extended family

All about how to stay connected, strengthen ties and talk politics with your big, happy extended family.

A Mother to All
The lady I consider my #boss mom I would also consider a mother to all. She is always looking out for others. Especially children. She is my #boss mom because she has made a very big difference in my life, and how I grew up. She still does everyday. This lady is my chosen second mother. She graciously assumed that role in my life when my mom died from cancer when I was just a child. I would have chosen my natural mom as my #boss mom, but I don’t remember a lot about what she taught me growing up. While she was here, she taught me love. I do know that her death has played a part in who I am today, as a person, and as a writer.
By Jessica Karris5 years ago in Families
Three times a lady
No one ever told me she’d gone. Left this world, never to return. The missed calls, the voicemails containing nothing but my mother’s heartbroken sobs. The words “you know, don’t you?” when I finally answered my phone. And that gut wrenching feeling that life would never be the same let me know exactly what had happened. I can honestly say that my grandmother was my favorite person on Earth. She taught me very early on that there’s so much more to life than what job you have, how much money you make, or how big your house is. That you can have a massive impact just by making people feel good. I loved her company and we spent a lot of time together. But I also enjoyed seeing how others reacted to her. How she never failed to put a smile on someone’s face. Even when she was having cancer treatment, she’d be giggling with the hospital workers and had affectionate nicknames for all of them. Don’t get me wrong, she wasn’t perfect. If my grandmother was upset with you, you’d hear about it for weeks. Months sometimes. But she was so full of love that it just radiated from her, even when she wasn’t in a loving mood. She prided herself on always having a full pot at the ready so that she could dish out a meal to friends and family who visited her. She wanted nothing more from life than a house full of loved ones and good food, and she got her wish, for the most part anyway. My grandmother wasn’t a rich woman, but shoving money into her grand childrens’ hands when their parents weren’t looking was one of her favorite pastimes. She took in many people throughout her life despite having one of the tiniest houses you’ll ever see. She had several children, but became a mother figure to countless others thanks to her warm heart and utter selflessness. The adoration she showed me made me feel as though I could do anything. When someone loves you that much, it’s almost like there’s a shield wrapped around you, protecting you from the madness that life throws your way. When she died, she didn’t have much to leave behind in terms of material things. But she left an imprint on pretty much every one she’d ever come into contact with. I felt completely lost without her for a long time and drifted through life, wondering what place I could ever have in a world where she no longer existed. Then I came round to the fact that my grandmother never really left me. I think about her constantly, but they are happy thoughts. I’m so grateful to have had her in my life. She gave me so much just by being present and always believing in me. Through watching her, I learned exactly who I wanted to be, as well as the mistakes I didn’t want to make. Like I said, she wasn’t perfect. Seeing her make so many sacrifices for people who weren’t always appreciative taught me that we shouldn’t focus our kindness purely on others. We must also be kind to ourselves. And giving ourselves permission to say ‘no’ every once in a while is one of the greatest acts of self love. Whenever I utter that word, it’s like I’m saying it for both of us. I have the strength to say it now because I’m empowered by her love, which is one of the strongest forces I’ll ever encounter. Maybe no one ever told me my grandmother had gone that day because they understood then what I know now. She’s still here.
By Tamara5 years ago in Families
Generational Strands
Sitting around her wood kitchen table, its surface ridged like the jagged hilltops that enfolded the county, and well-worn with three generations of hands, my grandmother drenched buttermilk pancakes with blueberry syrup and slid the plate down the slick surface until it bumped into my open hands.
By L.A. Hancock5 years ago in Families
Large Marge
Large Marge was a force to be reckoned with. It wasn't due to her physical presence by any means, she was a mere five feet tall; she was simply overflowing with ideas, opinions and character. She was my mother-in-law, and she remained a close friend even after her son ~ my late husband, died twenty-two years ago.
By Juliette McCoy Riitters5 years ago in Families
Mom, The Boss Lady
I grew up in the back rooms of restaurants, while my mother worked hard every day to earn money that afforded us a lifestyle unlike any of my friends. Both of my parents had new cars. My mother had new jewelry. We had a big screen projection television before big screen televisions were a thing. I could have as much soda as I wanted while my friends were always limited on how much they could have. I just went up to the front of the restaurant and helped myself.
By Michelle Devon5 years ago in Families
Washing Away
She knew this would be the last time she’d ever be allowed back here. The ‘for sale’ sign had been taken down, the paper work was being signed somewhere by the lawyers. This was it. It was official. So many memories in this cabin, an entire childhood really. Now, even though this place was staying in the family, she knew the doors would never be opened up again to the family at large.
By Kelly Anne5 years ago in Families
AUNT FOREVER
Kids are incredible little beings. Endlessly strange, honest, fun, surprising. They rule, OK? I don't have any children of my own and honestly, I don't know if I ever will. In the meantime, while life goes on (as it has the annoying tendency to do), I'm extra thankful for my role in four kids' lives as their aunt. Being an aunt offers the joy of spending time with children without any of the major obligations. It's one of the most win-win situations I can think of.
By Dandelionclub5 years ago in Families
AUNT FOREVER
What is it that the best babysitters know? Best is not only a quality to describe what all parents hope their babysitter is! It is also a useful acronym to ensure that a babysitter knows a child's routine prior to being left to look after him or her. Before you as a parent leave your house and leave your kid under another person's care, you have to be sure to go over the fundamentals of your best list - bedtime, entertainment, snacks/meals, and toileting. Who else would be better at taking over your position of looking after your kids like your sister? Wouldn't your sister be the best in implementing all of your requirements for babysitting your children? I think the answer is quite clear, if you ask me.
By Dandelionclub5 years ago in Families
She Was Only 12...Part 2
My annual 3 days "holiday" with my mother was up. I was only waiting for the evening to arrive before being taken to my grandmother's (paternal), two villages away. A two-hour walk or if I were lucky, someone may be heading towards that village on a bicycle.
By VICABOLS5 years ago in Families
Four Sisters
On December 2nd, I arrived at Mr. Brennan’s office promptly at 8: a. m. to begin my six months of lockdown. Bernice was next to arrive with her two Moncler and Rimowa carry-ons. Dorothy came minutes later with her two Fendi carry-ons. And our baby girl Monica arrived last with her two Gucci carry-ons. I looked at my sisters and asked myself why am I the only one whose luggage came from Walmart?
By Karen Thomas5 years ago in Families
Four sisters
Four Sisters—Settling In After assisting our baby girl off the floor, Mr. Brennan took us on a tour of the house and introduced us to the staff. The foyer was brightly lit by four French Empire Chandeliers. On the walls were artworks by Haffkta, Watteau, and Gold. Next to the door was a Once Upon A Time mirror by Sturkenboom. Directly across from each other were two identical Saltford settees. The floors were black and white marble. It was more like a grand ballroom rather than a foyer.
By Karen Thomas5 years ago in Families
The Most Beautiful Thing I've Ever Seen
On the day of our first date, we had been together for 33 years, six months, and six days, and the wild was still in her eyes. She twisted her long black curls, now streaked with silver into a bun on top of her head, and cracked her knuckles. Her fingers were still covered in the turquoise rings that I had bought her on the road trip to Santa Fe when we were in our twenties. Back then, we couldn’t even afford a tent, so we snuggled together in the desert night and let the light of the stars keep us warm. Lord, how the times have changed.
By Ella R Kerr5 years ago in Families