“People could us see arguing with each other. People could see us gritting our teeth and communicating via dagger glares. And for a little while, right there in the middle of an amusement park, I almost cried. Where did I go wrong?”
The ‘Perfect’ Family Is A Myth, And It’s Time We Realize It
Dear 18-Year-Old Me: Buckle Up, It’s Going To Be A Ride!
“I write to you on the day before your 40th birthday. There are so many things I want to tell you. Bring tissues, you are going to need them.”
‘You can’t compare your journey to Courtney next door. She didn’t have the same cards dealt to her as you did.’: Woman reminds us ‘we get one go around on this Earth, make it count’
“So what if you don’t decide until 24 what you want to be when you grow up? So what if you’re entering your second marriage before 30? Who cares if you never went to school and you’re a stay-at-home mom?! We get one go around on this Earth; make it count.”
We Need To End The Toxic Milestone Mentality— Here’s Why
“When you’re 35 and have never been married and don’t have kids, you have a lot to explain to society.”
‘He stabbed her with a pencil. The teacher said, ‘He just likes her!’: Mom fights for daughter being bullied for race, ‘You HAVE to be their advocate’
“’Is it okay for Black girls to be Elsa for Halloween?’ I said, ‘ANYONE can be Elsa! Even a boy!’ She cried, ‘They told me if I want to be Elsa, I should wash my dirty skin.’ I was FUMING.”
‘My Tinder date said, ‘Let me see what SHE wants to drink…’ I felt a huge, warm feeling in the pit of my stomach. It was the first time I was addressed with female pronouns.’: Woman comes out as trans with support from co-workers, friends
“I was born on January 25, 1995. The name on my birth certificate is recorded as Derek Sabado with the letter ‘M’ next to it. The year is 2021, and as I’m writing this, I have never felt more happy and proud of the woman I have become.”
‘You’re just a dramatic teenager.’ I was brushed off and swept aside. Then I swallowed a bottle of Advil.’: Woman overcomes eating disorder and anxiety, ‘I use my suffering to grow’
“I set a goal to get ‘skinny’ for graduation. I was starving myself, but if anyone mentioned it, I’d become outraged. In my eyes, I was ‘finally taking care of myself’ and anyone who thought differently was just trying to tear me down.”
‘It’s all in your head. Just get over it.’ I tried to end my own life and no one knew. I had lost everything, including myself.’: Woman overcomes mental illness, encourages others ‘never stop fighting’
“When I went off to college, I expected my life to get so much better. I had high hopes of finally feeling whole again. But I spent my time there battling severe suicidal ideations, and I stopped eating and sleeping almost completely. My whole family watched me throw away my dream.”
‘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.”
‘Come OOOONNN!’ I used to wonder why my mom was always the last one out of the house. Then I became a mom.’: Mom says ‘we take care of absolutely everyone and everything before ourselves’
“For the longest time, I didn’t get it. She had started at the same time we did! Then I became a mom.”
