Whenever Emma’s mom, Lydia, was in need of a babysitter, she would ask her mother to step in. To her delight, the loving grandma always responded positively to those requests because she saw it as a way of bonding with her vibrant 6-year-old granddaughter.
The two always laughed together and had a lot of fun, but one thing that concerned Lydia was that her daughter’s hair was different after every visit by the grandma.
After a couple of babysitting “sessions,” Lydia decided to install cameras and see why her daughter’s hair was always cut shorter and shorter.
She never mentioned anything to her mother because it was obvious Emma loved being around her but still, she was a bit concern and wanted to learn what was going on behind closed doors.
Feeling a sense of guilt for monitoring her own mother without her knowledge, Lydia hesitated on whether to use the cameras, but curiosity got the best of her and she checked on her mom and daughter.
What she saw warmed her heart.
In the past, Lydia’s mom worked as a hairdresser, a story she would often tell Emma. The young girl became so immersed in the stories that she wished she were a hairdresser herself. Wanting to impress her grandma, she would grab the scissors and cut small portions of her long hair. The two of them would then laugh together.
Playing ‘salon’ seemed to be Emma’s favorite activity with her grandma, who let Emma ‘style’ her hair, indulging the little girl’s whims with no ill intentions.
Learning this removed all of Lydia’s concerns. She wasn’t mad at her mother, but she still had a conversation with her about the importance of boundaries and open conversation.
Realizing just how interested Emma was in styling her hair, Lydia enrolled her in weekend children’s workshops. This way, she could still nurture her passion, but under guidance of professionals who wouldn’t let her cut her own hair.
The grandma, of course, was still welcomed to look after Emma whenever she wanted.
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Kristin Pitzen, California school teacher, posted video to social media of herself instructing students to say the pledge of allegiance to a Progress Pride flag.
In the video she has since deleted, she could be heard joking, “OK, so during third period, we do announcements and they do the Pledge of Allegiance. I always tell my class: ‘Stand if you feel like it, don’t stand if you feel like it, say the words if you want. You don’t have to say the words.’ So my class decided to stand but not say the words. Totally fine. Except for the fact that my room does not have a flag.”
She then noted that she took the American flag down, placed it somewhere, and couldn’t find it.
“My (student) today goes, ‘Hey, it’s kind of weird that we just stand and we say it to nothing. … In the meantime, I tell this kid, ‘We do have a flag in the class that you can pledge your allegiance to.’ And he like looks around and goes, ‘Oh, that one?'” she said as she imitated her student pointing to the Pride flag.
Allegedly, she took the Stars and Stripes down because it made her feel “uncomfortable.”
As expected, the video led to Pitzen facing backlash from the public.
In the meantime, the Newport-Mesa Unified School District has launched an investigation into Pitzen over the video, the district said in a statement. While the investigation continues, she has been placed on administrative leave.
“We assure you that we take matters like this seriously,” the district’s statement read. “Showing respect for our nation’s flag is an important value that we instill in our students and an expectation of our employees.”
A personal post by a teacher about the American flag is causing alarm/concern. Respecting our flag is a value we instill in students and is an expectation of our staff. We take this matter with extreme seriousness and are investigating and addressing it.
One person posted on the social media that Pitzen “is an absolute disgrace to teachers” and warned the teacher to keep her own “views and political stances out of the classroom.”
“Nothing against the pride flag, but we lost 13 service men and women a few days ago for that flag (in Afghanistan)… respect it!” another person commented.
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The moment you learn to love and respect yourself is the moment your life truly begins.
Being married for over a year, Nikkie believed her life was picture-perfect, but things started to change when her husband Jack started hitting the gym religiously. At first, she was happy for him because it was obvious he was becoming more and more satisfied with the way he looked, but over time, he got so obsessed with his appearance that he felt the need Nikkie to change as well.
He would show her Instagram models with perfect proportions, telling her he wished she looked like them.
His constant reminder that she didn’t resemble someone from the cover of a fashion magazine affected her self-esteem. He even mentioned her undergoing a breast implant surgery, but she tried to brush it off.
The last straw was on the day of her birthday when he gifted her money for breast implants and a note that read, “Time to upgrade those mosquito bites.”
These words crushed her world. She realized he didn’t love her for who she was forced her to change just to meet his standards.
Although hurt deeply, Nikkie said “thank you,” and smiled, but deep down, she knew she needed to teach him a lesson he’s never forget.
Instead of fulfilling her husband’s sick wishes, she decided to invest the money in beautifying herself for the sake of her own well-being. She treated herself with some facial treatments, spent a day at the spa, bought some fancy outfits, and had a fresh haircut. She loved herself the way she was, and she was glad she understood that before she allowed anyone to change her for the sake of their twisted image of how a woman should look like.
On the day of the supposed surgery, she packed all of Jack’s belongings in a bunch of boxes and changed all the locks. She then handed him an envelope with the rest of the money inside and a note that read, “Here’s your upgrade. Find someone who meets YOUR standards.”
When he realized how determined Nikkie was to cut all ties with him, Jack begged her to give him another chance, but she knew better than being with someone as shallow as him.
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In January, business mogul Donald Trump would return for his second term as President of the United States.
During Trump’s first four years at the top seat in the White House, his youngest son, Barron Trump, was residing with him and his mother at the White House. This time, however, things would be different as Barron has enrolled at New York University where he would be studying business just like his father.
Whether he would follow in his father’s footsteps when it comes to politics is something we have yet to witness, but the idea of him getting involved in the political arena wouldn’t surprise anyone as the youngest son of President-Elect was chosen by the Republican Party of Florida as one of the state’s at-large delegates to the Republican National Convention, NBC News reported.
“We have a great delegation of grassroots leaders, elected officials and even Trump family members,” Florida GOP chairman Evan Power said. “Florida is continuing to have a great convention team, but more importantly we are preparing to win Florida and win it big.”
Barron isn’t the first Trump to be selected for this role, as his siblings Donald Jr., Eric, and Tiffany served as delegates for Florida, where their father has officially resided and voted for the last number of years.
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
However, as his father was “all for it,” it was Melania who shut down the idea of her son’s political engagements. “While Barron is honoured to have been chosen as a delegate by the Florida Republican Party, he regretfully declines to participate due to prior commitments,” a spokeswoman for Mrs Trump said in a statement.
This, however, doesn’t necessarily mean that Melania is totally against Barron tenuring into political circles. She seems to be starting to incorporate her son, whom she protected from the spotlight for so long, into public life.
Stephanie Winston Wolkoff, Melania’s former aide, believes that Barron’s appearance on the family Christmas photo of last year in which he posed alongside his father and siblings, is the perfect proof of his “strategic” mom preparing him for the future.
“Melania’s decision to include Barron in this family activity, even if she couldn’t be there herself, might be a significant turning point, potentially fostering a new level of support between Melania and Donald,” she told the New York Post.
“Barron’s appearance is truly monumental and shows Donald and Melania are in lockstep with one another. I believe we will be seeing more of him now. Nothing happens by chance with Melania.”
Melania has been overly protective of her son, but living in the digital era, she certainly can’t forbid him from being in touch with what is going outside the walls of their Mar-A-Lago mansion.
On July 13, Donald Trump was fired at during a rally in Butler. He was hit in the ear, while a volunteer fire chief was killed. Two other people were wounded.
“For 15 seconds, time stood still,” Trump told the crowd. “This vicious monster unleashed evil. The villain did not succeed in his goal.”
The assassination attempt didn’t only affect Trump, who later return for another rally at the same stage, but also his family. Melania revealed on X that the moment of shooting was a moment she realized her and Barron Trump’s lives were “on the brink of devastating change.”
“When I watched that violent bullet strike my husband, Donald, I realized my life, and Barron’s life was on the brink of devastating change. I am grateful to the brave secret service agents and law enforcement officials who risked their own lives to protect my husband,” Melania wrote, as per CNN.
“To the families of the innocent victims who are now suffering from this heinous act, I humbly offer my sincerest sympathy. Your need to summon your inner strength for such a terrible reason saddens me.”
Melania continued: “A monster who recognized my husband as an inhuman political machine attempted to ring out Donald’s passion – his laughter, ingenuity, love of music, and inspiration. The core facets of my husband’s life – his human side – were buried below the political machine. Donald, the generous and caring man who I have been with through the best of times and the worst of times.”
Barron has been receiving protection from the Secret Service ever since he left the White House. They have been around him at all times, including during his stay at school. He will also receive protection at New York University.
NEW YORK, NY – JULY 20: Barron Trump is seen at the funeral of Ivana Trump on July 20, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by JNI/Star Max/GC Images)
US Secret Service Chief of Communications Anthony Guglielmi told Newsweek: “The President-elect has been receiving heightened Secret Service protection, and this level of security will be maintained moving forward.”
“While we cannot share specific details to ensure the integrity of our operations, family members and executive staff of the President-elect may also be afforded protection in accordance with federal law.”
Guglielmi concluded: “Enhanced security measures around Palm Beach County, Florida, and New York City are also being coordinated. The Secret Service is committed to working with local partners in these cities to keep the community informed about any potential impacts to the public.”
Paul Eckloff, a former Secret Service agent who worked with George W. Bush, Barack Obama, and Donald Trump, as well as their families, told Newsweekthat a president’s child is considered a “soft target,” as per a law enforcement and military term.
That means “they are perceived to be less protected, which makes them vulnerable but also creates a dangerous environment for those around them.” Eckloff said that it could mean that Barron could be “sitting in a student union – just as a hypothetical — and he may look alone, but he will not be alone. You will see [Secret Service agents] dressed as best as possible like students.”
During his father’s presidency, Barron will likely stay at Trump Tower.
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However, despite her enormous success and the infatuating smile on her face, Reba has experienced a number of heartbreaks.
In 2022, Reba lost her mother Jacqueline to cancer. This was a huge blow since the two were extremely close and nurtured a loving mother-daughter relationship. ”She had a wonderful, full, healthy life and was absolutely ready to go. The cancer might think it won the battle but we’re giving God all the credit on selecting the time for her to go home to Him,” the country star wrote on social media.
Back in the day, when she was young, Jacqueline wished to become a singer herself, but since her dream didn’t turn into a reality, she taught her daughter how to sing. “She left knowing how much she is loved and we all know how much she loved us. We’re all going to miss her but we have so many wonderful memories,” Reba said.
Sadly, this wasn’t the first time that Reba experienced loss and sorrow. 32 years ago, on March 16, seven members of her band, along with her manager, lost their lives in a horrific airplane crash.
The band was having a concert in San Diego on that day in 1991, and were flying to Fort Wayne, Ind., to perform their next concert on the tour. Reba and her then-husband were supposed to fly with another plane but they decided to stay in San Diego for the night. The band’s airplane crushed just ten miles after it took off.
Waymarking
Although it’s been over three decades since the tragic crash, Reba never misses a chance to pay tribute to the late members of her band.
Back in 2012, Reba opened up about the tragedy during an interview with Oprah. “The tip of the wing of the airplane hit a rock on the side of Otay Mountain, and it killed everyone on the plane,” she said.
“When we were notified, Narvel (Reba’s manager) went and met with our pilot, and he told us what had happened. And Narvel came back to the hotel room where I was — it was two or three o’clock in the morning — and he said one of the planes had crashed, and I said, ‘Are they OK?’ He said, ‘I don’t think so.’ I said, ‘But you’re not sure?’ He said, ‘I don’t think so.’”
As she recalled the tragic day, Reba couldn’t contain tears from running down her face.
“Narvel was going room to room with a phone and calling …” she began, pausing as tears came to her eyes. “I’m sorry — it’s been 20 years, but it’s just like — I don’t guess it ever quits hurting,” she said. “But I can see that room. I can see Narvel walking back and forth.”
Instagram
In 2020, the singer paid tribute to those who were killed in the crash. “29 years ago today, I lost my friends in a plane crash. The timing of Mama’s passing with that anniversary seems appropriate,” she posted on the social media.
“I know they’re all in Heaven together and taking care of each other. Let’s keep finding ways to take care of each other down here on earth and never take one moment with our loved ones for granted.”
Her fans were quick to post messages of support. “Reba I’ve always loved your music, our shared horse background, and now following you on Insta. Prayers for you and your mother 🙏🏻” one fan wrote.
This year wasn’t any different. Reba couldn’t help by share with the world that besides the number of years that have passed, she’s still saddened for her friends’ fate and their tragic loss.
”Their love for music and the stage gives us all the strength to go on,” she wrote along with a video of one of their performances together as a band.
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Rob Burrow, Leeds Rhinos and Great Britain rugby league star has died at Pinderfields Hospital in Wakefield.
The 41-year-old sportsman was diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND) in 2019, just two weeks after his retirement.
Throughout his successful career of 17 years, Burrow eight Super League Grand Finals, three World Club Challenges and two Challenge Cups.
His passing was announced by the Rhinos.
“Rob inspired the entire country with his brave battle against Motor Neurone Disease (MND) since his diagnosis in December 2019. He passed away peacefully at Pinderfields Hospital near his home surrounded by his loving family after becoming ill earlier this week,” their statement read.
Kevin Sinfield and Rob Burrow. Pic: AP
“Burrow played his entire career with Leeds Rhinos and won every honour with the club as part of their golden generation. A hard working and dedicated player, his fearless performances made him one of the most respected players in the Rhinos ranks.”
Following his diagnosis, Burrow and fellow teammate Kevin Sinfield raised more than £15m for charity in less than five years. In 2024, the two were awarded CBEs for their services to MND by Prince William.
The prince congratulated them on their “phenomenal” efforts raising funds and awareness for the disease.
Burrow was paid tribute by his many friends and fans who gathered at Leeds Civic Hall during a funeral reception.
Among them were his former teammate Jamie Jones-Buchanan, MND Association CEO Tanya Curry, and Leeds City Council leader James Lewis. The event was organized by Abigail Marshall Katung, the Lord Mayor of Leeds.
Supporters wearing Leeds Rhinos shirts lined the streets as the funeral procession headed to a private service for Burrow. His wife Lindsay and his tree children, Macy, Maya and Jackson, were among them. The hearse stopped at Featherstone Lions’ ground, where Burrow first played junior rugby.
“For those who knew Rob throughout his life, his determination and spirit in the face of MND over the last four and a half years came as no surprise,” the statement by the Rhinos read.
“Rob never accepted that he couldn’t do something. He just found his way of doing it better than anyone else.
“He will continue to inspire us all every day. In a world full of adversity. We must dare to dream.”
We are so very sorry for this tragic loss. May he rest in peace.
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Late Princess Diana was an enchanting woman and a mother. Her incredible beauty, both inner and external, was breathtaking to say the least. Her charisma charmed millions of people who loved her for her honesty, her incredible dedication to her people, and for the person that she was.
Youtube/Netflix
Her life, however, wasn’t an easy one. She seemed to have it all, always under the spotlight, but her marriage to Prince Charles was far from ideal. So, after years of scandals, the two finally divorced in August 1966, a year before she tragically passed away.
Her death was a huge shock for the entire world, especially her children, Princes William and Harry who walked behind her casket on the day of her funeral; an image many Britons could never forget.
Shutterstock
The surgeon who was working at the hospital in France the night Lady Di died, MonSef Dahman, has spoken of what had really happened and what led to losing the People’s Princess.
“The thought that you have lost an important person, for whom you cared personally, marks you for life,” he told Daily Mail.
He recalled starting his shift at 8 a.m and being at the hospital the entire night. At approximately 2:06 a.m, around an hour and a half after Princess Diana’s accident, she was brought to the hospital. “I was resting in the duty room when I got a call from Bruno Riou, the senior duty anaesthetist, telling me to go to the emergency room,” Dahman told Daily Mail. “I wasn’t told it was Lady Diana, but [only] that there’d been a serious accident involving a young woman.”
The X-rays showed serious internal injuries, and Diana was given blood transfusion. Sadly, she then suffered another cardiac arrest. Dahman performed a surgery but her heart couldn’t be restarted. “We tried electric shocks, several times and, as I had done in the emergency room, cardiac massage,” Dahman explained. “Professor Riou had administered adrenaline. But we could not get her heart beating again.”
“We fought hard, we tried a lot, really an awful lot,” he said. “Frankly, when you are working in those conditions, you don’t notice the passage of time. The only thing that is important is that we do everything possible for this young woman.”
Even today, Princess Diana is the most mourned person who has ever lived.
A new documentary about the late Princess which will celebrate her remarkable life will air soon. According to the Express, new revelations about her life will come to light.
“There is something a bit magical about Princess Diana – and despite the difficulties in her personal life she managed to use her connection with people to do huge amounts of good,” Executive Producer David Glover told Express.
“Her 60th birthday feels like the perfect time to re-examine her life and legacy and explore just how she went from a relatively unknown teenager to the most mourned person who ever lived.”
Shutterstock
Diana is missed by many, but mostly by her two sons who loved her unconditionally. They pay tribute to her whenever they have a chance and fondly remember the beautiful times they got to share with their mom.
“When everybody says ‘she was funny, give us an example’. All I can hear is her laugh,” Harry explained in an interview with Good Morning America back in 2017.
“She was one of the naughtiest parents, she’d come and watch us play football and smuggle sweet into her socks, literally walking back from a football match and having five packages of [candy]. And just, the whole shirt was full with sweets.”
“We felt incredibly loved by her, and I’m very grateful that the love still feels there,” William said. ”It feels like a good time to remember her and hopefully provide a different side.
”It was that love, even though she was on the other side of the room, as her son you could feel it,” Harry added.
She wanted her sons to have a normal childhood and did all in her power to make them happy and satisfied at all times. She would often take them out of the Palace and to theme parks and fast food restaurants.
Diana’s former personal chef Darren McGrady spoke of such an occasion and told Marie Claire: “I remember the princess came into the kitchen one day and said, ‘Cancel lunch for the boys, I’m taking them out, we’re going to McDonald’s.’ And I said, ‘Oh my God – your Royal Highness, I can do that, I can do burgers.’ And she said, ‘No, it’s the toy they want.’”
Princess Diana would have been 63 this year. She will forever be missed. May she rest in peace.
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For a long time, Debra’s only purpose in life was to provide for her daughter Kayla, who married young and had a son, and her husband Austin, who found comfort on the couch of the living room, spending his days in front of the TV with the remote in one hand and his beer in the other.
He lost his job almost twenty years ago, and since his wife worked, he never tried finding another job. It somehow felt right to him Debra to remain the breadwinner.
But neither Kayla nor Austin ever noticed Debra turning into a neglected woman who never did anything for herself. All she ever did was spend her money on Kayla’s allowance and her husband’s needs. Getting used to her mother’s money, Kayla never bothered to seek employment.
Debra was taken for granted for too long, without realizing that. But then, one day, something happened that forced her to turn her life around.
While waiting for her coffee at Starbucks, thinking of the job that made her miserable, a group of teenagers pushed her and cut in front of her. The cashier didn’t object but took the youngsters’ orders. When Debra objected, they started laughing at her, calling her names such as a “pensioner that had nowhere to be,” and “old nag.”
Crushed, she took her coffee and entered her car. Inside, she saw her self in the mirror and realized she had been neglecting herself for too long. She barely recognized herself. She looked exhausted, with gray creeping into her hair and lines she didn’t remember forming on her face. Suddenly, it hit her – the decades of caring for others had come at the expense of her own well-being.
That experience was a turning point for Debra. Instead of going to work, she visited the nearest salon and had her hair cut and dyed. She them treated herself with new clothes, including a couple of fancy dresses.
On her way home, she called Kayla and told her not to count on her financial assistance any longer. She was a grown up person with a child to raise and needed to find a job on her own. Kayla was shocked, asking what she did wrong. But Debra didn’t have the strength to argue, she just said it was a decision she made and it was final.
Once home, Austin looked at her all puzzled. He was mad she returned home early and wasn’t at work instead. But Debra didn’t care about what he thought. She told him that she had it enough and that she wanted divorce.
It was about time both Kayla and Austin take responsibility for their own lives.
The following day, Austin was forced to move out of the house.
Eventually, Debra found a job that made her happy. She started to travel and visited places she had never envisioned she would see. Life felt good. For the first time in years she was satisfied with herself.
Over time, she started getting along with her daughter who realized that her mother was right the entire time. Austin found a job and begged Debra to take him back. She said she would reconsider that later on, because at the moment, she was still trying to reconnect to herself.
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Do you believe you have a keen eye for detail? This visual puzzle challenges you to spot the hidden woman in a seemingly ordinary natural scene. At first glance, the image appears to depict just trees, rocks, and foliage. However, there’s more than meets the eye.
Understanding the Challenge
Optical illusions and cleverly camouflaged images play on our brain’s interpretation of visual information. In this challenge, the hidden woman blends seamlessly into the environment, making it difficult to spot her immediately. Our brains are wired to recognize familiar patterns like faces and figures. When something deviates from these patterns, especially when camouflaged, it becomes a tricky task to identify.
Tips to Spot the Hidden Woman
Relax Your Gaze: Sometimes, a relaxed approach helps in noticing subtle details.
Focus on Light and Shadow: Pay attention to areas where light and shadow interact; the hidden woman might be concealed there.
Look for Unusual Shapes: Identify shapes that don’t align with the natural surroundings; they might indicate the hidden figure.
Why Some Spot the Hidden Woman Quickly While Others Don’t
Several factors influence how quickly someone can spot the hidden woman:
Attention to Detail: Individuals with a sharp eye for detail may notice discrepancies in patterns or subtle color shifts more readily.
Experience with Visual Puzzles: Those who frequently engage with optical illusions or hidden-object games might be more adept at spotting camouflaged figures.
Patience and Focus: A calm, patient approach often yields better results than a hurried scan of the image.
Still Struggling? Here’s a Hint
If you’re having trouble spotting the hidden woman, focus on areas where light and shadow play together. She’s not standing in an open spot but is cleverly hidden among natural elements. Look for shapes that don’t quite align with the rest of the landscape; her silhouette blends with the trees and rocks.
Engaging in such visual challenges not only tests your observational skills but also enhances cognitive abilities. So, take a moment, relax, and see if you can spot the hidden woman in this tricky vision test.
When Jason and I first met, it felt like fate had finally led me to my perfect match. He was calm and thoughtful, with a quiet, nerdy charm. We bonded instantly over our shared love for tech—I designed websites, and he worked as an IT security specialist. He’d often joke that we were two halves of a tech team, “partners in the digital universe.” But, my husband’s had a heartbreaking secret.
Everything about our relationship felt natural. We fell in love, got married, and settled into a life that seemed to follow a well-written script. For the first few years, it was bliss. We had our routines, weekend escapes, and big dreams for the future—a family, a home of our own. It felt like we were building something truly special.
The Change Begins
But life has a way of surprising you. As time went on, Jason started to change, and I began to worry about what he might be hiding. Little did I know, his late nights and secrecy would eventually lead me to uncover my husband’s heartbreaking secret.
One Friday night, he came home much later than usual. I had made his favorite meal, grilled salmon, and waited for him with the table set and candles lit. He’d texted me that he was caught up at work, and by the time he stumbled through the door, the food was cold, and he looked weary. I tried not to let it bother me, telling myself he was just stressed, working hard for our future.
However, as the weeks turned into months, Jason’s late nights only grew more frequent. Movie nights turned into him passing out on the couch, his phone clutched in his hand, even in sleep. The easy, loving conversations we used to share faded into silence.
Suspicions Grow
One night, on his birthday, I had planned a quiet evening at home. I cooked, lit candles, and waited. But he came home hours late, his shirt wrinkled, and carrying a faint scent of unfamiliar cologne. I asked him about his day, hoping for some connection, but he barely looked at me, muttering a quick apology before slumping into his seat.
“Maybe leave the phone in another room, just for dinner?” I suggested lightly, feeling the growing distance between us.He put the phone away, but his eyes kept drifting to the pocket where he’d stashed it. We ate mostly in silence, a heavy, uncomfortable silence that only made my suspicions grow. Jason’s late nights started to make me feel like a stranger in my own marriage. My gut told me something was wrong, but I had no proof, only a gnawing feeling that kept me up at night.
Discovering the Truth
One weekend, I suggested a little getaway, hoping it would help us reconnect. “Just us, phones off, getting lost in the mountains for a day,” I said, trying to sound hopeful.
He hesitated, glancing down at his phone. “I… I can’t. Work’s intense right now. Raincheck?”
“Raincheck,” I repeated, trying to hide my disappointment. But something inside me shifted that day.
Then, one morning, everything changed. I woke up early to find Jason asleep on the couch, still in his work clothes from the night before. His phone, tossed carelessly on the floor, was buzzing nonstop. Curiosity got the better of me, and I picked it up to find clues that would eventually expose my husband’s heartbreaking secret. My heart pounded as I opened our bank app and saw our savings had vanished.
Facing the Consequences
My heart pounded as I opened our bank app, and my stomach dropped. Our entire savings account was empty. I scrolled through the transaction history, shock turning to panic as I saw transfer after transfer to an account I didn’t recognize.
“Is this a joke?” I whispered to myself, struggling to make sense of it all.
I needed answers, and the only person who could give them was lying there, fast asleep.
“Jason,” I said, my voice trembling as I shook him awake. “Wake up. Now.”
He opened his eyes, confusion quickly turning to dread when he saw my face. “Davina? What’s… what’s wrong?”
“Where is our money, Jason?” I demanded, holding out his phone.
He paled, struggling to meet my eyes. “Davina, I… I can explain. It’s not what it looks like.”
“Then what is it?” I demanded, my voice rising in disbelief. “Because it looks like you drained our savings without telling me.”
At that moment, my father walked into the room, his face hardening as he sensed the tension. He folded his arms, his voice cold. “Tell her, Jason. Or I will.”
Moving Forward
Jason confessed that he’d been involved with another woman who was now pregnant. Her brothers had been threatening him, demanding money, saying they’d ruin his career if he didn’t pay. I couldn’t believe the betrayal. I had trusted him, but he’d taken everything we had built together and thrown it away.
With my father’s support, I made the difficult decision to file for divorce. Jason had shattered my trust, and I knew I couldn’t stay in a marriage built on lies and deceit.
Though the journey was painful, I leaned on my family for strength. They reminded me that I deserved respect, honesty, and love—qualities Jason had ultimately failed to provide.
My grandma was everything to me. She was my rock, my greatest support, my best friend. Her passing opened a void nothing could feel. Looking at her coffin, with her hair done as she always wanted, she seemed peaceful, but my heartbreak was so big that I didn’t believe I could ever overcome the pain of never seeing her again.
All of her neighbors and friends were at the funeral home to say their last goodbye to the woman who touched many hearts and impacted many lives.
As I stood there with tears rolling down my eyes, I noticed my mother at the corner of the room. She was on her phone and acted as though she was about to say goodbye to a complete stranger. I knew she and my grandmother never got along, but her indifference to her own mother’s passing left me stunned.
Mindjolt
At one point, when the place became crowded and I spoke to Mrs. Anderson, who reminded me how much my grandma loved me, I noticed my mother placing something in my grandma’s coffin. I didn’t know of any wishes my grandma had, so I couldn’t possibly assume what it was that my mother slipped inside.
Curiosity got the best of me, so I waited until everyone left before I took the box covered in a blue handkerchief from under my grandma’s dead body.
“I’m sorry, Grandma,” I whispered, touching her cold hand one last time.
Mindjolt
Later that evening, I sat at my grandma’s rocking chair, staring at the package. “What are you hiding, Mom?” I muttered as I slowly untied the frayed thread. Inside were letters, each hand written by my grandmother to my mom.
In them, my grandma was writing that she knew what my did. She knew she was the one who was stealing her money in order to gamble. And in the last one, she wrote that she was leaving everything to me, the house, all her belongings, and the money she had been saving throughout the years.
I froze. This truth I discovered was too painful to handle. Suddenly, the lavish Christmas gifts, the requests to “borrow” my credit card for “emergencies,” and her push to gain power of attorney all took on a sinister light.
The following morning, I called my mom and asked her to meet me at the coffee shop at the corner.
Mindjolt
Seeing me, she smiled. When she took the seat, she tried reaching my hand, but I refuse to touch me. Instead, I placed the pile of letters on the table and told her that if she tried to go after my grandma left me, the truth will be out.
She tried to speak, but I stood and left the place. It turns out that some secrets can’t be buried.
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Gracie Harper never thought her husband, Victor, would surprise her, especially after his passing. In all their 28 years together, he had never given her his first gift to wife. Not for birthdays, anniversaries, or holidays. It wasn’t that he didn’t care for her; they had a happy life together. Still, it was something that Gracie had quietly wondered about for years, her husband’s first gift to wife.
They’d met one morning at the hotel where she worked as a manager, and he was there delivering furniture. Victor was a blue-collar guy, working as a loader, but something about his kindness and calm demeanor struck Gracie. She was the one who’d asked him out, and she never looked back.
Two years after they got married, Victor’s luck changed. He landed a position as an assistant to the owner of a major furniture company, Mr. Borris. When Mr. Borris passed away, he left the company to Victor, having no heirs of his own. It was a big responsibility, but Victor handled it well, growing the business and making it a huge success.
Victor’s life may have changed financially, but one thing didn’t—he still never gave Gracie any gifts. He showed generosity to everyone else. Their children attended the best schools, he donated to charities, and he even bought books and toys for kids in orphanages. But Gracie? She never received her husband’s first gift to wife.
She’d tried to understand. Early in their marriage, when they didn’t have much money, she never minded. But even as his wealth grew, he seemed to overlook her wishes. She would watch her friends showing off their gifts and jewelry from their husbands, feeling a bit embarrassed that she had nothing like that to share. She’d even made up a story, telling them she and Victor had “banned gifts” to avoid displaying love through material things. Inside, though, she couldn’t help but feel hurt.
One day, Gracie decided to drop hints about a diamond brooch she admired. She thought maybe, just once, Victor would take the hint. But even as she hinted, she still didn’t expect her husband’s first gift to wife would come only after he was gone.
After his passing, Gracie couldn’t bring herself to move on. She spent days at home, surrounded by memories of their life together. She missed him deeply and struggled with the emptiness he left behind. Every time she looked at their photos, she found herself talking to him, telling him how much she missed him and wishing he were still there by her side.
Ten days later, on the morning of their wedding anniversary, Gracie sat in the living room, teary-eyed, looking at Victor’s photo. Suddenly, the doorbell rang. She opened the door but found no one there. Then, she looked down and noticed a parcel on her porch with a note on top that read, ‘From Victor to Gracie.
Inside, she found a letter and an advent calendar with 28 numbered boxes, each one representing a year of their marriage. Trembling, Gracie unfolded the letter and began to read:
“Dear Gracie,
Happy 28th anniversary, my love. I’m sorry that I never gave you gifts over the years. You know about my difficult childhood—how, when my mother passed away, my father remarried, and my stepmother only cared about his money. After he died, she threw me out and took everything that should have been mine.
I was only 17, starting life from scratch, and I swore I’d never let anyone use me for money. When I met you, I knew you weren’t like that, but the scars from my past stayed with me. Even when I became successful, I was afraid that if I started giving you gifts, it would change something between us. It may not make sense, and it wasn’t fair to you, but I didn’t know how to let go of that fear.
When you hinted about the diamond brooch, I realized I’d made a mistake. I wanted to make it up to you, but I knew my time was short. So, with the help of a friend, I put together this calendar for you. I hope it brings you some happiness, even though I’m not there to see it.
With all my love,
Your not-so-stubborn husband, Victor.”
With tears streaming down her face, Gracie opened the first box, marked “28th.” Inside, she found the diamond brooch she’d hinted at. In the next box, she found tickets to Paris, where they’d honeymooned all those years ago. Every box held a carefully chosen gift—a perfume she loved, a diamond pendant, memories from their life together. Each gift was a symbol of the love he’d carried for her, even if he’d struggled to show it.
Every day, Gracie would open another box, feeling Victor’s presence with each item he’d left behind. She realized that his love had always been there, hidden behind the scars of his past. Victor might be gone, but he’d left her with a reminder that sometimes love isn’t about the things we give but the thought behind them.
What Can We Learn from This Story?
Sometimes people’s actions are shaped by their past experiences, even if they don’t mean to hurt us. Victor’s fear of losing love to materialism came from his childhood, and it influenced how he treated Gracie.
There’s often more to a situation than meets the eye. Gracie thought Victor didn’t care because he never gave her gifts, but his love for her ran deeper than she knew.
If you enjoyed this story, you might also like this one about a man who lounges around all day until his mute son takes matters into his own hands.
British supermodel Georgina Cooper died aged 46, just months after she got married.
According to her agent, Dean Goodman, “Georgina had been unwell during Covid and had developed some health problems and had been in and out of hospital.
“But she had plans for the future. She had just married and was looking forward to her life. Everybody is devastated. She was a genuine superstar,” he said.
“She loved Greece and told me that she was going back with her new husband – but she has tragically died there a fortnight ago,” Goodman revealed.
Georgina Cooper (center) poses with fellow models, showing her tooth gap, at the Cerruti Fall 1997 “Ready to Wear” runway show on March 15, 1997 | Source: Getty Images
Spotted by a modeling agency at just 13, Cooper made her first big impression at 15, starring in a Bon Jovi music video that kickstarted her career.
Best known for her work in the 1990s “Cool Britannica” wave, London’s ‘original gap toothed girl’ became one of the iconic faces of the nineties.
Over the course of her modeling career, Cooper appeared on the cover of a number of influential fashion magazines, including Vogue.
Georgina Cooper walks in the Versace Fall 1998 “Ready to Wear” Runway Show on March 9, 1998 | Source: Getty Images
“George,” as she was called by her close friends, stepped away from modeling to dedicate herself to raising her son, Sonny. Recently, she’s been working in Kent’s hospitality industry, a stark contrast to the glitz and glamour of the fashion world.
Model and friend Jade Parfitt told Daily Mail: “Her friends and family are absolutely devastated, Georgina was a ray of light, a very popular model who was riotous fun, always laughing and being naughty in all the best ways. We all wanted to hang out with George backstage. Her achievements in the industry were huge.”
Georgina Cooper walks in the Ungaro Fall 1997 “Ready to Wear” Runway Show on March 17, 1997, in Milan, Italy | Source: Getty Images
Carole White, a former model agency executive said, “She was so much fun. When she was young, she made a lot of money and she had this very edgy streak that was of the time. Everyone found the gap between her teeth quite amazing.”
She was a close friend of fellow model Kate Moss and was a regular on the runways of brands like Helmut Lang, Giorgio Armani, Calvin Klein and Hussein Chalayan.
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Actor Denzel Washington announced a plethora of new projects and with it comes a surprise that caught many off guard.
The Oscar winning actor said “there are very few films” left for him to make at this late stage in his career, saying he would retire following completion of the projects he has already shared to be working on. One of those project is his role in Black Panther.
“For me, it’s about the filmmakers. Especially at this point in my career, I am only interested in working with the best. I don’t know how many more films I’m going to make. It’s probably not that many. I want to do things I haven’t done,” he shared with Today.
The actor also mentioned a Broadway production he would be part of in February 2025, alongside ake Gyllenhaal. “I played Othello at 22. I am about to play Othello at 70,” he said.
The Training Day actor expressed interest in teaming up with directors Steve McQueen and Ryan Coogler, while also hinting at an adaptation of King Lear and a movie centered on the Carthaginian general Hannibal.
“After that, I am playing Hannibal. After that, I’ve been talking to Steve McQueen about a film,” said Washington. “After that, Ryan Coogler is writing a part for me in the next Black Panther. After that, I’m going to do the film Othello. After that, I’m going to do King Lear. After that, I’m going to retire.”
Washington started his career in 1977 with the TV movie Wilma, and made his big-screen debut in Carbon Copy in 1981. Since then, he has become a Hollywood icon, known for powerful roles in Glory, Training Day, and Malcolm X.
Over the years, he has received a number of awards for his incredible acting skills and talent.
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Martha wasn’t just her grandson’s caregiver but also his best friend. Sweet Tyler thought of her a lot, and he missed her every day despite his father taking him to the hospital as often as possible.
That morning, Tyler was watching a video of him and his grandma on the porch. They were laughing together, and he loved seeing her laugh. But now that she was at the hospital and was at risk of contracting pneumonia, he knew he needed to take care of her just as she did when his mom and dad weren’t around.
But what could he possibly do, he wondered.
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Then, he remembered his granny’s words that food was like medicine, and every illness was the body’s way of signaling its needs, so he decided to bring her some juicy oranges.
Thrilled by the idea, he reached to his piggy bank that was filled with coins of 50 cents he earned from his grandma for every riddle he got right. Yes, Tyler enjoyed solving his grandma’s riddles. It was his favorite part of hanging out with meemaw.
The following morning, he convinced his dad to make a quick stop at the grocery store on the way to the hospital. “Please, Dad, it’s for Grandma! It’s a surprise, I promise!” He got out of the car with his backpack and dashed into the store.
Once inside, he grabbed every food he could see. Kiwis, strawberries, oranges, you name it.
Heading to the register, he handed the cashier, who happened to be the store’s owner, his piggy bank. “Good morning! I’d like all these, please!” he said in excitement. “I’m paying with cash. There’s 42 dollars and 50 cents in here. Is that enough?”
The owner, Stella, was stunned by his polite behavior.
After counting the money, she told him that he was $14 short, but he could have all the fruits he wanted because Tyler shared with her he was taking them to his grandmas.
But Tyler didn’t want to get them for free. Instead, he told Stella that he had a riddle for her. If she got it right, he would go outside and grab the rest of the money from his dad, but if not, he was paying with only what he had.
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Stella smiled and was all ears. Their conversation sparked interest at the rest of the customers who were waiting in line to pay for their groceries.
Tyler then asked, “What is always in front of us but can’t be seen?”
The small crowd murmured and offered guesses. “Air?” someone suggested. “Spectacles?” guessed another. Stella was stumped. Think, think, she told herself, but nothing seemed to fit. Finally, she said she was giving up and Tyler revealed the answer, “The answer is…the future!”
Stella smiled and handed him the bags of fruits and he walked out of the store and right into his dad’s car, eager to arrive to the hospital as soon as possible.
Seeing his grandma, he shared the story with her. She started laughing and said she was proud of him. His parents were secretly proud of their smart boy too.
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As the family chatted, someone entered the room. It was Stella.
She apologized for interrupting them and said she was too impressed with Tyler’s kindness towards his grandmother that she wanted to match it by covering the medical expenses.
On top of it, she said that a bag of fruits would wait Tyler every week at her store.
Tyler’s mom and dad, who struggled to make ends meet, were beyond grateful, and his grandma placed her hands on her chest as though she was trying to calm her heart from excitement.
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As she was leaving the hospital, Stella recalled her own grandmother telling her riddles and paying her 50 cents for each right answer. And the riddle Tyler told her, she already knew the answer, she just pretended she didn’t. It was the last riddle her own grandma ever asked her, and Stella still had the last 50 cents years after.
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Ever stood in your kitchen, holding a carton of milk that’s just past its expiration date, and wondered if it’s still safe to drink? You’re not alone. Many of us grapple with understanding food expiration dates, often leading to unnecessary waste. Let’s break down what these dates really mean and how you can make informed choices to keep your meals safe and your budget intact. Here is everything you need to know about food expiration dates:
Decoding Common Food Labels
Food packages come with various labels like “Best if Used By,” “Use By,” and “Sell By.” Here’s what they signify:
Best if Used By: This date suggests when the product will be at its optimal flavor and quality. It’s not about safety. So, if your cereal is a week past this date but tastes fine, it’s okay to eat.
Use By: This is the last date recommended for the product’s peak quality. For perishable items like dairy and meats, it’s wise to consume them by this date to enjoy them at their best.
Sell By: This date tells the store how long to display the product for sale. It’s not a safety date. Products are generally safe to consume after the sell-by date if they’ve been stored properly.
The Impact of Misunderstanding Expiration Dates
Confusion over these labels often leads to tossing out food that’s still good. According to the USDA, about 30-40% of the food supply in the United States is wasted, much of which is due to misinterpreting expiration dates. This not only affects our wallets but also has significant environmental consequences.
Tips to Reduce Food Waste
Trust Your Senses: Before discarding food, check for signs of spoilage like off smells, flavors, or textures.
Proper Storage: Keep perishable items refrigerated and store dry goods in a cool, dry place to extend their shelf life.
Plan Meals: Buy only what you need and plan meals to use up ingredients before they go bad.
Understanding food expiration dates helps us make better decisions, reduce waste, and enjoy our food at its best. Next time you’re about to toss something because it’s past the date on the package, take a moment to assess it first—you might save perfectly good food from going to waste.
In a small town in Turkey, there was a scruffy stray dog that everyone sort of knew. He’d wander around daily, always with a hopeful wag in his tail, as if he was waiting for someone kind enough to notice him. People would occasionally toss him scraps, and he’d accept them always with a soft, grateful look.
One day, he was walking about near a butcher shop, probably drawn by the smell of meat. A young woman named Annie spotted him. She’d just bought some steaks and noticed how he looked so kindly at her bag. Something about him just tugged at her heart. She went back inside and asked the butcher if he had any extra bones. He did, so she took one and gave it to the dog.
The funny thing was, he didn’t dig in right there. He took the bone carefully in his mouth and went off down the street. Annie was curious about this behavior of his, but she decided to go home and she shrugged it off.
The next morning Annie was walking down and about, when she noticed the same little pup from yesterday. The dog also noticed her and came over to her. She also brought him some sausages, but the same as the day before, the pup didn’t eat them and instead walked off like he had somewhere to be. “Interesting..” she thought to herself just as she was walking away.
The third day rolls by, and Annie spotted the dog again, but this time it seemed like the scruffy stray dog was waiting for her to come. She had some treats in her bag, and fed him and just like the other two times, he went away. This time Annie decided to follow him from a distance. Eventually, the two of them came across a street where she watched as the dog sat beside a storm drain. As he was sitting down, he looked into the drain and dropped one of his treats on purpose, before eating his own.
Puzzled by this behavior, she noticed that over the next few days, the pup continued to drop food into the drain before he would eat his own, so she decided to take a look herself.
Annie went closer and peeked into the drain. She couldn’t believe it, inside were five tiny kittens, all cuddled together, and the kind dog had been bringing them food, trying to keep them alive from starving to death.
Feeling a rush of urgency, Annie called the local fire department. The firefighters came and carefully pulled the little kittens to safety. They were weak and hungry, but thanks to the dog’s daily meals he had been bringing them, they survived.
Afterwards, Annie decided she couldn’t let this kind-hearted dog roam the streets anymore. She took him home and named him Kurt. And as for the kittens, she found them all loving homes. This story of the stray dog with a heart of gold became one that folks in town wouldn’t soon forget—a small reminder that compassion can show up in the most unexpected places.
Life is unpredictable. One day you are at the top, and the next, you find yourself back at the starting line, learning to rise again.
Max’s previous life consisted of blur images he couldn’t define no matter how hard he tried. All he knew was that his present life consisted of the cold streets and the stray dogs who kept him company during the cold nights. He didn’t have roof over the head, and he had no idea how he ended up homeless. He only had a cryptic tattoo on his hand that felt familiar yet distant.
With no memory of his family, friends, or anyone significant, he lived his life day by day. However, no matter the state he found himself in, he never expected anything from anyone. On the contrary, he found jobs here and there and that helped him survive. While many ignored him, there were those who let him sweep or carry groceries for a few bucks.
Life was hard, and Max found peace in his faith. He bought some new clothes that he kept clean for the Sunday services he never missed. Whenever he was at the church, he felt peaceful and hopeful that God would lead him and help him learn who he was.
Eventually, his only wish was granted when one Sunday during service he was greeted by a complete stranger, or so Max thought.
The man, dressed in an expensive suit, approached Max and said, “Max? Is it really you?”
Max looked at him with confusion and barely muttered, “Do I know you?”
The man’s eyes filled with tears. “I’m Patrick. We went to St. Francis Academy together. We got those tattoos as a symbol of our friendship, a promise to always be there for each other.”
Patrick asked Max about his life. He hadn’t seen him in years and wanted to know what he had been up to. But Max couldn’t answer that. He explained that he didn’t remember anything.
Hearing this, Patrick offered to help him start his life over, and even offered him a job at his company.
Max, however, although thrilled, was hesitant at first. All he knew of were the streets, he had no idea where to start. But Patrick assured him that everything was going to be fine.
Max spent the next couple of weeks at Patrick’s place. Patrick spoke of their young days, hoping Max would remember. And his intention was not in vain. As Max listened to Patrick’s stories, he suddenly yelled, “I remember now. I know who I am.”
With a smile on his face, Patrick said, “Welcome back, Max. It’s good to have you home.”
With tears in his eyes, Max answered, “It’s good to be home.”
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Teenagers can be hard to handle, and that’s what every parent of one can agree on. Those years are fragile and the youngsters believe the world belongs to them. They often refuse to accept advice and believe they know everything.
A mom of a 16-year-old experienced this, just as many other parents in her position. Her son misbehaved. He was quite difficult at times, pushing every limit. Until one day, when he told his mom he wanted to spend the summer with his grandmother – his mom’s mother – an old woman with a fragile health who was disabled and was getting help from a caregiver.
The son assured his mom he would be taking care of his grandmother so that he could bond with her and they could save some money on the caregiver.
The mom was over the moon. Was this a sign that her son finally matured? She hoped so, so she allowed him to move in with his grandma for the summer.
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Things felt great, until the woman received a call from her mother one day. Whispering, the old woman said, “Come save me from your son.”
But before she could respond anything, the grandmother hung up the phone.
“What is going on,” the woman thought to herself as she got inside her car and started driving towards her mother’s place.
The drive seemed like an eternity. She though about her son and her mother and recalled some details that she had missed; his smooth explanations on the phone when she’s call her son to check on his grandma, his insistence that they had to get rid of the caregiver. The mom believed it was him becoming smarter and more compassionate, but now, it was obvious she was very wrong.
Midjourney
Once at her mother’s place, the woman was shocked. The lawn was overgrown and filled with empty alcohol bottles. Loud music was coming from inside, and a number of youngsters were drinking heavily, dancing and screaming.
The woman started calling her son’s name, but he was nowhere to be seen.
When she entered her mom’s room, she saw the old woman crying and shaking. “He locks me inside my room, accusing me of ruining his parties,” the grandma cried.
While the woman thought her son and her mother were spending a lovely time together, the fragile elderly lady was living a nightmare prepared from her own grandson.
The poor woman confronted her son, who didn’t seem to care much for what he had done.
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Realizing he didn’t regret his actions, the woman took all of his electronic devices, sold them in order to compensate for the damage done to his grandma’s house, and sent him to a very strict camp.
She decided her son needed to change if he ever wanted to get his freedom back.
Over time, the woman started noticing subtle changes in her son’s behavior. It took a couple of years, but he finally became the man she always taught him to be.
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Fox Sports NFL analyst Michael Strahan faced backlash from social media viewers and the wide public for not placing his hand over his heart during the national anthem on Sunday.
Broadcasting from the San Diego Naval Base alongside fellow analysts Terry Bradshaw and Rob Gronkowski, the Fox team presented their show ahead of Veterans Day, which was observed on Monday.
With many military personnel gathered around, the anthem played before the start of Sunday’s NFL games, prompting reactions from fans.
He and his colleagues lined up to honor the military while a rendition of the Star-Spangled Banner played, but as the rest placed their hands over their hearts, Strahan stood with his arms crossed.
Michael Strahan facing backlash for not putting his hand on his heart during the National Anthem on Veterans Day. pic.twitter.com/mbLtmwCRBv
“If you can’t respect our military, you need to be removed from the NFL ON FOX!! GOOD BYE STRAHAN!!” one person commented on X where the video was posted.
“Dude, you f**ked up. I hope you feel whatever backlash comes your way in your career,” another person added. “I wish you no physical harm but feel whatever backlash comes the veterans feel when they stepped up when you couldn’t because you suck the lefts and legacy media’s a—,” someone else commented.
Newsmax host Todd Starnes posted: “Michael Strahan disrespected the military during a Veterans Day pre-game show on @NFLonFOX.
“The great irony is Strahan on a ship surrounded by men and women who would willingly sacrifice their lives to protect his freedom. So, his behavior is not just repugnant, it’s downright cowardly.”
Returning on GMA following the incident, Strahan didn’t made any comments on the matter. The broadcast went smoothly, but the criticism haven’t died down yet.
Despite the criticism he received, many defended Strahan noting he has military roots of his own through his father, Major Gene W. Strahan Sr.
What are your thoughts on this?
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The morning was chilly and a strange feeling of unease could be felt in the air when Jenna got out of the house to grasp some fresh air, but nothing could prepare her for the sight that stopped her heartbeat for a second.
A newborn baby wrapped in an old blanket, shaking and freezing was at her doorstep.
She crushed right there as she uttered, “Oh, Tommy!” and picked the baby boy in her arms.
At that moment, the little one started crying. She held on him tightly and took him inside.
Her husband, Carl, who was making breakfast at the time froze when he saw her holding a baby. “Jenna, what is going on?” he whispered. “It’s Tommy’s,” Jenna answered as she tried to calm the little one down.
Tommy was Jenna’s brother. He was always in some sort of trouble. During the past couple of weeks, he was nowhere to be seen, and now this baby appeared on their doorstep. “But are you certain?” Carl asked, although it was obvious they both knew the answer to that question.
Midjourney
“We can’t possibly keep a baby that was left at our doorstep, Jenna,” Carl said, trying to be the voice of reason. But although he sounded firm, there was hesitation in his voice, a soft-heartedness that was typical of him, even when he tried to hide it.
“But what else can we do? He’s now ours to keep and raise,” Jenna pleaded.
The room was filled with silence. Carl was doing his best to protect both of them from making a decision that could change the course of their lives forever, but the two didn’t argue much. They didn’t even speak about it again, they just gave the baby a bath, fed him, and put him to sleep.
Without uttering a single word, they decided they were going to keep that baby.
Years passed by, and the sweet baby grew up to be a successful lawyer.
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But no matter how much love and effort Jenna put into Michael, she never felt like he considered her a mother. There was always a feeling of distance between the two. He never showed any deep feelings for her and never called her “mom.” But Jenna wasn’t bothered as long as Michael had a great life. There was a line that Michael never crossed, but Jenna never lost hope of ever feeling affection from her son.
One day, while the family was having dinner and Michael shared stories about his job, a loud knock on the door disturbed their conversation.
“Are you expecting someone,” he asked Jenna. She didn’t, and she went to see who was at the door.
After 27 long years, her brother Tommy was there again. With grey hair and dressed in clothes that looked like they hadn’t been washed in weeks, he asked to see his son.
Michael and Carl followed after Jenna, and Michael asked who that man was. “That’s your father, Michael,” Jenna said with a shaky voice.
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“Yes, I’m your dad, son. I had no choice but to leave you with your aunt, this selfish woman who tried to hide you from me.” His words felt like a sharp knife. “But you never contacted us, Tommy, what are you talking about,” Jenna asked in disbelief of what she was hearing. “Yes, I have,” Tommy yelled. “I was sending money for Michael, or you also hid that from him,” he accused Jenna.
She started crying and trying to explain to Michael that Tommy was telling nonsense. She had never received a penny from him, he never contacted her or tried to apologize for what he did.
“Is this true?” Michael turned to Jenna. “No, Michael, he’s lying,” she said.
Turning to Tommy, Michael said in a calm voice, “You’re not my father, you are just the man who abandoned me and never cared to find me again.”
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Michael then looked at Jenna they way he had never done that before. “And you, you are my real mother. It’s because of you that I am who I am.” At that moment, all the distance she had ever felt between her and Michael faded away.
Those words were the ones Jenna always longed for but never believed she could hear.
Tommy turned and left, and she stayed in an embrace with her son and husband.
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When the new family moved into the neighborhood, no one has really seen them. They were obviously the kind of people who didn’t want any contact with those living around because they never left the house, and that was okay with Jim and Sandy, who lived in the opposite house.
Jim, however, was intrigued by the new neighbors because their daughter, a little girl no older than five, would wave at him every day and night.
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One evening, he turned to his wife, Sandy, who was reading her book as usual, and said, “Sandy, that little girl is waving at me again from the window.” Sandy smiled at his obsession with the tiny neighbor, asking him if he ever waves back. Jim said he wasn’t because this entire experience was giving him the chills. There was something about the girl that made him feel uneasy. Her look was deep. It was as though she was trying to send a message. It felt like she wanted to be saved.
Sandy laughed at Jim’s words, and told him to let those thoughts go because the girl was probably bored and that’s why she was standing by the window all day long.
During the night, Jim dreamed of the little girl, and that haunted him.
The following day, no matter how awkward that sounded, he told his wife he was going to pay the neighbors a visit. Sandy told him to do it if he believed that would help him forget not to think about the girl being in trouble.
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When he saw the little girl waving again, he couldn’t ignore it anymore. “That’s it, Sandy. I’m going to talk to her parents.
“She’s starting to scare me. Last night, she waved the same way. What does she want from me?”
Jim headed towards the house, and when he reached the door and pressed the buzzer, a familiar voice answered.
“Juliette?” he whispered in shock as she opened the door.
“Long time, no see, Jim,” she answered back.
Before he could say anything, the girl appeared at the door and shouted, “Daddy!”
Jim held onto the door handle, trying to stay on his feet.
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Juliette invited him over and told him that at the time they separated some six years ago, she learned she was expecting a child, but Jim had moved places already and she couldn’t reach out to him as she had no idea where he settled.
The girl that had been waving at this this whole time was his own daughter, Heidi.
Once home, Jim fell on his knees in tears and told Sandy the truth.
Sandy was in complete shock. She and Jim tried to have kids for years, but they eventually accepted the fact that is simply wasn’t meant to be.
Sandy said he needed to request a DNA test. Juliette agreed, and after the agonizing wait, the results confirmed what Jim felt deep down, the girl was his.
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Juliette apologized, saying it was never her intention to complicate their lives, she just wanted Heidi to know who her father was.
Both Jim and Sandy said there was no need for an apology. They were happy Heidi would be part of their lives.
That evening, Heidi was at her window again. She waved at Jim, and this was the first time he waved back. His heart was filled with immense joy. He never planned he would become a father this way, but he was on the path he was always meant to be.
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Chris and Amanda found themselves at the front porch of Chris’ parents’ home. But just as they were about to knock, Chris asked Amanda not to enter. Amanda, however, tried to reassure him that it would be different this time. But Chris knew it wouldn’t.
His parents hated the idea of him being with someone like Amanda, an ordinary girl next door who worked as an assistant. According to them she wasn’t the right woman for their son. They saw her as someone who ruined their plans of setting his up with Ciara, the daughter of the Geoffreys, a wealthy family they were close friends with.
As Chris tried to convince Amanda not to ring the door, she said, “But they’re family. We want them to be part of our lives, and our children’s lives, right?” Her words felt like a sharp knife. Chris learned he couldn’t be a father a couple of days prior, but he didn’t have the courage to share the news with Amanda. He stayed completely silent and let her enter his parents’ home.
His mother greeted them with a fake smile.
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Amanda did her best to make them like her. She spoke of their upcoming wedding, inviting Chris’ mother, Mrs. Castillo to be part of the planning.
During dinner time, it was rather quiet. They didn’t seem to have much to talk about because the Castillos weren’t excited about their son’s wedding.
Wanting to lighten the mood, Amanda decided it was the perfect time to share the big news with Chris and his family. “I’m pregnant,” she said in excitement.
A tense silence fell over the room, quickly shattered by Mrs. Castillo’s shocked outburst: “He’s infertile!”
Chris froze. He knew he couldn’t be the father, so it meant Amanda cheated on him. But he was too shocked to be able to say anything. While Mrs. Castillo forced Amanda out of the house, accusing her of cheating her husband, Chris stood still. He didn’t even move. He just mumbled that he took a test recently, and he couldn’t be the father.
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Amanda was puzzled. She had never been with anyone else, so how could this be.
With tears in her eyes, she went home and wondered how such great news could shatter her entire world into a million pieces.
All of a sudden, she was alone and pregnant with a child she knew was his.
Heartbroken, Chris attempted to rebuild his life. His parents encouraged him to reconnect with Ciara, and he passively went along. Eventually, they became engaged.
One day, during dinner time at Ciara’s parents, her mother got carried away and said “Oh, my god, and the babies you two will have. Precious!” Chris looked at her in confusion. She knew he couldn’t be a father, so he pointed that out, to which she replied, “That was just our plan,” not realizing the weight of her words.
By the time Mrs. Geoffrey realized her mistake, Chris had already grasped the full extent of the deception orchestrated by her and his parents.
He excused himself and left their home, heading straight to Amanda’s place. As he was driving, he prayed to God Amanda forgives him.
He was desperate to explain how his parents tricked him into believing she was cheating on him.
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When she saw him at her door, Amanda was furious, but he managed to tell her the entire story. She listened, and she wasn’t surprised.
Chris begged for forgiveness, promising he would never abandon Amanda and their son again. She let him see their boy, but they were both aware that healing would take time. Eventually, Amanda gave Chris another chance and they started rebuilding their life together.
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Professional wrestler turned actor John Cena is no stranger to philanthropy. Over the years, he’s shown his care for the vulnerable and less fortunate individuals and has repaid the country and it people for the support they have given to him throughout his career.
Among the rest, he granted over 600 wishes through the Make-A-Wish Foundation in 2019, bringing hope and comfort to countless families and inspiring many with his compassion and dedication.
His role in Playing with Fire inspired him to donate to first responders and veterans.
During the California wildfire, he donated $500,000 to those fighting the devastating fires.
“I’ve been doing interviews and when everybody asks me about first responders I tell them they’re my heroes, simply because they put themselves in harm’s way to save others,” Cena said. “I can’t tell you in good faith that these people are my heroes and then in their time of need, when they need something, if I don’t respond to that call, I’m not backing up what I’m telling you.”
Cena launched a major fundraising campaign with FitOps, pledging to match every dollar donated to the organization until Veteran’s Day, up to $1 million. His goal has been to partner with the community to raise a total of $2 million to help combat veteran suicide.
One of the veterans who received Cena’s kindness is Charles “Bud” Phillips who happened to meet Cena while shopping in Florida. Recognizing Phillips’ SeaBees hat, Cena expressed his gratitude for his military service and then paid around $100 for Phillips’ groceries—a gesture the veteran only discovered later.
The two took a photo together, which the family later shared on the social media and spoke of Cena’s random act of kindness.
Phillips’ daughter, Stefanie, described the joy it brought her father, who rarely showed emotion. She shared, “A simple act of kindness lit up his day, and that smile meant everything to us.” It was the first time Phillips had smiled so brightly since his wife passed away five years prior, making the moment even more precious.
Cena’s kindness went a long way. A number of families whose loved ones served in the same military unit as Philips reached out to him which led to a veterans’ reunion.
John Cena truly is one of a kind.
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