Deaf Woman Can Hear Again So Ellen Tells Mother-In-Law Truth About Visit

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This 34-year-old mother of two was born deaf and has never heard a single word in her life. But now that she had a husband and children she would do anything to be able to hear them call her mommy and tell how how much they love her.

Although it seemed impossible for this dream of hers to become reality, she has never lost hope. One day she found out about a new item of technology that was intended to help deaf people hear, and Sarah was beyond excited. But once she learned how much money the implant cost, it quickly wiped the smile off her face.

Sarah and her family simply couldn’t afford to pay $30,000 for a single implant no matter how much they wanted to.

And no matter how hard they tried, they couldn’t find a way to put that much money on the side. Their family and friends were familiar with their problem, and out of the blue, Sarah and her husband got an offer they simply couldn’t say no to. It was a gesture like no other.

Sarah’s mother-in-law was more than happy to step in and give them the money.

If they were about to accept the offer, that would mean the mother-in-law had to withdraw the money from her retirement account. But she made sure they know that no money in the world were more important than her son’s family’s happiness. She wanted to see her daughter-in-law satisfied and able to hear for the first time in her life. She knew that would mean the world to her, and she was ready to help.

But, that’s when things took an unexpected turn. The story of Sarah caught the attention of Ellen DeGeneres who welcomed her to be a guest on her show and share her story.

Sarah talked about her condition and not at any moment did she assume Ellen had a huge surprise for the whole family.

Watch the video to see what our favorite host did for Sarah and her mother-in-law. Ellen never fails to amaze us with her kindness. Please share this story with your family and friends.

Response To White Mom’s Plea About Black Daughter’s Hair

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Monica Pop

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Stephanie Hollifield is a mother of five who was desperate to learn how to take care of one of her daughter’s hair. Even though she tried every product she was told will help comb and style Haley’s hair, nothing really helped, so the mother decided to write a Facebook post asking for help from black mothers who were more experienced in styling African-American hair which is pretty unique in appearance and structure.

When she posted the plea, she had no clue she will receive so many comments and messages offering a bunch of different and cool advice and techniques.

These days, when the issue of racism is widely spread across our country and people tend to accuse each other of hatred, Stephanie could be easily judged for her post, but instead she was praised for what she did.

The family adopted lovely Haley when she was just an 8-month-old baby, but now that she is 2, her mom understood how difficult it was to cope with her daughter’s hair which can be quite tangly.

“Dear Black Friends of Social Media, This clueless white momma is humbly coming to you to ask your help with Haley’s hair. I have asked my friends. I have asked strangers in Publix with kids with cute hair, and I’m still not getting it. We wash once a week. We do the water, leave in conditioner, oil, and hot towel every morning. We’ve tried more products, no products, less products. We are gentle as can be, but she still requires at least 6 minutes of cuddles after the trauma of her daily hair combing. I feel like it looks great for about an hour or two and then it is tangly and clumpy again. This picture is 3 hours into the day.”

Stephanie did her best, and yet, Haley’s hair didn’t look nice. She would wash, comb, and style the hair and only a couple of hours later it would look disheveled. This mom really didn’t know what she was doing wrong.

Among all those moms who offered suggestions, tips, and tricks, there was one special person who decided to take a step further and suggested that they meet so that she could show Stephanie how to style Haley’s hair in person.

“This lady, Monica Hunter, who I had never met in person before today, offered to come to my house and walk me through exactly how to style my daughter’s hair. She gave us her time, advice, headbands, combs and hair product. She asked for nothing in return and wouldn’t accept my money. By the time she left I had a little more confidence in fixing my daughter’s hair, and most importantly I felt supported by my new friend.”

Monica is a mother of three daughters with same hair as little Haley. When she showed up at Stephanie’s place she even brought a huge basket of hair supplies and recommended that the mom put some oil in Haley’s hair, part it, create some cute little ponytails, and then finish the style off with a pretty headband. And as you may assume, the final result was amazing.

The two mothers clicked in an instant and agreed to meet again so that their daughters could hang out and become friends.

As for Stephanie, she first found it strange that her post vent viral and was amazed how much attention it gathered but then she figured out that it was like that “because this is so uncommon. So inspirational. In our country, where everything seems so divisive, this quiet act of kindness spoke loudly to people from all walks of life.” She then added that people get easily offended these days that we stop trying to understand each other.

We hope the friendship between Stephanie, Monica, and their daughters will last forever.

NICU Nurses Split Lottery Winnings With Struggling Coworkers

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Monica Pop

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An average American spends around $207 each year on lottery tickets and dreams of hitting the multimillion-dollar jackpot that skyrockets to all-time world record of $1.6 billion.

In order to become a winner you don’t need to be smart and do calculations, just extremely lucky. More or less as the nurses of the Mercy Children’s Hospital in Missouri who didn’t hit the jackpot but won $10,000 they had to split to 126 people. This wasn’t the first time for the colleagues to buy tickets together.

However, after splitting the amount among them, each would have ended up with around $56 after taxes, so they decided to do something different instead.

They all agreed that those money won’t make any difference for them, but they would certainly come in handy for two of their fellow co-workers who were facing certain difficulties, so they split the whole amount in half.

The person who took the first half of the money was neonatologist Casey Orellana whose life turned upside down after her loving husband was diagnosed with cancer which lead to Casey cutting her work hours in order to provide him with full-time care.

They have four children together, and now Casey is the only provider for the family of six. She struggles to cover all of their children’s needs and the costs for the numerous medical treatments Phil has to undergo. She says she has been worried and “wondering how the family would pay for certain medications” when her colleagues called her and told her the great news.

The other person the Mercy Children’s Hospital NICU team decided to give the money to is nurse Gretchen Post whose 17-year-old son Jack commited suicide on the night of the Mega Millions lottery drawing.

Gretchen was left heartbroken and the money she got will be used for her son’s funeral. She thinks what her colleagues did is an amazing gesture, and is very thankful.

This story is sort of amazing because it teaches us that no money is more important than the happiness of those around us who mean so much to us. The 126 coworkers won more than just $10,000, and that’s the appreciation of everyone who read their story.

If you want to inspire others to do good deeds please share this story.

Sibling Dance Team Takes Home Top Prize With Country Swing Routine

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Monica Pop

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Musical talent definitely runs in the Willis family. Known for their hit television show that showcases their vocal abilities, they are our favorite siblings. Besides this, many are very successful in other fields, such as the remarkable duo Jeremiah and Jennifer who are rocking the stage whenever they show their swing dancing skills.

Recently, a video of the duo performing at the US Open swing competition caught the attention of the people who were left stunned by the frisky moves. It’s been a while that we’ve seen anything similar. As this type of dancing involves jazz music, Jeremiah and Jennifer elevate the routine by mixing some country music tunes and the blending of the two styles results in a real delight for the eyes and ears.

These two masters at swing dancing move in perfect harmony and are in sync during the whole act. Keeping a fast-paced beat, their moves are quite difficult to be replicated by any other contestant. The crowd simply loves them because they are not only excellent at what they do, but they are charming and have a smile on their faces that captivates the audience. We are not surprised they took the trophy for this performance.

Those familiar with the show know that the kids’ father was charged with child abuse and sentenced to 40 years in prison. The siblings are ready to move on and show the world their talent, as well as their music and dancing skills.

One thing Jeremiah told TODAY was that their family’s trust in God was a guiding light.

“[Our beliefs were] definitely tested, but honestly our faith is what brought us through, and we’re so thankful that we had that.”

We hope all of the twelve Willis kids will have a bright future ahead because they deserve nothing less.

Take a look at the mesmerizing dance moves in the video below.

Woman’s Fateful Encounter With Foreign Hiker Prompts Call To Police

By

Monica Pop

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Nancy Abel and her family reside in the rural Washington area. The beautiful nature that surrounds their home is one of the reasons they love the place. Even though some people may assume living on the outskirts could be monotonous, that’s not really the case with this woman who enjoys going hiking now and then.

Whenever she decides to explore the surroundings, she always makes sure she wears appropriate clothes depending on the weather, and has a back-pack full of supplies.

Her journeys are usually pretty short and she doesn’t really meet many people while hiking the Pacific Crest Trail, but that day was unlike any other.

Nancy could see a young woman walking down the path. She decided to approach the lady who introduced herself as Katharina Groene from Germany. She told Nancy how she started her journey from the Mexican border and was heading towards the Canadian. It was amazing how she managed to cross more than 2,500 miles, with only 150 to go.

The Pacific Crest Trail is around 2,650 miles and it is assumed that it takes approximately the entire snow-free season, or around 5 months, to complete it walking from start to finish. The trail spans from Mexico to Canada through California, Oregon, and Washington.

Nancy feared for this woman’s safety because the weather conditions started changing, becoming more severe. From what Nancy could see, Katharina didn’t have the right equipment to continue her journey. The snow was just around the corner and she didn’t even have snow shoes nor other appropriate cold-weather gear.

Nancy later stated how she believed Katharina wasn’t really aware of the dangers this trip could bring, and wondered what would she do once she reaches the cold mountains of Canada. She tied her best to talk the hiker out of her intention, but in vain.

“In fact I told her, ‘If you were my daughter I wouldn’t let you do this,'”

Nancy said. But Katharina was determined to finish what she started and ignored the warnings.

As for Nancy, she couldn’t take the woman out of her mind. She was checking on the weather forecast all the time, and when she read how a heavy snowfall was about to hit the country, she simply had to call 911 and ask for help.

When they asked her what the emergency was, she said there wasn’t any, and went further elaborating her concerns. The first responders also believed Katharina could be in trouble so they sent a helicopter in search for her.

Unfortunately, their concerns were justified. The hiker was soaking wet, unable to light a fire, alone in the freezing weather in the mountains. If it wasn’t for Nancy she could have died alone with no one by her side.

“I’ll think of her as a hero for the rest of my life,”

Deputy J. Adams said.

Katharina spent the next couple of days at Nancy’s place and is beyond grateful she saved her life. She is now planning her trip back to Germany and says how she decided to hike the trail all by her self because she had lost faith in humanity, but now that faith is back “in a really big way” and stronger than ever.

It was the mother’s instinct and her gut that made Nancy take things in her hands and save a life.

Take a look at the whole story below and make sure you share it with friends.

Josh Turner’s Boys Sing With Dad’s Powerful Voice Onstage

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Monica Pop

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It looks as though the saying “like father, like son,” in this case sons, suits Josh Turner’s loving family the best. Now if you think he is one hell of a singer then you have to listen to his kids performing. They are so great, it will give you chills.

Josh is known as one of the most famous American country and gospel singers, a devout Christian, and a family man. His voice has touched the hearts of many, and now it’s turn for his children to follow into his footsteps. After you hear them singing, you’ll hope they pursue a career in music and continue their father’s legacy.

The boys, Hampton, Colby, Marion, and Hawke, could be seen performing during a gospel ceremony. They got the chance to experience what it feels like to stand in front of a crowd and sing their hearts out, just the way their dad does.

Josh got involved into music form the time he was a young boy. He simply knew singing was his call after he started the group “Thankful Hearts” which was a gospel group that marked the beginning of his career as a country singer who made on the top lists. His name is not only known in the States, but worldwide. Performing at the Grand Ole Opry in 2001 was another significant moment that helped him boost his career.

Besides his huge successes, Josh is a humble husband and a father who remains devoted to religion.

His seventh studio album consists of gospel music he often sings with his boys during religious services at their church.”I Serve A Savior” had been recorded at the Gaither Studios in Alexandria, Indiana and features appearances by Sonya Isaacs, Bobby Osborne, and Turner’s boys.

People were eager to see the Turners performing together on stage, and the boys were so good that they made their parents proud. Although a bit shy, they still managed to sound as though they have been performing much longer.

It’s not everyday that we see young people praising God the way this family does.

Take a look at the Turners doing what they know best, and that’s singing.

Dad Makes It His Mission To Embarrass Daughter Who Missed The Bus

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Monica Pop

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Parents will do anything for their children, and although coping with a teenage kid can be exhausting and challenging, it can also be pretty fun at times.

During college, children want to be independent, and they are sometimes ashamed to be hanging out with their parents. But this dad doesn’t really care. He want’s to be around his daughter, and like every other father out there, to embarrass her in front of her friends. Yes, you’ve heard that right, this dad has a great sense of humor and he decided to “punish” his daughter’s negligence in the most hilarious way possible.

When she asked him to give her a ride to school because she missed the bus, he knew exactly what to do to teach her a lesson.

He quickly jumped into the car and headed towards Morgan’s school. He then took his phone out and started recording, making sure he spreads the word of his daughter missing the bus on her second day of school. And while he is having fun, Morgan keeps her hand high and tries to cover her face, but she can’t hide the smile as she listens to her dad making jokes on her behalf.

When they arrived, dad told her he was going to walk her to her classroom, then turned to the camera and said:

“My subscribers are going to love this!”

Morgan keeps laughing and says:

“You don’t have subscribers!”

Though that was pretty much true back then, after he posted the video online people loved it so much that it has been viewed more than 2 million times. Everyone loves this dad’s witty sense of humor.

Take a peek at Dad’s hilarious video below. We are sure Morgan won’t miss the bus anytime soon.

If it makes you laugh, share it with friends.

Doctor Singing To Sick Patients Realizes Baby Girl Is Following Him

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Monica Pop

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Little Sophia Romano Bueno is a lovely seventeen-month-old girl who spends significant amount of time at the hospital due to a rare form of an immune system disorder. Spending that much time at the medical center and undergoing so many treatments can be both scary and boring in the extreme, but that’s not the case with the Ribeirao Preto Clinical Hospital in Sao Paulo where Dr. Paulo Martins works. He is really one of a kind and what he does for his patients is beyond adorable.

He thought it would be nice if the patients had some fun so he came up with the brilliant idea of entertaining them playing the ukulele. The moment Sophia heard a vibrant voice coming from the hospital halls, she immediately rushed to check who that was. The little girl caught wind of Dr. Martins amazing vocal skills and she was excited to see such an unusual instrument.

Sophia made sure she didn’t miss any of the tones he produced by following him from room to room, looking at him with a dose of admiration.

This little angel was patiently waiting for the doctor at the hallway with a glimmer of hope that he will dedicate a song to her.

Dr. Martins knew what the girl expected and it was fun how a grown up man could grow timid in front of a little girl. But that was because he didn’t really know how to play any kids songs and he certainly didn’t want to disappoint his most faithful fan.

That’s when Sophia’s father told the doctor how she loved adult music and asked for a song that Dr. Martins knew. Her eyes sparkled with anticipation as she couldn’t wait to show her frisky dancing skills.

Once the doctor burst into song, Sophia started dancing swaying back and fort while tethered to the IV pole. Besides her condition, she had a real blast and made everyone around as excited as herself. The hospital staff couldn’t help but gather around the lovely dancer. Seeing her stomping her little feet, wearing sweet pink shoes was the best thing they’ve ever witnessed.

Once the song finished, she encouraged the doctor to sing some more, and he simply couldn’t say no.

Thankfully, this amazing interaction was caught on camera so everyone could see it.

Thanks to amazing Dr. Martens, Sophia and the rest of the patients could put their worries to rest at least for a moment. We pray for Sophia’s health and hope she will manage to cure completely.

Mom’s Surprised By Manager’s Response To Son’s Shoe Dilemma

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Monica Pop

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This is one of those stories that warm our hearts and remind us that there are still good and compassionate people out there who use kindness to make our days brighter.

Mother Natalie shares what happened on the day when her son Landon went shopping for his first ever normal pair of shoes. The boy was born with a condition known as club foot with one of his feet rotated upwards which resulted with the boy wearing casts and braces until the age of eight. You may assume it is quite challenging for a young boy to be facing this issue, so what happened at the Under Armour store really meant the world for both Landon and his mother.

The boy was thrilled and was about to experience how it feels like to enter the store and pick the shoes you like the most not having to worry whether the brace would fit.

The store manager Sean Kelly assisted Landon and showed him a bunch of shoes to choose from, and once he picked the model he liked the most, Sean measured the boy’s feet in order to get him the right number.

However, what they heard next simply wiped the smiles off their faces. Due to different foot size, they had to buy two pairs of shoes, a size three and a size six. This made Landon quite sad, and his mom got a bit emotional and concerned because that meant paying double the price.

“Anyone who knows Landon knows he was born with a club foot and has struggled ever since the day he was born. As he grew older his right foot did, too. However, his left foot being casted so much did not allow his left to keep up. This is when I mentioned his disability he was born with, causing the huge difference. I struggled to hold back tears as I always do, but Landon loved these shoes so I knew regardless I was buying both. I made the comment, ‘Welp we buy both.'”

Sean, the manager, could see that Landon really liked that pair, and he could also see how distressed his mother was, so he stepped in and made a generous offer.

“How about I buy a pair and you buy a pair?”

He simply took the money out and paid for a pair of shoes.

“Not that we wanted a hand out or couldn’t afford them, but he wanted to do this for a little boy who loved these shoes… Seriously, I’m amazed by how kind people truly can be, to make a kid smile.”

Natalie couldn’t let Sean’s deed to be left unheard so she expressed her gratefulness in the best way possible. She wrote to the store telling them how their manager saved the day and didn’t let her son’s dream of buying his first normal shoes ever to be crushed. He was willing to see the boy smile and that was the best thing someone could do for Landon.

“Landon gave him a thank you card for being so kind. Sean ended up having a surprise up his sleeve for Landon. We went into the store and were looking for a few things and Landon mentioned I want a back pack from here for school. Here comes Sean with a backpack of goodies. Landon was pumped and so grateful. We were also told that Under Armour World Headquarters had given us 5 buy one get one free for shoes. Which is incredible. Some may see this as a small gesture but to us it’s huge! As if the first story didn’t tear at your heart strings, this only solidifies there are good people out there. Sean didn’t have to do this, Under Armour didn’t have to do anything. But people made things happen, to be kind.”

The story went viral and it made people aware of two things. The first is that an act of kindness, no matter how big or small, always goes a long way, and the other thing is that it raised awareness of the condition Landon was born with and how it affects children’s health and self-confidence. It even inspired other moms to join in and share their stories.

Brittany Walls Canup wrote on Facebook:

“My 2.5 year old daughter has clubfoot. We have a difficult time finding shoes to fit. Her feet are 2 sizes difference.”

Sean did something amazing that day and he probably never imagined that so many people will learn of his kind deed.

Please share this story with your family and friends. It may inspire someone to follow this manager’s example and help someone in need.

Assistant Chief of Police Anita Najiy Refuses Pledge Of Allegiance

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Monica Pop

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The flag is a sacred symbol of a country, but it seems like Americans are attached to it more than any other nation. In a country that is a home of people with different political, social, racial, and geographic background, the flag has become a symbol that unites the citizens who share a unique homeland regardless all the differences .

After Assistant Chief of Police Anita Najiy (far left) refused to salute the flag, a fellow officer took action. (Photo Credit: Screenshot via YouTube)

American schoolchildren are expected to salute the flag in a formal ritual every day, and that speaks a lot about how much the Stars and Stripes are involved in the core values of each American.

It’s somehow logical for us to expect from the military and the police officers to pay even greater respect to the flag under which they serve the country. That is why a police chief raised his concerns when he spotted a fellow colleague disrespecting the hardiness and valor, purity and innocence, and vigilance, perseverance and justice that the flag stands for after she stood silently and refused to recite the Pledge of Allegiance and place her hand over her heart during a ceremony.

Unfortunately for the 32-year-veteran officer Anita Najiy, her colleague Fraternal Order of Police president Javier Ortiz noticed her apparent contempt for America and wrote a letter to her superior in which he questioned her ability to serve the country.

“If you’re not pledging allegiance to the United States, my question is what country are you pledging allegiance to?” Ortiz says. “Anyone who isn’t offended by that is not American, because when you become a U.S. citizen, you pledge allegiance to the .US.”

Ortiz strongly believed that Anita Najiy should have been disciplined and removed from her position as commander of the department’s Honor Guard.

Fraternal Order of Police President Javier Ortiz reported Anita Najiy for violating the department’s code. (Photo Credit: Screenshot via YouTube)

Ortiz also believed that being a Muslim, Najiy put her religion above the country and failed to perform her duties as an officer which he stated in the letter to Chief Rodolfo Llanes.

“I had false hopes that the MPD [Miami Police Department] would address the issue at hand. Assistant Chief Najiy practices in the Muslim faith. The MPD apparently is afraid to address this,” Ortiz said. “In the United States, you have the right to practice any religion and say whatever you want off-duty. When you’re in your police uniform, you are to be neutral.”

After Ortiz’s claims were refuted by the justification that Najiy was following U.S. Military code, which supersedes the city’s Honor Guard code, he went further saying that she should have behaved according to the code because she is an officer wearing a law enforcement uniform.

“Religious and political views have no business being reflected when wearing a police uniform,” Ortiz said. “There are plenty of police officers in our department that practice the Muslim faith and pledge allegiance to our country and have a problem with her defiance towards the United States.”

Najiy’s refusal to place her hand over her heart has sparked debate concerning a police officers’ rights and responsibilities. (Photo Credit: Screenshot via YouTube)

This incident and his attempt to bring to question Najiy’s actions marked officer Javier Ortiz a racist and he was strongly criticized for expressing his concerns and beliefs on the social media.

“We are appalled by the hateful comments that we have been forced to witness over the past several days,” Miami Community Police Benevolent Association President Ella Moore wrote. “Manufacturing issues to divide and call attention away from his own misdeeds seem to be a pattern of this FOP president, who does not appear to be up to the task of showing the true leadership benefiting his current position.”

The ordeal has sparked debate across the country whether Javier Ortiz was right denouncing Anita Najiy’s acting during the ceremony. Some people support Ortiz’s claims, while others believe that officers have the right to refuse to salute the flag without questioning their reasons for doing so.

Would you take a stand for Ortiz’s or Najiy’s actions. Do you believe the country should be above everything? Please share your thoughts with us in the comment section below.

19 powerful lessons from Robin Williams on life, love, money, and loneliness

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Monica Pop

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Four years ago, the world lost one of the most adored artistic souls, the great Robin Williams. The news of his passing spread like wildfire and left huge number of devoted fans heartbroken.

His vibrant personality and unique sense of humor made millions laugh. He never failed to amaze and captivate worldwide audiences with his one-of-a-kind performances. Some of his most memorable roles are that of Mr. Keating in Dead Poets Society, Peter Pan in Hook, Mrs. Doubtfire, therapist Sean Maguire in Good Will Hunting, and many more. The list is endless as he played more than 100 iconic roles.

Robin Williams’ spirit will continue living through all the characters he played and the powerful words and messages he was spreading to people from all around the globe.

No matter how much time passes by, he will always be dearly missed. Below are some of his most powerful and most influential quotes that will give you more optimistic perspective on life.

Photo Credit: Everett Collection / Shutterstock.com

“You’re only given a little spark of madness. You mustn’t lose it.”
“The essential truth is that sometimes you’re worried that they’ll find out it’s a fluke, that you don’t really have it. You’ve lost the muse or – the worst dread – you never had it at all. I went through all that madness early on.”

“No matter what people tell you, words and ideas can change the world.”

“Winning an Oscar is an honor, but, between you and me, it does not makes things easier.”

“I used to think that the worst thing in life was to end up alone. It’s not. The worst thing in life is to end up with people who make you feel alone.”

Photo Credit: travelview / Shutterstock.com

“Please, don’t worry so much. Because in the end, none of us have very long on this Earth. Life is fleeting.”

“Tweets? That stuff kills conversation. And people taking pictures with their phone or recording you, sometimes surreptitiously, is creepy. They come up and just start talking to you, and you can see the red light on their phone.”

“I do believe in love; it’s wonderful – especially love (the) third time around, it’s even more precious; it’s kind of amazing.”

“Reality: What a concept!”

“Politics is so personal, vicious and immediate, how are you going to get anything done? Even the local politics where I live have gotten so ugly.”

“I’m sorry, if you were right, I’d agree with you.”

“Sometimes over things that I did, movies that didn’t turn out very well – you go, ‘Why did you do that?’ But in the end, I can’t regret them because I met amazing people. There was always something that was worth it.”

“Comedy is acting out optimism.”

“Spring is nature’s way of saying, Let’s party!”

“Cocaine is God’s way of telling you you are making too much money.”

“Never pick a fight with an ugly person, they’ve got nothing to lose.”

“Medicine, law, business, engineering, these are noble pursuits and necessary to sustain life. But poetry, beauty, romance, love: these are what we stay alive for.”

“You will have bad times, but they will always wake you up to the stuff you weren’t paying attention to.”

“Good people end up in Hell because they can’t forgive themselves.”

Please share these wise words with your loved ones!

Elton John’s Emotional John Lewis Christmas Commercial Released

By

Monica Pop

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John Lewis’ Christmas commercials are something we are always looking forward to because they announce the start of the holiday season and bring in us that cozy feeling of warmness and tradition.

The emotional video is a tribute to the living legend Elton John and backtracks through time depicting his life. Titled The Boy and the Piano, the tear-jerking advert is a reminder of how one special gift can determine the course of life.

The video starts with Elton playing the piano in present day and singing his major 70s hit “Your Song” before going back in time, showing glimpses of his exciting music career. Time flips back and shows the singer in some of the most important moments of life that made him the celebrity of today. From his Dodger Stadium concerts, performing at private parties, playing at school as his mother is in the crowd cheering, to the moment where it all started – that Christmas morning when he got the gift of his life.

As he headed down the stairs, young Elton was overwhelmed by the sight of his mother and grandmother unwrapping a piano. Him looking at the instrument with admiration and gently placing his finger on the keys is a start of an era.

The song is played throughout the whole commercial with original recordings of all the scenes we see Elton in but put together in one piece which allows the viewers to feel a subtle change of mood as the song progresses. The advert ends with the 71-year-old singer closing the piano lid. The whole thing conveys the message that “Some gifts are more than just a gift.”

Elton wrote on his Instagram account that it was a pleasure to be part of the so much anticipated commercial of the retail giant John Lewis, adding, “It’s been a lovely opportunity for me to reflect on my life in music and the incredible journey I have been on, and how first playing my Grandmother’s piano marks the moment when music came into my life. The ad is absolutely fantastic and I’ve truly loved every minute of being a part of it.”

We hope this Christmas you’ll get a gift that may change your life.

Garth Brooks Brought Trisha Yearwood To Tears At The CMAs With His New Love Song

By

Monica Pop

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Wednesday night’s CMA Awards were the perfect occasion for the new song of Garth Brooks to be unveiled. The performance was a sweet surprise for the country singer’s wife of thirteen years, Trisha Yearwood.

Among all those people at the crowded place, Brooks dedicated the song to the love of his life, and the amazing thing was that it was the first time for “Stronger Than Me” to be ever performed and heard by the wider audience.

Alone on the stage, singing from the heart, looking straight in his wife’s eyes as though they were the only ones there, it was a perfect moment that let them cherish their love for one another.

The singer describes the new piece of music as “maybe the most well-written thing I’ve ever had to lend my voice to. It’s beautiful.”

“I won’t play it for anybody else because it’s a song, you’re not going to believe it’s written by guys, it’s a song about the strength of a woman. And for me, that’s Trisha,” Brooks had explained.

Brooks revealed the CMA producers were hesitant about him premiering on the show because of the busy schedule, but he had his fans’ support and found himself in the limelight.

“They’ve been very sweet. They kinda came back and said, ‘Hey look, something new that’s a ballad probably doesn’t work for us,'” he said.

Everyone simply loved the song, and his wife was so moved by the gesture that she couldn’t hold her tears back. She wasn’t sure what to expect because she had never heard the lyrics nor the music before.

“I have no idea what’s going to happen,” she told People.

Brooks received standing ovations as he sang the final emotional verse of the ballad:

“I’d give her anything that’s mine in life to give her to the last breath that I breathe, and if I have a choice I pray God takes me first ’cause you’re stronger than me.”

So many concerts behind him performing in front of millions of people, but still so nervous when singing for his wife that he even considered calling the performance off.

“The closer I got, the more I thought it was a bad idea,” he said, “because she’s not a big surprise girl.”

He opened the ceremony in which he handed over his Entertainer of the Year crown to Keith Urban by announcing a moment of silence as a respect for the Borderline Bar & Grill shooting victims.

“Tonight, let’s celebrate their lives. Let the music unite us with love, and their enduring memory,” he said, before a list of the victims’ names was projected on a screen.

. @garthbrooks debuting his brand new song “Stronger than me” at the @CountryMusic awards!#CMAawards https://t.co/5z7x3iGxIh pic.twitter.com/KDTTVGh5pY

— Good Morning America (@GMA) November 15, 2018

17 Reenactment Photos

By

Monica Pop

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Before and after photos always remind us how time flies. But it’s nice to have them, so that we know how much we’ve changed over the years.

Some of the faces depicted are already wrinkled and looking quite different, but the emotions the photos reveal remain the same.

From spouses on their wedding day, to siblings taking their first trip together, and even proud pet owners on the first day they met their furry pals, these people and animals recreate the same situations years after. Things change, we change, and the essence of life is what we experience between those changes.

These reenactment photos will certainly make you nostalgic about the good old days.

1. Man’s best friend

10 years later, and the bond between this man and his dog is just as strong.

2. Girl power

These four best friends never lost touch—or their love of snacking!

3. Brotherly love

These brothers are just as goofy (and loving) as they were when they were babies.

4.This adorable couple who loves cake

From wedding day to being grandparents, this couple will always have their cake.

5. Road trip

The leg hair might’ve grown, but their seat in the car (and their outfits!) have not.

6. This young merry pair

What began with a sweet glance on a carousel ended with a sweet glance on a carousel. Their love truly makes the world go round! (Get it?)

7. These best friends who always have each other’s backs

Though it may have been a bit easier back in 2000…

8. This daddy/daughter duo

They’ll always dance together in the kitchen.

9. And this father/son duo

After 60 years, everything and nothing has changed at the same time.

10. Riding dirty

This couple is still “riding” out life together and more in love than ever. (Their love may not have faded, but the motorcycles have surely improved!)

11. 60 years later

From wedding day to a 60th anniversary and this couple could not be more in love.

12. Prom dates

20 years after prom and this couple still looks as dapper as ever!

13. Floor snackers

Nothing like eating a meal on the floor of a kitchen with your favorite gals—when you’re babies and also years later!

14. Dress, suit, relationship: All still fits!

This couple reenacted their wedding photo 45 years later.

15. From ring bearer and flower girl to husband and wife

Who knew that their wedding day would actually be the second time they walked down the aisle together?

16. College sweethearts

Same ledge, same couple, same love.

17. Travel buddies

This couple will never take for granted the adventures they’ve shared throughout the years—especially when they get to visit special locations years later. (Hint: This couple was on their honeymoon in the first photo!)

All these pictures show us that true love resists time, and never fades away.

Kids And Parents Perform Epic Dance Routine After Weeks Of Practicing

By

Monica Pop

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Phil Wright is a famous name in the world of music and choreography. This immensely talented man has been working with some of the most famous celebrities such as Will Smith, Chayanne, Nicki Minaj and Pitbull, but now he is here to do something a bit different.

He came up with an exciting idea of creating dance classes for parents and children, and although he wasn’t sure whether it would work or not, he decided to give it a go. Having in mind that many parents are taking some time for themselves while the kids are taking classes, Phil wasn’t sure if the parents will be willing to spend that time dancing along their kids. But it turned out they didn’t only want that, but were actually thrilled and eager to push that interesting idea forward.

Phil’s taught dancing before, and was part of facilities like Millennium Dance Complex, Debbie Reynolds Dance Studio, IDA Dance Academy and Abby Lee Dance Studio.

Dancing and choreography are Phil’s passion and his greatest wish is to spread it to as many people he can.

The parents and the children are dancing to a unique choreography on the famous song of Earth, Wind & Fire, “Let’s Groove,” and no one could imagine it would turn into one of the most impressive performances we’ve ever seen.

Every move they make is simply flawless. Their frisky dancing along with the little sass they add is mesmerizing. It’s clear it took time for this routine to be practiced at this level of perfection, but it was worth it.

Phil was more than proud of the parents and the children who went against their teenage instinct to buck at every turn.

Take a peek at this awesome family-friendly dance routine below. You are going to love it, that’s for sure!

Tom Jones Surprises Audience With Impromptu Performance

By

Monica Pop

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Our favorite music talent show The Voice UK, turned even better with Sir Tom Jones being one of the judges. Jones’s powerful voice has been described as a “full-throated, robust baritone” and it was only a matter of time when the audience of the show would hear him perform live during one of the episodes. It was a real blast and a treat for the ears.

This legendary singer has been a real heart-breaker from the moment he started his singing career in he mid-1960s up until this day. Women from all over the world are going crazy over his talent and his looks. During his rich career he’s been performing pop songs, R&B, show tunes, country, dance, soul and gospel.

The crowd was left in awe when Olly Murs, one of the judges of the show started singing one of Tom’s songs to which Sir Jones reacted with “yah!” and liked the way his fellow colleague sounded.

The crowd is as well happy to hear the judge singing, but they want to listen to the original performer of the song “It’s Not Unusual” so they start chanting Tom’s name. Another judge, Will.i.am, joins in and everyone is eager for Sir Jones to start singing along. He simply can’t hold back, lets his voice loose, and that’s when the magic happens.

He gets so much into the song that he treats the fans with some frisky dance moves and they go wild over what they are seeing and hearing. At this point, no one is in their seats, but up and dancing. It’s an amazing show that Tom surprises the crowd with.

This finger snapping, toe tapping tune has everyone dancing around. The lyrics are pretty peppy, too, focusing on love and life.

“It’s not unusual to be loved by anyone. It’s not unusual to have fun with anyone. But when I see you hanging about with anyone it’s not unusual to see me cry, I wanna die. It’s not unusual to go out at any time. But when I see you out and about it’s such a crime. If you should ever want to be loved by anyone. It’s not unusual it happens every day no matter what you say. You’ll find it happens all the time. Love will never do what you want it to. Why can’t this crazy love be mine?”

Everyone is super excited to be listening to a singer like Sir Tom Jones singing in front of their eyes.

Take a look at one of the best episodes of The Voice UK. This is what we call having fun.

When mommy has cancer

By

Monica Pop

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A brave mother of two whose life turned upside down shares her story on her personal blog and teaches us how getting sick and battling with a disease like cancer can affect the life of the whole family. This mother who happened to work as an oncology nurse though she knew all about cancer, until she was diagnosed herself. That’s when she realized it was way worse that it seemed. This is her story.

My son was almost 3 1/2 when I was diagnosed, and his little sister was just 5 months old. We were still adjusting to the busy life of a family of 4 and getting everyone’s schedules straight. The day I found out I had cancer was a blur. I specifically remember thinking I would let myself have a pity party for a few hours, but when it was time to get the kids from school- I had to suck it up and act normally. There was still so much to process and so much we didn’t know about my prognosis.

I did ok that first night- dinner, baths, and story time as usual. Harrison and I sang his special goodnight song and I rocked Evelyn in her chair. I went to bed early and surprisingly slept like a rock, I’m sure from pure mental exhaustion.

But the next morning… the next morning was hard. I woke up to realize the nightmare was actually real- and when I walked into my son’s room to wake him up for school, I lost it. Seeing his worry-free, peaceful, sleeping face and knowing that his innocent world was about to be turned upside down just tore me apart. Especially since it had just gotten rocked by adding a baby sister in the mix.

The days that followed were busy with diagnostic biopsies and scopes. Cancer likes to keep you busy and take over your life right away. Soon, close family and friends began offering to babysit so we could get some rest or sort things out. I know they meant well, but after so many repeated offers, I finally broke down again and cried to my husband- “If one more person tries to take my kids away from me, I’m going to lose my mind!”.

I guess I just needed them around to feel normal, to keep distracted amidst all the awful waiting for results. We already had tickets to a baseball game for that first weekend after I found out- and we decided to still go. It was my first lesson in life with cancer- keep up your normal plans as much as you can. It turned out to be a great day full of distraction and smiles. I told myself from that day on, I would do everything in my power to not let cancer take away from any of their fun childhood memories.

“Hey buddy, Mommy and Daddy have something they need to tell you…”

That was the beginning of the hardest sentence I ever uttered to my son. I had known about my cancer for a few weeks and, after the tornado of events that take place during diagnosis, the plan of action was finally coming together. I was scheduled to have surgery the next day to move my ovaries up out of the field of pelvic radiation so I could start treatment.

Now it was becoming real. This was the first physical step towards fighting this cancer, my first scar of many. I could tell Harrison was already sensing something was going on, so I knew it was time to talk with him about it. But how? How do I prepare my sweet little boy for what was ahead, when I didn’t even know the answer myself? How do you assure them everything will be ok, when it very well might not be?

I’ve always encouraged my patients to be honest with their children when talking about cancer and illness, but facing that conversation myself made me question everything. Do we use the “C” word and lay it all out there? Do we just say Mommy’s sick? Do we attempt to hide it from him altogether to protect his innocence? Knowing my inquisitive little boy, we decided to keep it honest and got straight to the facts. We explained that I have a very different kind of owie in my tummy that’s called cancer. I told him the doctors will have to take it out with surgery and I’ll have to take a strong special medicine called chemo that will make me feel pretty yucky.

He took the information well, asking appropriate questions for his age. Can I see a cancer owie… does it hurt… is it dark in a surgery… do I have to have a surgery or take medicine too? I answered his questions the best I could, told him I loved him very much, and we switched back to our normal PJ Masks or matchbox car conversations.

He didn’t bring it up again until that night as I tucked him into bed- he told me that once I was finished with all my special medicine, I could have a sleep over with him in his boys-only fort, just me and him. And there it was.

The moment I knew I had no choice but to beat this. There was no other option, I had to be here for these kids now and for many years to come. I didn’t want to miss one moment. The thought of leaving my kids without a mother hurts too much to even linger on for very long. Even now, a year and a half later, I have yet to fully process this possibility. I’m not sure I ever will. The first step was to figure out how all four of us can get through radiation, surgery, and chemo while still living our lives.

My goal was to keep things as “normal” as possible for my kids. I nearly immediately called Annie, the child life specialist from my cancer center. We spent a long time talking about Harrison and how he’d coped with everything so far. She explained that “normalizing the abnormal” and maintaining routines/ expectations brings children comfort and a feeling of safety in the midst of illness. Harrison really adjusted well.

There was a revolving door of visitors at our home and no normal schedule, there were last minute changes of plans that led to disappointment. He learned when mommy needed to rest and have alone time. He didn’t get to sleep in his own bed for extended periods of time after my surgery and he had to be woken up in the middle of the night more than once to be tossed in a car to bring mommy to the Emergency Department.

He had to learn to keep his hands washed and that mommy couldn’t get kisses on the mouth or pick him up, he heard “I can’t do that with you right now” way more than any kid deserves, he witnessed his mom pulling over on the side of the road to throw up on the way home from school, he saw the line up of pill bottles on the bathroom sink; the abnormal became normal- and he was so brave through it all.

He proudly brought his stuffed monkey named “Chemo” to school for nap time, he learned about my ostomy and called it a “button”, he would quietly sneak in to check on me as I slept and whispered “sorry you don’t feel good mommy” (once even bringing me some chloraseptic spray he found just in case it would help). He loved to be a helper and feel included, giving me checkups and feeling my chest port through my skin. He loved to visit when I was in the hospital and even got to help me ring the bell at the end of treatment. He went on this roller coaster right alongside us, and I couldn’t be more proud of him.

I am no expert, and every kid is different, but I have learned a lot as a cancer patient and mom of small kids. I know that kids are so resilient, want to feel needed, and love fiercely. I’ve learned that they might not always know how to talk about their fears or what questions to ask, but if you listen closely- you can pick up on what they really need in the middle of all the chaos that being the kid of someone who is ill brings.

Another mom who has cancer once told me that this is their story too, and to let them process it in their own way. For us, using play therapy with a specialist was so important for Harrison. He really thrived in that environment and was able to express his fears and learn to cope. It helped me, too- knowing that he had this resource and getting feedback that he was managing his stress well.

I really hesitated to add this next part because I’m not sure how it will come across. It’s a complex thought for me and I’m not quite sure how to explain it properly. I love both of my children deeply- but you probably notice I didn’t mention my sweet daughter very much above. Mostly because she was so little when I was diagnosed that I didn’t have to agonize over what to tell her or the questions and fears she might have. I just had to make sure all her needs were met and she felt safe. She didn’t know any different.

Having a mommy that couldn’t carry her car seat up the stairs, or that wasn’t home sometimes, or that laid down on the floor as she played with her blocks was simply normal. I’m not sure if the thought of this being standard for her is reassuring because she didn’t have to adjust or depressing because of all she missed out on. Here’s the part I’m afraid to admit- I pushed her away. I was so crippled with the fear of dying that I think I unconsciously held her at a distance… just in case. It already hurt too much worrying about leaving my husband and son, the three of us had been going strong for a while.

I just didn’t know what would happen- and I think I was just trying to protect my heart as much as I could. I was mad at cancer, mad that it showed up right after I realized my dream of completing my family, mad that it made me stop breastfeeding my baby and left me too exhausted to have those sweet late night bonding moments, mad that everyone else around me had to suffer because of my diagnosis.

Don’t get me wrong, I love her deeply and she was a light for me in so much darkness- but I feel like it just took us a little longer. I guess I was protecting both of us- maybe that in itself was a selfless act of love. I don’t have a “favorite” kid, but I do have one that I worry about more. Harrison’s older and will remember more, and he’s just more sensitive overall… Evelyn has been independent and laid back from the start. But- they both need their mom.

Right now, I’m cancer free and we’re back to life as usual- for the most part. There are still moments that take my breath away and they still happen often. “Momma, can we go to Disney World when I’m 10” (I hope I’ll get to go, too). “Momma, when I have kids, I’m going to have a beard” (I so badly want to see the people they become and the families they make). “Momma, do you promise you’ll be my mommy forever” (sigh. I sure hope so, buddy).

Even tonight, on Mother’s Day eve- Harrison had a bad dream and needed extra back rubs. And this morning, Evelyn woke up in one of those “I only want my mommy” moods. These moments are just little reminders that nothing is promised. As harsh as that reality is, I truly appreciate this perspective I’ve been given- it makes me realize how special those every day moments really are.

No matter what the future holds, I know my kids will be just fine. They have an amazing father and family support system. They both have huge hearts and bring joy to everyone they meet. They are kind and funny and love to learn new things. I’m certain they will both grow up to make their own beautiful mark on the world… and every day I pray like crazy I’ll be here to see it. sun_pin

P.S. The fort sleep over was even cooler than I imagined.

Please share Lindsay’s story, it may provide support for someone who shares her faith.

Girl And Her Mom Approached A Soldier At The Airport. They Never Thought He’d Do This.

By

Monica Pop

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The following story is believed to be circulating online for a longer period of time, and people have been forwarding it via email. We are not certain whether this happened for real or not, by knowing that the Atlanta airport has a tradition of applauding the troops, adds to our belief that this is something that really took place.

The story is a great reminder of everything the military men and women sacrifice for the well being of our country.

‘Last week I was in Atlanta, Georgia attending a conference. While I was in the airport, returning home, I heard several people behind me beginning to clap and cheer. I immediately turned around and witnessed one of the greatest act’s of patriotism I have ever seen.

Moving thru the terminal was a group of soldiers in their camo’s, as they began heading to their gate everyone (well almost everyone) was abruptly to their feet with their hands waving and cheering. When I saw the soldiers, probably 30-40 of them, being applauded and cheered for it hit me. I’m not alone. I’m not the only red blooded American who still loves this country and supports our troops and their families.

Of course I immediately stopped and began clapping for these young unsung heroes who are putting their lives on the line everyday for us so we can go to school, work and home without fear or reprisal. Just when I thought I could not be more proud of my country or of our service men and women a young girl, not more than 6 or 7 years old, ran up to one of the male soldiers. He kneeled down and said “hi,” the little girl then asked him if he would give something to her daddy for her. The young soldier, didn’t look any older than maybe 22 himself, said he would try and asked what it was that she wanted to give to her daddy. Then suddenly the little girl grabbed the neck of this soldier, gave him the biggest hug she could muster and then kissed him on the cheek.

The mother of the little girl, who said her daughters name was Courtney, told the young soldier that her husband was a Marine and had been in Iraq for 11 months now. As the mom was explaining how much her daughter, Courtney, missed her father, the young soldier began to tear up. When this temporarily single mom was done explaining her situation, all of the soldiers huddled together for a brief second. Then one of the other servicemen pulled out a military looking walkie-talkie. They started playing with the device and talking back and forth on it.

After about 10-15 seconds of this, the young soldier walked back over to Courtney, bent down and said this to her, “I spoke to your daddy and he told me to give this to you” He then hugged this little girl that he had just met and gave her a kiss on the cheek. He finished by saying “your daddy told me to tell you that he loves you more than anything and he is coming home very soon.”

The mom at this point was crying almost uncontrollably and as the young soldier stood to his feet he saluted Courtney and her mom. I was standing no more than 6 feet away from this entire event unfolded. As the soldiers began to leave, heading towards their gate, people resumed their applause. As I stood there applauding and looking around, there were very few dry eyes. That young soldier in one last act of selflessness, turned around and blew a kiss to Courtney with a tear rolling down his cheek.

We need to remember everyday all of our soldiers and their families and thank God for them and their sacrifices. At the end of the day, it’s good to be an American.

We are left in flood of tears and happy to be part of a country that knows how to pay respect to the soldiers. May God bless you for your service.

18-Month-Old Boy Rescued While Floating Adrift Out

By

Monica Pop

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Being a parent means loving your children more than you’ve ever loved yourself. They are a true blessing, and we do everything in our power to provide them with a comfortable life because all we ever wish is for them to be happy and healthy.

However, toddlers and young children can be difficult to control because they are curious and ready to explore things, which may easily put them in danger.

That is exactly what happened to a sweet 18-month-old Malachi while on holiday in New Zealand with his parents.

The family was camping on the beach and little did they know that something horrible was about to take place. Mother Jessica Whyte, her partner Josh, and baby Malachi were having the time of their life, walking along the beach, and having fun in the water, and when the day came to an end they turned in for the night.

During the night, while Jessica and Josh were sound asleep, the little boy left the tent without being noticed and headed towards the water. As luck would have it, the floating body of the boy was noticed by a fisherman named Gus Hutt a couple of hours later.

Gus told the New Zealand Harold:

“As he floated past I thought he was just a doll. So, I reached out and grabbed him by the arm; even then I still thought it was just a doll.

His face looked just like porcelain with his short hair wetted down, but then and he let out a little squeak and I thought, ‘Oh God, this is a baby and it’s alive.'”

He quickly grabbed the child and rushed to the shore hoping he would make it. The toddler was soaking wet, but fortunately, not harmed. They had no idea whose child he might be and asked the camp stuff to help them locate the parents.

In the middle of all the drama that took place, the parents were still peacefully sleeping. But then they’ve heard what happened, and Jessica shrieked and started trembling.

“I don’t think my heart [beat] from hearing that to seeing him. I don’t think my heart worked.”

Both the parents and the little boy are lucky everything ended up well, and they are thankful for the fisherman who spotted Malachi and didn’t hesitate to offer help. As for Jessica, she will make sure they keep a lock on the tent and be more cautious.

Dad has 14 sons, but it’s the newborn’s name that’s making headlines around the world

By

Monica Pop

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Jay and Kateri Schwandt welcomed their 14th child back in April. You already assume the couple was beyond happy with the newest addition to the family. Having 14 children make the days busy and and it never gets boring around. Large families are amazing, and this one is special because all of the children are boys.

The oldest son Tyler, is 25 years old, and the youngest, newborn Finley, has yet to hit his first birthday. And not only is Finley special because he is a 14th brother, but he has a very unique middle name.

Many were surprised with the parents’ decision to name their son Finley Sheboygan, but this attracted the attention of many and his story ended up in the news.

You can surely make guesses of what the meaning behind this name is, and before we reveal that to you, let us tell you more about this beautiful, large family.

They reveal how it’s like to be raising 14 children and talk about their daily routines as they open the doors to their home for the PEOPLE magazine.

“We feel like we’re unique parents. Obviously, very few people want to do this and very few people could do this and it’s just something we’re very comfortable with,” dad, Jay, says. “Everything we do, we do as a family and we just feel blessed that we’re able to do it.”

They live “in the woods” of Rockford and own several acres for the boys to grow and play. The house has 6 bedrooms and three and a half bathroom.

“If you’re the first person in the bathroom in the morning you’re in pretty good shape,” he says. “If we had all girls that would probably be a bigger issue!”

Some may assume they decided to have so many children because they were trying to have a girl, and that’s not far from the truth. They actually waited till the baby was born to learn its sex.

“We’ve got all boys, so it’s what we’re used to,” Jay says. “It would’ve been nice to have a girl, but we’re super excited to have another boy. Some of the boys were hoping for a little sister, and some were rooting for another brother. I was pulling for a girl.”

Now when it comes to the name, it was inspired by a fairy tale about a Native American chief who had many boys, just like the Schwandts. The chief believed his last child would be a girl, but when he learned they welcomed another boy, the chief named him Sheboygan for “she is a boy again.”

The family promises this is the last child, although it was exactly what they said before Finley was born.

Please SHARE this lovely story with your family and friends on Facebook.

Bored Daddy

Love and Peace

Why Senior Citizens Are Becoming Fast-Food Workers

By

Monica Pop

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In the past, if you walked into a fast food restaurant you would probably be welcomed by young teenagers who pick up shifts working as waiters or waitresses. They would need the money to cover for their college tuition or simply buy things. But it looks like nowadays things are quite different and restaurants prefer to hire seniors over those from the young generation.

If you don’t believe us, next time you enter a big fast food company restaurant, or the local pub, just take a closer look at the employees and you’ll see for yourself that the number of senior workers is bigger than that of teenagers.

If you wonder why it is like that, and how come things changed so drastically, the answer is more than obvious. Restaurant owners believe that older people are more polite and better at approaching the customers, compared to the youngsters who spend most of the time on the internet with the mobile phones in their hands.

You may also notice how the ads of vacancies relating to a career at the food service industry welcomes seniors to apply for the positions opened. The restaurant owners even try to recruit employees by targeting them in ads where they will stumble upon them, such as churches and senior centers.

Not only their approach to customers is better, but according to the owners, seniors are more likely to show up for work on time.

Many of these workers are retired and need some extra money, or they are simply bored and like being active and around people.

Take Stevenson Williams for example. He is a 63-year-old retired construction worker who started working in the food service industry. He says, “It’s fun for a while, not getting up, not having to punch a clock, not having to get out of bed and grind every day, but after working all your life, sitting around got old. There’s only so many trips to Walmart you can take.”

Having never worked at a restaurant before, Williams got a dishwashing job at Church’s Chicken four years ago. Now, he manages 13 employees and works up to 70 hours a week. “I just enjoy Church’s Chicken. I enjoy the atmosphere, I enjoy the people.”

He also helps younger people learn how to be more efficient and how to better communicate with the customers. He says, “A lot of times with the younger kids now, they can be very disrespectful, so you have to coach them and tell them this is your job, this is not the street.”

Williams started working as a waiter but was promoted to a manager, which isn’t something many of the senior employees want. Most of them are satisfied with their low positions and are not interested in being promoted, which is another plus for the employers.

It is estimated by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics that the number of working Americans aged 65-74 will increase by 4.5% between 2014 and 2024 while they expect the number of working Americans aged 16-24 to decrease by 1.5%.

Please share your thoughts on this subject in the comments bellow. Do you believe older people are better workers?

Judges In Disbelief At Unexpected Twist Seconds Into Little Girl’s Audition

By

Monica Pop

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We can never get enough of the music talent shows, because we never know who will take the stage next. Among all those participants who audition in hopes of becoming a world celebrity, there are really those who stun the judges, the crowd in the studio, and the great number of people who watch them on TV.

The next great talent we stumbled upon is a young girl with an angelic face, coming from Ukraine. When she first took the stage, no one could believe the performance she was about to give. Dressed in what resembles a Ukrainian traditional dress, and her hair in pigtails, this beauty rocked the stage.

She starts the show with some dance moves, and what caught the audiences’ attention are the unique little shoes that go along with her funky dancing. And now is the time for her to show her vocal talent, which is a real treat for the listener’s ears.

Once she starts singing, the judges immediately notice her beautiful and strong singing, but it seems no one is prepared for what’s coming next, and that’s a sudden change in her voice which leaves everyone stunned.

The facial expressions of the judges show how shocked they are by what this girl is putting on stage, the unique country twang in her voice that at one moment turns into yodeling, is not something they get to see every day. They exchange looks with each other, as though they are trying to ask, whether this is real or not.

One of the judges claps along with the country song which makes everyone stand up and dance.

And just when everyone thinks this can’t get any better, the girl who resembles a professional musician impresses the crowd with her next move.

Out of nowhere, the young talent suddenly begins full-on yodeling as the judges’ jaws drop in disbelief. The audience went wild over the show she prepared, and their reaction is hilarious.

She stole the hearts of everyone who saw this out of this world singing performance. She is definitely our favorite contestant and we hope she’ll made it all the way to the final.

See the incredible audition in the video below and make sure you share it with friends.

93-Yr-Old Veteran Left Homeless After Fleeing Fires, Then Strangers Say ‘You’re Coming With Us’

By

Monica Pop

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The devastating California wildfires left an enormous number of residents homeless. Thousands of people were evacuated and placed away from their city and even the country, and unfortunately many are missing. Those whose homes were destroyed by the flames are now left with nothing but the memories of the happy times spent there.

One of the many evacuees is a World War II veteran. This 93-year-old man named Lee Brundige left his house after the fire approached closer. He lives alone, and everything he took with him was his car he used to drive himself to a nearby parking lot.

He wasn’t the only person looking for a way out at the parking place, but authorities soon told all the people who were staying there to leave because the air quality was declining. Lee had no idea whether his house was safe or already burnt down, which was the case with thousands of other homes.

As he decided to drive further, he noticed a young lady who was delivering some food to the people around. She remembers how Lee rejected the food, telling her to offer it to someone who will need it more than he did.

This veteran’s plan was to sleep in his car, and move even further if needed. But when Tracy, the girl who offered him the food, learned the old man was about to be left outside, sleeping in his vehicle, she decided to offer something else. A place in her home.

She lives with her boyfriend Josh, and the dogs. Lee was flattered to be offered such a generous suggestion, but he only accepted it after Tracy was trying to convince him for some time.

These generous and compassionate people told Lee that in case his house is no longer there, he could stay with them forever.

Their act of kindness didn’t go unnoticed and we do hope it will inspire others to open the doors of their homes to those in need.

Lee is beyond happy to be spending time with Tracy, Josh, and the dogs. These kind strangers are his “saviors.”

If you believe more people should provide this kind of support to those who were affected by the wildfires, please share this lovely story and spread the word.

Fire Department Shares Photo Of The Toll Wildfires Takes On Firefighters

By

Monica Pop

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The California wildfires continue and the country is facing another round. It has been reported that the statewide death toll is 58, as eight more human remains had been found on Wednesday.

Unfortunately, authorities expect this number to grow, as the list of missing people is getting longer. Thousands of residents were forced to leave the cities as around 8,650 homes were completely destroyed.

Citizens are left terrified and in deep shock of the devastating outcome of one of the most destructive wildfire seasons on record in California. And while they are fleeing the country, fearing for their safety, another group of people approach the flames, bravely standing against them face-to-face. The firefighters are the sparkle that gives us hope that people and animals will be evacuated to safe places, and more homes will stay out of the reach of the fires.

These real life heroes are standing between total destruction and minor burn marks, grabbing the hoses as tight as they can, aware that the safety of a whole country depends on them. But what happens after they finish with the fight for the day is heartbreaking.

A California fire department shared a photo of the reality we don’t get to see. This is all the rest and break the restless firefighters get when they leave the battleground.

The Kern County Fire Department shared the photo last December (below) and said:

“This is a photo of our Tehachapi Wildland Fire Crew 11. Our crews have worked hundreds of hours to help battle the Thomas Fire. These firefighters work 24-hour shifts and are pushed to the point of exhaustion. Thank you, for your dedication and hard work to help the communities of Southern California.”

These heroes are taking the much-needed nap with their uniforms on, and their helmets next to them just in case they need to get back and continue their heroic work. They are completely covered in soot and this is all they get before the duty calls again.

Looking at the photo, we better understand the sacrifice all the firefighters make in order for ordinary people to be saved and their homes to be kept untouched by the burning flames. I’m sure everyone feels the urge to help these courageous men, and that’s the reason why they receive gifts by random people.

Darren Dow, the vice president of California Fire Local 2881, told TIME that while material donations like clothing and supplies are nice, they’re often unwanted. Instead, the firefighters battling flames in California could use monetary donations now more than ever. Dow said:

“A lot of times cash donations are better because they can actually utilize those dollars for specific needs rather than taking away some manpower.”

If you’d like to make a financial contribution, TIME recommends donating to one of the following reputable organizations:

AFF’s Disaster Relief Fund

“[Helps] firefighters who are working on the front lines and their families in a variety of ways, from financial to emotional support.”

California Fire Foundation

“Provides support for firefighters and the families of those who have [passed] while at work.”

CDF Firefighters Benevolent Foundation

“Provides funding for injured or fallen firefighters and their families, as well as burn victims.”

If you are not in a position to donate money, a prayer and some nice words are always welcome.

To all the firefighters out there, remember that you are our heroes, and our thoughts are always with you because your strength is the strength of the country. May God bless you all.

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