immediate family
Blood makes you related, loyalty makes you family.
Fields Ablaze
The bonfire blazed as we roasted our hot dogs over the hot flames. Our dogs wagged their tails excitedly as they ran from one Fourth of July reveler to the next, and the fireworks exploded overhead in a myriad of colors. Across the road, on the other side of the barbed wire fence, one wayward rocket burst, instantly igniting the dry Texas grass in the pasture beyond.
By Laura Pruett3 years ago in Families
Busting Balls
He had many nicknames, but usually preferred to be addressed as Red Power Ranger. My blonde-haired, blue-eyed, cherub of a brother was born the year I turned thirteen. His name was Gabriel – like the Christmas angel – and he sometimes believed he could fly.
By Holly Pheni3 years ago in Families
Thanks for Giving
It was Thanksgiving, I was a little nervous, but excited. I was going to get to share some of my favorite dishes with others. My stepfather's son's family was coming over for thanksgiving. The meal was going to be at my mother's house. I would be cooking in a big kitchen with a budget that allowed me to make whatever I desired. The stuffing was my absolute favorite, an oyster and bacon filling. I think I also put the extra bacon in the green beans and goat cheese appetizer dish. My cheat dish was a Stouffers dish. A sweet potato souffle with bacon. I thought about making plain stuffing. But why bother when I don't really like it. I was feeling so proud when we sat down at the table. My mother and her husband Bob, Paul and his wife and one of their daughters. We were about to eat when all of a sudden Paul's daughter said that she couldn't eat Pork. I froze everything had pork. Inwardly I was angry, she should have told us that a week ago not when we were about to eat. but I was the hostess, so I offered to make her a baked potato in the microwave. She thanked me and ate the cooked potato. I sat down at the table ready to eat my favorite meal , Pauls wife then made a face and said that she did not like goat cheese. I choose to ignore her, wondering who had taught her manners. I remembered all the foods I had on my plate as a child. I either put them on the side of my plate or tried to hide them when I ate them in gravy or butter. My sister used to hide her vegetables in her underwear, and later flush the down the toilet. At age five we had better manners than the adults in Paul's family The conversation turned finally from the food, and I ignored the general chit-chat and ate my meal. It was the same family topics. Paul's family bragged about their family and my mother and Bob encouraged their self-centeredness. It was supposed to be a day to be thankful but nobody seemed to appreciate the food they had just eaten, or the time it took me to plan and prepare it.
By Antoinette L Brey3 years ago in Families
Why Do Some Families Repeat Older Generations Mistakes?
Families can be the best thing in your life when you're younger. How you cherish your mom and your dad. You want to spend every day with them. Do adult things if it means being by their side. As we get older we finally come into our own and pull away from being so attached.
By Kerrie G.Diaz3 years ago in Families
Being a mom
Being a mom is both the best thing about me and the hardest thing I’ve ever done. My daughter is 7 weeks old, and I love her more than anything in the world. But the newborn phase is not all sunshine and rainbows. Nobody talks about the tough parts, or the parts that almost break you. No one mentions the many times a day you question your ability to be a mom. Nobody brings up your lonely and isolating it can be once things calm down and people stop checking in and visiting. I wasn’t warned about any of that.
By Hannah York 3 years ago in Families
Strong Foundations for Toddlers
“Dash blash labba dunlap!” The baby monitor has spoken. My toddler is awake. Thus begins the parenting day. There are feeds and a sendoff as Mama goes to work, dance parties in the living room, baby parkour exhibitions on the sectional, frenzied chores with a baby monitor on my hip, pleadings for focus at mealtimes, alternately protecting dogs and toddler from the other’s excessive exuberance, efforts to diaper the twenty pound flopping fish that looks strikingly like my little girl on the change table.
By R. Justin Freeman3 years ago in Families
