“My nails weren’t painted and I curled my hair myself in between wiping away the endless stream of tears. It wasn’t staged or super fancy. It was a dad doing what he always did best: sweeping his girl off her feet one last time.”
‘’Will you ask her to marry you?’ My dress was overnighted. Mom helped dad into his suit. I choked on tears.’: Woman creates father-daughter dance before dad’s passing, ‘He always chose joy’
‘Your baby is gone.’ She placed her hand on my leg with a soft touch. The lump in my throat turned into a loud moan.’: Mom says ‘9 weeks is all I had with her, but she will be forever in our lives’
“She asked me to lay back. ‘Hold on,’ I said, ‘Let me grab my phone so I can record this for my husband.’ I settled in, hit the record button. I knew pretty quickly that something was off. I could feel the tennis ball size lump rising in my throat.”
‘I caught sight of her coat hanging off the banister, waiting to be picked up and worn again. I couldn’t hold it together. She didn’t know it was the last time.’: Woman urges ‘hold on to each moment before it’s a memory’
“I was composed when I received the message she had passed, and when the doctor came to verify her death. I was composed when I kissed her forehead for the last time. It was only as we were getting ready to leave her house, that the silliest thing got to me.”
‘My student from 10 years ago messaged me. ‘Miss Silva, I’m applying for my Doctorate and Master’s Degree.’ I cried.’: Teacher urges ‘he is much more than the color many cannot see past’
“In a world that told him he would not amount to much because he was a black boy, he kept going. In a society that told him he was not worth much because he had dreadlocks and wore his pants a bit low, he kept going. He defied the odds, and then he crushed them.”
‘I hugged him tight. ‘What?’ he said, very confused. ‘I know it’s just a freaking pan, but that made me feel so heard.’: Woman reminds us ‘it’s the littlest things that can bring the most joy’
“We have kids. Our lives get messy and busy. Somedays, when we talk to each other, we get distracted mid-conversation by our kids, our phones, and just life. Sometimes I don’t feel heard. But yesterday, he came home with a pan.”
‘At age 6, she’s already been called ‘too talkative,’ while male counterparts are labeled class clowns or just ‘boys being boys.’: Woman shares touching reminder to be our authentic selves
“Many kids and adults will try to hush her as she grows up. But as long as she has a few teachers who believe in her for the girl she is, with those leadership skills, she just might change the world.”
‘The chocolatey sponge set off fireworks in my mouth. Was there crack in this cake? I put the fork down and sat with the guilt.’: Woman describes journey to food freedom, ‘Life is meant to be lived’
“I worried what I’d look like the next day. I HAD to do better tomorrow. I lived in fear.”
‘Molly…’ My husband looked me dead in the eye. ‘We need to talk.’ Shaking, he told me the painful truth no one in a monogamous relationship wants to hear.’: Divorcee urges ‘listen to your heart’
“I sat there in silence for what seemed like an eternity. ‘Say something, please…’ he begged. After several minutes, all I could manage to mutter was, ‘Well, I guess now we finally have an excuse to get a divorce.’ Within 2 weeks, I watched my dreams of building a life and a family disappear in front of my eyes.”
‘I didn’t want kids anyway.’ I put on a show. I was bitter. No amount of training could’ve prepared me for this.’: Foster-to-adoptive mom ‘thankful’ for infertility, ‘My eyes were opened’
“I was unable to carry biological children. ‘WHY NOT ME?’ I’d see news stories of child abuse, neglect, and murder. I’m not a very patient person. My heart was forced to explore other options.”
‘Homeschool isn’t crayons displayed in cute pails, three-tiered cubbies, or $100 globes.’: Mom’s open letter to new homeschool parents is a sigh of relief
“Beware, newcomer. Pinterest is DESPERATELY going to try to convince you what your homeschool ought to look like.”