family
Family unites us; but it's also a challenge. All about fighting to stay together, and loving every moment of it.
When Forever Lasted Only a Season
There was a time I believed in forever. The word itself felt like a promise, soft and unbreakable. It rolled off our tongues so easily, like we were spelling out a destiny written just for us. We said “forever” in text messages, whispered it under moonlight, carved it into the backs of our memories like it could hold time still. But forever, I learned, sometimes only lasts a season. And when that season ends, it leaves behind both the warmth of what was and the chill of what will never be again.
By Kashif Wazir2 months ago in Humans
"The Night a Mother Became a Shield."
A Mother’s Shield: The Story of Fiona Simpson’s Bravery When the sky turned wild, a mother turned into a shield. It was an ordinary October evening in 2018 — until the heavens above Queensland, Australia, began to roar with fury.
By Idrees khan2 months ago in Humans
Tobacco is projected to kill 1 billion people in the next century.. AI-Generated.
The Staggering Projection: Why Tobacco is Poised to Kill One Billion People This Century Imagine a single habit wiping out one billion lives over the next hundred years. That's the grim forecast for tobacco use. Each year, smoking claims about eight million people worldwide, according to the World Health Organization. If nothing changes, those numbers stack up fast into a century-long nightmare.
By Story silver book 2 months ago in Humans
Signs of a Toxic Relationship: How to Recognize the Danger Before It’s Too Late. AI-Generated.
Physically as well as emotionally and psychologically, a toxic relationship can be quite damaging. Many people wait until it's too late to see the warning signs. Toxic relationships can occasionally turn into severe abuse that can even be lethal. This article explains why toxic relationships are harmful, outlines the warning signs of one, and offers advice on what to do if you or someone you know is in one.
By Diana Crooks2 months ago in Humans
New Horizons in a strange land
The first few nights in New York City were louder than anything I had ever known. Sirens wailed endlessly, car horns screamed, and the hum of a million lives moving together felt suffocating. Back home, my family’s small town had been quiet, predictable, safe. Here, everything was bright, fast, and unfamiliar.
By Muhammad Kashif 3 months ago in Humans
Coping During a Government Shutdown
Let's be real: things are rough when your paycheck decides to disappear, but you’ve still got to show up for work. The government might be on pause, but our alarm clocks didn’t get the message. We’re still hitting the grind—dressed sharp, faking smiles, and keeping morale up with caffeine, duct tape, and a healthy dose of dark humor. That’s just how we roll.
By Resilient-ish3 months ago in Humans
By Chance, a Wedding Ceremony
By Chance, a Wedding Ceremony Subtitle: How an Unexpected Celebration Turned Strangers into Family and Moments into Memories It all began on an ordinary afternoon in the small town of Gulshanpur. The sun hung lazily in the sky, and a gentle breeze carried the aroma of freshly baked bread from the corner bakery. Arif, a young teacher from the local school, was cycling home after a long day when his bicycle chain snapped right outside a small park. Grumbling, he pulled over near the gate, hoping to fix it quickly. Just then, he noticed a few men rushing around inside the park, hanging lights, setting up chairs, and decorating the entrance with colorful ribbons. Curiosity got the better of him, and he leaned closer to the gate. “Brother, you there!” one of them called out. “Can you give us a hand with these lights?” Arif hesitated for a moment but then smiled. “Sure, why not? My bike isn’t going anywhere right now.” Within minutes, he found himself helping the group of men lift a string of glowing bulbs and hang it across the trees. He soon learned that they were setting up for a wedding ceremony — but not a planned one. “It’s my cousin’s wedding,” said Bilal, the man giving instructions. “The original venue fell through last night because of a power issue. So we decided to move it here, last minute. Everything’s a mess — the caterer’s late, and half the guests don’t even know where this new place is!” Arif laughed. “Sounds like fate wanted to make this day interesting.” As the afternoon turned into evening, Arif kept helping — tying decorations, arranging chairs, even lighting candles. He didn’t know a single person there an hour ago, yet now it felt as if he belonged. The men laughed, teased one another, and shared cold drinks as they worked together under the fading sunlight. When the groom, Imran, finally arrived, he looked both nervous and grateful. “You’re not from the family, are you?” he asked Arif. Arif grinned. “No, I just passed by — by chance.” Imran chuckled and clapped him on the shoulder. “Then you’re part of the story now. Thank you, brother.” The ceremony began simply, under the glow of string lights. The men stood around, clapping and cheering as the groom exchanged garlands and prayers with the officiant. Someone began to play a traditional tune on a dhol, and soon laughter filled the park. The earlier chaos was replaced by pure, joyful celebration. After the vows, the men gathered around long tables for dinner. Plates of rice, grilled meat, and sweet halwa were passed from hand to hand. Arif sat beside Bilal and Imran, talking about everything from life in the city to old school memories. They shared jokes and stories as if they had known each other for years. At one point, Imran raised his glass of juice and said, “To new friends who come by chance but stay by choice!” Everyone cheered, their laughter echoing under the stars. Later that night, when most guests had left, Arif helped the men pack up the chairs and lights. The once-busy park was now quiet, lit only by a few lanterns swaying gently in the breeze. Bilal looked at him and said, “You know, we couldn’t have done this without you. You were a stranger this afternoon, but now you’re family.” Arif smiled softly. “Funny thing about life,” he said. “Sometimes the best moments happen when nothing goes as planned.” He wheeled his fixed bicycle toward the gate. Imran came over and placed a small box in his hand — a leftover sweet from the ceremony. “Something to remember today by,” he said. Arif nodded and waved goodbye. As he rode home under the starry sky, he couldn’t help but feel lighter — not just because his bike was working again, but because his heart was full. The next morning, when his students asked why he looked so cheerful, he simply replied, “I attended a wedding yesterday.” “Whose wedding?” they asked eagerly. He smiled. “A stranger’s… but it felt like my own.” And from that day forward, whenever he passed by the park, he couldn’t help but think of the night when life — by pure chance — gave him a new story to tell, a few new friends to cherish, and a beautiful reminder that sometimes, the most meaningful connections come unplanned.
By Muhammad Saad 3 months ago in Humans
