“I sat on the couch, clutching Lukas. I noticed strange marks on his body. They were not there the night before. At that moment, I knew my baby’s fate. I was just trying to stall the inevitable.”
‘You called hematology?!’ I decided to Google ‘red spots on a baby’s skin.’ My body went limp.’: After son is diagnosed with leukemia, Mom urges caution, ‘All the warning signs were there’
‘Try to have your own children first.’ But we wanted to adopt. Our son pushed us away. We cried with guilt.’: After infertility journey, parents adopt from Korea, ‘He brings us laughter’
“Adoption isn’t really a topic or a concept in Taiwan. We traveled back to visit our parents and announced we would be starting the adoption process. They thought we were joking.”
‘I’m so happy we were able to get these photos today.’ My heart broke for him. He hugged back with tears in his eyes. ‘I know it’s time.’: Photographer offers beautiful moment to family of woman with Alzheimer’s
“She showed up with a smile. She was happy and talkative and playful with all the kids and dogs who showed up. She sweetly asked me and Bill, ‘What are we doing here?’”
‘My divorce was finalized. And my ex brought me coffee in bed. There are just no words.’: After divorce, mom expresses ‘gratitude’ for her ex
“I stood side by side, laughing and crying through three decades of this life. Of building a home together. Of bringing children into the world and raising them. Of building two businesses. Nobody needs to understand it.”
‘Lie down.’ She held a suction straw to her weak mother’s lips. Mama had been living in the hospital for nearly two weeks.’: Daughter thanks kind and devoted mom, ‘Someone loves her, too’
“During the night of her vigil, I saw my mother illuminated by a crack in the door and holding a suction straw to her weak mother’s lips. Mama patiently reassured Maw Maw time after time that she was fine, that she was safe.”
‘I was holding my 4th pregnancy test. I know, birth control is a thing. I had to consider another adoption.’: Single mom pursues open adoption twice, ‘I was scared this would define me’
“I felt free. I felt like I was following my inner warrior as she told me how to do the right thing for this child. I had no job, no savings, and was in no place to raise a baby alone. I wanted more for this sweet child.”
‘While walking through Walmart, we noticed his body becoming swollen. ‘Do not go home. Do not stop. Go directly to the hospital.’: Child with Eosinophilic Esophagitis survives near-death staph infection
“His fever had gone up to 101.5 We are usually sent home with antibiotics and told to come back a few days later. This time was different. ‘You are lucky you came in when you did, because if you would have waited, he would be dead.’”
‘Our seniors are still staying home. We wanted to do something meaningful. It was so worth it!’: Mom group hosts car parade for senior center, ‘The world could use some kindness’
“We were able to love on them from our cars and sent lots of smiles. Our children learned to be generous with their time and how to be kind.”
‘My MARRIED Corporal would call me drunk at all hours of the night, calling me ‘baby.’ I was punished for not wanting to socialize with him outside of work.’: Female veteran, assault survivor says ‘we are all Vanessa Guillen’
“I was young and naïve when I left home at 18 years old to join the Marine Corps. I remember lying awake in my empty barracks as Marines knocked on my door saying, ‘I’m gonna get you first.’ I was harassed and accused of ‘sleeping my way through the ranks.’ I quickly realized not everyone in the Corps was my ‘brother’ or ‘sister.'”
‘It’s a girl, but they saw something.’ I was told, ‘You only have a week to decide.’ I saw her and my heart dropped.’: Mom to daughter with Down syndrome adopts baby with special needs, ‘Our girls make our family better’
“I saw her and my heart stopped. I tried to scroll past, but I couldn’t. We took a HUGE leap of faith.”