“When you are broken down to nothing and have to piece yourself together, you realize you are unstoppable. No one can hurt you.”
I Was Abandoned By Both My Parents, Now I’m Turning My Pain Into Purpose
‘I called my husband at 2 a.m. and quietly sobbed, ‘I need help.’ Christmas was no longer a safe space for me.’: New mom battles depression, ‘For the first time in years, there’s peace in my home’
“My husband made me a promise. ‘We’ll have our own Christmas tree next year.’ I felt hope for the first time in 3 years. My mental health waned as the pandemic continued with no end in sight. But I kept coming back to his promise and what it meant to me.”
‘This never happens. You’re safe.’ Black women are FOUR times more likely to die during childbirth.’: Mom and baby beat odds, ‘Our bond is unbreakable’
“She looked lifeless and was covered in wires. ‘You are so loved. I fought so hard to be with you.’ I soon became too weak to hold her. I realized I was bleeding. I tried to say, ‘Something’s wrong!’ but I passed out.”
‘Kids told him, ‘They don’t really want you!’ There was a sadness in his eyes. For me, it was love at first sight.’: Family adopts teen, ‘We’ll be here for him forever’
“’When can I visit?’ I didn’t have an answer. He’d lived in a residential facility for almost 2 years. I’m his second chance.”
The Emotional Moment I Decided It Was Time To Build Self-Love
“I walked into the dollar store last summer and had no idea I was about to discover one of the most moving messages.”
‘Will you marry me?’ The minute I said yes, we heard him. The yell of a man 100 yards away. He approached us with the biggest smile on his face.’: Couple donate annual Christmas ‘Albert box’ in honor of unforgettable homeless man
“It was a homeless man in a wheelchair. ‘I saw the whole thing! I love love!’ He had the biggest smile on his face.”
‘You have anxiety.’ I had to lie to get the care I needed. I fought for the surgery I knew would save my life.’: Endometriosis warrior becomes advocate, ‘No one deserves to suffer from this’
“We’re often told we are overdramatic, making it up for attention, mentally unstable— all while suffering severe pain. It wasn’t rainbows, it wasn’t sunshine. It was survival.”
‘We have to come with new ways to connect.’ Our traditional stages went dark. COVID wasn’t going to stop us.’: Musician finds peace during COVID-19 Christmas, ‘We’ve found healing’
“The pandemic has yielded a range of emotions. Yet, one can still find hope, comfort and peace through music. Once we are able to resume regular performances, I hope we remember those who cannot come to us, and we will go to them.”
‘Have you been biting your fingernails?’ he asked. I got this sinking feeling.’: Woman with limb difference goes on self-love journey, ‘Being different is amazing’
“I didn’t see anyone like me until I was in my teens. At times, I felt like it was only me in the world with a little hand, which felt lonely and scary. I used to wish on every star, ‘Please could I just have two normal hands?’”
‘A car ran a red light and hit me. ‘Stop being dramatic and take a cab.’ I was DEVASTATED. I didn’t want to struggle or hurt anymore.’: Woman shares journey to sobriety, ‘I chose life’
“Alcohol was like a looming cloud. I chose alcohol over everything. I would mourn with alcohol, celebrate with alcohol, and survive with alcohol. I asked myself, ‘Do I want to spend my life mourning ghosts of a life lost, or actually live?’”