#FamilyFirst"

[gaybaseball-fan]

[marksmusingsuk]

The Importance of Family: My Lifelong Pillars of Strength

Family isn’t just about blood—it’s about the people who stand by you, shape you, and lift you when you feel like falling. I’ve been incredibly lucky to have a family that has done just that. Through the best moments and the hardest times, they’ve been my foundation, my teachers, and my inspiration.

But family isn’t always defined by genetics. Sometimes, it’s the people we meet along the way who become just as important. My journey has been filled with incredible people who have helped me through life’s challenges—some by birth, and others by choice.

If I had to name one person who sparked my passion for music, it would be my Uncle Bern. He didn’t just introduce me to great music—he opened up a whole world for me, a world where emotions could be expressed through melody and lyrics, where pain and joy could be translated into something powerful. He got me my first guitar, a gift that turned out to be much more than just an instrument. That guitar became my voice when words failed me, my escape when life felt overwhelming, and my way of expressing things I couldn’t say out loud. But it wasn’t just the music itself—Uncle Bern taught me the value of passion, of following what moves you, of using creativity to process life’s experiences. Beyond music, he’s always been a role model—someone who lives with integrity, kindness, and an undeniable love for the things that make life special. He’s more than just my uncle; he’s been a mentor, a friend, and a lifelong inspiration.

Losing my mum was the hardest thing I’ve ever faced. No words can truly capture the weight of that kind of loss, the way it leaves a permanent mark on your heart. But in those moments of grief, there are people who step forward, who become the steady presence you need to get through each day. For me, that person was Uncle Keith. He was there when I felt lost, offering a kind of support that words can’t fully describe. He didn’t just tell me it would be alright—he showed up, time and time again, making sure I never had to carry the weight of that pain alone. His strength became my strength, and his presence reminded me that even in the deepest sorrow, I wasn’t alone. Grief never truly disappears, but having someone like Uncle Keith by my side made it more bearable. He reminded me that love doesn’t fade, that family is there to hold you up when you feel like collapsing, and that even in the darkest moments, there’s always someone willing to walk through it with you.

When my mum passed away, there was an emptiness that felt impossible to fill. But my Nan, with all her love and wisdom, stepped in and took on a role that few could. She became my mother figure, offering guidance, support, and unconditional love when I needed it most. It takes incredible strength to step up in that way, to provide comfort when you yourself are grieving. Yet, she did it without hesitation. She was there to remind me that even though life had taken something so precious from me, it had also given me someone who would always be in my corner. Nan has taught me so much—about resilience, about kindness, about the importance of family. Her love has been a constant in my life, a reminder that even in loss, there are still people who will hold you close and help you find your way.

Through everything, my dad and Jane have been my steady foundation. They’ve been there through every challenge, every victory, every heartbreak, and every moment of uncertainty. Some people go through life without that kind of unwavering support, but I’ve never had to wonder if I was alone. Dad and Jane have always been there—whether it was through their guidance, their love, or simply their presence. They’ve taught me about resilience, about the importance of standing by the people you love, and about the kind of strength that doesn’t always have to be loud but is always there when you need it. No matter where life takes me, I know I can always turn to them.

Family doesn’t always mean blood relations. Sometimes, it’s the people you meet in life who become just as important. That’s exactly what my Holbrooks Community Care Association (HCCA) family has been for me—a pillar of strength, support, and encouragement when I needed it most. Life can be tough, and there are moments when you feel like you’re carrying the weight of the world alone. But the people I’ve met through HCCA have shown me that no one has to go through it alone. Whether it’s through a shared laugh, a conversation when things feel overwhelming, or just knowing that someone is there to listen, this community has become an essential part of my journey. They’ve lifted me up during difficult times, reminded me of my worth, and given me a sense of belonging that goes beyond just being part of an organisation—it’s family. The friendships I’ve built here are invaluable, and I’ll always be grateful for the support and kindness I’ve found within this community.

Family isn’t always about shared blood—it’s about shared lives, shared struggles, and the people who stand beside you no matter what. In my heart, Geordie is my brother. We’ve pulled each other through some incredibly dark times, and I know without a doubt that we always will. No matter what life throws at us, we have each other—through the highs, the lows, the laughter, and the moments when words aren’t enough.

Beyond the struggles, we’ve made some of the best memories together, creating music that means something, music that has been both an escape and a way to say what we couldn’t put into words. The songs we’ve written, the moments we’ve shared—they’re a testament to everything we’ve been through and everything we’ve overcome. And may that never change. May we keep making music, keep creating memories, and keep standing by each other through it all, until we’re old and decrepit, still laughing, still playing, and still knowing that whatever happens, we are and always will be brothers.

Life is unpredictable. It can be beautiful, it can be painful, and it can change in an instant. But through it all, family—whether by blood or by choice—is what grounds us. My family has shaped me in ways I’ll never fully be able to express. They’ve given me the gift of music, the strength to endure loss, the comfort of unconditional love, and the knowledge that no matter what happens, I am never alone.

To Uncle Bern, Uncle Keith, Nan, Dad, Jane, Geordie, and my HCCA family—thank you. Thank you for being my inspiration, my support, my strength. Thank you for showing me what family truly means.

I wouldn’t be who I am without you.

[alainamama17]

Yes, I know this is a Christmas ad Chevrolet did (I believe for Christmas 2023), but its sentiment transcends the season. Sometimes, the greatest gift we can give is simply being present with the ones we love. This beautiful reminder encourages us to cherish every moment—because time is precious, even when our loved ones are still with us.

[cchautocar]

He still drove the car from when they got married. She never complained. He got the BYD Song L SUV — Not to impress, but to care. ❤️

[viralvisionscreating]

Let’s celebrate all the amazing moms out there – not just today, but every day! Happy Motchers Day to every loving, caring, and strong woman who makes the world a better place. 💐💖

[theyuniversity]

🌸 Happy Mother’s Day 🌸

Today we celebrate the women who give us unconditional love, strength, and wisdom. Whether you’re a mom, have one, miss one, or are one in spirit, today is for you. 💐 Thank you for the early mornings, the late nights, the words of encouragement, the quiet sacrifices, and the fierce love that carries us forward. Tag a mom you love. Hug the one beside you. And if yours is watching from above, carry her light with you always. 💖

Website | Twitter | Instagram | Medium | Pinterest

[firebird7479]

NOW ON Wattpad!

The stakes are higher than ever in Volume 6: Getting Heat, Chapter 1 as Bobby Champion faces new challenges both in and out of the ring. The tension is palpable, the drama is intense, and the action is relentless.

"Can you take him?"

Screaming Eagle’s voice was low, his eyes locked on Bobby.

"I think so," Bobby replied, his jaw set.

"Real punches, Bobby," Tank Sherman warned. "Real punches."

Screaming Eagle’s final words cut deep: "If this idiot beats you, don’t show up tonight."

January 1984. The wrestling circuit is in full swing, and Bobby Champion is back in Atlantic City—the place where he once reigned as a high school wrestling legend. But this time, it’s not just about glory. It’s about survival. Forced to share the road, the ring, and even the gym with his rival, Jimmy Paul, Bobby must navigate a simmering rivalry that threatens to boil over at any moment.

When a gym confrontation with a steroid-fueled hothead spirals out of control, Bobby finds himself in a real fight—one that could jeopardize his career. With Screaming Eagle and Tank Sherman watching closely, Bobby has to prove he’s more than just a pretty boy. But the drama doesn’t stop there.

Backstage, tensions are at an all-time high. Sandra, the promoter and Bobby’s boss, is still reeling from a heated incident with Bobby just a week prior. Her icy demeanor and piercing glares make it clear that the wounds are still fresh. When Bobby’s wife, Jennifer, and son, Nick, arrive at the arena, Sandra’s cold reception only adds fuel to the fire.

[harmonyhealinghub]

Second Chances Shaina Tranquilino November 3, 2024

Jack had always lived life in the fast lane. He was successful in his career, relentlessly ambitious, and driven by the need to prove himself. Friends, family, the simple joys—they all came second to the next big deal, the next milestone. He’d never stopped to consider what he might miss if he lost it all.

Then, one foggy morning, everything changed.

The memory of the accident was hazy—a car spinning out of control, the crush of metal, the sound of sirens. Jack had spent weeks in the hospital, drifting in and out of consciousness, cocooned in pain and regret. His body was healing, but it was his heart that had changed the most.

During those quiet, sterile nights, he felt something stirring deep within him. Faces he hadn’t thought about in years came to mind, their expressions softened with smiles. He recalled Sunday dinners at his mother’s house, the warmth of his father’s hand on his shoulder, his brother's infectious laugh. He thought of his friend Danny, who had called countless times only to receive a short, hurried response. And he thought of Sarah, the love he’d let slip away because he hadn’t had the time to nurture it.

When he finally went home, everything felt different. The walls of his spacious apartment seemed colder, emptier. It was as though he could see his life in two versions: the one he’d been living, and the one he could have lived had he cared more for the people who had loved him without condition.

The first call he made was to his mom. She answered on the first ring, her voice shaky with relief. They spoke for hours. She told him how she’d prayed for him every night and how, no matter how many times he brushed her off, she’d never stopped hoping he’d come back to them.

Next, he visited Danny, his best friend from college. They met at a small café they used to love. As they sat across from each other, Jack felt the weight of all the canceled plans, all the unreturned messages. But Danny just grinned, his eyes warm. "Took you long enough," he joked, clapping Jack on the shoulder. They talked like no time had passed, picking up where they’d left off. And for the first time in years, Jack laughed—really laughed.

Finally, he reached out to Sarah. She was hesitant, guarded. She had a right to be. But she listened, and he could see the hurt softening as he apologized for the countless times he’d put work before her. They took it slow, meeting a few times for coffee. Jack knew it would take more than a few dates to mend what he’d broken, but he was willing to try.

Over time, Jack found himself savouring the moments he’d once overlooked. Cooking with his mom, a lazy afternoon on his dad’s porch, laughing with Danny over memories of their younger selves, the warmth in Sarah’s eyes as they rebuilt their connection. These were no longer interruptions in his life—they were his life.

The accident had changed Jack. He’d been given a second chance, and he was determined to make it count. Now, each day felt like a gift, each relationship like a blessing. Life was slower, softer, but it was fuller than he had ever dreamed.

And for the first time, Jack felt that he was truly living.

[ismark-kolyanovich-2]

"Every day, I fight for the safety of my sister, and for the hope of Barovia’s future. My father’s legacy will not be forgotten."

[haydeelopez32]

Embrace your true self, cultivate a positive attitude, and appreciate your life. 🫶

[gaybaseball-fan]

Ok! My gifs on tenor say “1,000,000 shares” soooo you can also download. It means more than a million people saved my work in their phones!!! P.S. the cat really gets down with her sister.

[astramari1212]

Unshackled

We hear it all the time, that we are our own great wall— yet there we are, distracted, hearts half-torn by waves of doubt. Yes, we know the route to walk, know the way to rise and break, but in the ache of an untended spirit how easy to falter, to sway from the purpose we so dearly dream to reach.

There will always be brighter lights, some casting shadows, others blurred, yet in the mix of better and worse there will always be a space— my space, carved by resilience and unyielding hands.

For I’ve learned my greatest battles, held my weakest hours close. And though there were times my home felt lost, a battlefield of “if only,” I came away with my truest treasures: two hearts that beat my name in hope, two reasons to walk forward, strong.

My home is not pristine now, for my time is split— between work that pulls me upward, studies that plant roots anew, and fleeting, cherished laughter I build with my children.

To them, I give the hours that matter, and for the rest? I build a life I’ll stand proud to own. A messy house, a life unbound, I claim my journey now unshackled, my eyes set on horizons clear.

[echoesofphilip]

Never allow the family you come from to destroy the family that comes from you.

[inyourheartofhearts]

���

[edersondeaquarian]

Saturday, July 8, 2023 @ 09:30 pm

Tonight, my emotions were at an all-time low, overwhelming and consuming every fiber of my being. In that very moment, I found solace in the embrace of my father. I clung onto him so tightly; a desperate attempt to gain some semblance of comfort. But as the tears flowed uncontrollably, I realized that there are times when words fail to fully express the pain that engulfs one's soul. My father's presence and the warmth of his embrace served as a balm to my wounded heart, a gentle reminder that sometimes, it is okay to surrender to vulnerability and release the weight of our burdens through tears.

[scottlongmodernwoodsmen]

Secure Your Legacy !

VISIT: https://reps.modernwoodmen.org/slong today!