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Edits Byrealist, 999 S Harwood Street, Dallas, TX (2025)

09/17/2025

December 23rd 2015. I went in for an ultrasound and what we thought was going to be a day filled with happy tears and laughter, that day did not turn out as planned.

I was 12 weeks gestation when we were told something was wrong with my baby's heart. I was told she will not survive. 'You will miscarry.' I left the office in tears and heart broken. My baby fought her way to 18 weeks as her heart beat slower and slower. With each new appointment seemed to come another diagnosis, another heartbreak and a waterfall of tears.

I was told 'She's going to be still born, Save yourself the pain.'

'I wouldn't be surprised if you come back next week, and have her still born.' There was little to no hope for my baby.

Even the number #1 children's hospital, had not seen a heart like hers. They have seen it separate, but not all together.

It was up to her to fight. The only thing we could do... was pray.

We continued to celebrate our baby's life, no matter what odds were against her. We had a reveal party, a baby shower and even made a beautiful nursery.

In and out of heart failure, a heart rate of 40-50. Our baby girl, fought her way to 37 weeks!

On June 14th, I had her via C Section and she was taken straight to Boston Children's Hospital.

6 days old, she had her first open heart surgery. July 21st we got to bring her home!

5 hospital stays since then, and a couple more diagnosis... but she is a fighter! Her name is, Clara Ray. 💕

She is a Miracle.

This is her seeing her first snow fall. She absolutely loved it.

I can't explain the emotions we felt, as we watched that smile come across her face.

Pure. Joy.

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A Love What Matters Original Story

09/17/2025

My name is Lisa Thomas, my husband is John Thomas, and we have a biological son name Hunter. Almost 6 years ago we decided as a family we wanted to foster/adopt. On the very day we were approved to foster/adopt we were placed with a sibling group of 3 children. A boy Rylan who was 5 at the time and two girls (Skylar 20 months old and Maya 8 months old). We fostered them for almost 2 years before adoption was complete.

In the adoption process with our 3 children, the biological mother gave birth to a 4th child, Haydon, who was then placed with us and his siblings when he was 5 weeks old. Fast forward a year and a half during the adoption process with Haydon, the biological mother gives birth to a 5th child, Livvie, who is also placed with us and her siblings at birth. Fast forward again 15 months to the adoption process with Livvie, and their biological mother gives birth a 6th and final time to our now son Christian who was placed with us from birth. Livvie and Christian's adoption was completed together. We have gone from one child to seven in close to a 6 year period. It's crazy and hectic but would not change our journey for anything! How blessed we are to have such a beautiful family. This is our family.

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Credit: The Thomas Family via Together We Rise

09/17/2025

This lady right here is a saint! Deputy Corey Loftice is in stage 5 kidney failure and awaiting a kidney transplant. This lady, Mrs. Cooks, a total stranger to not only Corey, but to the rest of us at the Grady County Sheriff's Office, walked in our door one day with some money. She told me she needed an envelope to put it in and she wrote a note on it. The note said, 'God Bless You Deputy Corey, I want you to know I'm praying for you.' She then told me she had Corey on her prayer list at church. Since that first day, many months ago, this lady comes into the Sheriff's Office just about weekly and asks to talk to me, she asks me for an envelope and she always writes a note to Corey. She walks to the Sheriff's Office to do this. This afternoon she did even more, she made Corey a Thanksgiving meal. She fixed it for him and his family, so they wouldn't have to worry about cooking. Mrs. Cooks is battling an illness of her own, she doesn't talk a lot about it, but she did tell me about it one day. This picture is of the day she finally met Corey, he was back in the office and I told her I had a surprise for her. This was a very sweet moment, she started to cry.

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Credit: Grady County Sheriff's Office

09/17/2025

Chopped celery. That's what I'm driving to my son's school today. Why? Because I don't look in his folder. I missed that he needed to bring chopped celery to school today, and I have no idea why he needs it, but he does. So I'm driving it to him praying that he gets it on time.

I miss things.

My kids don't always have clean socks.

We ate at Wendy's last night.

I forget to RSVP to parties.

We never have cash when we need it.
My kid doesn't always have his coat.

There might be Halloween candy in their lunches.

I sign without reading sometimes.

And I don't always check my kids folders.

But.....I love them. And I work dang hard for them. And I'm banking on the fact that 20 years from now, they won't remember that their mom forgot the chopped celery. I am praying they remember how hard I fought for them everyday to have a good life...one where they know they are fiercely loved no matter what.

Credit: Kara Lewis Newton

09/17/2025

My Gram had a wonderful day yesterday at my mom's house for Thanksgiving. She didn't remember one of our names, didn't know whose kids where whose, who was dating/engaged/married to whom, or the last time we were all together. She asked us a million questions, most repeats from just moments before. What my Gram does know at this point is love. We haven't laughed so hard and been so at ease in a long time. The whole family was focused on her glow, her laugh, and her smile. This woman raised all of us. She let us ride mattresses down the stairs, ski on the little hill in her backyard, watch movies at late night sleepovers. She taught all 9 grandkids how to swim by holding us up by our underwear in the pool. She taught us how to be creative, make Christmas cookies, and help those less fortunate than us. It's so unbelievably hard to let it sink in that she doesn't remember our names or our significant others or children. But for her sake it's all OK. We shake it off. I tell her that it's just alright and that she's living in the moment and that's how it's supposed to be. As long as she's happy the memory doesn't need to be here.

There's one name she did remember, though. She didn't call him Daddy, she didn't call him Grandpa, or Great Grandpa. She called him by his name: Charlie. Her Charlie. We miss what my Gram used to be and we miss her Charlie like hell. But yesterday was a wonderful day for us. We had her laugh and through that laugh and the way she said his name, we had Grampy there too.

Submitted by Nicole Chrzan

09/17/2025

Dear Chick-fil-A

I stopped at your location on Rockville Rd. in Indianapolis, IN an hour ago. The line for the drive-thru was pretty long, so I decided to go inside. When I entered, I saw a gentleman behind your cash register, who was working with a neck brace & a sling. For anyone to work in those conditions is commendable, but it's amazing for someone in his generation to have that type of work ethic. When I placed my order, I asked him what happened to him. He said he was involved in a car accident days earlier, but was working because he needed the money and that he also wanted to use his money to feed the homeless for Christmas. And of course, he was polite and courteous.

I, along with some friends of mine, plan on making a donation to him to help him and his cause, and I wanted to know if your company would be willing to match what we contribute, or even sponsor his organization and provide all the food/drinks needed? His name is Jakeem Tyler.

Credit: Cameron Nelson

09/17/2025

Wow, you're cooking for a lot of people this Thanksgiving," I remarked to this guy in front of me at Walmart. 'Actually, I'm donating all of it,' he said. 'So much negativity going around right now. I needed to do something to help.'

Jesus House, make room in your freezers. Guy at Walmart, you're that reminder we all need about good in the world.

Credit: Lisa Austerman

09/17/2025

I want to recognize my very caring, thoughtful and wonderful human being of a boyfriend, John. There is a homeless man who lives in a little makeshift tent at the very back of the field where we walk our dogs by our complex. Tonight we were cleaning up our apartment and going through our belongings when my boyfriend suggested we give this "neighbor" of ours a winter care package complete with anything he could use or might need like blankets and some canned, non-perishable food. I thought it was such a brilliant idea that we didn't stop there. We loaded a backpack with plenty of essentials: food, hygiene items, stuff to eat with and more. We also filled a giant trash bag with a big comforter blanket, two pillows and a very cozy sweater that we were sure would fit him. After getting all these items packed up for him, John wanted to include a letter to give him a warm, friendly welcome to the neighborhood because although he isn't living in an apartment here, he is still our neighbor and a person; and it is our job as human beings to take care of each other. This letter is all in John's words and my handwriting, and I really feel it was the perfect finishing touch. We went by his little tarp tent a little while ago and dropped off our gift to him. With the holidays approaching it is important to remember what it's really about - giving and thinking of others.

Credit : Brandi Vee

09/17/2025

On March 27th, 2009, I gave birth to a beautiful baby girl, Bailey Elizabeth. I was just nineteen-years-old. For three years it was just the two of us.

When I was 23 my now husband, Jason and I went on our first date. From that day, I knew I was going to marry that man. I eventually introduced him to Bailey. Watching him with her, the way he loved her as his own, made me fall in love with him even more.

We had been dating for about two months once I really saw the impact that Jason was having on Bailey. He was holding her and she looked at me and said 'you're my mommy' then wrapped her little arms around Jason and said 'and you're my daddy.'

The happiness in her voice and the smile on Jason's face is something I will always remember. Bailey finally knew what it was like to have a father in her life. To have a man love her and be there for her. To see him love her mom the way every woman deserves to be loved. We were a family.

Fast forward to now, married with two more children. Bailey started asking if she could have her last name changed. It was something Jason and I had talked about. Once she came to us, we knew it was time. So here we are today. What a road it has been.

"I didn't give you the gift of life. Life gave me the gift of you."

Adoption is truly a beautiful thing. Watching the love that Jason and Bailey share is truly amazing. He was a father to her from the moment she came into his life. And as of today, November 29th, 2016, Bailey Elizabeth Smith, we can finally say it's official.

Smith, party of five!

Submitted by Emily Smith

09/17/2025

✨ Big night for my boy Noah ✨
Tonight was his very first high school homecoming dance (yes, and the after party too 👀). As his mom, I’ll be real—watching him grow up is exciting but also scary. On the drive over, I held his hand and whispered a little prayer. High school can be tough, and I just want him to feel seen, loved, and accepted. 💙
We pulled up to this massive school, kids everywhere, and I wondered if Noah would find his place. Then—like something straight out of a movie—his longtime friend Stella spotted him. Her face lit up, she yelled “NOAH!!!” at the top of her lungs, and ran to him with the biggest smile. My mama heart almost burst. 🥹
That moment reminded me of Proverbs 18:24: “Friends come and friends go, but a true friend sticks by you like family.”
So thankful God placed Stella in Noah’s life. So thankful for real friends who make growing up just a little easier. 🙏
Have the best night, Noah. We love you, we’re proud of you, and we’ll always be cheering you on. 🫶

09/17/2025

Today, my heart is overflowing with emotion as I wake up and realize another year has passed since my daughter came into our lives. 🌸
I remember her first cry, her first laughter, and every step she has taken until now. Every little detail has turned into memories we hold dearly — and today we celebrate not just her birthday, but everything she means to us.
Being a parent is realizing that time runs far too quickly and that every moment is precious. Today, as I look at her smile, all I can do is thank God for the gift of watching my little girl grow, healthy and full of life. 💕
This birthday is not only hers. It is ours too, because each passing year is another proof of the love that binds us.

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09/17/2025

Seeing Mom refuse food, once a source of comfort, is heart-wrenching. We try offering her favorites, but she turns away, her appetite gone. It’s a silent signal that her journey is nearing its end. Each uneaten meal is a painful reminder of the love we’re losing.
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Edits Byrealist

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