fact or fiction
Is it fact or merely fiction? Fact or Fiction explores the myths and beliefs we hold about our family dynamics, traditions, and if there's such thing as a 'perfect family.'
Mavis' Treasure Map
Mavis’ Treasure Map by Sharon Bradley Frances walked slowly back from getting the mail at the end of her driveway, her head hung down in thought. She looked well beyond her years, as if she had the world on her shoulders. She absently adjusted and cleaned off the “Mavis Bookkeeping” sign just outside the house, brushing away the dirt with her bare hands. She looked up, hoping it wouldn’t rain. The weatherman had said it wouldn’t. She used to love the rain, but now, she dreaded it as it meant the leaky roof would start dripping water into the attic. Running up to the attic and emptying buckets was one more responsibility added to her list of many.
By Sharon Bradley5 years ago in Families
Destined by Ancestral Fate
The story dates to 1995, where a little girl called Solomia was born in a small village in Ivano-Frankivsk, Ukraine. Little did she know that her whole life trajectory was going to change based on the following key events: poverty and the desire for a better life elsewhere.
By Xena Kyryk5 years ago in Families
Mothers Tears
Judith chambers was sitting at the kitchen table,her head in her hands,tears streaming down her face,her stomach in knots,A cup of tea going cold untouched. She had been through so many trials in her life, and came through them stronger, She was not a worrier normally,more of a person who faced things directly on,dealt with them, gave herself a shake and moved on. But this was too big for her,if it had been herself she could cope, but when it is your child, and no matter how old they were, two,ten,fifteen or thirty,they were still your child. They had tried everything possible except one thing. And that she could not afford. Mike her nineteen year old son, should be out, with his friends, dating Nice girls, going to clubs,or travelling like his friends to places like Australia,or Thailand. Instead of laying in his bed,to weak to even stand,and wasting away to a shadow. Her son had a rare cancer ,they were told everything had been done in this country, but there was a medical research centre in California, that had amazing results. The problem was they needed twenty thousand dollars ,where would she get twenty thousand dollars? She was a single mother, having raised her son By herself since he was five. Like any good mother she would do anything for her son,even die. She had nothing of any value to sell. They rented the house they lived in,so that was not an option. She worked as a housemaid in one of the hotels for minimum wage she sighed, shook her head and thought she had better get ready for work.Fifteen minutes later she went into her sons room.
By Kathleen Merry5 years ago in Families
Good Day Turned Bad
This is a good day. I just know it. Things are going to start looking up as soon as I get that call. Hurrying down Madison Avenue to grab my lunchtime coffee, I feel my phone buzzing in my purse. A burst of excitement rushes through me. I’m about to be offered my dream job!
By Liana Brunettin5 years ago in Families
F is for Family
Hello, it has been a while. I do not know whether it is appropriate to tell my story, so it isn't easy to begin. I have by no means been through significant trauma, just life. If any story should be shared is that of my Mum, that's what should provoke sincere sympathy.
By The Lioness5 years ago in Families
The Art Thief
Looking beyond the tarmac stepping from the plane, Paulina could see the jungle. There was a familiar wall of heat draping over her, her first breath filling her lungs with humid and tropical urban air. For the past few years, she had lived in the United States, and not since her graduation party, where she broke the news she was leaving for good, had she stepped foot on Belizean soil.
By Harrison Long5 years ago in Families
My Father's Guide
So here I am standing in front of the mirror, water flowing into the sink, a razor to my face. It's my first-time shaving, I look down at the page to double-check the instructions on how to do this right. A book left to me by my father, filled with tasks and knowledge only a father and son would cherish, from how to shave, the best shaving cream, aftershave, cologne brands, and scents, to making sure I always wear deodorant and other useful information. I position the blade upward and begin gliding it. Only the best razor is to be used according to my Dad, which is the chrome Edwin Jagger doubled edge. This little black notebook gifted to me as a backup in case he didn't survive one of his high-risk work trips, which, as you may have guessed has happened. I don't know much about what my father did for a living just that it could result in risky situations. His life ended in an aircraft crash.
By Rachael Soullier5 years ago in Families
To Giselle, Love Grandpa
She awoke to the sun peeking through the opening in her living room curtains. The rays were so warm and bright. Squinting to see, she slowly arose from her supine position on the couch. Pushing the wisps of hair from her face, she began to remember the events of the night before. Was it all a dream, or did she really see her deceased grandfather? Sitting straight up now, she placed her elbows on her knees, beginning to think she was going mad. How could she really believe that her grandfather, who died 13 years ago, had sat with her on the same couch that she had just awoken on? Reaching for the glass of water on the coffee table caused her to jump. The smell of his cologne, the wrinkles on his face, the sound of his voice that she missed so much. How could she imagine that? It was all too real to be a dream. But the little black book he had handed her…where could it have gone?
By Jacqueline Plumley5 years ago in Families
The Mess Room Boy
One day, out of the blue, a white package arrived in the mail, addressed to me. There was no mistake. The address and name were spelled correctly, and, as far as I knew, there were no other "Mady Anne McGregors" in the world. After all, my mother shortened my name to 'Mady" instead of "Maddie" or "Maddy", like most people. It's supposed to be pronounced "Mah-Dee" not "May-Dee", which I have long grown tired of telling everyone who gets it wrong. As an aspiring writer, it's a pet peeve of mine to have a name that everyone mispronounces.
By Shelley Sandblom5 years ago in Families
Bitcoin Origins
One small boy traumatized from financial tragedy singlehandedly innovated the concept of currency like an invisible hand. Resilience is best seen in the lives of those that have faced significant challenge especially those that have been systemically marginalized. But who knew that resiliency could have given birth to the future of cryptocurrency? Jonah Abraham Blackmoor remembers seeing his grandmother screaming, “My God, my children are gone”, from a phone call. That day turned into days, weeks, and ultimately years. At that moment he became an orphan who would learn how to be a man from an even greater man, in whose shadow he would enjoy bittersweet success. His mother and father were killed in a car crash and he was now in the full-time care of his grandparents. They had all lived together so it was not a big adjustment, but the ache of no more mom and dad never faded.
By TanYah Global5 years ago in Families
