“I felt very drained. I kept running to the bathroom every 5 minutes. My shoes wouldn’t fit, and my face was starting to look and feel puffy. Our precious child was now going to help Mommy fight for her life.”
‘Don’t go home, don’t stop for lunch. Go to the ER now.’ This joyous event was clouded over. We had no idea what to expect.’: Mom diagnosed with kidney disease, ‘My child saved my life’
I Was Abandoned By Both My Parents, Now I’m Turning My Pain Into Purpose
“When you are broken down to nothing and have to piece yourself together, you realize you are unstoppable. No one can hurt you.”
‘I called my husband at 2 a.m. and quietly sobbed, ‘I need help.’ Christmas was no longer a safe space for me.’: New mom battles depression, ‘For the first time in years, there’s peace in my home’
“My husband made me a promise. ‘We’ll have our own Christmas tree next year.’ I felt hope for the first time in 3 years. My mental health waned as the pandemic continued with no end in sight. But I kept coming back to his promise and what it meant to me.”
‘This never happens. You’re safe.’ Black women are FOUR times more likely to die during childbirth.’: Mom and baby beat odds, ‘Our bond is unbreakable’
“She looked lifeless and was covered in wires. ‘You are so loved. I fought so hard to be with you.’ I soon became too weak to hold her. I realized I was bleeding. I tried to say, ‘Something’s wrong!’ but I passed out.”
‘Kids told him, ‘They don’t really want you!’ There was a sadness in his eyes. For me, it was love at first sight.’: Family adopts teen, ‘We’ll be here for him forever’
“’When can I visit?’ I didn’t have an answer. He’d lived in a residential facility for almost 2 years. I’m his second chance.”
The Emotional Moment I Decided It Was Time To Build Self-Love
“I walked into the dollar store last summer and had no idea I was about to discover one of the most moving messages.”
‘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’
“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.”
‘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.”