LJ Herman is a former editor at Love What Matters and lives in Colorado. LJ is a concert, ticket and technology enthusiast. He has seen the Dave Mathews Band over one hundred times and counting.
‘You have cancer? Lemon water will cure you. You have cancer? Just think positive, only negative people die from cancer.’
“A loved one recently said, out of the blue, ’Christa, for insomnia, limit your screen time before bed, get exercise, and eat well.’ I looked at him, with one cocked eyebrow and said, ‘Yes, I’ve been doing those things.’ Thanks Captain Obvious.”
‘I remember screaming into the phone, ‘I need help!’ Please get me help! I don’t know what’s wrong with her.’ Minutes go by and he hasn’t called. I’m starting to really panic.’
“I remember everything getting quiet and realizing my daughter wasn’t crying or screaming any longer. The only sound was me crying. At this point, she is in my arms, up on my shoulder, but her face is nuzzled in my chest and I can’t see her.”
‘I had two dads. The first was the love of my life. I asked my mother about my dad’s relapse. She simply said, ‘everything changed.’: Woman overcomes father’s alcoholism, codependent relationship
“I remember being in 5th grade, staying up late pouring over freshly printed car brochures to help him memorize car facts for a car salesman job. I will never forget the smell of those damn brochures. He was depressed. One night he cried, confessing to me he thought of ending his life.”
‘A nurse latched a painful, angry piranha to my nipples. She didn’t notice I’d been crying. She said she’d help. She never came back.’: Mom urges ‘we are not just a vessel,’ encourages others to check new mom’s mental health
“I was asked hundreds of questions. All of them, about my baby. When a baby is born, so is a mother. So, ask us too, and ask us often, ‘Is everything okay?’”
Today I Gave My Daughter A Mental Health Day, And It Was My Best Decision Ever
“As soon as I picked up my 5-year-old, I could tell she was in one of her ‘moods.’ She was crying over everything, not being herself, and acting so uptight. So, I drew her a lavender bubble bath, gave her a face mask, and lit some candles.”
‘Squads and tribes are great and wonderful, but sometimes close-knit groups can turn into CLOSED-knit groups, leaving no room for newcomers.’
“When a new lady comes around with her cafeteria tray and every seat is already taken, this is a great misfortune. As a special needs mother, my children have taught me many things, but staying open for the ones who don’t look like me is at the top of the list.”
‘How many times are you going to wear that outfit?,’ one of my wife’s 4th graders asked her. She then gave her a smug, twisted-lipped look. It made me rage.’: Husband insists others need to ‘spend less time judging how people dress’
“I’ll be honest, this story gave me pause for a few reasons.”
‘Am I speaking to Stefany?’ I tell her yes. ‘I’ve been having an affair with your husband for 18 months.’: Woman discovers husband used ‘Ashley Madison’ dating service for affair
“My thought was that since I was wife #3, he certainly wouldn’t do anything as drastic as have an affair to screw up our relationship. I ask her how the two of them met and she says that’s the one thing she won’t tell me. For some unknown reason, I blurt out ‘Ashley Madison?’ She tells me yes, that’s how they met. I’m screaming, my heart is beating a mile a minute.”
‘What?! NO. I don’t ever want to lose this. I was suddenly very protective of it. I want it with me. Forever. Wedding day and all.’
“Weeks into knowing each other, I received the first ever ‘Goodnight, beautiful’ text from him. My heartbeat quickened. Unknowingly, I covered my shy smile with my hand. But to both of our shock, I instantly and abhorrently rejected the offer.”
‘My son played at her house earlier that day and acted up. This is the moment that finally broke me. This was the moment it all came flooding out.’
“It’s hard to hide you’re drowning when water is gushing onto the floor. I was horrified. I was embarrassed. I was sure she’d tell everyone. But instead, my friend simply said, ‘Let’s go out tonight.'”