parents
The boundless love a parent has for their child is matched only by their capacity to embarrass them.
Things My Mother Told Me That Turned Out to Be True
Oh, Mommy dearest, how often did I doubt you. Not only did I think I was the smartest kid around who knew better than any adult, but back then I truly believed that everything you predicted and advised was wrong. From the boyfriend you assured me was bad news and the shoes you said would kill my feet to the bigger things in life like being a mother, a wife, and an intelligent human being, almost everything you said had some merit to it. That's right, Mom, you aren't reading this wrong, I am here to say the three words you so absolutely deserve to hear: YOU. WERE. RIGHT. Of course, many of life's lessons I had to learn on my own and I do believe that's how children should, but there are those few pieces of wisdom and experiences you lived through that you shared with such strong persuasion that I should have listened to. Here are just a few.
By Jus L'amore8 years ago in Families
My Dad Is a Sugar Daddy
You may hear many of your friends joke about their bills and say, "I just wish I had a sugar daddy to pay for all of this," but you may never think about your father being a sugar daddy. My father has always been a man who wore many hats. As a child, he was a construction worker, a bartender, an artist, a carpenter, and an all-around rock star. Many times late at night I would hear the sounds of Van Halen's eruption wailing from his closed bedroom. My mother and father had me and my brother very young, and they would often joke to people about how we "grew up together." My Mother passed when I was 19, and my father was already in his second marriage. It wasn't long after that he was quickly in his third marriage. Upon the loss of his 3rd wife, that's when the younger women started coming in by the boat-load. It's a bit strange to be 26 years old and shaking the hand of a 22-year-old who is dating your father. Should they say yes ma'am to me or vice versa? I was a bit angry and confused at the time as I was drowning in student loan debt and heard the phrase, "You're 26. These are your bills," being muttered when I asked for assistance, yet I would see the young girls being adorned with Chanel ball gowns for the fancy events that they attended here in New Orleans.
By Layla Danielle8 years ago in Families
A First Time for Everything
He was big, burly and heavy on his feet, like an iron shield guarding our family. The strongest person I know, he towers over most. Being brawly and intimidating to people who don’t know him, he has a stern frown and a soft smile, a deep farmer's tan from the hours he spends cutting wood and doing yard work but meticulously ironed grey suit pants and straight Brooks Brothers dress shirts and jackets. He has hammers and nails, saws and screwdrivers, wrenches, and hatchets, but works with people and computers. He casually coaches us from lacrosse to hockey and all in between, but methodically constructs cultured sentences presented to important people every day. He helps with seventh grade math, but works with pie charts and statistics that are puzzling to others. His presence brings safety and protection like having a military squad protecting your family.
By Clare Woodford8 years ago in Families
The Second Time Around
Leonard poured his coffee into the old, cracked mug his son had made him, slow and steady as the hot steam fogged his glasses. He could hear the pitter-patter of the rain against his kitchen window – slow and steady. He carefully lifted the warm mug to his dry, leather lips. Leonard was turning seventy in three days. Three days and he would be over the hill, or was it under the hill? He scratched his head and took another sip of coffee. Most days he loved to hear the sound of the rain bouncing off the windowpane, but not today. Today he felt angry and tired, more tired than usual. He gently lifted himself from the kitchen table and shuffled over to the phone. For a second, he thought about calling his son. Then, for another second longer, he thought about calling his doctor. He took a deep breath in and then out. He knew neither call would make him feel any better. But still he picked up the phone, listening to the dial tone hum and hum until he couldn’t take the humming anymore. He hung up the receiver and promised himself, out loud, that tomorrow he would call his son, Victor. Tomorrow they would talk just like old times and tomorrow, maybe, Victor wouldn’t hate him anymore.
By Camille LeZotte8 years ago in Families
Through Thunderstorms
Bitter. Busy mornings and long nights, I could never forget his figure. He left whenever times were hard and on the important days, he was never reliable. I played on the grass most of the time he had to smart mouth somebody. I made friends with the earth, I said hello to the plants. The trees told me to learn how to love him, and to open my heart to him before I disconnect and fade away. In disbelief, I failed to understand how I could start to love somebody so bitter like him.
By Rising Sun Midnight Moon8 years ago in Families
Adults Should Be Able to Trick-Or-Treat, Too
Who said the holiday was just for little kids only? Was it greedy Grandma Judy or old fart Farmer Brown that had made this decision? I mean, we were ALL children at one time, weren’t we? So why can’t adults go trick-or-treating on Halloween night, too? I believe a lot of the stress level in adults would be totally eradicated if they were allowed to get dressed up into their favorite costume after work, put on their most comfortable walking shoes, grab their durable trick-or-treat bag and start hitting the pavement along with the other kids and cool, creative adults. I mean, it’s only one time in the entire year that Halloween exists, so what in the world is the problem? It’s simply madness. Department stores across the world, whether it’s in a retail storefront or online, sell Halloween costumes for adults to wear all year long. Why do we wear them just for the kids or for personal parties? Why is it also only good to wear for comic/toy conventions to look like Super Mario or impersonate Darth Vader? Why can’t adults trick-or-treat too if they choose to, and why do the other adults frown if an adult tries to do it? Adults shouldn’t succumbed to only giving out bowls of candy and taking pictures at their house. They should have the right to choose and be a part of the trick-or-treating festivities if they choose to do it. What happened with the freedom of expression?
By Kathy Lester8 years ago in Families
Deserted Playground
Ten o’clock in the morning is a lonely time for a playground. It doesn’t matter the time of year it is or what school schedules look like. It’s just not typically a time when children are out and about. My particular child has the need to get his sillies out at this particular time of day. It wasn’t that long ago this was nap time. This works out for me, too, because it is mid-morning when I find the day at its most brilliant. It’s a pity more people don’t get a chance to enjoy more beautiful spring mornings like this in such a way.
By Paige Pitcher8 years ago in Families
