humanity
Humanity begins at home.
Saturday night
The row outside got worse. It was midnight on a Saturday night in inner-city Melbourne. The gentle rain on the roof of the small upstairs bedroom would usually be a comforting sound and we would have settled into the warm bed and a deep and enjoyable sleep. But not on Saturdays. Not recently, anyway.
By Richard Lee5 years ago in Families
Passing Fancy
Passing Fancy Alfred, called Al ever since he discovered Alfred was Batman’s butler, stood tall and straight on the beach, barefoot, the warm wet sand at the ocean's edge squishing up through his toes, his eyes shut against the sun, his face tilted toward the sun while sea breezes blew through his wind-tousled white hair which had somehow remained full and thick while the hair of his friends whitened and eased away with age.
By Cleve Taylor 5 years ago in Families
Death by baby steps part 3
Statement to my Union Representative Friday 8th December I was asked to lower a blind by a resident as the sun was very low in the sky. I went to lower the blind accidentally knocked over a floor lamp; as the lampstand fell down it fell apart so lampshade, bulb and stand were separate as I went to put the shade back onto the lamp stand I was give an electric shock on my right hand. The electric shock knocked out all the electrical sockets in the immediate area so much so that the fuse board had to be reset. When I was being given them the electric shock I screamed and jumped back and obviously let go, this was witnessed by a carer Maud and several residents. I called down to reception to let them know and to send the maintenance man up to deal with the lamp while I went down to reception to fill out the accident incident Form. Once I pointed out the lamp and told Marcus what had happened he discovered that the lampshade was too tight around the lampstand which pulled off some of the insulation sheathing which is why I got shocked. After this I filled out the form and gave it to the home manager Sienna who didn't even ask me if I was ok, by this time I had pins and needles, numbness and pain in my right hand. Sienna just sign the form and didn't really say anything I was really shocked that none of the three nurses in the building was sent to at least have a look at my hand. I was also expected to continue my shift as normal so I did despite the pain that I'm used to dealing with thanks to my fibromyalgia.
By Diane Campbell5 years ago in Families
Another rainy day. First Place in Dream Date Challenge.
The rain landed with a pitter patter against the window panes. Sam drew the curtains back and tied the chord into place, looking over at Barbara. She sat in her wheelchair, facing the window. Her head drooped forward, and her hands folded neatly over the blanket in her lap. Sam hoped to slip out without disturbing the old woman but she blinked and looked over at him.
By alan pierce5 years ago in Families
Death by baby steps part 2
Chapter 3 The Beginning Once I got into the role I was mostly left to drift I had a list of minimum requirements and the compulsory education that I had to get through but as for support or being shown what I should and shouldn’t do I was left in the lurch. No one had time for me which overall probably worked in my favour, I could get to know the residents at my own speed, or at least until someone spotted me.
By Diane Campbell5 years ago in Families
One Hometown — Alternate Realities
He never really felt he belonged, except on the team. And they called him a “Token.” A few years ago, I watched the movie McFarland, USA. The film is about a cross-country team in a mostly agricultural, small town in the San Joaquin valley. The McFarland Boys Cross Country team won the first annual California State Cross Country Championship in 1987.
By Danell Boyles TeNyenhuis Black5 years ago in Families
The Worst Week
TUESDAY I was still half asleep when my husband barged into the bedroom in a near state of panic. I sighed, assuming the boys had agitated him again before remembering that they were staying at my grandparents house in the country for tonight. Something was really up. Yawning, I rolled over and got ready to ask what's wrong.
By KLMillward5 years ago in Families
You Should Carry a Handkerchief
John-John had a smile for everyone. That’s why he was a natural church greeter. He would ask your name when he met you at the door and handed you the church bulletin. What’s more, he would greet you by name the next time he saw you. If he met your family, he would ask about each of them as well. He never forgot.
By Margie Peterson5 years ago in Families
Edensgate
I was punished today because I refused to make my bed when I was ordered to. After lessons, I was sent to The Birches with no dinner for “quiet time” where I was to reflect on my behaviour and read passages from the teachings. It was cold in The Birches. There was one long, narrow, dank, damp room, with rows upon rows of single, metal framed beds, all covered in rough, heavy grey blankets. Along one end, there were three desks. The windows were painted black, with imposing vertical iron bars fixed across them, leaving us in no doubt that the outside world was not available to us. This was where the disobedient were sent.
By JoJoBonetto5 years ago in Families
How to (Not) Host Your Baby’s First Birthday Party --or Smoked Cherry Cake for Everyone
As a young mom, I set the bar pretty high for birthday celebrations. Not realizing how many children we would have and how many extravagant celebrations that would add up to over the years, I started out with grand illusions about the best birthday parties ever. Well, five children and almost three decades later, I still enjoy planning a great birthday. Unfortunately however, I have put myself through way too much mom guilt over this birthday party thing through the years. The worst example was when we F I N N N A L L Y celebrated my son’s long anticipated tenth birthday with a very amazing Spy birthday party……. On his eleventh birthday. If that’s not enough to make you cringe, I don't know what is. He absolutely loved the party and appreciated all the work I put into it. He said he didn’t even mind that it was a year late. Sometimes, during a rough week, I still allow myself to feel bad about that ridiculous delay.
By Maria Calderoni5 years ago in Families
Dope Real Everything I Am
"Complete opposite lifestyle, but the same love, heart, mind and everything else to and for each other. We started at our lowest points and I never knew what we would turn out to be, but ever since then I am full with you. I love you and everything you are to me, forever times infinity."
By Samantha Powe5 years ago in Families
