“I got a phone call. ‘Parker’s in early heart failure. The disease is attacking his heart.’ He was just days shy of his twelfth birthday. I went into the bathroom, sat on the floor, and cried my eyes out. We were losing him.”
‘Mom, I can’t keep being shocked into rhythm every week.’ His heart was running out of fight. It was devastating.’: Mom details son’s heart transplant journey, ‘We got our son back’
‘Dear Santa, I want a kidney for my brother.’ My eyes filled with tears. Her letter to Santa meant everything to her.’: Woman details granddaughter’s Christmas wish, ‘I believe in miracles’
“At the store, Tegan spotted a man who looked like Santa. She reminded him she sent him a letter asking for a kidney for her little brother. ‘Thank you for making my wish come true.’ It appeared Santa was about to cry.”
‘I feel like we’re meant to have more kids.’ I replied, ‘But you’re snipped!’ I started to ugly cry and I knew my heart was opened.’: Mom welcomes rainbow baby, ‘Our family wouldn’t be the same’
“We dropped my husband off at the doctor and BAM! Our ability to have more children was gone. I remember thinking, ‘It’s crazy such a massive, life-altering decision can carry out in only minutes.’ I mourned the loss of the kiddos we didn’t have but I had moved on… Or so I thought!”
‘You’re a match!’ It was life-changing. Now I look at the words ‘Donate Life’ and truly understand the meaning.’: Mom donates kidney to newborn son, ‘It’s the best thing I’ve ever done’
“Noah was unstable and constantly suffering through seizures. We didn’t realize until a few days later his kidneys had failed. They were shocked he made it.”
‘We found a tumor.’ My stomach was stitched from hip to hip. I looked down to discover my spleen had broken through.’: Man battles Stage 3 Testicular Cancer, ‘Never doubt yourself’
“I began to lose the red hair that had always defined me. After a period of grieving, I told myself, ‘I can either give in or fight like hell to defeat this disease.’ Right then, I stopped feeling sorry for myself.”
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.”
‘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.”
‘I feel like I made a difference.’ They feel so empowered. I never fail to tear up a little.’: Teacher wraps Christmas baskets with students, ‘It’s so beautiful to see them helping others’
“I feel a tiny glow of hope these bright-eyed kids will continue to think about simple ways to make an impact in the lives of those around them, even after they finish school. I have to hold back my years when I think about the difference they’re making.”
‘Have you been biting your fingernails?’ he asked. I got this sinking feeling.’: Woman with limb difference goes on self-love journey, ‘Being different is amazing’
“I didn’t see anyone like me until I was in my teens. At times, I felt like it was only me in the world with a little hand, which felt lonely and scary. I used to wish on every star, ‘Please could I just have two normal hands?’”
‘A car ran a red light and hit me. ‘Stop being dramatic and take a cab.’ I was DEVASTATED. I didn’t want to struggle or hurt anymore.’: Woman shares journey to sobriety, ‘I chose life’
“Alcohol was like a looming cloud. I chose alcohol over everything. I would mourn with alcohol, celebrate with alcohol, and survive with alcohol. I asked myself, ‘Do I want to spend my life mourning ghosts of a life lost, or actually live?’”