Irini Orihuela is an Editor at Love What Matters. She graduated from Stony Brook University with a degree in journalism. In her free time, she enjoys photography and hikes.
‘My body ripped through open space with ease, I took off over the hurdle, and BAM! I collapsed.’: Track athlete details overcoming Achilles injury during lockdown
“I was confused initially. Why was I on the ground? Why was the hurdle unmoved? I swore I heard the impact of something, but I didn’t feel it. Not at first. It wasn’t until I stumbled towards the hurdle it dawned on me that that sound I heard reverberating, the sound I thought was me hitting a hurdle, was actually the sound of my Achilles–snap.”
‘Wait, no, I take it back. I want him back.’ My mom was gone, and my dad just joined her.’: Daughter candidly shares two-parent grief journey
“Losing one parent is terrible, yes. Horrible, devastating, one of the hardest things I have ever had to go through. But no one prepares you for losing two.”
12 Fun Outdoor Activities For Your Kids To Do In The Dark
“Outdoor play doesn’t need to stop once the sun sets.”
Think Of Me Next Mother’s Day—My Role As Mom Did Not Die When My Child’s Heart Stopped Beating
“This year on Bereaved Mother’s Day, I received no texts or calls. No flowers or cards.”
‘For you, motherhood is going to be different.’: Woman discovers how much she loves motherhood and all its moments
“I started to see while motherhood has its highs of the smiles, the connection, and the ‘over the moon’ love, it also can have its lows with different challenges, pain, struggle, and worry.”
‘Every year, I feel an ache of loss by the early display of Mother’s Day cards.’: Motherless daughter battling infertility urges ‘celebrate the women who don’t fit the traditional card’
“As Mother’s Day approaches, I invite you to take a moment to re-imagine the traditional hallmark holiday.”
How To Overcome ‘Phone Guilt’ As A Parent
“My toddler started yammering on her plastic phone, then sent a text to Elmo and checked her emails. I wondered, was I a poor role model for my child?”
Sometimes I Forget My ‘Normal’ Is Different From Yours
“Every once in a while, I forget about the rest of the world and what ‘normal’ looks like to everyone else. And then I become shocked by seeing someone taking her 3 kids out to eat…with no feeding tubes or special equipment.”
‘Your mom is an angel now.’ I knew she was still looking after me – she was there in spirit.’: Woman overcomes loss of mom by following in her footsteps, advocating for Indigenous people
“I share my story for other Indigenous youth who are also going through intergenerational trauma.”
‘Enjoy traveling now because that will change with kids.’ People acted like my life was over.’: Traveling mom reassures parents ‘it doesn’t have to end with a baby’
“Traveling with a baby and watching her discover the world was even more fulfilling than my carefree travels before a baby.”