grief

Losing a family member is one of the most traumatic life events; Families must support one another to endure the five stages of grief and get through it together.

A Heavenly reminder of an important date
I woke up a little earlier than usual this morning and was editing some Vocal articles at 3:40 a.m. When I came across My Heart Still Beats for You I realized that it would soon be five years since my husband passed away. I decided I would re-share this story on March 21st, and as I saved my changes, I had a supernatural encounter.
By Cheryl E Preston3 days ago in Families
The Paradox of Liberation
Every year on International Women’s Day, the world pauses to celebrate women—our strength, our endurance, our long and unfinished walk toward dignity.
By Aja Truth3 days ago in Families
Love That Acts, Not Love That Speaks
When Love Became a Language Instead of a Practice In modern parenting culture, love is increasingly defined by what is said rather than what is done. Emotional affirmation, verbal reassurance, and constant validation are treated as the primary evidence of care, while less expressive forms of love are often overlooked or misunderstood. A parent who says “I love you” frequently and validates feelings consistently is assumed to be providing something essential, while a parent who demonstrates care through sacrifice, consistency, and enforcement may be perceived as distant or emotionally limited.
By Peter Thwing - Host of the FST Podcast4 days ago in Families
Rewriting unpleasant childhood experiences can help people feel less afraid of failing.
Have you ever been reluctant to start something new because you thought you wouldn't succeed? That fear begins in childhood for a lot of people. A critical remark made by a parent or instructor might linger for years. Those recollections may eventually develop into a profound fear of failing.
By Francis Dami8 days ago in Families
The Price of Depredation:
By a Black woman who reads the fine print I. The Myth of the “Value” Price We are told, over and over, that a “low price” is a kindness to the consumer. An act of corporate generosity. In reality, it is an accounting trick. The price tag is not a measure of efficiency; it is a map of who is allowed to be harmed. When a big-box retailer sells something below the cost of sustainable production, the discount does not appear by magic. It is pulled from the bodies of workers in the Global South, from the health of Black and brown communities at home, and from the erosion of wages for everyone else. The world pays the difference—with toxic water, children who grow up too fast, and neighborhoods stripped of local businesses.
By Aja Truth8 days ago in Families
He Was a Teenager With a Bright Future
CHECK OUT MY EBOOKS COLLECTION By Soul on Fire LEAVIE SCOTT ST. LOUIS — In the sharp light of a July evening, a 52‑year‑old man stepped out of the Mel Carnahan Courthouse, paused, and placed a hand to his chest. He scanned a city that had grown up without him—glassier buildings, faster phones, different slang, a world that felt like a foreign country. His name was Christopher Dunn, and on July 30, 2024, after more than three decades behind bars for the 1990 killing of 15‑year‑old Ricco (Recco/Ricco) Rogers, a judge’s ruling and a prosecutor’s decision finally opened the door to his freedom.
By Organic Products 11 days ago in Families
Love, Loss and the Leash That Started It All. Content Warning. AI-Generated.
It was a warm Saturday morning in early spring. I was half awake, holding a cup of coffee in one hand and my golden retriever’s leash in the other. She was the kind of dog who loved everyone. I, on the other hand, needed a little warming up.
By Pets Lify11 days ago in Families
Navigating Relationships with Emotional Intelligence
Relationships are the very fabric of our lives, weaving together our experiences, shaping our identities, and providing a profound sense of connection. Yet, they are also incredibly complex, often fraught with misunderstandings, heartbreak, and the bewildering question: "Why do relationships fail?" It's a question that echoes in countless hearts, hinting at deeper psychological currents beneath the surface.
By Being Inquisitive16 days ago in Families
The Power of Presence
When “Good Parenting” Became a Feeling In modern parenting conversations, “good” has increasingly come to mean emotionally warm, verbally affirming, and immediately comforting. A good parent is expected to soothe distress quickly, validate feelings consistently, and minimize discomfort whenever possible. These traits are treated as obvious indicators of healthy parenting, reinforced by cultural messaging, therapeutic language, and social reward structures. When a child feels better in the moment, the parenting decision is assumed to have been correct, and when discomfort persists, the decision is often framed as a failure of care rather than a necessary part of development.
By Peter Thwing - Host of the FST Podcast17 days ago in Families
The Last Soldier Standing
The day I had my heart attack, the doctors told me I needed rest. Real rest. The kind where you let other people take care of you for once. I nodded, because that’s what polite patients do, but the truth was already forming in my mind like a command I couldn’t disobey.
By Lizz Chambers18 days ago in Families
Six Things Women like More In Men Than Good looks
Physical attraction may spark interest, but it rarely sustains a meaningful relationship. While good looks can draw attention, they are not what build trust, emotional security, or long-term happiness. Many women value deeper qualities that make a man reliable, emotionally safe, and inspiring to be with. Here are six things women often like more in men than physical appearance.
By Ibrahim Shah 20 days ago in Families
Six Things Men like More In Women Than Good looks
Physical attraction often gets most of the attention in conversations about relationships, but in reality, long-term connection is built on much deeper qualities. While good looks may catch someone’s eye, they rarely hold someone’s heart. Here are six things many men value in women even more than physical beauty.
By Ibrahim Shah 20 days ago in Families