I stood near the back wall, pretending to be way more interested in the fire alarm than I was in the art. Meanwhile, people floated around the gallery murmuring things…
MY HUSBAND TRIES TO BE THE BEST DAD—EVEN IF HE’S “NOT LIKE THEM”
It’s the little things he does that get me. Like how he always makes sure our son’s shark pajama shirt is washed before bed because “he sleeps better in that…
I FOUND THIS CASH MACHINE IN A PAWN SHOP—AND IT BELONGS TO MY GREAT GRANDPA
I wasn’t even supposed to be in that part of town. My car overheated on 8th, and while waiting for a tow, I ducked into a little pawn shop to…
MY BOY SAYS HE’S GOING TO BE A GOLF WORLD CHAMPION—EVEN IF HE LOST HIS ARM
When he said it the first time, we were standing in the backyard. He had his one good arm gripping that little club, tongue poking out in pure concentration, trying…
I STOLE THESE COINS FROM A MUSEUM WHEN I WAS A KID—AND I JUST FOUND THEM IN AN OLD BOX
I was probably nine. Maybe ten. We were on a school trip to this tiny local museum—one of those places that smelled like dust and old paper, where the security…
THIS MAN FOUND ME IN A DUMPSTER AS A BABY—NOW I CALL HIM MY HUSBAND
People always ask how we met. I usually just smile and say, “It’s a long story.” Because, well… it is. I was just a newborn when he found me—wrapped in…
MY DAUGHTER’S LEGS ARE IN METAL BRACES—BUT SHE’S STILL TEACHING HER DOLL HOW TO WALK
When the doctors first explained what the fixators were for, I couldn’t breathe. All I saw were screws, rods, pain. But she just looked down at her legs, poked one…
WE FOUND A BOX OF WHIMPERING PUPPIES—AND NO ONE ELSE EVEN STOPPED
I almost didn’t see them. The box was shoved under a bush near the edge of the parking lot, half-soaked from the morning rain. I thought it was trash until…
I BOUGHT AN OLD AMBULANCE ON A WHIM—NOW IT’S MY HOME ON WHEELS
It started as a joke. I saw this ex-ambulance listed online for $3,200—lights still intact, siren non-functional (unfortunately)—and sent the link to my cousin like, “Should I do it?” He…
I FOUND OUT I’M AUTISTIC AT 38—BUT I’M EXACTLY THE DAD SHE NEEDS
For most of my life, I just thought I was different. Too sensitive. Too quiet in crowds. Too overwhelmed by noise, bright lights, sudden changes. I masked it well enough…