Some kids grow out of their holiday phases. Mine? He’s doubled down. Carter is eight, autistic, and completely, unapologetically in love with Christmas. Not just in December—all year long. If…
MY DOG, KYLO, CHOSE ME TWO YEARS AGO—AND NOTHING’S BEEN THE SAME SINCE
I thought I was just looking. That’s what I told myself the day I walked into the shelter—just looking. I wasn’t ready. I wasn’t “dog person” material. I barely had…
MY 10-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER WANTS TO BE A SCIENTIST—BECAUSE SHE’S TRYING TO SAVE HER MOM
She says she’s going to find the cure herself. She’s only ten, but when she puts on that little blue gown and those oversized gloves, you’d think she was already…
TODAY I LOST MY BEST FRIEND—AND WITH HIM, A WHOLE PART OF MY HEART
I knew this day would come eventually. I told myself I was ready. But nothing—nothing—prepares you for the moment you say goodbye to the one who loved you without a…
IT MIGHT LOOK LIKE JUST ANOTHER NOODLE BAR—BUT THIS IS WHERE I MET MY SOULMATE 60 YEARS AGO
To most folks, this probably looks like just a cozy little ramen spot. A few stools, some seasoning bottles, pots hanging overhead. Nothing special, right? But for me… this place…
HE RAISED US WITH EVERYTHING HE HAD—NOW HIS WEALTH IS JUST PEACE UNDER THE SKY
My grandpa never owned a big house. Never took fancy vacations. His idea of “treating himself” was getting the good pickles from the store or buying a new pair of…
HE STARTED AS MY WORK COMPANION—NOW I CAN’T IMAGINE LIFE WITHOUT HIM
When I first got assigned K9 duty, I’ll be honest—I was nervous. I didn’t grow up with dogs. I didn’t even know how to talk to one, let alone trust…
MY DISABLED AUNT ASKED ME FOR MONEY FOR TREATMENT—BUT SHE WAS USING IT FOR SOMETHING ELSE ENTIRELY
When Aunt Delia called me that night, her voice was shaky. She said her pain had gotten worse, that the insurance didn’t cover everything, and she hated to ask—but could…
MY HUSBAND LOST HIS MOBILITY—BUT SOMEHOW STILL CHEATED ON ME WITH HIS CARETAKER
I stood by him through everything. The hospital stays. The long nights. The rehab appointments and the endless paperwork. I bathed him when he couldn’t lift his arms. I pushed…
MY DAUGHTER SLEPT THROUGH THE WHOLE FAMILY DINNER—THEN WOKE UP AND STOLE THE SHOW
She missed the turkey carving. She missed the sweet potato casserole. She even missed Grandma’s annual speech about “how blessed we are, even though y’all forgot to bring cranberry sauce…