It could be a neighbor, classmate, or colleague. A friend, acquaintance, or family member.
According to a report from the World Bank and Save the Children, 30,000 girls are married every single day. That’s 20 girls a minute — or one girl every three seconds. In fact, according to Unicef, more than 700 million women around the world were married as children. They are deprived of their childhood, denied education, exposed to premature pregnancies, and lose the ability to control their own lives.
It may feel far away, or you may think that it doesn’t happen in developed countries. But, how would people react if it happened in the middle of the day … in New York?
t happens all the time — all over the world. To highlight the problem of child marriage, and show that it shouldn’t be ignored, Youtuber Coby Persin decided to do a social experiment.
What we’re going to watch is not an actual, legal child marriage. It is extremely important to watch, however uncomfortable it makes you. We need to bring this issue to light and spread awareness.
By staging a fake wedding between a 12-year-old girl and a 65-year-old man, Coby Persin wanted to show how people reacted.
Sadly, beloved actor Tamayo Perry, who starred in Hollywood blockbusters, died on Sunday after what authorities say was a deadly shark attack. When Honolulu’s Emergency Medical Services (EMS) found Perry’s body with severe bite marks, they assumed a shark was the likely cause of his death.
The startling event happened in the waters off the coast of Oahu, which is a popular destination for both residents and visitors. Responding promptly to reports of a body discovered close to the coast,
Defying Destiny: When a Groom’s Mother’s Plan Almost Ruined My Wedding
EMS identified the actor from his possessions and verified several injuries that were consistent with shark bites. Many fans and business colleagues are in grief at the loss of a talent that has been a fixture on the big screen for decades after hearing the shocking news.
Notable parts during Perry’s career include his significant role in Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, in which he costarred with Johnny Depp and Penélope Cruz. Perry, who is well-known for his charm and versatility,
Liam Payne, 31, Passes Away At Hotel In Argentina
established himself as a gifted and trustworthy actor with roles in a number of major motion pictures. Fans worldwide admired his work, which was especially well-received for his parts in thrillers and action-adventure movies.
Perry’s achievements in the film industry were complemented by his advocacy for ocean conservation, which he often discussed in interviews. Perry was a skilled swimmer and diver who had a deep appreciation for aquatic life, according to friends and family, which makes his death all the more devastating.
Wedding Woes: A Father’s Refusal to Fund Due to His Daughter’s ‘Selfish’ Request
Under inquiry, the Honolulu Department of Land and Natural Resources is investigating the alleged shark attack. The organization has warned swimmers and surfers in the region to exercise extra caution. Although encounters with sharks, particularly those that are fatal, are uncommon, Hawaii is renowned for its stunning coastline waters.
Perry’s coworkers and admirers have shared their memories and condolences on social media, with many praising his contagious energy and commitment to his profession.
READ MORE STORIES HERE
If Wendy Williams Is Identified With Frontotemporal Dementia And Aphasia, Here Are Some Things You Should Know About Her Health.
Given Ethan’s head-to—-toe coverage, his body art has attracted quite some interest. Remarkably, he paid around $60,000 AUD (about $39,000 USD) to have his unique look.
But even with his bold decisions, Ethan now feels guilty.
“I guess you could say I regret some tattoos,” he said in a LadBibleTV No Filter series interview. “Not just regret; I believe that wanting to be seen differently differs from regret.”
Ethan has started a road of tattoo removal, carefully following this procedure for the past year.
For around twelve months, I have been undergoing laser [surgery]. We do it in pieces, but I have most likely gone over the entire six or seven times.
His drive comes from battling anxiousness, a mental weight aggravated by his very tattooed appearance.
“Mental stuff is a funny thing to pin down, but I want to think that a lot of the anxiety was from just having a face full of tattoos,” Ethan said. .
Ethan sees his face tattoos as a symbolic “clearing of the canvas,” anxiously awaiting their slow disappearance over the following two years even if he is happy with his appearance.
Jimmy Carter hit a major milestone October 1 when he turned 100, becoming the first American president to live a full century.
Amid the celebrations, his grandson reveals the centenarian is “very limited in what he can do,” and that this “journey” is “one” he can only experience at “the very end.”
On October 1, family and friends of Jimmy Carter gathered in his hometown of Plains, Georgia, to celebrate his 100th birthday, the first without his wife of 77 years.
“We know this is the first birthday without Rosalynn. It’s bittersweet, but we also know she’s always with you,” President Joe Biden says in a birthday message to his longtime friend. “She’s in your heart; she’ll never go away. She may be gone, but she’s always going to be with you. She’s always there, and I know you know that.”
The former first lady, also from Plains, died November 19 at age 96. Carter – who uses a wheelchair for mobility – is rarely seen but did appear at his late wife’s memorial service.
Biden, one of the first sitting senators to endorse Carter’s 1976 campaign, continues of the former Commander-in-Chief, “Even after you left office, the moral clarity you showed throughout your career showed through again in your commitment through the Carter Center and Habitat for Humanity…Put simply, Mr. President, I admire you so darn much.”
The milestone birthday bash was held at the Plains home where the Nobel Peace Prize laureate lives in hospice, the same one he built with Rosalynn in the 1960s.
His grandson Jason tells Southern Living that it’s “the place that has given him the greatest support and it is the only place where he would go through this part of his life.” Jason continues, “That’s his home in every way, and he really cherished that time and that support.”
Jason, 49, a lawyer and politician, is the eldest son of Carter’s first born, Jack, 77, and the eldest of 22 grandchildren.
He adds, “There is no other place in the world that he would be at peace other than Plains.”
In his interview with Southern Living, Jason speaks of his grandad’s struggles since Rosalynn died. “After 77 years of marriage… I just think none of us really understand what it’s like for him right now.” He adds, “We have to embrace that fact, that there’s things about the spirit that you just can’t understand.”
Cupcakes and jets
The Associated Press reports that his 74-year-old son Chip, the second born to the former first couple, was among the dozens of family members and friends rallying around Carter for his birthday.
Revelers had cupcakes on the lawn while antique World War II planes flew above in his honor. And in the evening, guests collected around the TV, watching the vice-presidential debate.
“He’s plugged in,” Chip tells AP, explaining his father intends to live long enough to cast his vote on Election Day. “I asked him two months ago if he was trying to live to be 100, and he said, No, I’m trying to live to vote for Kamala Harris.”
Praising his grandfather, Jason who chairs the Carter Center, tells AP: “Not everybody gets 100 years on this earth, and when somebody does, and when they use that time to do so much good for so many people, it’s worth celebrating.”
He adds, “These last few months, 19 months, now that he’s been in hospice, it’s been a chance for our family to reflect…and then for the rest of the country and the world to really reflect on him. That’s been a really gratifying time.”
‘Physically limited’
Offering some insight into his grandad’s current health, Jason tells People in September 2024 that his grandad is “physically limited” and seldom leaves home.
“He has really physically diminished and can’t do much on his own. But he is emotionally engaged and still having experiences and laughing, loving.”
He says, “This is an important part” of his journey, “one that you don’t get to experience at any other time in your life except for the very end…And so in that way, I think this has been a really meaningful time for him.”
Please share your birthday wishes for Jimmy Carter in the comments section below and then share this story with your friends so they can do the same!
Being the horrific abuse some dogs receive at the hands of people is incredibly upsetting. Riona, a charming pitbull mix, is one such courageous survivor. She had to go through the unthinkable—having her owner set her on fire. However, Riona is finally headed to her new forever home after a year of resiliency and recuperation.
In June of last year, Riona ran down the street in Nutbush, Tennessee, enveloped in flames, shocking the locals. There was no mistaking that this was a purposeful act of cruelty because of the strong gasoline odor that pervaded the space. Riona had been purposefully set on fire, as corroborated by witness statements and ring camera film. This is a horrible reality.
The poor puppy lost its ear and sustained terrible burns. Riona’s left eye was preserved because to the swift emergency response. The loving staff at Tails of Hope Dog Rescue took her in right away, and they made arrangements for Bluff City Veterinary Specialists to treat her. Her substantial fourth-degree burns throughout her body required numerous skin grafts, making the road to recovery difficult and drawn out. Riona fearlessly kept a cheerful attitude during her recuperation process in spite of the trauma she had experienced.
Riona’s tale took the world by storm, winning over millions of hearts in the process. Her situation was made public via a TikTok video that went viral, inspiring an outpouring of compassion and solidarity. Gifts and donations from kindhearted people touched by Riona’s tenacity and resolve came in.
In the midst of this touching reaction, justice started to come into its own. Riona’s fire-starter, 43-year-old Quishon Brown, was taken into custody and accused of assault and felonies including animal abuse. Riona’s story also had a larger effect, leading to Tennessee passing a new law against animal abuse.
Over the course of several months, Riona’s health became better every day. Riona’s story took an amazing turn almost a year after her harrowing ordeal: she had finally found her everlasting home! This was a joyful turn of events!
With much excitement, Tails of Hope said that they will be taking Riona to her new family via a ten-hour road trip. As they discussed the specifics of her devoted everlasting home, excitement erupted. Riona would have a large yard to explore, kids to spoil her, and other furry friends to play with. Riona’s new family can give her the treatment she needs because they understand the depth of her injuries and have experience working in the medical sector.
Riona’s journey is just getting started, even if it looks like it’s heading to an end. Her transformation from sorrow to success is quite remarkable. In a moving Facebook post, Tails of Hope recognized the teamwork that went into this inspiring rescue. The good that would come from one courageous dog’s struggle to survive seemed unimaginable.
Tails of Hope serves as a reminder that their work is never done, even when Riona begins her new chapter. They demonstrated that there is always someone in need by taking in another burn victim right away. Every rescue offers the chance to contribute to yet another amazing tale of healing and hope.
Despite the brutality that plagues Riona’s background, we take comfort in the fact that she is currently moving toward a better future. These kinds of endearing tales are what give us hope for humanity again. Let’s spread the word about this encouraging news, honoring Riona’s tenacity and offering our love and support to her as she embarks on this new journey.
Go here to find out more about Riona’s amazing journey and the significance of her narrative.
Operating under the cover of darkness, slugs and snails can do massive damage to garden plants in a very short period of time.
Each evening, they leave their cool and dark hiding spots beneath rocks and fallen leaves and descend upon a wide range of garden cultivars.
Any succulent plant tissue is fair game, including fruits, vegetables, flowers, and herbs. Young seedlings are especially vulnerable and are often consumed in entirety.
Strawberries and other soft berries are slugs and snails’ favorite treat.
About Slugs and Snails…
Snails and slugs are not insects but terrestrial gastropod mollusks, from the same phylum as clams and squids.
Both have similar physical structure, with soft, unsegmented bodies covered in slimy mucus that helps prevent them from drying out.
The most noticeable difference between them is snails have a hard shell with a logarithmic spiral while slugs are shell-less. The lack of a shell makes slugs more prone to desiccation while snails have better protection against drought and heat.
A snail on the left, a slug on the right.
As gastropods, they have a “stomach foot” that allows them to move at very slow speeds – only one millimeter per second. Movement is accomplished through cascading muscular contractions that advance the foot slightly forward. However slow, some slugs can travel up to 40 feet per night in search of food.
Snails and slugs are found all over the world but are more common in temperate, humid environments. They require moisture to survive and will reproduce quickly during a particularly rainy season.
In cooler gardens of the north, slugs and snails hide away in hibernation over the winter and re-emerge in spring.
How to Identify You Have a Slug or Snail Problem
Snails and slugs usually only feed at night but can sometimes be spotted during the daytime on overcast, foggy, and rainy days.
You may not catch them in the act of munching down on your plants but they do leave behind a telltale trail of destruction. Because they eat in a back and forth, file-like motion, larger leaves will show irregularly shaped holes with smooth edges.
As they lumber around the garden, they will deposit slimy mucus wherever they go. Look for streaks and puddles of ooze on the surface of leaves and on top of the soil around the base of plants.
Although they are generalists that will feed on living plants and decaying organic matter, slugs and snails prefer the soft and tender growth of freshly sprouted seedlings. New growth on established plants is also a favorite food.
Be more watchful over leafy greens like lettuce and tender herbs like basil. Hostas and other foliage plants are not immune, nor are petunias, daisies, lilies, and other flowering plants.
In addition to leaves and stems, they will also feed on strawberries, tomatoes, beans, carrots, peas, and apples.
8 Ways to Stop Slugs and Snails Naturally
Each slug and snail roving around your crops can eat up to 40% of their weight every day. Put a stop to their nightly raids with these tactics:
1. Remove Hiding Spots
After their nocturnal feast, slugs and snails will retreat to dark and cool hiding spots close to flower and vegetable beds.
Make your garden as unwelcoming as possible by removing any objects and debris that are in direct contact with the soil.
This includes raking up leaves, moving rocks and stones, and storing piles of bricks or wood logs or lumber elsewhere.
Wood chip mulch provides safe harbor for snails and slugs too so avoid using it in your vegetable patch whenever possible. Straw and pine needle mulch are good alternatives.
Garden furniture and décor may need to be re-evaluated as well. Flower pots and container gardens should be kept elevated off the ground. Relocate statues and sculptures away from your food crops.
2. Encourage Their Natural Predators
Slugs and snails have many natural predators in the wild. Let them do the work for you while strengthening the food web and fostering balance in the garden.
Birds are effective slug and snail hunters, sussing them out of their hiding places throughout the day. Blackbirds, jackdaws, thrushes, doves, starlings, owls, and vultures are among the many species of bird that prey upon slugs and snails. Add a bird bath and grow plants birds love to attract them to your garden.
If you keep ducks, turkeys, or chickens, allow them to range wherever slugs are a problem.
Some insects – such as ground beetles, ants, fireflies, and marsh flies – will aid in keeping snail and slug numbers in check. Grow more native plants to encourage a healthy insect population in your backyard and build a bug hotel to ensure they stick around a while.
Reptiles and amphibians love to snack on snails and slugs as well. Frogs, toads, lizards, and snakes are well regarded slug eaters. Adding a pond or other marshy water feature is a way to entice these creatures into your yard.
3. Keep the Topsoil Dry
While keeping your garden beds well watered is generally a good thing for your plants, having an always moist plot is very attractive to resident snails and slugs.
Since they operate in slime, crawling over dry land means they lose a lot of mucus along the way. The loss of mucus dries out their bodies and slows them down.
While there’s not much you can do when it rains, how you water your garden does have a big impact on slug populations.
Whenever possible, only water your gardens in the morning. This allows the upper layers of soil to dry out a bit before nightfall.
Instead of watering the entire plot, water each plant individually and only around the base of the stem.
In lieu of sprinklers that will saturate large areas, invest in a drip irrigation system like this one to target each plant. Or use water rings to keep plants watered without soaking the whole area.
4. Hand-Picking
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Although quite rudimentary, hand-picking slugs and snails to remove them from their food source will produce immediate results.
Venture into your garden at night, about two hours after sunset. Use a flashlight to check around plants, looking at the tops and bottoms of leaves, at the base of each plant, and along the soil between rows. Once snails and slugs are located, use a spoon to dislodge them from the surface.
Be thorough when searching and remove slugs and snails daily for the first week or so. Once you’ve noticed their populations decline, weekly hand-picking sessions will keep their numbers in check.
Place found snails and slugs in a bucket of soapy water or rubbing alcohol to quickly kill them.
Alternatively, you can toss living slugs and snails in your compost heap.
Providing a dark and moist space with plenty of food for them to eat and no need to travel will encourage them to stay put and help keep them away from your garden. It’s beneficial for the compost as well, since they help in processing all that organic matter just a little bit faster.
5. Snail and Slug Traps
Luring slugs and snails to specific areas of your garden makes it much easier to collect them.
Create an ideal daytime sheltering spot in a cool, moist, and dark place by setting down pieces of cardboard or wooden boards directly on freshly watered soil. Flip these over each day and remove any snails and slugs that have congregated along the underside.
You can also dig holes around the garden, each about 6 inches deep and 4 inches wide. Cover the each hole with cardboard. Or simply nestle a few flower pots, upside down, into the soil next to the garden.
You can bait these traps by tossing in some grapefruit or melon rinds.
Don’t forget to check these live traps daily! Not removing the accumulated slugs and snails each day runs the risk of them devouring your plants in even greater numbers.
Another effective trick is to fill shallow containers with one inch of stale beer. Nestle them into the soil so that the top edge of the container lines up with surface of the soil. Place them 10 feet apart throughout the garden.
Beer is very appealing to snails and slugs, drawing them into the liquid where they will drown. Put them out in the early evening. Empty the containers every few days and top up the beer regularly.
Every summer, like clockwork, the media lights up with images of women on holiday, with every detail scrutinized under the sun. Are they in bikinis? Are they too old, too big, or too comfortable in their skin? Cue the uninvited commentary: “Why is she wearing a bikini at that age?” or “Shouldn’t she be in a one-piece?” Unfortunately, this ritual has become a hallmark of the season. From paparazzi shots to scathing headlines, this relentless shaming perpetuates an unrealistic standard. But why is this the norm, and what does it say about society’s relationship with women’s bodies?
The Annual Spectacle of Body Shaming
Let’s call it what it is: a spectacle. During the summer months, certain media outlets seem to relish the chance to parade images of female celebrities in swimsuits. These aren’t just photos; they’re ammunition. Paparazzi snap these women in vulnerable moments—adjusting a towel, stretching, or bending over—and they’re often captured from unflattering angles to amplify imperfections. If the perfect shot isn’t there, the right lens and a bit of editing can make it look like it is.
But why? Why do these images gain so much traction, and why is there such a public appetite for seeing women, particularly those who dare to age or exist above a size eight, ridiculed for simply living their lives?
Why Women’s Swimwear Choices Are Everyone’s Business
Women’s bodies have long been considered public property. When a famous woman steps out in a bikini, her body is dissected for the world to see. It’s not about the fashion statement; it’s about sending a message. There’s a lingering expectation that women must adhere to a certain body type and age gracefully—if at all. Deviating from these unspoken rules means opening oneself up to ridicule and criticism.
The Pressure of “Bikini-Ready” Bodies
Every summer, we hear about achieving that elusive “bikini body.” The implication is clear: only certain bodies are worthy of wearing a bikini, and if you don’t fit that mold, you should cover up. This fixation on the “bikini body” has led to an entire industry of fad diets, intense workout regimens, and wellness products marketed specifically toward women. The undercurrent here is that women must continually work to meet society’s physical standards, or else risk being deemed “unworthy” of participating in summer fun.
Age and the Bikini Double Standard
While the summer takedown photo-dump does occasionally feature men, the focus is overwhelmingly on women. Older male celebrities in swim trunks rarely face the same vitriol. A male celebrity can go gray, gain weight, or show signs of aging, and it’s largely accepted, even celebrated. But if a woman dares to age, especially in a bikini, the narrative shifts. The British media has a peculiar way of showcasing these women under the guise of admiration while subtly (or not-so-subtly) encouraging readers to sneer.
A 27-year-old woman had made a final promise to her father to protect her newborn twins from Hurricane Helene’s devastation. She sought refuge in her house with her sons, hoping they’d stay safe, but fate had other plans.
As Hurricane Helene swept through Georgia, it left a trail of destruction and claimed the lives of 33 people. Among them were one-month-old twin boys and their mother, Kobe Williams.
The twins, Khyzier and Khazmir, are the youngest known victims of Hurricane Helene, which had already caused significant devastation across the southeastern United States. Their deaths have become a heartbreaking reminder of the storm’s catastrophic force
Obie Williams, Kobe’s father, had spoken with his daughter just moments before tragedy struck. As the storm bore down on her home in Thomson, Georgia, Kobe reassured her father that she would follow his advice and take shelter in the bathroom with her infants.
She hoped it would be enough to protect them from the worst of the storm’s wrath. What followed would change the family’s life forever.
Kobe used to call her father daily, but that call was filled with concern on the day of the storm. Obie could hear the winds howling outside his daughter’s trailer and the branches of trees hitting the windows.
The storm had already caused massive destruction, but Kobe promised she’d follow his advice and stay with her babies in the bathroom.
After the call ended, Obie tried to reach out again a few minutes later, but Kobe didn’t answer. That’s when the family realized something was wrong.
It wasn’t until later that day that one of Kobe’s brothers managed to make his way to her home. He had to deal with fallen trees and downed power lines scattered across the roads.
What he found when he arrived was too devastating to put into words. A large tree had crashed through the roof of Kobe’s trailer, landing directly where she had sought shelter with her sons. The impact had crushed Kobe, who then fell on top of her babies. None of them survived.
In an instant, the storm had torn through the Williams family’s lives, leaving them devastated by the loss.
“I’d seen pictures when they were born and pictures every day since, but I hadn’t made it out there yet to meet them,” Obie spoke about his grandsons. “Now I’ll never get to meet my grandsons. It’s devastating.”
Hurricane Helene had already left a wake of destruction as it tore across Florida and continued into Georgia. By the time it reached Thomson, it had grown into a monstrous storm, with strong winds and torrential rain overwhelming the region.
According to Obie, Kobe had told the family that evacuating with her one-month-old babies wasn’t an option. Instead, she stayed in her trailer, hoping she and her babies would stay safe.
But Helene proved too powerful. The storm claimed more than 200 lives across Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, Virginia, and the Carolinas, leaving families devastated and communities torn apart.
Kobe, described by her father as strong, social, and always with a smile, had been well-loved by those who knew her.
Her dream of becoming a nursing assistant had been put on hold when she gave birth to her twins on August 20, but she was determined to continue her education. Now, those dreams have been cruelly cut short.
Obie and his family lived in Augusta, just 30 miles away from Kobe’s home. They found themselves trapped in the neighborhood for over a day after the storm caused devastation. The power lines were downed, utility poles cracked, and fallen trees and debris blocked roads.
As the Williams family prepares for the funeral, the weight of the loss is overwhelming. “That was my baby,” Obie said while talking about his daughter. “And everybody loved her.”
News of Kobe Williams and her twin sons’ tragic deaths has spread across social media, reaching countless people who have expressed their heartbreak over the loss.
Many netizens have shared their grief, reflecting on the devastating circumstances and offering prayers and support to the grieving family.
One commenter shared her raw emotion upon learning of the tragedy, “When I first heard of the deaths of this mom and her infants I broke down and cried!! We all know she was so very scared and was physically protecting her babies! She and her babies are now in the arms of Jesus! Prayers for all of her family as they deal with this loss! ”
Another mother expressed her sorrow, “This is heartbreaking. I can only imagine her panic as a mother myself. Being born and raised with our Texas crazy weather, I have always stayed awake during bad storms because I fear tornados and such.”
A third commenter echoed the sadness felt by many, writing, “That was very hard to read That poor family. That mama and her babies. Gosh why good people?!”
Hurricane Helene now ranks as one of the deadliest storms to strike the U.S. mainland in the last 70 years, becoming the most lethal storm since Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
A week earlier, Helene had made landfall near Perry, Florida, as a powerful Category 4 hurricane with sustained winds of around 140 mph. While its winds weakened as it moved inland, the storm’s torrential rainfall overwhelmed much of the Southeast, affecting an area over 500 miles wide.
As officials evaluate the full scale of destruction, emergency responders have been dispatched to aid the most severely affected and isolated regions. Meanwhile, relief funds are being set up to support the victims.
Authorities have cautioned against sending unsolicited donations or attempting to travel to the disaster zones, urging people to contribute through coordinated channels.
Scroll down to read about another woman who lost her life due to Hurricane Helene.
Hurricane Helene Casualty: School Teacher Set to Retire Dies, Chilling Last Moments Revealed
The death of a beloved teacher who lost her life as a result of Hurricane Helene has shaken the public to its core. Hurricane Helene wreaked havoc across U.S. states, making relief efforts challenging.
Donna Fagersten was just a few days shy of retiring when the second-grade teacher lost her life after her hometown of Indian Rocks Beach, Florida, was hit by Hurricane Helene. She was 66 and worked at Ponce De Leon Elementary School in Pinellas County — the barrier island that, reports say, was one of the areas hit hardest by the storm.
Fagersten’s close friends, Mike Moran and Heather Anne Boles, who revealed that the deceased educator had taught for 35 years, provided more context regarding how she died.
The late educator, who had a deep love for teaching children, her two sons, and her cat, lived across the street from Boles’ mom on the water.
Coming up with a safety plan as quickly as they could, Boles, who revealed how her family ended up losing all their possessions due to flooding, and Moran decided to evacuate their home immediately.
“The water came up so fast. It maybe had 10 minutes, if that,” she explained of how fast floodwaters continued to rise on Thursday evening, September 26.
Deciding to ride the storm out with Fagersten at Boles’ mother’s house, Boles, Moran, and their dearly missed friend rushed to their destination, going up to the third floor of the home. However, Fagersten then made a decision that ended up costing her her life.
“[When] it started to calm down, Donna wanted to go over and check on her cat,” revealed Boles. After she left and dangerous levels of storm surge plowed the coastline, a neighbor ran upstairs to alert Boles and Moran that he had seen someone floating in the parking garage. This person was Fagersten.
“[So] they pulled her up to the stairs, and Heather and Wayne started CPR,” recounted Moran of the life-changing moment. The group tried administering CPR for almost an hour before they realized Fagersten’s life could not be saved. At this point, the floodwaters were so high that fire rescue personnel had to come to them by boat.
Naturally, losing someone as close to them as Fagersten was has been devastating to reconcile. Her death is especially heartbreaking because Boles said Fagersten was such an integral part of their community.
Matthew filed for divorce from Anne when she couldn’t give him a son, but he still lived in their house. One day, she met Harry, an old friend from school, and eventually realized how much better she was without Matthew. Years later, Anne accidentally ran into her ex-husband and couldn’t recognize him.
“Oh my God! Harry! It’s so nice to see you!” Anne exclaimed when she accidentally stumbled into her old school friend on the street. She had left her five girls with her mother, a rare break for her, and wanted to get a cup of coffee on the streets of Seattle.
“Anne, it’s lovely to see you too! Hey, would you want to get some coffee and catch up?” Harry answered, and she nodded immediately. They went into the café and chit-chatted until Harry asked about her family.
“Oh… that’s actually a difficult subject,” she began.
“Well, raising five children is not easy for anyone,” Harry commented, knowing a bit of her from social media and such.
“Matthew? What are you doing here?” she asked, looking at his uniform and the pretzel tray. “Yeah, sure. That’s hard. But it’s more than that,” Anne continued. “Matthew changed after the birth of our twins. They’re 9 and they barely speak to their father. I think they’re scared of him.”
“I don’t understand,” Harry said.
“Matthew wanted a boy, and we hoped, but we had two beautiful girls instead. That’s why we got pregnant again and again, but we kept having girls. After our fifth daughter was born, Matthew became another man. He filed for divorce, and I don’t know what I’m going to do,” Anne explained about her husband, her hand wiping the sweat forming on her forehead.
“Wow. That’s rough. But think about this, you’ll be better off without him, right? I mean if he hasn’t been speaking to your eldest girls, then he couldn’t have been the best father to the rest. You already raised them on your own,” Harry encouraged. “And now that I’m in Seattle permanently, I could help. You could move in with me.”
Anne’s jaw dropped. She didn’t expect such an offer from Harry, especially since they had just met again after many years. But she knew back in school that he always had a huge crush on her. Still, that offer was too generous and kind. She couldn’t accept it. She changed the subject, and they talked about his successful life.
Meanwhile, things at her house got even worse over the next few weeks. They were divorcing, but Matthew still lived with her, acting like he was single, partying, making noise at odd hours, waking the girls, and being a menace to them.
Anne would talk to Harry all the time, and his offer still stood. But when Matthew decided to bring a girl over to their marital home, Anne was done. She called Harry, packed, and left the house with all the girls.
Their divorce got more complicated when she took Matthew to court to get their big house back. Despite her living in Harry’s house, her soon-to-be ex-husband didn’t deserve to keep their big home. The judge granted her every request based on Matthew’s horrible lifestyle and gave her full custody without question.
Eventually, she and Harry fell in love, and he bought an even bigger home for their family. When she and the girls moved in with him, she put her house up for rent and stopped thinking about Matthew for many years.
***
A year after marrying Harry, Anne had their son, Alan, who was the most beautiful boy in the world, and he had five big sisters adoring him at every moment. Anne couldn’t have been happier.
More time passed, and one day, she picked Alan up from preschool and decided to drop by the mall to buy him new shoes. The girls were busy with their extracurriculars, so it was only mother and son.
Anne never imagined she would run into Matthew there. He was working at the pretzel shop, in charge of distributing free samples at the mall, and Alan ran up to him asking for some.
“Alan, don’t run away from me like that,” she said to him before catching a glimpse of Matthew’s surprised eyes.
“Anne?”
“Matthew? What are you doing here?” she asked, looking at his uniform and the pretzel tray. It didn’t make sense. Matthew worked in an office as an executive. He earned a decent amount of money. He was required to pay tons in child support, but he never did, and Anne didn’t care. She had more than enough for her girls. But he wouldn’t be able to pay what was required with a minimum wage job at the mall.
“I’m working here,” he said and looked at the boy holding her with one hand and munching on a pretzel with the other. “Is this your son?”
“Yes, this is Alan,” Anne answered, feeling an intense pride that she had a son that wasn’t his. “He’s Harry’s kid.”
“Oh, nice to meet you, Alan,” Matthew said, looking down and giving the kid a weird look. Of course, it was not Anne’s fault that she gave birth to girls. The sperm determines the gender, and everyone knows that. But Matthew had decided to blame her for years and checked out of their marriage because he wanted a boy, as if gender was important at all.
Luckily, the girls now had an actual father figure, thanks to Harry, who loved them dearly from the first moment they met. They didn’t need him, and Anne never had to see him.
“Listen, Anne. I didn’t want to ask this now. I wanted to take you to coffee or something. But I’m desperate. I lost everything due to my lifestyle, and I was wondering if we could sell our old house,” Matthew asked, his head down in shame.
“Oh… well, it’s currently being rented. But I’ll think about it,” Anne said. “We have to go now. I’ll call you about the house.”
She grabbed Alan’s hand tightly and walked away from the man who didn’t know what he had thrown away. But she was going to be the bigger person. She sold the house and gave him half its worth, although legally, she could keep the entire thing. But something in her gut told her to do the right thing.
Eventually, Matthew asked to see the girls, but none of them wanted that. The twins were teenagers who grew to hate him, and the rest followed their big sisters’ footsteps. Matthew stopped asking about them and stopped calling after a while. They never saw him again. He wasn’t family.
What can we learn from this story?
Family is more than just DNA. Matthew didn’t want to be a father to his children, and Harry stepped up for the girls.
You might regret your actions. Matthew lost everything, including his high-paying job, and it was clear he regretted what he did, but he couldn’t take it back.
Share this story with your friends. It might brighten their day and inspire them.
George W. Bush is rejoicing in the expansion of his family!
The ex-President of the United States, at the age of 78, publicly declared the arrival of his latest grandson on social media.
Through a heartening Instagram post on Tuesday, August 6, Bush extended his warm wishes to his daughter, Barbara Pierce Bush, and her spouse, Craig Coyne, as they welcomed their second child.
George W. Bush captured alongside his daughters, Barbara and Jenna. Credit: Getty.
The duo, already parents to a 2-year-old daughter named Cora Georgia, embraced their son, Edward Finn, just a few days back.
In the heartwarming snapshot, Barbara and Craig can be seen cradling their newborn son in a hospital bed, their faces radiating with happiness as they lovingly look at their baby boy. In his caption, Bush expressed, “Edward Finn Coyne, welcome to the world. @laurawbush and I are joyous grandparents of our latest blessing, born on August 4 and affectionately named to honor his great-grandfathers. Congratulations to Barbara, Craig, and big sister Cora Georgia.”
The joyous update was initially disclosed by Barbara’s twin sibling, Jenna Bush Hager, on Monday, August 5. Jenna, who co-hosts the Today show, shared her elation of becoming an aunt once again via Instagram.
“A little prince was born to my sister and I fell deeply in love with Edward Finn! ,” Jenna, aged 42, captioned a series of snapshots capturing the precious moments post Edward’s birth. In one image, Jenna is feeding her new nephew, while another features Barbara cradling Edward as Jenna observes with respect. The third photo portrays Edward peacefully nestled in his mother’s arms.
Barbara Bush with her new family addition. Credit: Instagram.com
While Jenna did not share further particulars about her nephew’s birth, the photos illuminate the family’s elation. Noteworthy is Edward sporting a NYU Langone Health hat, as highlighted by Today.com, suggesting Barbara may have given birth at the distinguished New York City hospital.
This marks not the first instance George W. Bush and his partner, Laura, have expressed their thrill of becoming grandparents. Upon the birth of Barbara and Craig’s daughter, Cora, the former President and First Lady issued a joint message to celebrate the joyous news.
“With hearts brimming, @laurawbush and I are thrilled to unveil the birth of our new granddaughter. Barbara welcomed Cora Georgia Coyne on September 27, 2021, in Maine – not far from our familial abode where Barbara and Craig exchanged vows,” they disclosed in October 2021. “Cora is in good health and utterly charming, and we’re filled with pride and gratitude.”