“I was devastated at the thought of being just another set of young parents who couldn’t make it work. We were still raising a child together. Four adults opened their hearts to ensure this little boy never felt like he was missing out.”
‘Dad and I are still friends.’ It was absolutely gut-wrenching. We were determined to beat the statistics. We could still be great parents together.’: Mom shares co-parenting journey, ‘We’re one family, full of love’
‘Just wait until he sees you in the hospital. He’ll definitely run.’ I never thought he’d love me back. He held my hand and took care of me.’: Liver transplant recipient shares powerful love story
“As I stood in front of him, he said my scars showed my strength. I couldn’t believe it. For so long, I’d let my illness make me feel like I deserved less. I realized I could do anything with him by my side.”
‘I know we said we’d never do it, but maybe we need to think less about us.’ That was all it took to convince me.’: Couple shares foster care journey, ‘This view was worth the wait’
“The words spilled out of his mouth, ‘I just keep thinking about all the love we have. Doesn’t it seem so simple?’ Suddenly, it seemed perfectly clear. I knew better days were coming.”
‘I’d gained 40 pounds while pregnant. ‘I’m sick of feeling ashamed of my body.’ It was like a switch flipped inside of me.’: Mom of 3 shares body confidence journey, ‘I finally love myself’
“After the initial excitement of having a child wore off, I was ready to start ‘getting back to normal.’ I woke up, got out of bed, and walked past a mirror. I stopped and stared at the person looking back at me. I didn’t even recognize her. The girl I’d known my whole life was gone.”
‘Have you given ANY thought to how it affects us?’ What about your CHILDREN?’ We took in 3 siblings. It was worth it.’: Mom shares foster journey, ‘Every bit of love makes a difference’
“I spent every night before bed rocking them and reassuring them, ‘You’re safe. I won’t let anything happen. We’re here to protect you.’”
‘We promise to love your child and speak of you often.’ My heart was filled with just their words.’: Young mom describes open adoption journey, ‘It’s the start of something beautiful’’
“I handed them their baby boy. I wasn’t giving my child away. I was placing him into the arms of two loving parents who would always be a part of my life.”
‘It’s something small, but it can change your WHOLE day. We felt the love, even in what seemed like endless darkness. I wanted to HELP.’: Woman crafts handwritten cards to ‘send kindness through the mail’
“I pulled out my stationery box from where it was collecting dust in a closet. For the first time in weeks, I was energized and felt like I was making a difference! As I put the letters in my mailbox, I had the desire for this to become something bigger.”
‘One day, you’ll need a transplant.’ I was DEVASTATED. I never really accepted this, until I had no other option.’: Man with autoimmune hepatitis undergoes liver transplant, ‘It’s my second chance’
“I lost 30 pounds, began sleeping 14 hours a day, and suffered terrible stomach pains. It was raining when I received the call. When I hung up, I watched the raindrops fall down the window in streaks. I was preparing to take my hands off the wheel and hand it to my doctors.”
‘You have to work harder because of skin color.’ There was NO ONE like me in my classes. I’m changing the narrative.’: Transracial adoptee reflects on ‘reclaiming’ her culture, ‘I’m not alone anymore’
“I wasn’t ‘Latina enough’ to befriend kids at school. My white peers would say things like ‘I don’t see color,’ which made me feel like I was on both sides of the coin. I tried DESPERATELY to fit in and be accepted.”
‘There’s some bad news regarding your blood work.’ They spent 12 HOURS on his spine. We weren’t sure he’d ever crawl. But he DID.’: Mom births baby with spina bifida, ‘He completes us’
“He may have a disability, but Tommy is capABLE of anything. His happiness, love of life, and laughter is something which will forever bring smiles to the face of anyone he meets. He is our ANGEL.”
