family

Family unites us; but it's also a challenge. All about fighting to stay together, and loving every moment of it.

How Anorexia Saved My Life
I grew up watching a lot of cooking and food orientated shows. It all started with my favourite day. Saturday, every Saturday me and my father would watch man vs food on tv gradually over the years it became an obsession of mine without me even releasing it!
By Mimi Sparkes5 years ago in Humans
She Wished
She was the first to see him. He slipped through the sliding glass door to the living room behind a couple girls that had been outside smoking. He wiped his hands down the front of his black hoodie and scanned the party. His hair was damp but still blonde. His skate shoes looked wet but he shuffled them gently on the carpet to dry the soles. When he looked up and across the room, his ice blue eyes locked her in place. She didn’t notice the search light slowly panning across the glass door that was opaque with condensation but it backlit him, for just a moment, like a shadow dancer.
By Kat5 years ago in Humans
A Crafted History
James Connolly stood at five feet four inches. Following a long night at his preferred pub, Mr. Connolly returned to his New York apartment. He stumbled up his building’s stairs with little form and great difficulty. James slammed into his front door. The hinges buckled and shivered.
By Cade Richmond5 years ago in Humans
The Grandchild Book
Tuesday Just like in every other abandoned building she has picked through, she cant help feeling like a voyeur. The ghosts of a dead era soaked into the walls and succumbed without a fight. Towards the end of that era, before her own mother was born, people found some very creative places to hide what they held dear. All these years later, treasures were still being freed from their long concealed hiding places. Finding them was Daitra’s job. She liked to think of herself as an Archaeologist Scavenger Extraordinaire.
By Rima Khalek5 years ago in Humans
Mia's Gift
It was a cold and wet afternoon as Paul’s tears mixed with the drops of rain that was lightly pattering his face and rolling down his cheeks. His hand gingerly flowed over the contours of the rugged black granite of the small upright monument that was on the grave of his fiancee-Mia's final resting place. This was Mia’s family’s monument and he thought that they would not be using it for many years. The feeling of the cold lifeless granite was a stark contrast to the memory of Mia, her tender skin, her soft cheeks, her long wispy lashes, her scent. That scent he called home which was a mixture of lavender soap that she loved and her favorite perfume Chanel No. 5.
By Taras Machula5 years ago in Humans
Grandpa's List
Simon sat on his childhood bed, wondering how he ended up back here. Sure, he left his home for college like most other kids; but he never thought he would be back. Now he has been for over a week and still has no idea what his future looks like. Simon hears his mother calling for him from downstairs and flops on his back just like the good ole days… well the old days. Getting up, he goes downstairs to find his mother putting the last plate on their dining table.
By Taylor Ryan5 years ago in Humans
Daisies
“The days seem darker and heavier every time I open my eyes. I keep searching for an outlet… a change… a daisy peeking out through a crack in this endless concrete tunnel I am wandering through; yet there is never any light to give that daisy a fighting chance and I am growing weary. The bills are piling up even more now. What am I to do?? It’s not his fault, I know, but that fact doesn’t make this any easier… Or affordable... I only wish I could have seen this coming. Prepared somehow. Oh god oh universe, help him, help me! We must make it through, I must be strong”
By Kris5 years ago in Humans
The Little Things In Life
The streets of Chicago were chilling. I looked down the street to see Mr. Phillips outside as usual after closing, locking his thrift store and heading towards the subway station down North. A kind but quiet old man. The sky was dark. No clouds were in sight as I looked up to only see a few stars dancing over me. The quiet drift of the block left me wondering and hoping. I continued to walk down the street slowly. My body was envious of me. I wanted to lay down on the cold, solid ground. I wanted to relax my joints and muscles as they quivered and ached every time I took a step toward. My mind was focused on not focusing on anything. The wind started to howl louder as I held onto a nearby building and rested my back on it, still on my feet. I took off my backpack and reached inside. It was nearly 20 degrees out here, it had to be, I thought to myself as I tried to grab my water bottle with my bloody hands as they began to tremble. I had on two jackets and thick long blue jeans on, but even those weren’t enough to sustain me and keep me warm. I toppled to the floor as my hands nearly broke off and dropped the bottle. I couldn’t stand anymore, I couldn’t go on. I knew it was past 11 and the night would only get worse from here. I closed my eyes and hoped that snow wouldn’t fall from the sky and cover me. I’m going to die out here. The thoughts of an endless end rampaged through my mind as I glanced at my breath every time I blew out. It hurted. The pain dwelled on me as a best friend. It was everywhere. I tried taking a sip of my water and spilled the bottle with some getting on me. It hurt to drink. I was frozen in disbelief and agony. The bottle had barely any water left inside. I didn’t care to pick it up anyways. I had to keep moving, I have to keep get up and keep heading North. Keeping heading North and not looking back ever. The pain was too much to bare as I tried to lift myself up. The support of the wall was no help. My back would show no mercy to myself, as I fell back down to the ground. A sharp pain ran across my spine. I held it, in hopes for my frostbitten hands to make it better. It was no use. I clenched my teeth as I shifted myself more upwards, trying to fix my posture. The pain was astounding. I was hurt, my body was crying for help and I knew it. I want to move forward but I can’t. My eyes began to tear up as I looked to the sky once again to see a few clouds in the distance. Looked as if they were coming in from the North. The tears felt like they froze and turned into icicles once they fell from my face. My hands were too cold to rest them on my face too. I wanted to scream for help. I wanted to throw anything I could at nearby windows or doors just to get someone’s attention. This part of the neighborhood is always like this. Eerie and quiet. Vagueness was always complete here, especially at night. Never knew the real reason as to why, but for as long as I been living in Chicago, this neighborhood has never gotten past calm. My breath started to become shorter and heavier. My body was in more pain than before, as I tried to change my position, and lay down. The ground was freezing, and the heat from where I was previously sitting before did not help. I used my backpack as a pillow and laid along the building, hugging myself to get some extra warmth. My eyes were still watering and I my hands began to shake even more as I tucked them underneath me. Death was relevant now. I was going to die out here in the streets of Chicago and no one would notice it. The blood on my face was mixing in with the tears and landing in my mouth as it swept down my face. It was salty and cold. The last taste I would have before I left this world. I cried some more. This was all I could do. Thinking about every moment that happened before this leading up till now. A positive mindset was beyond my capability. All I could think about was the actions that led me here. What I did, what I didn’t do. Everything intertwined with each other. I wanted my mind to go blank and dark. My memories were not comforting. I gently used my sleeves to wipe away my tears. I reached into my back pocket and pulled out my wallet that had a photo of my mom. Her beautiful smile was keeping me alive. I felt her warmth and grace through the picture. Blood stains from my hand covered the corners of it but it still looked perfect. Her hair was perfect. The slick, laid down dress she was wearing was perfect. Her heels were perfect. Her and the baby she was holding were perfect in my eyes. Even with her gone, I could still feel her. Her energy was around me right now, telling me that everything will be okay. Her hugging me and kissing my forehead repeatedly. I touched her face with my finger. Blood covered it now. Tears once again fell as I held the picture close to me. My eyes couldn’t stay open forever. The fear of closing but never opening again was dormant. I shifted closer along the wall, barely moving an inch. If I die, then I die. I thought to myself as I knew i couldn’t stay awake forever. My eyes were heavy and my body needed rest. I held the picture even tighter in my arms as the world slowly started to get darker and darker.
By ABJ5 years ago in Humans
Hero's Journey
The day started like any other, wake up, roll off my futon, turn on the lights, which would scare the cockroaches back into their hiding places. I did this so I didn’t have to see them but boy did I know they were there. I took my minimal shower and got dressed in my waitress uniform. I know what you’re thinking this is going to be another wondered eye girl leaves suburban home to move to the big city with big dreams of fame and riches only to land on her butt in the food serving industry. Well then again, you would be half right only on the part about on my butt in the food service industry yet no I didn’t come to the city on flights of fancy. I came on the wings of getting out of the system and leaving the vultures that claim they love you but only notice you on the day of the month you get your check and food stamps. Not my life anymore, no way! I might only make peanuts but those peanuts are mine. Anyway, I just got my new found freedom a little under a month ago when I aged out. So, my little cockroach infested apartment was my castle though I would be eating sparsely like a college freshman budget for a while. It was heaven sent, to have a space I didn’t have to share with anyone. Probably now you’re thinking I have some sob story about parents dying tragically or drug addicts who traded me for some blow… those would be better than the fact I was just abandoned at the hospital. I have to chronically tell myself good ridden, they didn’t leave me I left them. After letting my mind meander over my past and I poured a bowl of knock off Cinnamon Toast Crunch. God, how I wished it was the name brand cause it tastes better and the cartoon character is cuter but it fills the tank so down the hatch. That was when there was a firm commanding knock at my door. It was too early for my neighbors who fought through the paper-thin walls. I didn’t think it was the manager cause I know I was paid through the end of the month. As I sat there contemplating who on earth was at the door, my brain kicked me into gear saying ‘all well answer it you buffoon’. I carefully stood on my tiptoes trying to peek through the eye hole thingy only to see strapping chest in blue. Ladies don’t always open a door for a yummy chest but anyway I opened the door and was greeted by three marines in their military uniforms. The one with the chiseled chest stained at me with his deep ocean blue eyes, Miss Williams?
By Ian Kippax5 years ago in Humans
An Albatross Off Course
Of my most valued possessions, the small black book is the one that I cherish the most. It comes before the ivory handled hairbrush gifted to me by my grandmother, before my collection of sea glass and razor clam shells. It comes before even the few terse letters I keep folded beneath the linens in the chest at the foot of my bed.
By Paige A.5 years ago in Humans
The New House
She didn’t like the house. She decided it right then and there as she unloaded plates, carefully unwrapping each one, and stacking them on a low shelf.
By Lia Aprile5 years ago in Humans
Semicolon savior II
It was a busy lunch already and it was just after 11:00, 11:11 to be exact. The space was all a mix of locals, lawyers and defendants. Some were talking over the people in line now extending past the door entrance. Others were checking in with family or passing time on social media. And the rest were eagerly waiting to make eye contact with me to place their order and to find a nearby table or park bench. Robert was busy outside talking with potential buyers and seemed to really be enjoying all this new exposure. His current piece was morphing into a restaurant at the edge of a galaxy, and almost every passerby stopped to admirer the hourly changes. The sun was shining and we were jumpin’. These days were the new norm now that Custer Coffee had been in business for over 5 years and had become the local “spot.” Consignment art pieces ranging from painted skateboards to homemade jewelry lined the walls and shelves, while the music ranged daily to whatever Pandora radio station we picked. It was a family owned spot where the owners kids were strung about the tables mingling with their regulars, or helping with dishes in the back. How far had it come in such a short time. Everyone seemed to know each other and if you were new to the area, you wouldn’t stay “new” for long.
By Healthy mountain gal Crystal5 years ago in Humans