Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Families.
Going Through Hell in One Week
April 2017, the month my life would change forever. Two of the greatest people in my life passed away within three days of each other, my uncle and his mom, my mamaw. First I’m gonna explain a little about my uncle. He was a really tall man. He had a funny personality and was loved by so many. A wife who is really short with four kids and a lot of grand children. My uncle was only forty seven. He was and still my favorite. I know you should not say who was and was not your favorite, but everyone does it. He passed just three days before my grandmother, his mom. She was my best friend, my go to, my diary. She was the person I told everything to, all of my secrets and my problems, what some might call my own counselor. This woman was stubborn and did not take anything from anyone. She had cancer and did not let it try and break her down. Seven years is a long time to be living with it, but she did. Like I said, as stubborn as a mule. I never thought they would be gone so soon, but they are. I hate it and can not even think that they are actually gone. I am still in denial. She had many great grandchildren, one of which is my son, who just turned one.
By Brittney Spraggins8 years ago in Families
Kiss of Colors
Since I was forced from my mother's body (damaging her beyond repair she claims every year on my birthday), I had always loved colors. Every year my favorite colors will switch between greens, blues and purples. Even at the tender age of twenty plus years old, I still cannot decide what color is my favorite. Colors are not just little lights dancing in front of us. They are tools to help retain information, memories and emotions. Colors are not just about the rainbow, but in personality and in skin. Color means more than just lights. For years my journey in finding a favorite color has come to a standstill. My new goal is to find a color that I can call my own favorite like normal people.
By Savannah McCain8 years ago in Families
The Beginning
I found out we were expecting our second child on the first one's third birthday. I awoke that morning with tingling breasts and a sense of dread. Rolling over to my husband, I told him then even though it was 6 AM on a Sunday he needed to find a pregnancy test. So on a cold January morning, he drove to the nearest BP garage and asked the bored, gum chewing assistant to pass him a Clearblue from behind the counter. She must have thought him odd; a tattooed, long haired surfer-esque guy in tracksuit pants and a green t-shirt with holes in the sides (which I keep telling him to throw out) grinning from ear to ear as he thanks her and drives home with the precious cargo.
By Pillsandtea X8 years ago in Families
Talking to Children About Death
Death is a complex, incomprehensible topic. After the death of a loved one, people are often left with many unanswered questions: Why does this have to happen? What does it feel like to die? What happens to the body after death? Is there an afterlife? Although adults have general knowledge about death and the process that follows, they still do not have a full understanding. For children, it’s even more difficult to comprehend the topic when they don’t know what it means to die. They are aware of the concept because of its prevalence in television and movies, but they may not be able to translate that awareness to understanding in real life. Here you will find some ways to help explain and expose your child to the topic, as well as ways to help your child cope with the loss of a loved one.
By Alexis Rogers8 years ago in Families
Grooming
Grooming, for many it is a normal word, something we do to a pet. It has two definitions in the dictionary; 1. look after the coat of (a horse, dog, or other animal) by brushing and cleaning it 2. prepare or train (someone) for a particular purpose or activity. In an abusive relationship grooming is the second definition and it is a horrible thing. The abuser trains or prepares their victim for further abuse. It is done so subtly that often the victim does not even realize it is happening, nor do those around them.
By Janet Rhodes8 years ago in Families
On New Life
I remember waking to my mother’s screams, and believe it or not, it was not an unfamiliar sound. It was December 12th, 2005, in five hours my sister Sammie would be born. The third sister whose birth I would get to witness, and the one I would never forget. I had been waiting the past nine months for this moment and now it was finally here. The excitement shot me out of my bed like a tiny eight-year-old cannon. I sprinted to my older sister’s room, the sound of my feet slapping on the cold hardwood floor echoing in the hallway. I jumped up on her bed in hopes of being the one to wake her and share the news but she wasn’t there, I was disappointed with the realization she had woken up before me.
By Hanna Wingate8 years ago in Families
Shared Birthdays
Given that there are more than 7 billion people on the planet and only 365 (or 366) days in a year, it is clearly impossible for every person in the world to have a different birthday. Taking smaller groups (ie. groups whose members number fewer than 365), the chance of everyone having different birthdays would increase. It is simply a matter of odds.
By Sapphire Ravenclaw8 years ago in Families
