“Last night, I put up my Christmas tree and cried. It happens every year. For many, many years, I thought I hated Christmas. I’ve come to realize I don’t it. I hate the pressure of trying to hide my grief, for the comfort of others.”
‘Stop being sad, Heather. People would kill to have what you have.’ You cannot push grief away. It’s going to show it’s face, one way or another.’: Woman reminds us ‘joy and grief can co-exist, even during Christmas’
It Isn’t Shallow To Want To Look Beautiful—Until It Steals Your Joy
“I went to take a sip of water and all of it dropped out of my mouth. I looked in the mirror to find half of my face sagging. Paralyzed. My face just stopped working.”
‘I can have him ready as soon as I need to.’ With shaking knees and wet palms, we froze. Our family was being built.’: Couple adopts two boys from foster care, ‘It was a very easy yes’
“It felt like months of tug-of-war. ’The judge is refusing. You need to be in Texas by Friday.’ Through tears, I called my husband. ‘Looks like we’re headed to Texas.’ I just wanted my boy.”
‘Your tests came back abnormal.’ I started shaking immediately. It didn’t seem fair. I was terrified of what he’d look like.’: Mom gives birth to baby with Down syndrome, ‘He’s perfect in every way’
“I was hysterical. ‘This can’t be right. I’m 21 years old. I have my whole life in front of me.’ I was afraid it would ruin Christmas. I’ve never cried more in my life.”
‘You look so great! How did you do it?’ All of my validations were coming true, but I wasn’t happy OR healthy. I hardly recognized myself.’: Woman recovers from eating disorder, ‘I love my body’
“In sixth grade, I attended my first Weight Watchers meeting. We counted points and bought ‘low-cal’ foods. I never really hated my body. I wanted to be accepted for who I was.”
‘People said, ‘I’d NEVER choose an older kid.’ We decided to take them permanently. They’re not just ‘damaged goods.’: Family adopt daughter from foster care, ‘I can rest knowing she is loved’
“‘Their current foster home is abusive.’ When we dropped them back off, she yelled at us for giving them haircuts. Most days, it felt like the system simply didn’t care to provide what was necessary. I can rest now, knowing she is loved.”
‘I’ll do it, but just this once.’ Famous last words. My body NEEDED them. I HAD to get high every 6 hours.’: Recovering addict shares sobriety journey, ‘All you have to do is SHOW UP’
“If I didn’t get high within an hour, I’d start throwing up. I’d sit in the bathroom for hours trying to hit. My veins were ruined. My probation officer was calling everyone I knew, threatening to send me to prison. I was at an all-time low.”
‘The doctor pulled her aside. ‘If you don’t take her in, she will go to a group home, and she will die.’ Diagnosed with AIDS, my organs were shutting down. I was 2 years past my death date.’: HIV warrior adopted by sister’s boss after life-long abuse
“CPS told my parents, ‘You cannot drop your kid off at a group home and not come back. If you don’t get her, you will be charged with abuse and neglect.’ My parents didn’t budge. At 14, I was given two weeks to find a new place to live. All I wanted was to be wanted. ‘I believe in you, I love you, you are worth it.’ My sister’s boss took me in.”
‘You don’t deserve to die.’ Seeing the number on the scale became an obsession. I struggled to find the strength to fight.’: Teen recovers from eating disorder, ‘You can set yourself free’
“I lost all energy whatsoever. My dad would come to my bedside when I couldn’t move a muscle without screaming and beg me to eat. ‘I want Louise back.’ I wasn’t able to carry on much longer.”
‘I’m not disabled! That doesn’t apply to me.’ I was the only one who couldn’t see how ill I truly was. I don’t know how I’m still standing.’: Chronic illness warrior urges ‘you are SO worthy’
“I felt like I had the flu most days. I could never get warm, and I was getting severe migraines. I saw every specialist imaginable. I ended up housebound and bedridden.”