Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Families.
How A Bicycle Race Changed My Life
Honestly, I have led a very mild life in general. I've never really experienced what the world has to offer, as I've been fairly content with just staying in my little controlled and comfortable world. I've had the opportunity to experience some once in a lifetime events though:
By Matthew Bailey8 years ago in Families
When You Think You Can't Go Anymore...
Moming is hard... Let's be honest, the title 'mom' is a small title for so many roles. I am a chef, I am a nurse, I am a story teller, I am a taxi driver, I am a teacher, I am a master cuddler, I am so much. I am so much more to my children than I even realize.
By Mom Of Four8 years ago in Families
Stand by Your Man. But Not Your Daughter
I grew up in a house where songs such as "Stand by Your Man," "Substitute," and "Jolene" were seen as containing valuable words of wisdom. They were played daily on one of our two cassette players- in the kitchen or in the car on the way to school. The message was clear: if you were lucky enough to "bag" a man—no matter what kind of man and by what means—then you must do anything to keep him. You might not love him, and he might not love you, but as long as you had one that was yours, nothing else mattered.
By HM Pattinson8 years ago in Families
An Open Letter to My Grandmother/Best Friend
An open letter to my grandmother/my best-friend, Eighteen years. That's the time I was given with you. And right now those eighteen years simply did not seem enough. Someone once asked me to describe you in one word; and I was speechless, because someone like you cannot simply be described in one word. In eighteen years, I have been able to come up with many words to describe the astonishing person you were, although words could never truly grasp how wonderful you were as a human being. One must know you to completely understand. And even though eighteen years was not very long, I am completely grateful for the time I had with you. You were not just my Nannie, but my second mother, and best-friend. No matter what, you were there for me. It's heart breaking not having you around anymore. Every little thing reminds me of you, and it's hard not being able to escape the reality that you are gone. People ask me how I'm doing, and I always seem to answer "Okay, thank you," when truthfully I don't know what to do with myself. Every time someone says your name, my heart sinks a little and all theses memories go flying by. I know that I had "lots of wonderful memories with you" because everyone tells me that, although when I think back to every second of time I had with you, I always find something that I could have done differently, something I could have changed. I could have put my phone away more, or helped you more, told you that I loved you more, just so many things I could have done. That I didn't. Cancer stole my best friend, my person, my Nannie. Cancer stole everything and I am so mad. Because not only am I trying to deal with my own pain now, but I am also now forced to be strong for my Grampie. Seeing him hurt makes everything so much harder. Oh Nannie, he misses you so much. We all do. I am trying to be strong because I know that's what you would want from me, but it's so hard because you were taken from me to soon. I still need you. I will never forget that day, as I held your hand and watched you take your last breath. I will never forget you.
By Haley Steeves8 years ago in Families
A Letter to New Moms
Where was my time? What had I been doing all day? I thought this as I sat on the couch slumped in a heap. I reminisced on my day with a groggy mind. Diapers, diapers, diapers, feedings, feedings, feedings, laundry, laundry, and more laundry. I wanted to do so much more than just those things today. I was motivated to get dressed in an effort to not stay in the house all day.
By Nothing New8 years ago in Families
Life Is Truly Simple
Seasons of the Navajo showcases an interview, a year in the life of Dorothy and Chauncey Neboia, an elderly Navajo couple and their extended family who live on the vast Navajo Reservation. The Navajos see life as a communal effort, being there for one another and taking care of their common goods to the best of their abilities, while utilizing the minimal resources they have at hand.
By Simply Soly8 years ago in Families
Happy 24th Birthday, Mom
Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy birthday dear mom, Happy Birthday to you. Usually we sing this beloved song to someone celebrating a birthday and while my birthday is coming up on November 30th, I'll be singing that song to somebody else... my birthmom.
By Irina Lessne8 years ago in Families
We All Kinda Suck
My bad. I am totally the worst. A hypocrite to the MAX. I spend my entire time worrying about how moms are being judged or shamed—trying to give okay moms a voice. Trying my hardest to tell moms from every walk of life that it’s okay to be okay—to ignore the perfect instagram mommies because there’s a lot we don’t see behind their perfectly filtered pictures.
By Hannah Howard8 years ago in Families
Love at First Sight
Some believe in soulmates, some don't. Nobody really knows for sure if soulmates exist, but I'd like to think that they do. In my opinion, though, they're rare. Maybe there isn't somebody out there for everybody, but it's also a pleasant feeling knowing there very well COULD be somebody out there meant for you. Plenty of people spend their lives trying to find their "soulmate." Everybody they get feelings for or date or love or even marry, they wonder, "IS this person my soulmate?" My very thought, is this: if you have to wonder, then they aren't your soulmate. Soulmates aren't just the person who gives you butterflies or puts a smile on your face. They're not just the person who inspires you to get out of bed every morning. With soulmates, it's powerful. The bond is so strong that nothing, not even death, could break it. When somebody is your soulmate, you just know and they know, too.
By Katie Schmidt8 years ago in Families
A Mother's First Thought
There is something about an infant’s smile. That very first one, where the edges of their mouth can’t quite make the right shape. You know they are trying though; you can tell by the slight curve of their lips, and it is precious. You wonder why people over use “my pride and joy” when referring to their child, that is until you have children of your own. At that moment, you wonder how anyone could mistreat their own child. But you don’t wonder that in the way you did as a child, oh no. You wonder that as you do now, looking into the eyes of a little being that is half of you, and half of someone else.
By Misty Kate8 years ago in Families
