• An open palm holding a piece of raspberry fruit
    11
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    Why must we behave like starving, hollow children? Always desiring more when our bellies are full. We glance at one another on this earth, allowing ourselves to act like Cain and Abel. “This is not fair!” a fellow soul cries out, as the individual takes their well-earned reward. Treasure that fills the other with envy ...
  • Man in white shirt holding up arm to stop. Standing on grass field in front of tall buildings.
    10
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    Physical touch has never been my love language. I have not been a hugger, kisser, or cuddler. This sentiment did not change even after I became a mom. My oldest was born six years ago. Even when I met my firstborn, what I’ve heard described as the moment that makes all the pain, hardship, waiting, ...
  • Megaphone with flowers held in one hand on blue backdrop.
    33
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    I have the privilege of being both a pediatric nurse and a mom. With 11 years of hospital bedside experience in the pediatric intensive unit, I encounter a range of patients and families. Each meeting is unique and special in its own way. Something new I learn every shift, is how to foster resilience in ...
  • A pure white dove landing on a branch
    41
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    If I have one wish for you, my love, it would be that you never let the world dim your light. Sometimes, it is cruel and wicked, punishing the innocent and sinner alike, showing no mercy, with the flames of hatred growing more intense with every act of revenge. It leaves a trail of devastation ...
  • Four fresh onions on a vintage kitchen table with a milk can, jar, spoon, knife, and cookbooks
    25
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    Catherine sat up in the creaking bed and rubbed her swollen eyes. This head cold had made the previous night a hard one to sleep through, and its presence lingered today. “Achoo!” She sneezed into her hands, got up, and washed them thoroughly in the washbasin, as mother had taught her. Afterwards, Catherine donned a ...
  • Two sets of arms picking nuts off a ground covered with nuts.
    63
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    Little humans are almost like pets. They get antsy when I coop them up too long under a roof. Moreso when visiting the grandparents’ house for the holidays because it is a new environment, they don’t have their comfort toys, and routine is thrown out the window during holiday vacations. I must take them on ...
  • Raindrops on a steady green leaf
    50
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    Blood may be thicker than water, but it does not compare to souls connected to souls and hearts linked to one another. It is a testament to what family is. Revenge and hatred boil to the surface, with no winners in a game of pain. Love and cherished memories, however, are what keep us marching ...
  • A lone house among the fringes of nature
    65
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    They have killed a squirrel before. Is it in the enchanted woods, or the forested hills? The pine trees host every creature desperately trying to live, eat, hide, take shelter. Only for them to repeat their routine in their habitat. Both animals and hunters made of human flesh kill the squirrels. A cycle of life ...
  • Beautiful sunset over the horizon between mountains
    76
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    Not all hours in the day are equal—your focus and momentum rise and fall. However, if you find the sweet spot where your brain is at its best, you’ll do more in less time. It’s important to understand your energy cycles for optimum productivity. If you learn this, you can leverage one of the prominent ...
  • Two people in hospital room. One in bed. The other sitting next to the bed. Flowers out of focus in front.
    79
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    Obtaining quality sleep is a challenge. Factor in alarms, excessive noise, artificial illumination, and people waking you up, the idea of getting any shut-eye sounds impossible. Bodies need rest and an opportunity to reset. In the hospital, it is paramount to recovery. Hindrances Hospitals hinder relaxation due to functioning as a 24-hour workforce. Patients are ...