“I wondered, ‘Does anyone see ME and what I’m doing?’ There was a Christmas package sitting in the pew. I saw the power of kindness. We all need a little of that this season.”
‘Something told me to buy it.’ How did she know I looked at it? ‘No one has forgotten about you.’: Mom receives gift of Christmas kindness, ‘I was being seen for my efforts’
‘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.”
‘I feel like I made a difference.’ They feel so empowered. I never fail to tear up a little.’: Teacher wraps Christmas baskets with students, ‘It’s so beautiful to see them helping others’
“I feel a tiny glow of hope these bright-eyed kids will continue to think about simple ways to make an impact in the lives of those around them, even after they finish school. I have to hold back my years when I think about the difference they’re making.”
‘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?’”
‘Are you sure about having this baby?’ He was as blue as a Smurf. I walked down the corridor, empty, without my baby.’: Mom shares son’s journey with congenital heart defect, ‘It made me who I am’
“I didn’t know what or how to feel. ‘I’m numb.’ The word ‘death’ was written under risk factors. Signing the consent form was the scariest thing I’d ever done. It was basically signing away your child to your worst fear.”
‘She patted my tummy. ‘Thanksgiving wasn’t good for you… too much turkey.’ I was confused. What was wrong with my body?’: Dancer becomes body positive advocate, ‘I want to be the change’
“I’d eat lunch and sneak off to be sick. I was ashamed even with all the dance and exercise, it didn’t help. I was fat. ‘Your body is wrong for dance.’ I didn’t fight back.”
‘Please tell me what’s going on!’ It was a freak accident. ‘AM I DREAMING?’ Christmas was supposed to be ‘THE DAY!’: Woman pregnant with rainbow baby, ‘She chose US to be her parents’
“I was rushed to the hospital because it looked bloody BAD. ‘I just have this weird feeling,’ I told him. I was shaking from absolute shock.”