The significance of trust in a loving relationship. — Trust. We begin all relationships with trust. From the moment you enter the world, you are reliant on others to care for you to ensure your survival. Your life is in their hands. Hopefully, they are trustworthy. No matter how safe you may have been kept, throughout life’s journey, trust…

Witnessing parental drama is unfair to your child — Breaking up with someone and staying civil is hard enough when it’s just between the two of you, but when a child is involved, it can be a bit dicey. …

Mental illness can be a real mother… — It was Friday. I had overslept after staying up late to cram for an exam. Latecomers were held in the lunchroom during the first period so rather than missing my English test, I decided to cut school. This way I could forge a note and take the make-up later. Normally…

An Un-Official List of 13 Achievable Milestones for Creator Bonuses — What Vocal Writers are saying about Milestones and Bonuses: Does anyone know the Vocal milestones? I just received a $10 bonus from Vocal and don’t know why? Does Vocal pay bonuses on every 15 reads or just the first 15? Can any of you tell me how Vocal’s bonus system…

Surviving CMV infection after a Double Lung Transplant — I wonder who decided on the tones that emanate from the medical equipment in hospital rooms? One particular eerie melody disrupts my spirit, leaving me on edge. "Do-deedo-dodo. Do-deedo-dodo." …

COVID-19 Booster shot for Immunocompromised Americans like me — Initially, I was skeptical about receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. I wasn’t what you’d call an anti-vaccinator, virus denying, government conspiracist. I was basing my decision on the fact that the COVID-19 vaccine would not likely work for someone like me. As an immunosuppressed individual, there wasn’t promising news for vaccination…

Part Eleven: How Old Am I, Really? — Taking the stairs like a toddler limited my ability to hold my pee for more than a minute or two. Hand on the railing, lead with the left foot, bring up the right foot. Left foot, right foot. Pause and breathe. Begin again. An accident would send me back to…

Juneteenth should be accepted and celebrated by all Americans because it’s an American Holiday. — “They seem to satisfy their consciences with the doctrine that…the Africans [were created] to be slaves. What a libel upon… who ‘made of one blood all nations of men!’” (Jacobs, 1861) As a child, my family attended at least one Juneteenth event. However, I have no recollection of the occurrence…

Government EBB program takes $50 off your internet bill. — If you’ve read Marriage or Medicaid: Did You Know There is a Medicaid Marriage Penalty?, you know I haven’t always seen eye-to-eye with the governmental powers that be. However, there are some times when the government gets it right when it comes to helpful programs for the people. …