A stranger handed me a note at my grandfather’s funeral, and his last trick left me laughing

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My grandfather’s funeral seemed surreal. How could the man that I loved so much be gone forever? He was the only person who saw me for who I really was. The only man who had ever believed in me.

The red rose I brought to my grandfather’s funeral stood among the white daisies everyone else brought and placed on the coffin.

That chilly October morning reminded me of the loss, and I was doing my best not to cry.

The rest of the family wasn’t even paying any attention to the ceremony. They were looking at each other, concerned they all received $1 each.

“One damn dollar,” aunt Nancy said. “That old man was loaded, and what did we end up with? Just a lousy dollar.”

Uncle Vic was as angry and as disappointed as the rest of the family. “I know he did this on purpose. He was a spiteful old man.”

“That’s typical of dad,” my mom said, and then turned to me and asked, “Dahlia, do you know anything of your grandpa’s money? You were his little pet, he loved you more than he loved anyone else…”

Before she could even continue, uncle Vic yelled, “Of course she knows that old man’s plans and secrets. Tell us everything, NOW!” he demanded.

But I knew nothing. I just couldn’t believe how everyone was only concerned about inheritance on my grandfather’s funeral.

“What did he leave you Dahlia. How much money did you get?” aunt Nancy kept asking.

“I got what everyone else had,” I said, too busy mourning the loss of the person that mattered the most to me.

“Maybe he told you something… think hard, Dahlia. You owe it to your family to share whatever he gave you,” my mom said, as he continued taping my shoulder.

My grandpa sometimes spoke of a hidden treasure. His words sometimes echoed in my head, “One day, kiddo, I’m leaving you a treasure. Real treasure!” he’d say. But that was just a game. There was no real treasure

When they had enough of being at the cemetery, they all left, mumbling how awful my grandpa was because he didn’t leave them his money.

But I stayed. I needed more time to say my last goodbye.

As I stood there, crushed, a woman I had never seen before approached me. “You must be Dahlia,” she said. “You grandpa knew you’d be the last to stay.”

She introduced herself as an old friend on my grandpa and told me he wanted her to give me something.

The woman handed me a letter. It read, 111 locker — Southern Railway Station.

My heart started pounding. Was this has to do anything with the treasure my grandpa often mentioned?

I went home, took my dress off, put on some jeans, and sneaked out of the house.

My mother was on the phone with someone, talking about my grandfather’s funeral, complaining about the money he didn’t leave her.

I took a taxi and headed towards the station that smelled like gasoline.

Rushing, I went to the lockers that all looked exactly the same. When I finally spotted the one labeled 111, I opened it with the key from the envelope.

Inside was a bag full of cash. Piles and piles of it. God knew hos much money was there.

As I took it in my hands, I recalled my grandpa’s words, “Your family doesn’t see your worth, kiddo. Live free.”

That money really brought me freedom. I felt suffocated in my own home where everyone always treated me like a scapegoat.No more forced family dinners, no more pretending that I enjoyed the presence of my aunts and uncles. I was free.

the taxi took me to my house, but I didn’t enter it. Instead, I asked to be taken to the airport. I was about to book a flight and leave my toxic family behind.

My grandpa knew I needed that, and he made it happen.

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Cancer rates are rising among young people, and scientists suspect a ‘new exposure’ as the cause

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Monica Pop

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In recent years, an increasing number of young people have been diagnosed with early-onset colorectal cancer.

Experts are researching the possible causes that led particular demographic to face a growing threat of this type of cancer.

Research show that individuals under the age of 50 are mostly affected by colorectal cancer and it is believed that this “trend” has a lot to do with shift in environmental, lifestyle, or possibly genetic factors.

Those born in the latter half of the 20th century face heightened risks.

As per the American Cancer Society, colorectal cancer starts in the colon. “Most colorectal cancers start as a growth on the inner lining of the colon or rectum. These growths are called polyps.”

While polyps are quite common and often noncancerous, some can turn into cancer over time.

Historically, this form of cancer was typical for the older population, but as more and more young people are diagnosed with it, researchers are rethinking screening recommendations and are looking for different treatment approaches.

Dr. Jeremy Kortmansky of Yale School of Medicine explains that colorectal cancer typically exhibits aggressive histological features, which is why it is often diagnosed in later stages.

The symptoms can be rectal bleeding, changes in bowel habits, diarrhea, or constipation. It is very likely these symptoms to be mistaken for less severe issues like hemorrhoids or irritable bowel syndrome.

Rebecca Siegel from the American Cancer Society believes that the increase of early-onset colorectal cancer at young people can be related to the lifestyle changes introduced in the mid-20th century.

Over the years, the Western diet has undergone significant changes. It included more processed foods and sugars, notably high-fructose corn syrup,which became a widespread product used during the 70s. Researchers link this shift to obesity and metabolic disorders, which are both risk factors for colorectal cancer.

Another risk factor is the sedentary lifestyle.

Studies suggest that it may take years before such changes manifest as cancer, which explains the recent raise of cases of this type of cancer at young people.

Of course, as with any other cancer, genetics can play significant role at colorectal cancer.

Obesity increases cancer risk by altering hormones like insulin, promoting cell growth. Chronic inflammation caused by fat tissue also contributes to this risk. A study in JAMA Oncology found that obesity nearly doubles the risk of early-onset colorectal cancer.

In order to avoid the risks of developing colorctal cancer, one needs to focus on fiber-rich foods like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Further, to limit red and processed meats, be physically active, quit smoking and alcohol consumption, as well as manage stress.

It is always of crucial importance to prioritize prevention, and that can be done by adapting to an active and healthy lifestyle.

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Son begs mom not to take him to daycare – until she storms into the facility

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Monica Pop

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Throwing tantrums before daycare turned into an everyday struggle, so when Marla Evans checked the clock and looked at her son, who was crying and screaming, she knew she would be late to work again.

Johnny used to love going to daycare, but something changed during the last couple of weeks.

All of a sudden, he found the facility repulsive. Not only he didn’t want to go, but he cried without stopping, begging Marla not to take him there.

Marla even took him to the doctor’s, who convinced her her son was going through his “terrible threes.” My this mom knew there was more to her son’s behavior.

“Johnny, I’ll come for you earlier today,” she said as she tried to convince him to let her help him get ready.

“Mom,” he said through heavy weeping, “will you come before lunch?”

When he mentioned lunch, it made Marla wonder if her son had issues with the food there. He wasn’t a picky eater, but he didn’t eat much. It could be anything, so who knew?

That day, Marla talked to her boss, who was also a mom of a toddler, and explained what was going on. She asked if she could take the afternoon off so that she could take Johnny from daycare earlier, as she promised to him.

Her boss said it was fine, and Marla headed towards the daycare when she knew they were having lunch.

Marla walked to the dining room and peered in. All the kids were seated at the tables and eating. And then, she noticed her son.

There was a woman Marla didn’t recognize, so she thought she had to be the new teacher.

As Marla watched, the woman grabbed the spoon and yelled at Johnny, “Eat! Just eat when I say so!” When he refused, she forced him to open his mouth and fed him by force. Johnny tried to keep his jaw firmly closed as tears rolled down his tiny face.

At one moment, it seemed like Johnny chocked on the food.

Marla stormed inside the dining room. “What do you think you are doing?” she asked the teacher. “Get away from my son.”

The teacher tried to defend herself, claiming it was her job to feed the children.

“Don’t you see he’s had enough?” Marla said. “My son is perfectly healthy and not a big eater. As a teacher at a daycare, you should know how traumatic forced-feeding can be.”

Marla spoke to the daycare’s principal. “I’m not sending my son to daycare to be traumatized,” she snapped.

Once this mom learned what made her son hate daycare all of a sudden and solve the issue, Johnny’s smile returned. There were no more crying and tantrums.

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A father of four living in a tent selflessly donates his last $2 to a stranger at a gas station

By

Monica Pop

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No matter how dull things might seem, what we should never forget is that there is always light at the end of the tunnel, and that light finally came to a man with a heart of gold who was willing to sacrifice his children’s lunch for the day in order to help a complete stranger.

In the past, Sean had a high paying job as a manager. He, together with his wife and children, lived in a comfortable apartment in Oakland and life felt great until his wife got sick. Unfortunately, her diagnosis required staying at the hospital for a long time and receiving expensive treatments, which forced Sean to sell his home.

Sadly, even then, his wife didn’t make it. She passed away, leaving Sean and the kids behind.

With no place to stay, Sean, who resigned from his job prior to his wife’s passing in order to be able to take care of her, ended on the streets. He and his kids moved to a tent at a tent community and struggled to make ends meet.

What’s most, he was unable to find a job and could only work part-time while his kids were at school.

One day, this single father and the kids went to the nearest gas station to get some cheap hot-dogs for lunch. As Sean headed to the store at the station, he noticed an old man in distress. Hesitant whether to approach him, he looked at him for a few seconds and decided to ask if he were in trouble.

The thing was that the old man needed to take his pills, but he forgot his wallet at home and couldn’t pay for the bottle of water.

Instead of offering help, the cashier started yelling at the stranger and threw him away.

“Alright, sir. I only have $2, but you can have it,” Sean said while taking the last two dollars out of his pocket.

“I appreciate it! Thank you!” the stranger said. “No problem,” Sean answered.

“I only had a few coins in the car, but with this, I can have the bottle of water,” the man graciously accepted the donation. “So that I may pay you back, could you kindly provide me with your contact details?”

Sean gave the stranger, who introduced himself as Matthew, his phone number and saw him leaving.

The following morning, Sean was woken up by the sound of two jeeps. Some men got out of them and handed Sean a letter.

The letter asked from him to be at a certain place at particular time that day.

Sean did as he was told. When he arrived at the location, he realized it was Matthew who invited him there. Matthew appeared to be working for a very successful company. Once inside, Matthew told him that he was the owner and he was now looking for someone to start a new business with. As expected, he wanted that person to be Sean.

“While I doubt I’d be able to refuse such an offer, wouldn’t it be better to have a financially stable partner?” Sean inquired.

“Money, eh?” Matthew said raising an eyebrow. “That rich man in a Lexus would not even offer me a few bucks to pay for a bottle of water before you showed up. You, nonetheless, gave me your last few bucks that day. To me, that’s more important than any sum of money that any investor could give. I want to put more heart into my business, not just more money.”

Sean accepted the offer. Not long after that, he was able to rent an apartment for him and his children and help some of the people he spent his days with while living in the tent. He even offered some of them jobs at the new company.

Never in his wildest dreams did this man believe that what seemed like a simple act of kindness could go such a long way and change his life forever.

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BREAKING: Authorities have arrested a man in connection with the Los Angeles wildfire that has burned over 960 acres

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Monica Pop

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LAPD have made an arrest of a man in the Woodland Hills area of Los Angeles for suspected arson connected to the Kenneth Fire, which is now advancing toward Hidden Hills and Calabasa.

According to the authorities, the fire, that has since been spreading uncontrollably due to the high winds, was lit on purpose.

Speaking to NewsNation Charles Dinsel, a senior lead officer in the LAPD, said: “What we know right now is that the incident occurred, started here, and about 20 minutes [to] 30 minutes later a suspect was detained over the Woodland Hills area by citizens.”

The Kenneth Fire has burned more than 950 acres.

As per Fox News, the arrest happened around 4:30 p.m. Thursday, near the area of Arcos Drive and Galendo Street. The residents in the area witnessed a man on a bicycle carrying a torch and trying to lit old Christmas trees and garbage cans on fire. Luckily, they managed to stop him and even zip-tie him.

They detained the man until police arrived at the scene.

Authorities didn’t reveal the suspect’s identity. They are investigating whether he started other fires as well.

Initially, the LAPD stated, “There’s no way to know at this moment exactly where and how the series of fires started, but an investigation is underway.”

Celebrities such as Henry Winkler, Chris Brown, and Elizabeth Chambers pointed to intentional arson, leading to this response.

The death toll of the LA wildfires reached 10 and left many injured. Unfortunately, it is still uncontrolled despite the efforts by the firefighters to stop it.

So far, the wildfires destroyed at least 10,000 buildings, including iconic landmarks.

“We are expecting this fire to rapidly spread due to high winds,” LA Mayor Karen Bass said.

Authorities believe that the Kenneth Fire, the latest in the series of fires that destroyed parts of LA, have originated in the San Fernando Valley, adjacent to Ventura County and the West Hills neighborhood in northwest Los Angeles.

The Kenneth Fire is burning north of the Palisades Fire.

Cal Fire reports that the Lidia Fire, the northernmost blaze, is now 75% contained and no longer classified as a California Fire incident.

As of now, Palisades Fire and Eaton Fire remain the largest blazes and represent a significant threat.

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How LA wildfires impacted celebrities

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Monica Pop

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Devastation and heartbreak tore through LA as a series of relentless wildfires swept parts of the city.

Homes, businesses, and landmarks have been destroyed. The Capitol Records building, the TCL Chinese Theatre, the Hollywood Walk of Fame and Hollywood Bowl, are under evacuation orders.

Further, the evacuation area is close to the iconic Hollywood Sign and the Griffith Observatory, which gained fame in the 1955 classic film Rebel Without a Cause.

Neighborhood devastated by the Eaton Fire, in Altadena, California on January 9.
John Locher/AP

Thousands of residents of LA who are staying at evacuation centers due to the raging wildfires have a hard time understanding how they would rebuild their lives and homes.

Speaking to CNN, Kimiko Warner-Turner, a Pasadena resident, said, “Just imagine if you go to the front door and behind it, it’s nothing, and you walk in and you have your car keys, but there’s no place to put it, and then there’s no place to lay your head, and you don’t have a blanket, a towel.

“The life that you had is just gone.”

Among the celebrities who lost their homes in the LA wildfires, which are of enormous proportions and uncontrolled because of the dry conditions and powerful winds, are Paris Hilton, Mandy Moore, Anthony Hopkins, Billy Crystal, Ricki Lake, and Diane Warren.

They have all shared their heartbreak over the devastation of the entire community.

Billy Crystal, who lost his home of 46 years on January 8, described it as a place filled with love, memories, and family. The actor and comedian expressed hope and praised the resilience of the community.

Renowned songwriter Diane Warren posted a throwback photo of a rainbow shining on a rock on her beach-house of 30 years that she lost. She wrote she’s glad the LA wildfires spared local animals and rescue centers.

Mandy Moore’s family home in Altadena was also destroyed completely. Her post called for community support.

Ricki Lake’s home, which she described as “heaven on Earth” was among the thousands of homes that burned down. Lake praised the efforts of the firefighters and expressed gratitude for her family’s safety amid the tragedy that struck the City of Angels.

Paris Hilton watched live on TV as the fires destroyed her Malibu home.

All these celebrities, as well as other stars, used their platforms to raise awareness and funds. They believe in the power of community and hope their personal tragedies can lead to collective actions of support, and help overcome the hardships the LA wildfires brought.

California Governor Gavin Newsom stated that fire season in the state has become a “year-round” occurrence. Even though this period typically doesn’t experience such fire, he highlighted the influence of climate change.

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LA’s perfect wildfire: Ignited by a backyard spark, it destroyed 20 square miles of mansions in hours and remains uncontrolled

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Monica Pop

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On Tuesday morning, live webcams showed how a backyard spark – which started as a grey smoke – spread uncontrollably and turned into a devastating wildfire.

It only took minutes before what appeared as smoke turned into a thick cloud, and flames started whipping up the dry plants and bushes.

The wildfire is “spreading at a speed beyond anything we’ve seen… it’s now unlike anything we have seen in our lifetime,” LA Fire Chief Kristin Crowley said.

Unfortunately, the prospect of the out-of-control wildfire to be stopped in the days to come seems like a mission impossible due to the weather conditions.

So far, roughly 179,783 residents are under evacuation order in Los Angeles County. Another 200,000 are under evacuation warning, meaning they would need to evacuate at any moment, BBC reported.

At least five people lost their lives and dozens are injured.

The Palisades wildfire, the largest of the blazes in the south of LA, destroyed thousands of homes, businesses, and other structures alone.

At the time being, there are five active fires on the territory of the City of Angels.

Last summer, podcaster and comedian Joe Rogan recounted a conversation he had with an LA firefighter. Speaking to guest and fellow comedian Sam Morril, Rogan recalled the firefighter saying to him, “One day, it’s just gonna be the right wind and fire’s gonna start in the right place and it’s gonna burn through LA all the way to the ocean and there’s not a f***ing thing we can do about it.

“If the wind hits the wrong way, it’s just going to burn through LA.”

Altadena in California before the fires/ Maxar/Reuters

Altadena in California after the fires/ Maxar/Reuters

Sadly, these predictions came true.

According to experts, besides the weather conditions, the climate change has a lot to do with the wildfire spreading in January.

“Climate change, including increased heat, extended drought, and a thirsty atmosphere, has been a key driver in increasing the risk and extent of wildfires in the western United States,” the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said.

As per the Daily Mail, citing experts on the topic, heavy rains from El Niño last year fueled vegetation growth in the Los Angeles area, which dried out since then and turned highly flammable.

Once the wildfire started, Southern California faced the wrath of ‘devil winds,’ known formally as Santa Ana winds, dry, warm gusts blowing inland from the northeast, contrary to the region’s usual cooler winds originating from the Pacific Ocean.

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Struggling woman purchases a used stroller for her baby and discovers an envelope hidden inside

By

Monica Pop

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Purchasing an old stroller led to unexpected things.

As if life wasn’t hard enough for Miriam and John, who were struggling to make ends meet and worked long hours and double shifts after they learned they were expecting a baby, John was involved in an accident that changed their lives completely.

Miriam and John met when they were still teenagers, but they both knew they belonged with one another.

When John proposed with a silver ring, Miriam was over the moon. She loved that ring more than anything, and she didn’t care it wasn’t an expensive one.

When Miriam fell pregnant, they started working even harder than before in order to be able to afford a house.

Miriam worked at the warehouse, and although it was hard, she knew she was doing it for the sake of the family.

One day, which started like any other, Miriam went to the doctor’s for the regular ultra sound. He told her everything was fine, and she left the hospital, eager to get home as soon as possible and take some break.

But just as she left the doctor’s room, she got a call.

“Miriam?” a woman’s voice from the other side of the line asked.

“Yes, it’s me,” Miriam replied. And then the woman told her to get to the STSV Hospital. John was involved in an accident and was seriously injured.

Miriam panicked. She got inside a cab and headed to the hospital where John was, but the moment she got out of the vehicle she collapsed.

The next thing she remembered was waking up at a cold room.

“Where’s my baby?” she started yelling when she noticed her flat stomach.

“Your baby is doing fine. We were forced to perform an emergency C-section after you collapsed. Your girl is at the NICU and she’s stable.”

Miriam felt a sense of relief, but she then recalled the reason she went to the hospital in the first place. She started calling John’s name, and then a doctor came and took her to her husband.

Sadly, John’s injuries were so severe that he was left paralyzed from the waist down.

It was the best and the worst day of Miriam’s life.

A couple of weeks later, both John and the baby got home.

John was angry because of his condition, but Miriam assured him she was there for him.

She struggled juggling between work, her baby, and the house, but she somehow managed.

One day, she went to the flea market in hopes of getting a stroller for her baby girl.

To her surprise, she found one that only cost $10. Miriam didn’t hesitate. She handed the money to the seller and went straight home to clean it.

Once home, she noticed there was something inside the stroller.

“What could this be?” she asked John, who was eager to learn what was going on with the stroller.

And then, Miriam found an envelope. Inside were ten $100 bills and a note. The note read: “If you are reading this, then you bought the stroller, and sadly, it means you are a struggling parent. But don’t worry. Here’s a little help from me. If you believe you really need the money, then use them wisely. If not, then send them to the shelter whose address is included in this letter. Best of luck in your life.”

“Miriam, that’s a lot of money,” John said. “We could buy everything for our daughter.”

But Miriam hesitated whether to take the money. “John, at least we have a roof over our heads. Maybe someone else would need this money more than we do,” she said.

Eventually, Miriam decided to send the money to the shelter mentioned in the letter.

Life went on, and she even forgot about the stroller, until one day someone knocked on the door.

It was a nicely dressed woman driving an expensive car.

“Miriam?” she said. “Did you buy a stroller at the flea market?”

Miriam was confused. She said she did, and wondered how did the woman know that.

It was then that the woman, who introduced herself as the owner of a popular clothing company, told her that she was the one who put the money there.

She was once married and had a daughter, but both her husband and daughter passed away.

The woman would place money inside worn out objects with the same note as the one Miriam received when she bought the stroller, but none of them ever gave the money away. Miriam was the first one.

When the woman noticed how humble Miriam’s home was and how much she struggled, she knew Miriam had a heart of gold. She could use the money herself, but she still decided to help someone else.

Learning this, the woman offered Miriam a high-paying job in her company. She said she needed someone humble, honest, and reliable, and Miriam possessed all of those traits.

Who knew that purchasing an old stroller could change Miriam and John’s lives in unexpected ways.

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Love and Peace

That chilly October morning reminded me of the loss, and I was doing my best not to cry.

But I knew nothing. I just couldn’t believe how everyone was only concerned about inheritance on my grandfather’s funeral.

But I stayed. I needed more time to say my last goodbye.

My mother was on the phone with someone, talking about my grandfather’s funeral, complaining about the money he didn’t leave her.

My grandpa knew I needed that, and he made it happen.

In recent years, an increasing number of young people have been diagnosed with early-onset colorectal cancer.

While polyps are quite common and often noncancerous, some can turn into cancer over time.

Another risk factor is the sedentary lifestyle.

Johnny used to love going to daycare, but something changed during the last couple of weeks.

Sadly, even then, his wife didn’t make it. She passed away, leaving Sean and the kids behind.

What’s most, he was unable to find a job and could only work part-time while his kids were at school.

Sean gave the stranger, who introduced himself as Matthew, his phone number and saw him leaving.

The Kenneth Fire has burned more than 950 acres.

Devastation and heartbreak tore through LA as a series of relentless wildfires swept parts of the city.

Thousands of residents of LA who are staying at evacuation centers due to the raging wildfires have a hard time understanding how they would rebuild their lives and homes.

They have all shared their heartbreak over the devastation of the entire community.

At least five people lost their lives and dozens are injured.

According to experts, besides the weather conditions, the climate change has a lot to do with the wildfire spreading in January.

When Miriam fell pregnant, they started working even harder than before in order to be able to afford a house.

Sadly, John’s injuries were so severe that he was left paralyzed from the waist down.

Once home, she noticed there was something inside the stroller.

She was once married and had a daughter, but both her husband and daughter passed away.

Who knew that purchasing an old stroller could change Miriam and John’s lives in unexpected ways.

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