humanity

Humanity begins at home.

Lessons From My Terminal Grandmother
The Big C In the Fall of 2018, my father received a call from his Aunt Elizabeth who had grave news. My Omi (which means grandmother in German), was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer that had spread to her liver. She would need chemotherapy, drives to and from doctor’s appointments, and help around the house. Considering the estranged relationship between my father and his mother and my daytime availability since I was in school at the time, I felt it was my duty to step in. Selfishly, it was also an opportunity to not live at home anymore – as if subbing out one adult’s abode for another meant I was more independent.
By Jennifer Fischer6 years ago in Families
Blue and happy moments
She was sleeping, she had swept, done the dishes and cleaned the house.He was working late as usual. He walks in kisses her first and says, what's for dinner honey? She serves his plate with a beer on the side. She's still sleepy from waking at 5 am to make him breakfast before he leaves for work. He looks at her and says, did you warm this up? She looks at the food that has been sitting on the stove for hours and realizes she hadn't warmed the food.
By Rhonda Tatefrost6 years ago in Families
New Years Day
“It’s another day of pouring another drink and another day of waiting for love.” Zenei murmured, twisting and killing the last cent of his cigarette in the ash tray, over filling with his past drags. The Uncle would always pour his thoughts into the ash tray. Each puff, a piece of wisdom finding peace. Ben Geinon, his delighted nephew would often find himself the victim of Zenei’s company, and although it was overwhelming at times, it soothed the soul.
By Nathan Shane Prior6 years ago in Families
Time to try new things
Well a few things have happened. I'm not actually sure where to start. I decided after a long debate not to return to my job after my maternity leave came to its end. A number of reasons for this - primarily, the travel time and distance, and how it would affect little Daniel. If I am going to work again, I would like to build a career here, close to home.
By Rhea Bombay6 years ago in Families
The Flowers
The flowers were wilted. It was the first thing she noticed. There was a side table to the left. Just inside the door. “Come in and I’ll make some tea”. The words seemed sincere but the look on her face said otherwise. Did she really want me to be there? Am I actually welcome or was this just the “pleasantries” that Momma had warned me about when someone doesn’t really want you around but just allows you to take up space. Sonya didn’t want that. She didn’t want to be that girl. And yet... she was that girl.
By Kia McKinney6 years ago in Families
Voiceforothers
Unless you’ve walked in the shoes of a caregivers of patients with brain disorders, you can never truly relate to this journey. This journey is really about the reality world of these patients. It’s about speaking Alzheimer’s. It’s about discerning the language of the patient with dementia. It’s about understanding, that this disease is so much harder on the patients than you can even imagine. Sure, caregivers have struggles but we are blessed to have sound and healthy minds. Imagine for a moment, listening to gibberish in your mind telling you a million things at one time. Imagine being disoriented, unbalanced trying to figure out what’s going on in your head and trying to figure out why you cannot explain what’s happening to you, when you know something isn’t right. Imagine being frightened, wanting someone to understand you, help you, protect you but you can’t bring yourself to trust anyone because you don’t recognize trust and don’t know how to ask for help.
By Patricia Stone6 years ago in Families
A New Beginning
Hello Everyone and welcome to our blog! This post is the first of many as we journey through the transition of becoming a tiny family in a tiny home.
By Heirloom & Flourish6 years ago in Families
Evolution ,Attachment theory and Trauma
How impactful attachment can be in familial relationships, from infancy to adulthood? Theorists and scholars argue that the family is a fundamental structure of identity formation.
By Novsky6 years ago in Families
DIFFERENT BUT SAME
As Emma made herself comfortable, laughing and making small talk, her voice drifted over the air until it faded, echoing from the direction in which she was headed. Not alone, of course - she had that gift of drawing along a tow of handsome looking blokes and some ladies too.
By Henrietta Efunnuga6 years ago in Families
Hope
She looked so vulnerable sitting in the coffee shop drinking her hot chocolate. It had been a while since they'd seen each other and their relationship had been somewhat restrained. Sarah paid for her Grande Skinny Latte and carried it over to the table. Her daughter looked up at her almost sheepishly.
By Jo Little 6 years ago in Families
The Black Sheep
The cliche’ that is so commonly used, “I knew at a young age I was different,'' could be used in this situation but that would be a lie. As a child you hear all sorts of stories of what you did or did not do and some of them seem a bit far fetched from where you are standing but nonetheless, those who were around you claim it to be true. I heard many of these and looking back now I can say that I can definitely see myself doing these things. I remember my parents sharing a story about me packing up my Radio Flyer wagon with all that was important to me and dragging it out the front door of our home in Massachusetts.
By RachelAnn6 years ago in Families
An Open Letter to Teens
Dear Current and Future Generations: As you grow into adulthood you will be faced with a lot of temptation, challenges, sadness and even the occasional happy day. You will make and lose friends and be the source of frustration and joy for your parents every day. Trust me, I’ve been in your shoes and trying to find your way in today’s world will be difficult – much more so than it was when I was a kid.
By Tina6 years ago in Families