew up a little bit of everywhere. First in a small town, then off at a little college just a stone's throw down the road, then business school, then the biggest city she could find. When she got there, she met my Papa and together they spent years chasing dreams from a high-rise apartment. Though her childhood cornfields were replaced with skyscrapers, and the harvest moonrises turned to dark pavement and slow-burning streetlights, she and Papa made their home.
By Liz Keller 5 years ago in Families
The Perfect First Date
Carolyn was a little nervous as she got ready to go out. She was happy to be going out because the day’s events and significance were a bit depressing and she could use a pick me up. She wasn’t fond of surprises because she was a woman who liked planning and this seemed like spur of the moment. The phone call was quick and a bit mysterious. “Wear a blue dress and be ready at 7:30 pm. I’ll come get you”, was all that Jimmy said.
By STEVE ATHANASAKIS5 years ago in Families
The Spell Of Merlot
It was as if time stopped, rain drops frozen in mid air. The memory of this night would stay with me forever. The first date was out of this world. I picked Jennifer up early that Friday afternoon. The way the sun hit her eyes, had captured my soul. It was as if the sun Ray's besieged through the water finding the rarest of emeralds. With a smile I said to her let us get this adventure started. We tuned into our favorite jams on the radio driving through the mountains. Down the winding narrow road with a magical forest surrounding us on both sides. The fresh air the way her skin shined it was like it derived from the finest silk known to man. We pulled off just to the south of the road. We glanced our eyes up to the ice glazed mountain top it was as if it came straight from one of Picasso private portraits. We started our trek through the forest nothing but God’s country surrounding us. The subtleness of the birds chirping the wind swaying these giants of trees. As we made our approach to a rock perched over a cliff. Jennifer spotted the blanket and basket of wildflowers. I had my brother place there, just before we arrived. The most succulent strawberries, raspberries and blackberries picked just the day prior ly underneath the flowers. With a bottle of the of the finest Castello di Ama, “L'Apparita”. Imported from the Tuscany estate itself. Glazed bruschetta bread with a garlic Greek olive spread. Fried cherry tomatoes overtop the bruschetta with a pinch of rosemary and parmesan cheese as our appetizer. The older I get the more wrinkles I see. Time has always remained to be still. I remember Jennifer as if it were that day all over again. We later married after our amazing adventure we went on in the mountains of Montana. Hard to believe the images and thoughts the resurface out of the depths. It has been 50 years since our first trek through the enchanted forest of our youth. Each year I take the trip to remember the love I shared with her. The same rock perched over the cliff side I lay there reminded of the fond memories of my wife. Jennifer passed some years ago now. It is only I who sits surrounded by God’s country. Yet in so many ways I envision her long hair. The contour of her body the silky skin and those emerald, green eyes. All those years ago to think it was but one day that set us on a path intertwined for years to come. A whisper from my daughter Isabelle, Dad are you ready to go? As I slowly rise up overlooking the cliff side. Its always so hard to leave this place love. My heart and soul will always be here in this place this moment. It is but a shade of the sunlight we used to bask in. your mother and i. Forever will my heart be enthralled with the Spell Of Merlot. Years give us time and wisdom but the moments we share empower our lives. They shape us however big or small. This special rock perched over the cliff side in the mountain’s of Montana will bring soul food for years to come. Until next time my love as I gaze upon the sun setting over the mountain top. The cold brisk wind of her embrace as I go to turn away. Jennifer physically gone but always a part of me in spirit. 50 years to the day I will always come back here for as long as I breathe to bring back the memory of love.
By Micheal Young5 years ago in Families
Lost and Found
The summer before my junior year I moved to a small town about four hours from my home town and an hour from the nearest city. Despite the distance, occasionally we would have to go to the city for bigger shopping trips. It was usually for trips to Sam's club or other such stores that didn't exist in our town. On one such trip we decided to stop at Goodwill for some random reason. In walking around the store and killing time we found a frame that had somehow passed inspection by employees in the aspect that it still had a photograph in it.
By Courtney Seever5 years ago in Families
Saturday night
The row outside got worse. It was midnight on a Saturday night in inner-city Melbourne. The gentle rain on the roof of the small upstairs bedroom would usually be a comforting sound and we would have settled into the warm bed and a deep and enjoyable sleep. But not on Saturdays. Not recently, anyway.
By Richard Lee5 years ago in Families
Passing Fancy
Passing Fancy Alfred, called Al ever since he discovered Alfred was Batman’s butler, stood tall and straight on the beach, barefoot, the warm wet sand at the ocean's edge squishing up through his toes, his eyes shut against the sun, his face tilted toward the sun while sea breezes blew through his wind-tousled white hair which had somehow remained full and thick while the hair of his friends whitened and eased away with age.
By Cleve Taylor 5 years ago in Families
