Being a mother of four — three beautiful daughters and one strong son — has taught me more about love, pain, and perseverance than anything else in this world. Each of my children carries a piece of me. My son, my firstborn, stands tall with quiet strength and a...

There was a time in my life when I was so small, yet already burdened with more than most kids my age. I was constantly falling sick — one illness after another — and it often felt like I was living in a hospital more than in my own home. Over time, the weight of it...

I’ve never been very fortunate when it came to love — parental or romantic. I’ve loved, and I’ve been loved, but never quite in the way I needed. As the oldest daughter, raising my three younger siblings became my responsibility. I was their protector, their guide,...

In my experience with depression, I would compare the mental state to a sudden onslaught of rolling, dark clouds and thunder — with a downpour of thick, heavy rain. This storm sharply contrasts the sky that was, only moments before, a beautiful blue full of bright,...

Experiencing trauma can be emotionally, physically, and spiritually exhausting. Having gone through an intense and extreme situation where I felt “less than” or “not enough” on a daily basis, I realized I had to start practicing what I preach. My body and mind were...