A silver dove stretched out its shimmering wings and flew across the midnight sky. Wings touched the sky’s luminaries; the past’s remnants became transient. It gently glides to the earth like a bolide. The dove was beautiful as it played, cooing and swaying to each star. At one point in his flight, he kissed the moon’s hue. This happy little dove turned and looked at me. He gently came, landed on my shoulder, kissed my cheek, and left in the glistening of the moonlight. Never have I seen such a beautiful sight. I understood that a generous gift of God’s love was bestowed on me that night. I knew then I was in his care. I was to spread the story of God’s unfailing love.

Boundaries mean I don’t have to people-please to keep the peace around me.
Boundaries mean I can use my voice—and finally stand up for me.
Boundaries mean I’m no longer bothered by those who are no longer around me.
Boundaries mean I’ve made peace with being alone, even when I feel the urge to flee.

Boundaries are understanding that fight-or-flight is no longer the rhythm of me.
Boundaries are not needing to jump out of a moving car just to feel free.
Boundaries are no longer dreaming of screaming in a crowd that can’t hear me.
Boundaries are no longer disassociating from the feeling of being absentee

It began to greet her
and dance with her
at six years old..
The belief of the lie
that she wasn’t beautiful..

Inviting itself in during her
tea parties and sleepovers
and even as her innocent
and delicate eyes observed
life all around her..

This violence reached her…
when all she was reaching
for… were charm bracelets
and babydolls..

At six years old all she
knew were charm
bracelets and babydolls..

Yet the lies that communicated
that brown skin wasn’t as valuable,
worth it, or worthy as those
that had other skin tones,
lighter skin tones, especially those
with whiter skin tones, those lies
began tip-toeing in through
the back entrances of her
six year old tea parties..

Echoing those lies that anyone that
had her full lips, her hair texture,
and her shaped nose were
people of lesser significance..

How could such violence
reach her… when all she
was reaching for…
were charm bracelets
and baby dolls?

Her six-year-old little fingers,
grabbing the undertones of
society that showed up
without welcome.. and those
lies were placed in her unaware
hands as she accepted the
poison she had no idea
she’d even accepted..

And while her family kept putting
out the wildfires of society that
was teaching her to hate herself
by teaching her how beautiful her
brown skin was, her value, and
how to love herself- yet messaging
that opposed this often was louder..
Because it was simply everywhere
she went.. and everywhere
life presented..

And so her innocent conscience
displaying mixed reviews
of her own worth..

How did such violence
reach her…when all she
was reaching for… were
charm bracelets
and babydolls?

I would like to share a magical moment that has become a delightful part of my life. It’s been nearly a year since my husband and I decided to add a furry member to our family: our cat, Tigger. He is an orange tabby with a very unique personality. He loves to sniff you, rub against you, and meow loudly whenever he feels ignored.

Since we’ve had him, Tigger has developed a bad habit of trying to escape and sometimes goes missing for a day or two. He can also be quite destructive, scratching up furniture, messing with the blinds, and clawing at the windows. Despite these quirks, he is very lovable. He meows at you, snuggles next to you, and follows you to the bathroom. He definitely makes his presence known whenever you try to work.

So far, Tigger has been dealing with fleas and ticks, but ever since he started his new medication, he’s been doing much better. Even though he can be a handful at times, we love him no matter what, and we’re grateful for the happiness he brings into our lives.

A woman in her comfort zone lies on a sea of mystery, lost for words as she tries to figure out her next source of inspiration. She contemplates what activities she will pursue next and what creative ideas she can incorporate into her work.

This is a story about a woman who had her daughter taken away from her due to injustices in her life. When her daughter was born, the mother was just starting her journey as a young parent, and she was already experiencing relationship issues with her daughter’s father. She had hoped that having their child would encourage him to act better and be more supportive.

Before finding a new place to live, there was an altercation between her oldest daughter and her husband, which led to court involvement. Initially, this situation required her youngest daughter to be placed with the mother’s parents. After the mother divorced her husband, she was in the process of moving and needed to find a new job to secure custody of her child and provide a better life.

The court mistakenly believed that the mother did not want custody at first. However, the truth was that she was concerned about her financial situation and her ability to provide for her daughter. She felt it was best for her child to stay with her parents or with her father, as the child expressed a desire to be with him, and the mother didn’t want to separate them.

The court kept insisting that the mother should have been more aware of the father’s behavior, even though he had never shown any signs of disrespect toward children. She had shared her experiences with him but had never disrespected him as a father. The court expected her to work and manage her own life while also being present to protect her daughter, which was difficult given her circumstances. Her family was assisting her, yet the court didn’t hold the father accountable for issues in her parents’ home, such as an infestation that made it unlivable for the child.

Now, after all this time, the court has indicated that she can fight to regain custody of her daughter. However, they are demanding that she leave her husband, secure a new home, and meet various requirements to be considered for custody. The mother expressed to her mother that she truly wants her daughter back, but given the current state of her life and her parents’ lives, she believes her daughter does not need to be in that environment.

They all miss her and love her deeply, and the mother knows her daughter is not forgotten. She believes that when her daughter is old enough, if she is still alive and well, her daughter will be able to find her if she wants to establish a relationship.

Nothing brings more joy than the warmth of inspiration that fuels your writing, while your inner child finds wings in laughter. The combination of medicine and animals makes the day intriguing, but it can be challenging to find the answers needed to keep things progressing.

This is a story about a man who wants to live a simple life without any complications. From what I have observed, he enjoys playing games, watching TV, and getting high from his medication. However, when it comes to taking care of the house or resolving issues, he prefers to do everything his own way. He is unwilling to listen to others’ thoughts or opinions and rarely allows anyone to have a voice.

What doesn’t make sense is that he claims he only wants someone who will work and bring money into the household. It seems he wants everything handed to him without giving anything back in return. He believes that money is the key to making relationships work. Based on what I am reporting, do you think he truly wants to be with someone? In what you read, do you honestly think he really has mental issues, or is he actually happy with what he has chosen? How can you go into determining those struggles when you have them yourself?

An angel sits, pondering with a stone and a stick in hand, wondering to herself what she will get into today. Lost in thought, she tries to figure out how she can empower her day to be more to her liking. As she contemplates, she watches her cat zoom up and down the living room while her beast shuffles through the clutter, searching for something to do next. Outside, an elephant roams through her garden, treating her delicate plants as if a storm were brewing, although it is just another typical day. As the angel gathers her thoughts, the skies seem to empower her mind, even though she feels blank. As the breeze flows through the day, she hopes her creativity will spark new adventures.

Time passes while we hold onto hope, yet the fear of waiting for that hope can create a rift that tears things apart. People often say that hope can be a powerful force for overcoming challenges, but what if the hope you’re waiting for leads to different outcomes? Some may anticipate a positive change in their lives, while others might feel that it could bring about the worst situation imaginable. So, ask yourself: what do you do when hope finally arrives? How do you determine whether things will get better or worse?

Dear Community,

I wanted to take a moment to share my weight loss journey and the struggles that came with it. After having my two kids in 2015, I found myself struggling to lose weight. My mom and I explored various diet plans, went for walks, and even signed up for Nutrisystem. For a while, it seemed to work, but I wasn’t getting the results I had hoped for.

In 2018, after realizing that I might not be able to lose the weight, I made the difficult decision to have my tubes tied. This procedure was necessary because, given my health at the time, having more children could have posed serious risks for both me and the baby. After the surgery, the doctors warned me that I would face additional health issues if I didn’t find a way to lose weight.

In 2019, I discovered that I was eligible for weight loss surgery. Despite being a smoker at the time, I didn’t want to reach 300 pounds before turning 30. So, I chose to follow my dad’s advice and underwent the required health tests and exams to see if I could qualify for surgery. I had to attend a six-month course, go through nicotine screenings, and undergo a comprehensive health evaluation to determine if my body could handle the procedure.

After all the tests were completed, I learned some new things about my health that I hadn’t known before. I was approved for surgery, and in February 2020, my weight dropped from a high of 285 pounds to 244 pounds by the time I went into the operating room.

The day after the surgery, I was diagnosed with a hiatal hernia, GERD, and gastritis. It wasn’t until a year later that I found out I needed my gallbladder removed due to severe stomach issues that occurred every time I ate or drank anything. As it turned out, I was also dealing with malabsorption syndrome.

Currently, my weight has continued to drop, and I’ve reached a point where I can wear my stepdaughter’s clothes. Since having the surgery, I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone considering it, as it can dramatically change your life. However, I also stress the importance of taking your health seriously throughout this journey. Although I’ve felt better since the surgery, I wish I hadn’t faced these complications. So far, I have gone from 285 pounds to 118 pounds.

Thank you for reading my story.

This is a story about a single father whose life became turbulent after a bond with his children was broken. Following the emotional turmoil, he focused on his routine—going to work, playing games, and taking his medication daily. However, he faced constant harassment about who was watching his kids.

The father struggled day by day. Initially, they had shared custody, with him watching the children on weekends. Yet, that arrangement quickly changed. It felt as though he had to drop everything and attend to the kids’ needs, no matter what. While he understood that being a parent comes with responsibilities, it seemed unfair that he had to handle all the household chores, such as cleaning or running errands, while his ex-wife continued her social life.

The emotional strain intensified whenever there were issues in his home. If he or his partner fell ill, his ex-wife didn’t seem to care. She insisted on having the children with her, regardless of whether there were enough supplies at his place or if the electricity was out. It felt as though maintaining a second family complicated his efforts to move on with his life.

The most challenging moments arose when she unexpectedly demanded to take the kids for educational purposes without considering what plans he had for the day. She would guilt-trip him, insisting that someone should accommodate her wishes no matter what else was going on. It was an endless cycle of conflict and frustration that affected his ability to maintain a stable life for himself and his children.

One Week,
That was all it took
My heart broke completely
24 hours
That was all it took
To stop doing anything that could hurt you
I did everything right
I followed all the rules
I even tried to love myself more so that I could love you entirely
One week
That was all it took
To take everything that was left of me

I can’t say I’m scared
nor terrified
It’d make me look
as if I’m a hypocrite

I’ve been comfortable
for far too long
Letting someone in will
cause so much fog

I deserve to be loved
not just by me
But loved by a king.

I deserve to be
someone’s queen.

Her world was so black.
It consumed even
the slightest of color.
Her journal was the only
place she felt
safe to wander.
Decades later
Color is the brightest consumption.
Her journal – softest eraser
to her nervous system.

You, my sir.
Yes, you.
There’s going to be hard days.
Even easy days.
You, the person reading this,
Has the opportunity to make
The day a great one.

You, my sir.
Yes, you.
Of course it’s going
To be full of ups & downs.
That’s the beauty of life.

It’s your duty as a human
To break the negative branches
And build such glory
From the leftover twigs.

You, my sir.
Yes, you.
I believe in you.
I see you.
I love you.

Courage it takes courage .young mom working three jobs just barely surviving. Grown up now into an adult she never gave up she never stopped trying. She got up everyday and gave every morning the best she had. Her own family knew whe was different instead of the support they gave her a backhand. She made her own goals her own dreams and her own family. The only thing that kept her going was her faith which lead to her victories over the enemy. Here she sits in the middle of another battle it’s difficult but there’s one thing she knows this is her year her moment and every time the enemy thought he broke her, she got up gave the pain a purpose and pushed stronger. Her children and her heavenly father were here motivation to change the world we live in starting with her . She started in the mirror daily stating affirmations that she was worth it Jeremiah 29 11 being her most favorite. She made her bed in the am did her makeup and got dressed to impress even if she wasn’t going anywhere to her this made perfect sense. She didn’t for in in the world because she was changed when Christ came Into her life. Her presence has an essence a sweet aroma, it draws people in miles from her. Her presence lights up the businesses and rooms, some of which don’t want to charge her because they know there’s just something about her. Everywhere she goes she gets gifts she uses to think it was just a coincidence. Thankful greatful and this girl is definitely blessed.

Dear Unsealers,

It’s the first day of June.

Though, you wouldn’t know it by the way the wind is raging outside right now. It’s actually chilly. As if the season’s are signaling that a change is up ahead.

With the new month beginning, it’s only right to welcome it in. I’ll do so here…

Time is flying by
The month of June has arrived

Thirty new days are here
Spring’s around, not much longer
There’s a hint of warmth ahead
Summer’s near

A month to honor our fathers
And be in awe of the Pride on display

Otherwise, it’s another blank slate
Of wondering how to fill time

To keep the dancing days going
Or, take a beat to clear my head

Six months into the year
With the halfway point of 2025 almost here

I wonder silently…
How did we get here?
Where’s everything going?

Sitting here at this table
With thoughts running wild
Thoughts of how
I’ve made it this far
From where I’ve come
Thoughts of wanting
To quit this journey
For I’m the only one on it

Sitting here at this table
With such appreciation
For what I’ve created
Appreciation that some days
Feel as if I may relapse
For how great I’ve been
Appreciation for what
Was given to me
In the mix of
The black shades of life

Sitting here at this table
Grieving the me
That was abducted
From the black shades
Grieving the me
Who is no longer
Available for reach
Grieving the one
That is today
For tomorrow is new

Here I sit at this table
With such praise in my heart
Praise in my step
Knowing it’s okay to relapse.
Praise in my soul
Knowing each version of me
Will end in an abduction

This table is my healing space
And it’s not for everyone

As the world basked in sunshine and heat, majestic creatures roamed. In the sea of green, small fire holes began to appear, creating a striking contrast. The flames grew larger, popping out of the holes as the vibrant green liquid spread across the river. This dynamic activity caused the fire holes to diminish in size, especially as waves of blue took over the river, with birds joyfully calling out their laughter. When the sun set, it revealed that the river glowed with even more blue, and the once-visible fire holes had completely vanished.