“One day, I chose to sit outside in a park during my lunch break. A stranger complimented my new bag. It was such a little thing, but it shifted something within me.”
‘I bawled my eyes out as I paid for my groceries. ‘I’m failing as a mom.’ I felt so useless, alone.’: Postpartum depression warrior starts mission to spread kindness
‘Someone recently asked what my ideal weight loss goal is. I replied, ‘Happiness.’: Woman urges ‘stop chasing a number and start chasing who you are’
“I’m not going to look at this stomach and wish it was flatter. I’m not going to look at these stretch marks and wish I could erase them. I’m not going to look at this butt and wish it was rounder.”
‘They used to fit between my elbow and fingertips, now they tower over me like gentle giants. They fill my soul as I watch them love and adore the partners they do life with.’: Mom shares the joys of raising boys
“They used to fill their pockets with rocks, sticks, flowers, and bugs. They used to sing me silly songs, tell fart jokes, and dance like goofballs. Now, they blow me away with their insight and wisdom. Now, they are strong enough to carry me on their back, both literally and figuratively.”
‘My high was our son’s milestones, your high has was a piercing hot needle into a vein. I couldn’t save you.’: Special needs mom pens letter to ex-husband battling addiction
“I only had enough room on my life raft for our son. Caring for an addict and a child with severe special needs was not something I could do. You needed to help yourself first, before I could help you.”
‘If you never land that dream job. If you never reach that ‘perfect’ weight or get the mansion. You will NEVER waste this life’: Woman shares powerful reminder ‘life isn’t defined by wins and losses’
“Throw out the scale, forget the degree, and stop comparing your house to the Smith’s down the street. Life isn’t defined by wins and losses, life happens during the play-by-play. And baby, you’ve already won.”
‘I ran barefoot down the street. My little boy was lying in the road. He looked so precious, like he was sleeping. Then I saw the blood.’: 12-year-old suffers traumatic brain injury, ‘He’s our miracle’
“I ran out to the helipad. I could see his sweet little nose, the dimple in his chin. He had dried blood on the side of his face but he looked peaceful. ‘Baby, you’re going to be okay. Jesus is with you.’ I had faith.”
‘Aunty Dana, are all angels white or can they be brown, too?’ I was ashamed. All the angels on display in my home were white.’: New mom reflects on Christmas traditions, ‘Angels come in all colors’
“I worried about how I’d pass down my family and cultural traditions. How could I make sure they saw themselves in the Christmas festivities? The next thing I knew, I had my first piece of the puzzle – a beautiful black angel.”
‘He is SO loved already.’ No matter what, we were having this baby. The news did not change anything.’: Mom has baby with CHARGE Syndrome, ‘I find such joy in our life’
“While I sometimes long to feel the naivety I felt before that day, I know I am exactly the person I am meant to be right now. I’ve gained confidence and a voice I didn’t know I had. I will ALWAYS fight for him.”
To My Friend Who Would Rather Not Do Christmas This Holiday Season—I See You
“It’s okay if it all feels like too much. It’s okay if you are ready for it all to be over. I may not know what it’s like to walk in your shoes, but you are not alone.”
‘My son recently asked, ‘What did you get for Christmas as a kid?’ So I told him. ‘I honestly don’t remember.’: Mom shares sweet Christmas reminder, ‘Only the memories last a lifetime’
“Decorating the tree with my favorite Hallmark ornaments. Christmas music ringing through the house. Sledding down the neighbors’ driveway. Sipping hot cocoa from mugs adorned with snowmen. Driving around town in search of the best lights. Those moments? They last a lifetime.”
