Top Stories
Stories in Families that you’ll love, handpicked by our team.
Black dads, ice-cream, and inflation
Part of baby fever is wondering which of my parents’ stories I will tell. Children are like blank palette souls waiting to be colored by their experiences, and parents are like spirit guides who give frame of reference to every new color, shape, and texture. Thinking about which narratives I will perpetuate feels like curating my future children’s library. When my son notices that his hair is short and his sister’s is long, will I tell him the story of Genesis? Shall I give him a brief introduction to gender roles? Or maybe I will immerse him in popular culture by showing him pictures in magazines that inspired his look? Will I encourage my daughter’s anthropological curiosity by delving into the history, and even the utility of long hair? Will I explain to her that vitality and fertility is signaled by long hair? Or will I let my children’s hair both grow long and free, and wait until my son comes to ask my why he is different, and then should I choose that moment to reinforce to him that he is special? I think of the many ways my dad made me feel special.
By Vineece Verdun4 years ago in Families
The Game of My Life
I dug my cleat into the dirt on the mound and looked at my catcher for the sign. There were two outs and the tying run was on second in the tenth inning. The tenth inning of a high school game. We’d already played an extra half game of this district playoff on a hot, muggy summer night in Memphis. My team had no business being in this game, let alone being ahead with a chance to win. It was the end of a tumultuous senior year. Our team had struggled, practices and games ended up in us getting mercilessly berated by our head coach, and morale was generally low.
By John Moore4 years ago in Families
A Rabbit’s Dream of Saffron
As a myopic, bookish child, much of my time was spent mired in fantasy. When not absorbed in volumes of myths and ghost stories, I investigated what of the world I could, searching for evidence that the wonders I read about were not merely entertaining fictions, but rather messages from the past alluding to the mysterious true workings of the Universe. Now, nearing my 45th birthday, I see, for many people, that “growing up” means turning away from such endeavors, as it is seen as unbecoming to dream too much as an adult. I was never in danger of such a fate.
By J. Otis Haas4 years ago in Families
Yup, that's my dad.
In honour of father's day, I decided that for the 'dads are no joke challenge', I'd do something a little different. I decided that instead of one long story about my dad being my dad, I'd tell you ten mini stories of times when my dad was... well... in classic dad mode.
By Billie Whyte4 years ago in Families
Harvest
The sun had not even begun to crest the horizon when I heard the clang of pans in the kitchen, followed by the crack and sizzle of eggs frying. Grandma Nellie did not even try to be quiet. She wasn’t too used to having others in the house. Besides, it wouldn’t be long before MaNet, her daughter and my grandmother, would creep into the bedroom to gently rouse my brother and me. The smell of bread toasting to a near black wafted like lit charcoal across the bed linens and was quickly replaced by the sweet, salty scent of bologna hitting the cast iron.
By Andrew Forrest Baker4 years ago in Families
From David to Dad
The pain was so intense. I sat on the hot sidewalk, holding my foot as tears streamed down my face. My mom bent down and reached for one of the six sticker burrs that had penetrated the bottom of my foot when I ran through the neighbors yard. I screamed, or perhaps it was more of a screech. The thought of her touching it was just too much for my five year old brain to take. What if she pushed it in further by mistake? How was I ever going to be free of this agony?
By Brandon Phifer4 years ago in Families
Why'd It Take Me So Long To See?
We all change as we get older. Yet we all have core values and personality traits that define us from early in life. My dad is a good man. One of the best I ever met. And he’s always been that way. That hasn’t changed, and it never will.
By Staci Troilo4 years ago in Families
How I've Accepted My Kids are Delaying My Dreams and Goals
I had so many high hopes and expectations When I was pregnant with my son last year, I made a vow that when the time came for my maternity leave*, I would go guns blazing, writing, recording, and creating, while he napped. I learned with my daughter that newborns sleep A LOT and they don't need me to stare at them while they're safely bundled in their crib. I can sneak away and do things for myself.
By Katharine Chan4 years ago in Families
A Dad Worth Fighting For
My childhood was nothing short of idyllic. I grew up in a nice house with a big driveway that I could ride my bike around, a big backyard where I played soccer with our dog, and a dad that would do anything for my brother and me. Now, it’s our turn to take care of him.
By Katherine Carnes Coleman4 years ago in Families
Stolen Socks
Dear Mom, I stole your socks. It wasn't intentional, I just borrowed them, but I never got the chance to give them back to you. I still have them, despite my many moves since. I keep them in my sock drawer, and I feel guilty even after twenty-seven years.
By Mary Haynes4 years ago in Families
