family – Word Hues

Traveler on path between ancient ruins, medieval castle, and modern city; signs read Ancient Era, Medieval Era, and Modern Era.

Back to the past

Published on August 24, 2026 by wordhuesLeave a comment

If you could go back and witness any historical event, which one would you pick?

If there were even a remote possibility that I could travel to the past and witness a historical event, I honestly would not know which one to choose.

I was never a good student of history. I never really paid attention in class, and I did not do particularly well in my exams. The one time I managed to pass, it was by a single mark, which probably says everything that needs to be said about my knowledge of the subject. So when people ask what moment in history I would want to witness, I struggle to come up with an answer.

It is not that I have never heard of important historical events. I know there are countless moments that changed the course of humanity. The problem is that when I try to think of one, nothing comes to mind. My mind simply goes blank.

I also think there is another reason I hesitate. Whenever I imagine visiting the past, somewhere in the back of my mind is the reality of what life was like for women during much of history. No matter how fascinating an era may seem, that thought always makes me pause.

On the other hand, if I were choosing an event based purely on something that would make me happy, my answer would be completely different. I do not know if it would be considered a historic event, but I would want to attend the very first BTS performance. Not when they were already famous, but when they were still a rookie group performing in front of a small audience that had no idea what they would eventually become.

It may be a cliché answer, but like many others, BTS’s music healed me in ways I never thought possible. Their songs found me at the right time, comforted me when I needed it most, and continue to inspire and encourage me even today. Maybe witnessing a world-changing moment would be incredible, but there is also something special about being present at the beginning of something that would later change your own world.

Faded Memories

Published on August 20, 2026 by wordhuesLeave a comment

Daily writing prompt

If you could relive one day from your past, which day would it be and why?

View all responses

When people talk about childhood memories, they describe them so vividly that it feels like I can almost see them myself. I can feel the emotions they felt at the time. The joy, the comfort, the innocence. They speak about their past as though they can step back into it whenever they want.

For me, it isn’t like that.

When I sit alone and try to remember the past, I feel as though I am lost in a haze. I know things happened. I know I laughed, loved, celebrated, worried, and dreamed. But whenever I reach for a specific memory, my mind returns only fragments. Faces without conversations. Places without stories. Feelings without context.

Sometimes I think I have a habit of placing memories into a box and setting it aside. Not because I want to forget them, but because life keeps moving forward. There is always something new demanding my attention. Over time, I stopped opening the box.

Now, when I try to revisit those memories, it feels as though it has been locked shut.

Yet something remarkable happens whenever I am with my family.

A story gets mentioned. A photograph appears. Someone laughs about something that happened years ago. Slowly, the blurry images begin to sharpen. The haze lifts. The memories come rushing back, and with them all the emotions I felt in those moments.

What I miss most are not the big milestones or the stories people would tell at a family gathering.

I miss the ordinary moments.

I want to relive the nights when we were children and all of us squeezed into our parents’ king-size bed. We would fight over the blanket and argue over who got to sleep next to Mom and who got to sleep next to Dad. At the time it felt like the most serious argument in the world. Now I would give anything to be back there, surrounded by the warmth and chaos of a family that was all together in one place.

I want to relive the days when my dad would carry me on his shoulders. The world seemed bigger from up there, but somehow safer too. I would eventually drift off to sleep without a single worry in my mind and he would not move me, walking the complete distance to home. Or even those magical moments when I fell asleep in front of the television and woke up in my bed the next morning. I never questioned how I got there.

I want to relive the afternoons when my dad fed me lunch because my mother worried that I never finished my plate. I remember treating it as an inconvenience. Just another part of my day. Now I understand that some of the greatest expressions of love arrive disguised as ordinary routines.

I want to relive the evenings when my mom came home exhausted from work and stretched out on the bed for a brief nap. Her arm was always extended outward because the pillow was never meant for me. Without ever saying a word, she made space for my head in the crook of her arm. Looking back, I realize that no pillow I have slept on since has ever felt as comfortable or as safe.

I want to relive the days when I was shorter than my sister. When I could hug her and bury my face in the crook of her shoulder. When her embrace felt like protection from everything I didn’t yet understand about the world

Teenage girl writing in a notebook at a desk in a bedroom with Harry Potter poster and packed boxes

Day 211: Finding my Independence

Published on June 28, 2026 by wordhuesLeave a comment

Being the younger child in the family comes with a lot of privileges, but it also comes with its challenges. While I am extremely pampered because my parents literally want to do everything for me, they do not set high expectations because they don’t want me to feel burdened. They are always happy with whatever I achieve, no matter how insignificant it is.

I have now come to a stage in my life where I want to live independently. I want to have my own home — and yes, my parents’ home will always be my home. But being the younger child often means your opinions or choices are not really considered. I think I want a home of my own not for the freedom that comes with it, but because I want to decorate it the way I like. I want to finally be able to buy furniture that I love. I want to have my own office room that I can set up according to my preference, without someone constantly asking, “Do you really need this? Why this? Why that?” And of course, I want to walk around my house in the clothes I like. Since I’ll essentially be by myself, I doubt relatives will visit often, and there will be no judgment on how I look.

While the prospect of living separately excites me, it also brings with it the guilt tied to the “empty nest syndrome.” I sometimes just stare at my parents doing their regular tasks and notice the shift in the way they move. They have become slower. They have become quieter. They spend most of their days just resting, ironically scrolling through the phone or watching TV. I see them huffing and letting out exasperated sighs when they take a break after doing some tasks. They are together now, but I keep thinking: should one of them leave, how will the other manage? Would it be right for me to leave them too?

But on the other hand, I’ve received very fitting advice: “You can love and care for them, but it is not your responsibility to fix their life.” It is true — parents are the most resilient class of people. Their world keeps changing, and somehow they adapt. They may not adapt in the way you believe is right, but they find a way to adjust to their new life.

And so, I return to my desire to finally break free from the nest and find a place of my own in this world.

Day 91: Five Steps Closer

Published on February 28, 2026March 8, 2026 by wordhuesLeave a comment

Spontaneity has never been my strength. Sudden plans usually send me into a spiral of panic. But there are exceptions—and family outings are one of them. When I’m with my family, the anxiety fades. I don’t worry about what others think. I just feel safe.

Six months ago, life looked very different. I could barely walk without dragging my leg behind me. Sitting down and standing up from a chair felt like climbing a mountain. I had no strength in my legs, and I often wished for a chair in front of me just to hold onto, in case I fell. Nights were the hardest—I remember crying quietly into my pillow every time I had to turn in bed, praying no one would hear me.

Today, I’m not what most would call “healthy,” but I’m far better than I was. And today, I had a victory.

We went out as a family for lunch. To reach our reserved table, I had to climb five stairs. Five steps—something so small for most people, but for me, it was monumental. Each step sent shooting pain through my legs, but I made it. I leaned on my sister to get down the stairs, but I didn’t break down crying. I got through it. Those five steps were everything.

The meal itself was wonderful. Good food, laughter, and togetherness. I even took pictures of all the dishes we ate. Funny enough, I used to judge people for photographing their food. But now, I see it differently. For me, it’s about capturing a happy memory. I don’t care if the photos are “Instagram-worthy”—I just want them for myself. Since I can’t go on the long walks I used to love, food has become my next best subject for photography. One of these days, I might even start sharing them online.

Leaving all that aside, today was a good day. Yes, I’m in some pain, and yes, I’m exhausted—but nothing I can’t handle. More importantly, I’m determined. I don’t want to go back to my “old self.” I want to become my better self. And with faith, family, and perseverance, I believe I will.

Day 14: Day of Baking

Published on December 13, 2025 by wordhuesLeave a comment

I know that the word “baking” has a lot of different interpretations. I mean baking as in the cooking in the oven baking.

Today I tried waking up early but the weather outside was so cold! I did not want to leave the comfort of my warm blanket. The cold floor was a nightmare quite literally. I kept snuggling until I realized that I was awake and did not have any sleep left in me.

I definitely had huge plans for today. I went into the kitchen cleaned up the table to make space for my baking stuff. Once that was done, out came the eggs, sugar, flour, baking tins and the other ingredients. The first cake of the the day was a traditional plum cake. I had to keep taking breaks in the process due to my shoulder injury but I made it. It went into the oven to bake.

Meanwhile, when my nephews came over we set out to make a simple chocolate cake. Because according to them it is cake only when it is chocolate!

The plum cake came out okay – a 8 out of 10. The chocolate cake probably needed a little more time – a 6 out of 10. Regardless, I am happy that I could atleast make them this year.

The medicines are working. I may not be out of pain but it is getting better. I am able to stand for longer and do things that I used to. Little steps but little steps are moving me forward.

Thank you Jesus! For teaching me to find happiness in the small things of life.

The items that broke my bank

Published on November 11, 2025November 11, 2025 by wordhuesLeave a comment

I am a calculated impulsive buyer. I do not know if that makes sense.

Name the most expensive personal item you’ve ever purchased (not your home or car).

It’s just that when I really want to buy something especially if the item in question is on the higher end of my usual spending bracket I take my time.

The “take my time” statement does not make sense when I call my self impulsive. Self Contradictory. To put things into perspective, the desire to buy is impulsive. As soon as I see something I like I want to buy it! The only thing that restricts me is my need for financial stability.

I end up saving for the item first. I take my time and restrict my expenses to the come up with the money to buy it. Sometimes by the time I save the money the item is out of the market and I loose the chance to buy it. However, on the other hand there are few items that I did end up buying.

My largest spends till date are: my Samsung Flip phone, my iPad and my Sony Camera. These may not be “pricey” according to some peoples standards but with my education expenses buying even these were a challenge.

Totally worth the wait and worth the cost! I think the wait to buy it made the actual purchase even more special!

Unfavorable Circumstance

Published on October 11, 2025 by wordhuesLeave a comment

Daily writing prompt

When was the first time you really felt like a grown up (if ever)?

View all responses

Growing up is never fun. I guess it’s worse when circumstances push you towards it.

Being the younger child I am the family baby. My parents protected me all through my life and my sister always went above and beyond to shield me from every pain.

Life had a different path set for me. When I was 14, I saw my mother fall sick. I saw her working through her pain and exhaustion to provide for her children. And then, I saw her body fail her. She forced herself to get up and pretend everything was okay but I somehow I realized that she was hiding the truth.

I remember walking into the hospital with her when she finally could not push herself any longer. I remember her on the hospital bed talking and explaining her issues to the doctor. After that, it was like a switch. She slowly started fading. It like her mind finally was exhausted holding on and then she started getting worse. My sister and father were unable to be with us at that time. So I sat at the side of my mamma’s bed, alone, seeing her struggling to breathe. Every time she woke up she told me she is okay but I could see her fading away, I could see the color of her skin change, I could see her slowly loose her appetite, I could see her fighting to stay alive.

My mother thought that I was small and that I did not understand anything but I remember every update the doctors gave. I realized the possibility that I could loose my mother. I used to cry when I showered so that no one would know that I was crying. I did not want my mamma to worry about me. I could see that she was in pain and there was nothing I could do to get her out of it.

I realized that seeing her in pain was far worse than the pain of loosing her. I tried to grow up to be stronger. When my sister and father were able to join us I sought to be the person they could rely on. I held my sister when she broke down crying in worry and told her that we need to be strong for mamma. When my father put his hands around my shoulder I told him that we were a family and that together we can face anything. In those moments I knew I could not be the person that is been taken care of rather I needed to be the person who took care of others. I took it upon me to stir conversations away from the gloom and glum. I know that the worry will always be there in the back of their mind but for those few minutes I wanted them to remember the happiness.

By a miracle, I got my mother back and lets be clear there have been many close calls after. But today, I am not fearful, I am determined to be the wall to fall back on. There is no circumstance that my family would have to face alone. I will be the courage they need to continue.

To all the Children who grew up to soon, I may have been hell but you got through it. Your courage and determination is beyond comprehension. I hope that you get to have days in your life to relive the innocence of a child.

Unbalanced Act

Published on May 18, 2025 by wordhuesLeave a comment

Daily writing prompt

How do you balance work and home life?

View all responses

Work life balance is something I am just starting to learn.

When I got my first job I was so unsure. Being an average student all my life, I was worried of being average again. Till it was school it was okay I could write the exam again, but failing in job would be failing in life.

Every time I stepped into my workplace I was 100% committed to giving it my best. However, somewhere along the way I gave up on living my life. My life could be summarized as work and sleep. I thought that being good at my job would give me the respect in need in the society. Slowly I realized I had disconnected from my friends and my family.

It was when my family was in a crisis that I realized that my family was more important to me. The society never will matter. I want my life to be filled with wonderful memories with the ones I love. I am learning to disconnect from work and spending time with my family. Even if its just sitting and talking with them.

I am getting better at it. Balancing my time between my family and work. Being a 100% present for my family. I think in this post COVID world everyone is learning what are their priorities. People want people and work can always get done.

None till Date

Published on May 17, 2025 by wordhuesLeave a comment

Daily writing prompt

What sacrifices have you made in life?

View all responses

This prompt is something you really need to think about. My instant thought when I think of sacrifice is all the things that I had to give up in life. When I had to walk past a toy that I really wanted because it was too costly. When I had to give away my gifts because my cousins had lesser. When I had to give up my dream degree because my parents didn’t want to be alone.

But now that I have taken a minute, they were never sacrifices. They were choices that I had to make with age. After you grow up these childhood “sacrifices” you realize were just things that you had to let go. It was about choosing between two things. I was not giving up anything for anybody.

Sacrifice is when my parents gave up on pursuing their education to save up for my future education. They gave up their health because check ups “costly” or “not required”. The real reason was they wanted to provide for the family even if it meant that they become sicker. Even when they were tired and exhausted just one whine from me and they would carry me in their arms.

Sacrifice is what my sister did. When we were children, she always gave the bigger piece of the chocolate she loved. She is immensely talented. However, when there was a school program she never gave her name because my parents could not afford paying for us both. She didn’t pursue her career dream because that meant that I could not afford to have a dream.

But the biggest sacrifice of all is what Jesus did for me. We do not like when we get punishment when we do something wrong. He was punished when he did nothing wrong. He took that punishment without a word of protest so I could be guilt free. He gave His life for me so I could have life. When sins closed my way to God He broke down the walls to pull me closer.

Sacrifices are those that can never be paid back. All I can hope is be worthy of the sacrifices made for me. Maybe one day when I does come to me I also am willing to sacrifice for the people I love.

The ones who walked the path before me

Published on April 30, 2025 by wordhuesLeave a comment

Daily writing prompt

List the people you admire and look to for advice…

View all responses

When we are self focused we seldom realize that there are people in this world who have walked the same path. What seems so difficult to us right now someone has already overcome it.

My Parents
It is very irritating when they start with the line “When we were young…”. However, whenever I am stuck in a decision my parents are my first source of advice. I may not always follow their advice but their perspective teaches me a different thought process than I could imagine.
There are times when I choose not to trouble my parents and make my own decisions. My parents keep watching me closely making sure they are there next to me the instant I need them. They never want me to fall, but they want to be there every time I need support to get back up.

My Sister
Some would find it odd why I chose to mention my sister separately. But she deserves the specific mention. She may not be very old to me but she has taken care of me at every stage. If it was up to her she would tie me up with a mattress and cushion so that nothing can harm me. “To harm her you need to cross over my dead body” – seems like a very cliché line in movies. My sister doesn’t need to say it, cause with her every action she shows it. She goes to the extent of saving me from myself. She doesn’t sugar coat her advice. If may not always like it but I know she says things out of love. I may not understand it an the very moment but eventually it all makes sense

My Mentors
At different stages of my life I meet with different people who guide me. Whether it be in school, college or at work. Each and every one of them have taught me something new. The most astonishing part of the whole thing is that they do so with so much humility. They know so much but yet they come down to my level to help me understand things. I admire those who can impart knowledge with such impact.

My Friends
I admire all my friends. I think I become friends with people because I am fascinated by their moral character. Some them are epitome of patience, some are so selfless, some of them are so self driven and motivated. All characteristics I seem to lack in. I turn to them for advice when sometimes I just want another perspective.