Love What Matters

My Abilities Are Different As A Person With Down Syndrome, But My Hopes And Dreams Are Not

“Sometimes people think that people with Down syndrome are all the same, but we are not. We are all different and have our own personalities.”

After 40-Day Battle In Hospital, Girl With Cancer Returns Home To Family

The look on his face when he spots her coming toward him is both heartbreaking and joyful.

To The Husband Whose Wife Has Depression

“Her beauty is not defined by her weakness or brokenness. Her strength may seem fragile, but I assure you it takes more strength to fight a battle like this.”

‘Tears fell like rain drops. My best friend was going to meet Jesus.’: Man shares grief over losing twin brother, security guard to gun violence

“‘Alex got shot.’ Wait, what? Did I just hear those words? I immediately thought, ‘He played with my son just three hours prior. He was smiling and laughing.’ The shock rushed in like a sudden punch in the gut.”

‘Exhausted’ Boy Shoveling Snow Becomes Instant Meme After TV Crew Shows Up

“I have officially died. I’m dead.”

‘Mamaw, why do you act funny after that white pill? Do you have to take it?’ His little face was full of hurt.’: Woman sober after 20-year opioid addiction in wake of car crash

“I knew I had to change or I wasn’t going to see him grow up. It took 20 years, and the small words a child, to find the courage to get help. Today, I am 56 years old and proud to say I am OPIOID FREE.”

‘I don’t know if he will live long enough.’: Travel agents rally to give senior veterans chance to fly an aircraft one last time

“After countless pandemic-induced cancellations, I just couldn’t take one more last hurrah going down the drain.”

‘We are what we leave behind.’: Daughter helps dying father complete bucket list thanks to kindness of strangers

After 72 years full of adventures, Patrick passed away peacefully on January 11, 2022.

‘It’s easier to make it seem far away. But they sit by you in church. They’re your neighbors, friends, and coworkers.’: Daughter shares powerful message about addiction after losing mom

“In my mother’s brightest moments, she was a highly respected and loved special education teacher, friend, spouse, and present mother. But addiction doesn’t care.”

‘We see you as you look at the dark screen, tears running down your face, as we zoom in on her tiny heart.’: Nurse’s heart wrenching open-letter to moms of stillborn babies

“We see you as we drive home in silence, attempting to clear our mind, so when we walk through our door we can pretend we are okay.”

‘Though the world would cringe at my off-key melodies, my sons say my nightly bedtime songs are their favorite way to end the day.’: Mom shares importance of sharing talents

“What if you decided to ignore the voice that said you’re not good enough and instead chose to explore something new — not for the sake of an applaudable performance but simply for pleasure and enjoyment?⁣”

‘Being gay is my favorite thing about myself, yet it is the single hardest thing about my life.’: Gay woman shares powerful story of self-discovery

“I’m sick of justifying myself. I’m sick of defending myself. I’m sick of crying for my inner child who had to hide.”

A mom and her son on the porch and a mom in a black shirt

‘I was in a ball in the corner of the flight with a barf bag, blanket, and epic amount of guilt.’: Woman recounts journey with panic attacks

“I was basically drugging myself up to deal with life. It was like putting a small Band-Aid on a gushing wound.”

A mom and her step-daughter and a blended family together

‘You’ll have to deal with a baby momma,’ they warned.’: Stepmom shares journey to beautiful blended family

“I’ve been in my stepdaughter’s life for almost 8 years now.”

son walking to the school while his mom drops him off

‘I still see the 5-year-old version of him, lunchbox in hand, bouncing off the school bus and into my arms.’: Mom shares touching moment of realization teen is all grown up

“Soon he will have his license, soon he will be talking about his plans after graduation, soon he will be off to college. Soon I won’t be needed in this parking lot…and I am really going to miss this place.”

My Dear Special Needs Child, I Won’t Give Up On You—It’s Us Against The World

“Even when the schools do not have a place for you to thrive. Even when governments with power to change things do not believe you deserve help. Even when people glare at you in disgust for not being able to do things you cannot understand. Even when the world around you would rather you be hidden.”

Kids Will Change Your Marriage, But You Can Keep The Romance Alive

“I do love our daughter’s tiny little hand in ours, but I’ll always still need his hand to make it through the take-offs and landings in life.”

‘We’re all going through this together.’: Single dad offers encouragement during ongoing COVID crisis

“It sucks to be us, but not when we’re together.”

‘A full 365 days later, my grief still mattered.’: Mourning woman thanks loved ones for not letting her ‘sadness be forgotten’

“Recently marked the first anniversary of my sister’s passing. I dreaded the day and prayed for the strength to get through it. That prayer was answered, in the form of florals.”

‘I am the gray friend. I forget to text back. I don’t always show up. Sometimes, it’s all I can do to keep the lid on my emotions from bubbling over.’: Woman shares reminder to give our friends grace

“Most of life happens within the gray – the space between black and white. It might mean I am too busy right now. It might mean I am struggling. It might mean I need to take a break from peopling. So, I’ll keep on not keeping score, and I’ll keep hoping you do the same for me.”

‘Today, I threw myself a little pity party. There were no decorations or balloons, just coffee and lots of tears.’: Mom of boys with rare genetic disease shares how she keeps fighting

“There are no words to describe what it feels like to watch your children weaken over time. Depression and anxiety visit me daily. Some days, I punch my pillow and beg for different circumstances.”

‘He abandoned me, but I chose to move on. I was so good at hiding it, nobody knew I was already suffering.’: Mom shares journey with depression, toxic relationships

“For those who are struggling with depression, anxiety, and all forms of mental illness, you won’t stay in that situation forever. I can attest to that.”

‘This is not just love you easily or haphazardly fall into.’: Wife pens beautiful appreciation letter recognizing husband’s devotion

“You anchored to me, strong and steady, as my ship sailed from each harbor, faithfully into each wild and lengthy storm. And with every torrential downpour, you stay.”

‘They tell us, ‘It’s like nothing you’ve ever known. Trust me.’ We smile politely and worry again about the fear of failing.’: New mom shares motherhood journey, ‘They were right’

“But one night, after sweat, tears, and pain, we are there. Experiencing the rush of our hearts separating from our bodies and arriving as a tiny human—suddenly free in this giant world. A piece of our souls, breathing the same air, thumping its own heart, but still needing us.”