Eric Trump says Donald Trump was an ‘unconventional’ and ‘strict’ father

By
Monica Pop
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President Donald Trump is a father of five, and almost all of his children are involved in different businesses as well as in his political career.

Donald Trump Jr. is the eldest of the president’s children whom he had with his first wife Ivana. Trump Jr. graduated from the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania in 2000. The next year, he began working at the Trump Organization, where he currently holds the position of Executive Vice President.

Next, there is Ivanka Trump, Trump’s eldest daughter. Ivanka has been involved in her father’s political career from the start and had an active role in his presidential campaigns preceding both his terms.

Eric Trump is the youngest of Donald and Ivanka’s three children. Just like his older brother, Eric is also serves as an Executive Vice President in the Trump Organization.

Tiffany Trump is the only child Donald Trump had with his second wife, Marla Maples. Unlike her older siblings, Tiffany hasn’t been closely involved in her father’s businesses and politics.

And, of course, there is Barron Trump, the youngest of the siblings and the only son of the president and First Lady Melania Trump.

So, what is Donald Trump like as a father? Over the years, his children has spoken of him as someone who encouraged independence from early age. While he wasn’t typically involved in day-to-day parenting tasks, he focused on ambition and self-reliance, guiding them more by example than by being hands-on in daily parenting. It’s not rarely that he speaks of his children publicly, praising them for their skills and loyalty.

Eric Trump landed a prominent role in his father’s administration after Donald Trump became President. However, Eric’s upbringing wasn’t always smooth, and his bond with his father wasn’t always close. His early years included his parents’ divorce, with his mother gaining custody of him.

Today, Eric plays a major role in the Trump Organization and also focuses on his own family. He has spoken at length about his childhood and what it was like growing up with Donald Trump.

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The divorce between Ivana and Donald Trump involved a 13-month legal battle over the financial settlement. Ultimately, Ivana was granted the divorce on the grounds of “cruel and inhumane treatment” and received a $25 million payout, including $10 million in cash. She was also given custody of their three children, while Donald continued to be involved in their lives. At the time, Eric was just eight.

“I maybe never really put two and two together, but that’s probably when we first started getting a little bit of the limelight, some of the attention, and I had to learn to not care,” Eric Trump told Fox. 

However, despite the legal battle and the nasty divorce, Eric claimed his mother was in fact very supportive of his father throughout the years.

“What’s most interesting is, if you think about this relationship is, you had two people, they broke up, they went their separate ways, very sloppy divorce covered by everybody around the world,” Eric said in 2020.

“If you ask her about him, she will say he’s the greatest president, and that says a lot coming from an ex-wife, especially in light of a very tough and very public divorce.”

In her memoir Raising Trump, Ivana wrote about the children’s upbringing. According to her, it was her who took care of her kids, but she was also very successful as the CEO of two of Trump’s hotels.

“No matter how busy I was, I had breakfast with my children every day. I sat with them at dinner every night and helped them with their homework (I loved algebra) before going out in a Versace gown to a rubber-chicken charity event,” she wrote.

“The kids and I celebrated, traveled, and grieved together. Our bond was, and is, our most valuable possession.

“I believe the credit for raising such great kids belongs to me. I was in charge of raising our children before our divorce, and I had sole custody of them after the split,” she wrote in her memoir. “When each one finished college, I said to my ex-husband, “Here is the finished product. Now it’s your turn.”

She, however, also wrote of Donald Trump as a father, “Donald might not have been the greatest husband to me, but he was a good father to the kids.

“Obviously, they adore him and are fiercely loyal to him. If he were a horrible dad, that would not be the case. If Donald wants to write a book about fatherhood, I would be happy to read it.”

According to Eric himself, his father was “unconventional”, but “incredible.”

“He was less the ‘Let’s go out in the yard and play ball’ parent, but he was much more the ‘Let’s go walk construction sites of these 70 story towers flying up,” Eric Trump recalled. 

“But he was also strict,” he told Fox. “You had to do well in school. Every day I left, I was six years old, he would say ‘no drinking, no drugs, no smoking.’ That’s who he was. He was always so disciplined, but at the same time he gave us enough latitude when we were young professionals to spread our wings a little bit and learn.”

During their childhood, Eric and his siblings, Ivanka Trump and Donald Trump Jr. were “forced” to be competitive.

“We were sort of bred to be competitive,” Ivanka told New York Magazine. “Dad encourages it. I remember skiing with him and we were racing. I was ahead, and he reached his ski pole out and pulled me back.”

Eric added: “He would try to push me over, just so he could beat his 10-year-old son down the mountain.”

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Eric Trump was raised in New York City and went to the Trinity School. He was very close to his siblings, and during summers, they often traveled to Czechoslovakia to visit their maternal grandparents.

The three children shared a strong bond growing up, though, like many siblings, they experienced plenty of rivalry and competition.

“We were sort of bred to be competitive,” Ivanka told New York Magazine. “Dad encourages it. I remember skiing with him and we were racing. I was ahead, and he reached his ski pole out and pulled me back.”

Eric added: “He would try to push me over, just so he could beat his 10-year-old son down the mountain.”

After his parents split, Eric stayed with his mother in New York.

As of his career, Eric Trump’s achievements in the Trump Organization didn’t go unnoticed—he was included in Forbes’ “30 Under 30” list for real estate in 2012.

Beyond his business work, Eric is also active in philanthropy. He founded The Eric Trump Foundation in 2007, and within a decade, the nonprofit had raised about $16 million to support childhood cancer research at St. Jude Children’s Hospital.

Former classmates say of Eric Trump that he is kind, goofy, and down-to-earth, with a talent for woodworking. While some now see him as much like his father, his wife Lara strongly disagrees.

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“Unfortunately politics divide a lot of people. I have it in my own life,” Lara said.

“Eric is always going to be a loyal person to his dad and truly believes what his dad is doing for this country. If people don’t agree with him, I can see how they think he’s changed, but Eric hasn’t changed from the guy I met nine and a half years ago, to the guy I married almost three years ago – he’s still the same humble, kind person.”

Eric and Lara tied the knot in 2014 at the Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida. In September of 2017, the couple’s first child, Eric “Luke” Trump, was born. Two years later, they welcomed daughter Carolina Dorothy Trump.

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Love and Peace

Who should an older person live with: especially after 60

By
Monica Pop
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You hear people say that when you hit 60, 70, or 80 years old, it’s like the beginning of a long fade-out. But you know what? It’s not. Instead, it’s like the beginning of a whole new chapter. It’s a time in your life when the decisions you make start to have more weight. It’s not that you’re running out of time; it’s that you have more clarity. You stop worrying about the fluff. You stop worrying about the things that you think are unimportant and you’re left with what is in fact important to you.

One of the biggest decisions that you have to make in this time of your life is quite simple: Where am I going to live? Who am I going to live with?

For a long time, the obvious answer was that you eventually move in with your kids. It was just what you did; it was practical; it was “family first”; it was inevitable. But it seems like in recent years, more and more people are pushing back on that. Not because they love their families any less; it’s because we’re finally beginning to understand how big of an effect independence plays in aging well.

Being old is not what it used to be three or four decades ago. People stay engaged, stay sharp, and they’re living longer than they used to. As a result, everything about this conversation has shifted. It’s no longer about “who’s going to take care of me?” and more about “how do I continue to live on my own terms?”

It completely flips the whole vibe of this conversation. From being a victim to being proactive about it.

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The power of having your own keys

There’s something about having your own space that helps you stay grounded. It’s not necessarily about the walls, it’s about you and your identity.

Think about all the little things. Sleeping in when you want to, making your own coffee, deciding how to spend an afternoon. Those little things, those mundane decisions, are what keep you feeling whole. Having those little things is not only what makes you feel better, it’s what makes you feel more alert. Having your own budget, your own meal plans, or even keeping your own house organized is like a “micro-exercise” for your brain.

When someone else is doing everything for you, a little bit of your purpose goes away. Having to do everything for yourself is not being “stubborn”—it’s self-respect. And hey, you don’t have to be a loner to have your own place. You can have all the family and all the friends and all the community you could want, but they have to be your choice, not because you’re sharing a kitchen.

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When the house feels too big

Of course, the stairs might become a little steeper, or the yard work might become a second job. That’s the reality of it all, yes. However, that does not mean the only solution to the problem of how to exit the home is moving into your daughter’s guest bedroom.

It’s possible that the change is about adapting to a new space. It might be a smaller space or a more conducive space to who you are as a person. It might be installing a grab bar in the shower. It’s not about clinging to the past, but about making sure the space you are in is actually conducive to who you are as a person and feels like you.

The messy reality of moving in with family

For many people people over the age of 60 moving in with their family is a dream come true. And why not? You are surrounded by the people you love and trust, and you get constant support for whatever you are in need of.

But if are honest, this can also get rather complicated. Every family has their own “pulse,” their own schedules and habits and weird little rituals. When you move in with family at old age, there can be conflicts. The hardest thing for the older person is the loss of privacy. You’re not really a guest, but you’re not the boss of the place anymore either. Now what you eat and when you go to bed is likely dictated by someone else’s schedule.

Then there’s the “grandparent trap.” It’s wonderful to help out, but it seems like many older folks end up as full-time, unpaid baby sitters. Raising kids is something they’ve already done! Relationships thrive when there’s quality time together, not just time together. Living together ought to be “plan B” when health reasons ask for it, rather than “plan A.”

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The third way: living among peers

Lately, people are looking for something in between. They are looking for a place to live that has other people in the same stage of life.

It’s just that simple. You have your own front door and your own privacy. But you also have the benefit of living in a neighborhood of people in the same stage of life. You can choose to have dinner together if you feel like it. Or you can choose to stay in and not have dinner together if you don’t feel like it. It’s that refreshing to be around people who “get” you. You don’t have to explain yourself.

Why the environment matters more than the numbers

We assume that more individuals in our space equate to less loneliness, but this is not true. One can be lonely in a crowded space and be comfortable in a quiet space.

What truly makes a difference is the quality of space. Having a well-organized and well-lit space is more beneficial to one’s mental well-being than having a crowded space and feeling out of place. Feeling good is not about the number of individuals in the living room but about how you feel about yourself.

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Getting rid of the guilt

The biggest hurdle in all of this? Guilt.

A lot of people worry they’re “letting down” their kids or breaking tradition. They wonder if they’re being selfish by wanting their own space. But deciding how to live isn’t a rejection of your family but an act of self-respect.

Most of the time, kids just want their parents to be happy and safe. If that means staying independent, they’ll usually be relieved to see you thriving.

If you wish to be independent, you do not have to do it alone. Seeking a little assistance, say in cleaning up and running errands, does not mean you are giving up. In fact, it is a way to extend your stay in the home.

Technology also helps. There are just so many gadgets nowadays that make living alone safe. But the best way to ensure that you do not become isolated is to be social and to be open to change. If you are open to the world, the world will be open to you.

The bottom line

But when you get past all of that—past all of the floor plans and logistics and “where does the couch go?”—well, you’re left with only one question: Who are you supposed to be?

This is not a waiting game; you’re not sitting in some waiting room waiting for someone to come by and give you permission to move forward. This is an age of identity. And let’s face it: aging with dignity doesn’t mean you have to put on a happy face and pretend your knees don’t hurt and pretend that stairs aren’t just a little bit taller. That’s not dignity; that’s just stupid. Real dignity is looking in the mirror at who you are today—your strengths and your limitations—and saying, “What do I need to do to continue being me?”

It’s about making choices based on the 70 or 80-year-old version of you, not the 40-year-old version of you that you used to be, and certainly not the “fragile” version of you that other people might try to paint you as.

We think, as a society, that being “connected” to our families means we must sacrifice being “independent.” These are not two sides of the same coin, my friends. You can be as connected as you want to your kids and your grandkids, but you can also have a front door that only you have the key to. Sometimes, that space between you and your family is what keeps those relationships healthy, keeps you from being a “project” to be managed, and keeps you a person to be loved, as opposed to a person to be cared for.

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If you’re trying to figure out what to do next, stop reading those brochures for a second and think about the hard stuff:

Where do I still feel like “me”? (As opposed to just a visitor in someone else’s life?)

Where do I get to be the one who decides if it’s pizza for dinner, or if the TV stays off for the entire day?

Where am I actually living my life, as opposed to just waiting for the next person to check in on me?

For most of us, the answer to those questions is having our own space for as long as we can possibly make it work. Growing older isn’t about checking out of society and fading into the background. It’s about finally checking in to the most authentic version of yourself that you’ve ever been. You’ve spent decades being whatever everyone else needed you to be – a boss, a parent, a spouse. Now? Now you get to just be you.

This is not the “sunset” of your life. This is not the end credits,but the beginning of a whole new story, one where you get to be the star, without all the static of everyone else’s expectations.

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Love and Peace

He hid money in the mattress for years — what I discovered left me in tears

By
Monica Pop
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I need to vent this out because it’s been driving me crazy for the last three months or so. There was something wrong with our bedroom and I couldn’t really figure out what it was. Every single night when I’d go to bed, I could sense this strange smell that was messing up with my mind. At first, I somehow ignored it because it wasn’t really strong, but then it got to the point when I couldn’t pretend it wasn’t there.

I don’t really know how to explain it, but it wasn’t exactly like “left a gym bag in the corner” kind of smell but dump, heavier, and sort of suffocating.

What’s more, I had no idea where it was coming from as the entire room smelled bad.

I did everything, and I mean it when I say it, like everything there was to be done. First, I changed the sheets, cleaned the entire room, flipped the mattress, and sprayed literally a gallon of fabric mist. I even kept the windows wide open even when it was freezing just so that I could breathe. And the craziest part was that the smell was ten times worse on my husband Michael’s side of the bed.

What really got to me, though, was his behavior. So, for example, if I were to start sifting through things, looking for something, or even looking under the bed, he’d just… step in. Not in a mean way, just in a way that was way too cautious. Like, he was trying to redirect me or something. So, at first, I’m thinking, whatever, we’ve been together forever, people are weird, you know? But this wasn’t weird, and the smell… the smell wasn’t going away.

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The suspicion

You know when you’ve been with someone for a long time, and you can tell when the “vibe” between you two changes. A momentary pause in the conversation that’s a nanosecond too long, a look he gives me when he thinks I’m not paying attention. I’m not the kind of person to seek out drama. I trust him. But the trust felt so thin.

I began to spiral on these questions I didn’t want to think. Like, does he have a life outside of this one I’m aware of? Is he hiding something from me? Am I just stupid? I didn’t voice any of this aloud, obviously. I just let it simmer and fester and I kept telling myself to stop overthinking this situation. The smell lingered, and so did the feeling that something was wrong.

The day I finally looked

So, Michael tells me he has to go out for a three-day work trip. The second he walked out that door and his car pulled away from the house, the house felt different. It felt like a chance to finally figure this out.

I stood in the doorway of the bedroom for a while, just looking over at the bed. It was like the center of this huge cloud of confusion. I was thinking right then that I need some answers. I went back downstairs, got a box cutter, and came back upstairs. My hands were even shaking as I pulled the mattress over onto the floor in the middle of the room.

I hesitated for a second, and then I just started cutting. Was there even anything else I could do? I didn’t think so.

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Oh boy, the smell that hit me when I cut through the mattress. It was so strong and gross that I had a hard time trying not to faint right there and then. I took a step back every now and then just to take some breathe, but I still got to finish cutting through the layers of the mattress until I found something tucked inside.

When I finally pulled it out, I realized it was a plastic back which was sealed but dump. And then I opened it and experienced the biggest shock in my life. Inside the bag there were stacks and stacks of money. I’ve never seen that much money before, not even in my dreams. Trust me when I say it it was more than I could even count. But it wasn’t it. There were also envelopes full of receipts, documents, and contacts.

And then there was this notebook filled with records, dates, names of companies, transactions, all recorded over the years. Everything was written in Michael’s handwriting. My mind immediately went to the worst possible place. What is this? Money laundering? Why hide money in a mattress?

I was flipping through the book, and I realized that at the end of every page, there was a small cross marked in ink. It was not a code, I didn’t think it was. At that point, I was shaking like crazy until I found another letter with my name on it.

It was a pretty straightforward letter. He basically told me if I was reading this, it meant I had found the stash. He told me not to freak out and just read the letter. Then, he explained the money wasn’t illegal. He hadn’t been unfaithful to me. There was no other life for him; no other family.

Instead, he had been saving money for years.

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Michael was from Cebu, Philippines, and things were really hard for him in his hometown. He wrote about the kids he knew, kids who wanted to attend school but could not afford it. He made a promise to himself that he would really be able to do something for these kids, not just donate a few dollars here and there, but build something.

So, he saved constantly with the help of friends and family who just like him moved to the States chasing the American Dream. A that point, he had already bought a small piece of land back in his hometown and started building a school for the local kids. It wasn’t finished because things didn’t go as fast as he wished, but he did start it, and it was a huge deal.

He didn’t tell me anything because he wasn’t sure how I’d react. He was afraid I would get worried about his spending his hard-earned money so he did it all by himself, and of course, some of his family and friends.

And why he chose the mattress? It seemed to him as the safest place in the house at the time. He didn’t probably expect the bag to become dump and start to smell.

Michael explained to me that he was planning on taking me to the Philippines for our 15th anniversary and that it was supposed to be a surprise. I wasn’t mad, honestly, just stunned at his ability to keep something so huge a secret for so long. If he had told me about it beforehand, I wouldn’t have spent months contemplating our marriage and worrying that he could be cheating on me. But I did understand he did it because it was his dream to fulfill.

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The trip to the Philippines

A few months later, we actually went to Cebu. I had no idea what to expect. Maybe a shed? But what I saw was this simple, yet gorgeous structure. “San Pedro Free Community School.”

As we drove up, kids ran out, laughing and smiling. The teachers were smiling. Some of the kids were a little older and just looked at us with this look of pure gratitude. I lost it. I couldn’t stop crying. Michael stood next to me and said, “This is what I was protecting.” And then he looked at me and said, “Can you help me do this from now on?” Well, I said yes.

That whole experience changed me. I mean, I spent months thinking something was off. And yeah, technically, he was hiding something from me. But not all secrets are bad secrets. Some are just dreams that a person is waiting on until they are strong enough to share with the world.

As for the smell, the thing that kept me up at night? That was literally just the smell of old paper and money stored in a place that was too damp for too long. It was not the smell of a marriage falling apart, but the smell of something coming together.

You can think about how fast fear can fill in the gaps where you don’t know the truth, but sometimes, the truth really is better than you could have even dreamed.

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International outlets publish report that Prince William and Kate Middleton are separating

By
Monica Pop
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0

The British royal family is probably one of the most famous families there are, and as such, it doesn’t really come as a surprise that both the public and the media are eagerly following their every move. And yes, one thing about this family is that they have always been surrounded by scandals, most recently one involving King Charles’ brother, former Prince Andrew. Previously, it was the Sussexes who caused a stir and dragged the family through the “mud” when they left Britain for sunny California and revealed everything there was to be revealed about things happening behind closed doors.

This time, however, all eyes are on Prince William and Kate Middleton. Namely, the social media has been on fire with rumors suggesting the couple are calling it quits. So what’s the truth behind these…well, rumors?

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM – MAY 06: (EMBARGOED FOR PUBLICATION IN UK NEWSPAPERS UNTIL 24 HOURS AFTER CREATE DATE AND TIME) Catherine, Princess of Wales (wearing the Mantle of the Royal Victorian Order) and Prince William, Prince of Wales (wearing the Mantle of the Order of the Garter) watch an RAF flypast from the balcony of Buckingham Palace following the Coronation of King Charles III & Queen Camilla at Westminster Abbey on May 6, 2023 in London, England. The Coronation of Charles III and his wife, Camilla, as King and Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and the other Commonwealth realms takes place at Westminster Abbey today. Charles acceded to the throne on 8 September 2022, upon the death of his mother, Elizabeth II. (Photo by Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)

It all started with a tabloid writing that Kate has allegedly packed up the kids and moved to her parents’ place in Bucklebury. Needless to say, the tabloid sparked rumors and people started acting like detectives, trying to figure out if Kate and William are indeed in a bad place at the moment.

Among the rest, many noticed that the future Queen wasn’t wearing her famous sapphire ring during a hospital visit in January. Also, some were quick to point out that Prince William failed to post the usual gushing tribute for her 44th birthday, which honestly, puzzled many. Next, old rumours of William’s alleged affair with aristocrat Rose Hanbury have resurfaced. Reports from 2019 claimed Kate was devastated and that the couple sought marital counselling. A 2022 anonymous tip described the affair as “an open secret in London.”

And to top it all off, a new biography by Russell Myers came out this week, retreading their 2007 split and their various “headstrong” personality clashes over the years.

The book, however, focuses on the strong chemistry between the couple. According to Mayers, “William relies on Catherine professionally, personally and emotionally,” as reported by Mint.

When it comes to Kate not wearing her ring, truth is that she always removes her jewelry during hospital visits because of hygiene and infection control. And while social media was obsessing over the “missing” birthday post, the palace actually released a quiet, reflective video of her in nature to celebrate her birthday, looking healthy and at peace after a rough couple of years of navigating her own cancer recovery and King Charles’ illness.

According to Hello!, the Prince and Princess of Wales have started 2026 in their new home, Forest Lodge, where they moved in November of last year. So, instead of retreating to Bucklebury, as rumors have it, she’s literally setting up a new long-term base with her husband.

So, are Kate and William a perfect, stress-free couple? I doubt so, because no one really is. They are dealing with the looming reality of becoming a King and Queen in the future, all while raising three kids whom they want to provide as normal childhood as possible and navigating major health issues.

In reality, the rumors of the two separating are exactly that, rumors. And rumors do exactly that, take a handful of isolated moments such as bare finger, and blow it out of proportion.

As they move forward to their 15th wedding anniversary, it feels less like a breakup and more like a couple looking for some privacy.

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Don’t visit a grave without knowing this

By
Monica Pop
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Have you ever found yourself at a graveyard, wondering if being there matters? I don’t know why, but it seems to me that for most people, visiting the grave of someone they lost is like a script to be followed because the society expects them to do it. So, for most, these visits are about lighting a candle and maybe leaving some flowers honor that person who’s no longer around. The truth is, however, that visiting a grave has a deeper meaning than most of us believe it has.

We don’t only show that we remember the deceased person but also go through a form of emotional and spiritual experience that has he power to connect the past and a present in a way that’s hard to put into words, yet impossible to ignore.

I recall this scene from a couple of years ago when the local cemetery was filled with people visiting their loved ones. I’m not really sure, but I believe it was a holiday, or maybe Memorial Day, and there was this elderly woman who unlike the rest of the people was kneeling beside a grave among the crowd. And then, all of a sudden, she started crying. She seemed very disturbed, so one man approached her and asked her if she was okay and if she needed help. Her words that day stayed with me forever. The woman said, “Today I realized that he knows I’m here… that my presence matters to him.”

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It turned out she had been visiting the grave for years, and it somehow turned into a routine for her. She would go, place flowers, and go home. She never really felt any connection or any energy, until that day when she said she felt incredible peace. She couldn’t explain it, really, but kept repeating she felt calm and as though her loved one was beside her.

Whether you want to call it spiritual, emotional, or psychological, it doesn’t change the fact that something significant was going on. And it was significant because it changed her experience.

There are a lot of people out there who think of cemeteries as a place where things end, where the relationship ends and the memories are what’s left. But this approach fails to take into consideration a very crucial fact. A cemetery can be a place where you can connect. When you’re standing before a grave, you’re not just looking at a name on a stone. You’re standing in a space filled with memories, feelings, and the mark of a relationship that has affected your life. This connection does not simply disappear after the person passes away, it just changes in a way.

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Even if nothing is visibly happening, there are some powerful things going on inside when you visit a person after they died. The relationship is reinforced because recalling a person with genuine emotion cements the relationship you still maintain inside yourself. This relationship is part of your sense of self, and revisiting it keeps it alive in a different sense. Also, there is a huge difference between showing up out of obligation and showing up with intention. When you show up with emotion, the visit is no longer just a task; it becomes an experience.

So, why is it like that? Because when you are visiting a grave, you give yourself time to heal. As many of us know, grief doesn’t follow a straight line. No, it comes and goes in waves, and usually, when we least expect it. Paying a visit to the grave can be a place to work through these feelings, to cry, reflect, and even just sit in silence. It also forces you to face the reality of life. Cemeteries are a reminder of something that most of us try to avoid: that life is finite. It may be uncomfortable, but it can also be quite grounding. It forces you to realize the importance of your time, your relationships, and the moments that really do matter.

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Of course, not every visit is this profound. When a visit becomes routine, cleaning the stone, putting flowers, and going as fast as possible, it can lose all of its significance. The emotional component is what makes it powerful. Another problem is when there is a sense of holding onto anger or resentment. Conflicts do not die when people die. They can actually extend the grief if anger, guilt, or blame is brought into a visit. When something becomes routine, it can also lose all of its emotional significance. It is good to recognize these patterns because it can help change future visits.

What you should no is that there isn’t actually a right or wrong way of visiting the grave of a loved one you lost. What is important, however, is for those visits to be sincere.

Nevertheless, there are a number of things you can do differently to make it more meaningful. First of all, you need time for it. You need to take time so you don’t rush it. Like you need time to actually be there and to allow yourself to feel emotions, whatever they may be. They can be feelings of sorrow, serenity, or even confusion. You need to reflect on shared experiences, but do it naturally. You can even express gratitude, even if it was a complicated relationship, there is always something good to be thankful for. You can even talk to them as if they are still there. It might be symbolic or it might be real, but it is healing. It is not about doing it right or wrong; it is about being genuine.

If you were to walk through a cemetery, you would likely see many graves with no visitors whatsoever. They are never decorated with flowers or candles, nor are they marked in any way as a person of note or as a person who should be remembered. Over time, they become background, a reminder of a life that was lived, but which is now mostly forgotten. Stopping in front of a grave, even for a second, can be a powerful act, as it represents a basic human truth: everyone wants to be remembered. In recognizing a person who has been forgotten, you are also recognizing the basic human truth of existence, connection, and loss.

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At some point, the roles would be reversed, and the visitor will eventually become someone people remember. This realization prompts some interesting questions. Will you be remembered for the love you have given to those around you? Will your loved ones come to visit your grave not because of obligation because you mattered? These questions aren’t meant to insert fear in you, but simply to raise awareness. Because at the end, it’s not about the wealth you accumulated, but how you made people feel.

Grasping the deeper meaning behind visiting a grave site may have a huge impact on how you live your life in the present. It may help you cherish your relationships while you still have the chance, settle any misunderstandings before it’s too late, and show gratitude for the people around you more often. It may also remind you to stay present in your interactions with people. In a sense, visiting a grave site every time may not just be about the past; it may also be about the present and the future that is to come.

If you wish to change your grave site visiting experiences for the better, you may start with these reminders: visit a grave site not because you have to but when you are ready or called to; try to let go of any unresolved negative feelings before you visit; try to focus on your life instead; try to allow your feelings of loss to exist; share with the younger generation the importance of remembering; if you can, try to honor those who have been forgotten.

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Conclusion

Death does not erase what was once real; it merely shifts the way in which we experience it. When you go to a grave site with presence, with intent, with sincerity, you are not merely remembering a person; you are continuing a relationship in a different way. And in doing so, you might discover something you never expected: not merely a connection to the past, but a deeper understanding of yourself, your life, and what truly matters.

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Bored Daddy

Love and Peace

Mother discovers a black spot in her daughter’s mouth and goes to the hospital in a hurry

By
Monica Pop
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0

While playing with her child, a mother noticed something that left her disturbed. On the hard palate inside the girl’s mouth was a huge black patch the mom never noticed before.

She tried erasing it but it did’t go away so she rushed her girl to the hospital. Once there, doctors examined it thoroughly and their initial thoughts were it was a birthmark. But how was it possible for the mother not to notice it for so long?

“Today, while playing with Bella, I noticed a smear on her mouth. I tried to erase it to see if it would go away, but it didn’t. I called everyone and then scheduled a 30-minute appointment with the doctor,” the mother wrote on Facebook.

The mom was sure it couldn’t be a birthmark because she said she cleaned her daughter’s mouth every single day and it wasn’t possible for the patch to be there from before.

Other doctors tried examining Bella and what they discovered made everyone laugh. It turned out that what appeared as a huge birthmark was in fact a piece of a cardboard the little one put in her mouth while no one was watching.

The mother was relieved and apologized the doctors for wasting their time. Luckily, it all turned out for the best. The doctors, of course, weren’t mad, they said this fun incident made their day.

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5 types of people you should avoid letting into your home, based on energy and well-being beliefs

By
Monica Pop
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Is the place where we live in just a physical space with walls and a roof? Not according to Jewish Kabbalah, a part of Jewish tradition that deals with the essence of God. This Jewish mysticism believes that our home is a sacred, personal sanctuary where our mind finally gets to rest and our spirit gets the chance to recharge. Also, our home is sort of an emotional sponge that has this ability to soak up the energy of those residing in it as well as those who visit it, both often or just occasionally. This sanctuary of ours is constantly influenced by the thoughts, words, and actions that transpire there. This is why the energies that cross our threshold are more important than most of us want to admit, Jewish Kabbalah believes. These energies thus have the ability to change the harmony of our home and family and turn it into an either peaceful or a stressful place to be.

When we decide to protect our home, that doesn’t make us closed off, just aware of what supports our well-being and choosing to create a peaceful atmosphere.

Kabbalistic tradition talks about the idea that everything in life, from the words we say to our intentions and moods, has a very specific energy. This means that everyone who comes through your door brings an “invisible gift” with them. This energy may be perfect and wonderful, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere in your home. It may also be an energy that is felt long after your visitor has gone, leaving you with a feeling of discomfort and unease. This, however, doesn’t have to do with bad intentions because some people are indeed kind and wonderful and have the very best intentions, and yet their presence just doesn’t “vibe” with that atmosphere you strive to create in the home.

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The energy of a home can easily be disturbed by “tragedy talks.” What does this mean? Well, there are these people who without even realizing it always talk about bad news such as illnesses, tragedies, or scandals. And while most of us want to stay informed about the people and the world around us, there is a real difference between a balanced chat and a constant flood of bad news. In Kabbalah, words are not just empty vessels; they have a real effect on our world. When we talk about topics related to tragedies, it triggers energy that feels “heavy.”

Next, there are these people whose attitude is always negative because of some reason. These are the people who tend to complain about anything and everything that’s going on in their life even when things aren’t that bad. While this doesn’t necessarily make them bad people, it’s their overall attitude that can affect our own mood and energy, so maybe next time a person like this wants to pay you a visit, just find an excuse and have your coffee with them at a coffee place instead. Even if you don’t want to, these “glass half empty” people can trigger stress at you. So, if you can, just don’t allow that to happen.

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According to Kabbalah, there’s this “energetic compatibility.” This means that each and every one of us has unique emotional “frequency” just as every house has its unique “hum.” At times, their frequencies will be compatible, and things will feel like they are flowing easily. Other times, they won’t be, and things won’t feel quite right. It’s not necessarily that one is “good” and the other is “bad”; they’re just not tuned to the same station. When someone’s energy doesn’t mesh with the “frequency” of the house, there can be a strange tension. There may not be anything specific that’s wrong, just a feeling that the “air is thick” or “not quite right” for no particular reason.

I’m sure that is has happened to you to feel relieved the moment someone walks out of your home. It’s not like you fought or argued with the person, or they said anything bad, it’s just the mood shifts instantly when they are gone and you think to yourself, “Oh, thank goodness they’re gone.” Well, from a Kabbalistic perspective, this says a lot. It means the person, who doesn’t need to be bad by any means, brought energy that doesn’t align with the natural balance of your place. What’s more, your gut has the ability to pick upon this energies before even the brain figures out something is… well, just different.

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Another person to be aware of is the “heavy” communicator. They may not talk about tragedy or anything bad, but their default communication style is one of sarcasm, cynicism, or perpetual questioning. They may belittle your enthusiasm, your feelings, or always manage to find the one thing wrong with an otherwise excellent idea. While everyone may write this off as “being a realist” or having a “sense of humor,” it still affects the emotional climate of the room. If your home life is supposed to be a place to encourage and help you grow as a person, perpetual cynicism can eventually turn your home life into a place where you feel as though you need to be constantly guarded in your words, ultimately draining the energy you could be expending to help yourself.

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The key to getting a handle on all these energies and influences of people who visit your home, however, isn’t about building walls or being cold to people. But what you need to understand is that your home is your reset button, the place you go to after a long and tiring day, and it needs to be as pleasant as it could be. Sadly, when your place is bogged down by heavy or clashing vibes, it starts to affect your ability to really rest.

So, when you feel annoyed for no particular reason when you enter your home, try to pay attention to how different people affect your space and remember that the tranquility of your home is something worth fighting for.

And yes, you don’t have to be a hermit or start any kind of drama to totally protect your home’s energy. I guess the best way to handle this issue is to try to set boundaries. This might mean that you keep a certain visit a little on the shorter side or try to subtly change the direction of a conversation to something a little more positive when it starts to get a little too dark. You might share something good that happened to you or something you’re thankful for, and this can help change the direction of a conversation to something a little more uplifting and less draining. You’re kind of an “editor” of the conversation in your space, and by trying to keep things solution-oriented and not problem-oriented, you can help keep the energy in your home from getting too heavy and draining.

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A really good habit to get into is to check in with yourself before and after the person comes over. Your body is actually a really good indicator of the kinds of energies that are around. So, if you’re always exhausted or ‘on edge’ after a particular person comes over, maybe it’s worth paying attention to. On the flip side, pay attention to the kinds of friends that make you feel inspired, peaceful, or even ‘lighter’ when they leave. By paying attention to these kinds of micro-observances, you can be much more intentional with the kinds of people you allow to be around you. It’s not mean-spirited; it’s actually about being intentional with the kinds of energies that are in your home.

Never underestimate the power of your physical space either. In Kabbalah, keeping things in order is actually a direct reflection of keeping things in order within yourself. So a clean and organized house isn’t just about impressing the in-laws; it’s about building a “vessel” that can actually receive and retain peace. A messy and disorganized house actually has a messy and disorganized energy to match. So when you take care of your physical space by getting rid of the literal dust and clutter, you are in a way building a way for a peaceful energy to reside in. Taking care of your physical space really is a form of self-care that allows you to keep your cool even when things get sort of chaotic.

Conclusion

Your house is one of the few places on the planet that you can call your own, where you get to set the tone and create your own brand of safety and quiet. Making it a sacred space doesn’t take a lot of heavy lifting; it just takes a little bit of mindfulness about what you allow to enter the front door. If you think carefully about the kind of energy you allow into your life, you’ll create a real foundation for joy and connection to grow naturally, rather than forcing it to try to take root in a place where it has no business being. That’s when your house goes from being a bunch of wood and bricks to being a place that not only gives you a place to sleep, but brings you back to life.

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Bored Daddy

Love and Peace

You have to choose just one sandwich to eat—your pick says a lot about your personality

By
Monica Pop
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0

Curious if your sandwich order is a window to your soul? It sounds a bit crazy, doesn’t it? The idea that the key to your personality might be hidden in the combination of bread and fillings might seem far-fetched at first, but when you really think about it, the types of food that we like to eat can actually tell you a whole lot more about who we are as a person than what our taste buds are specifically craving at the moment. Our food preferences are actually like a quiet reflection of our true habits, our true values, and our true way of living life.

Every time we eat, we are making a series of micro-decisions that are ultimately a reflection of how we are feeling on the inside. So, think about this for a second: if you were standing in a crowded deli counter with a gigantic menu staring back at you from overhead, what sandwich would you point to without even really thinking about it too much?

That’s the kind of instinctive reaction that’s usually the most honest reflection of how we are feeling on the inside.

While there are some of us out there with an insatiable hunger for something that is, and always will be, exactly what you expect, there are others out there who are wired differently. There are those out there who will immediately reach for something bold, spicy, and impossible to ignore, with a need to be stimulated and a refusal to accept anything mundane. And then, of course, there are the curators out there, seeking something perfectly balanced, something incredibly fresh, or perhaps something out of the ordinary and challenging to the very definition of a sandwich.

Wherever you are on the spectrum of seeking safety in a classic dish of childhood or a thrill ride of a ghost pepper-infused wrap, the meal on your plate is a story. It’s a story of where you’ve been, what you value, and what kind of energy you want to create for the rest of the day. Every bite, from the crunch of the crust to the tang of the mustard, is a small part of the larger picture that is you.

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If you are a BLT type of person, you likely enjoy the classics. You don’t need to complicate things too much because you know that when something works, it works. There’s a confidence in that that’s hard to deny—crunchy bacon, fresh lettuce, ripe tomato. People likely think of you as down-to-earth, dependable, and easy-going; you are the person who brings a sense of calm into a room without even doing much.

But if the Club Sandwich is your go-to, you might be a person who thrives on structure. There’s something about those neat layers and that sense of order that just clicks for you. You likely keep your world organized, from your desk to your goals, and people probably look to you for direction because you’re the one who actually notices all the details everyone else is missing.

And then there’s the Philly Cheesesteak crowd. This is no silent choice, to be sure! If this is your choice, you are probably a person who loves intensity in life. You don’t do anything halfway; you go deep and immerse yourself in all there is to soak up, whether it’s a meal or a relationship.

But if Pulled Pork is calling your name, you are probably a person who likes comfort and ease in life. You prefer to keep things simple and enjoy good food and great company, but you don’t want to rush anything. You want to savor the moment and keep things light and easy. In fact, you are a comfortable person to be around because you bring a great energy to any conversation you are in.

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Selecting Chicken Salad may imply a more measured, balanced attitude. You’re likely a practical person, considering pleasure and well-being before acting. You live life with a certain level-headedness, not easily caught up in any extremes. You’re a seeker of things that will endure. Friends may see you as a steady, reassuring presence when life gets crazy.

A Tuna Salad choice may imply a more independent, introverted nature. You’re perfectly comfortable doing your own thing, even if it’s not what everyone else considers cool. You’re a gut-level person, not easily swayed by what everyone else thinks you should be doing. You likely cherish your alone time—this is where you refuel, reconnect with your inner self.

And then there’s the Meatball Sub—messy, loud, and unapologetic. This being your sandwich means that you bring a lot of energy to the table. You’re expressive, passionate, and don’t mind a little chaos. In fact, you likely thrive in chaotic situations that might make others want to pull their hair out. There’s something about your spark that draws people to you, even if it’s a little crazy.

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The Italian Sub, with its mix of flavors, tends to attract people who love variety. So, if this is your sandwich, then you’re likely a social butterfly, open to anything and anyone. You love being in the mix, sharing your stories, and keeping the party going. There’s something vibrant about you that makes you stand out in a crowd.

Ordering a Reuben, on the other hand, implies that you are a traditionalist and a complex individual. You are likely a person who prefers depth over superficiality, both in conversation and in relationships. Also, you are a thoughtful person who takes time to form opinions, ensuring that you are interested in something of significance.

You are a French Dip kind of person if you prefer this sandwich, and this implies that you are a confident individual, but in a quiet kind of way. You don’t need to be in the spotlight because you are comfortable in your own skin. There is a certain level of sophistication in your tastes, and you prefer quality over anything else.

BBQ Chicken enthusiasts tend to be a little creative and adventurous. And if you’re one of those people, you’re likely a fan of experimenting and mixing things to see what happens. You’re an optimistic person, always ready to try something new. And that’s what gives you a fresh perspective on everyone around you.

Lastly, the Turkey and Avocado sandwich represents balance and planning. If you’re a fan of this sandwich, you’re likely a forward thinker, always concerned about your well-being but not willing to compromise on the good things in life. There’s a sense of mindfulness about you. You’re seen as a person who’s dependable, modern, and very much in sync with your environment.

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Of course, one should always keep in mind that all of this is meant to be lighthearted and fun, rather than a serious psychological profile. After all, no sandwich, no matter how many components it may have, can ever hope to truly represent the vast complexity of a person. We are simply too complex, too layered, to ever hope to be represented by a simple sandwich. Our cravings are notoriously mercurial, changing based on our mood, the weather, or even just how much sleep we got the night before. Some days you might be a structured Club, but others you might just feel like a crazy Meatball Sub.

However, there’s something intriguing about the idea that even our most minute and “autopilot” decisions have the potential to be a reflection of who we are as a person in a given moment. These small decisions are like a trail of breadcrumbs that can ultimately reveal our fundamental personality characteristics, revealing our need for comfort, our need for adventure, or our need for order. They are a reminder that, no matter what we may think, we are always expressing ourselves.

So, the next time you’re standing in front of a deli case or reading a menu, take a moment to really pay attention to what you’re automatically drawn to. It’s not often a totally random occurrence. Most of the time, what you’re drawn to is a direct reflection of your current state of mind and what type of emotional experience you’re looking to have in that particular moment. Whether it’s the security of something familiar or the excitement of something bold, your sandwich is talking to you.

So, what did you end up ordering today? When you look at what’s in your sandwich and what type of vibe it has, does it really feel like what’s going on with the type of person you are right now?

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Bored Daddy

Love and Peace

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