Childhood
My Story of Growing Up Invisible: Their Needs Always Came First
When you're raised in a home where your parents' needs are always the priority, you learn quickly how to disappear. You adapt, you accommodate, and eventually, you forget what it even feels like to want something for yourself. That was when I was young. A life lived in the shadows so that others could shine. We seemed like a functioning family from the outside. My parents were educated, respected, and active in the community. They maintained steady employment and attended every school function, parent-teacher conference, and neighborhood barbecue. But behind closed doors, the dynamic was starkly different. Love in our house was conditional—granted only when you served a purpose, fulfilled an expectation, or validated their sense of self.
By MD Tarek Aziz 9 months ago in Confessions
I wish I had cut my friends earlier
I owe my success to the people around me, but when it comes to giving credit to my friends, that’s a little more complicated. The way they sabotaged my growth didn’t hit me until I took a step back and noticed the pattern. At first, it led me to loneliness — but it also gave me the space to reconnect with the people who truly mattered and helped me reach milestones I once thought were out of my reach.
By Echo Vonn9 months ago in Confessions
The Last Time I Spoke to My Grandfather
Some people leave the world without saying a word. Others leave echoes. My grandfather was the echo kind. I didn't plan to talk to him last time. It lacked drama or poetry. There was no cinematic farewell and no swelling music in the background. Just a moment that felt ordinary at the time, but became sacred in hindsight.
By MD Tarek Aziz 9 months ago in Confessions
Marshmallow Eggs
For most of those who live in the Western Hemisphere, it's that time of year again. If you're a practicing Christian, it isn't hard to imagine what your morning today must have looked like: rising from bed early, donning the best of your Sunday best, and heading off to church with a song on your lips, praising the living Christ. For many of us who grew up in a Christian household, Easter isn't just an important tradition we've kept from our childhoods. At least, not to me.
By Natalie Gray9 months ago in Confessions
I Found a Breakup Letter in My Coat Pocket — and It Was Addressed to Me
It had been almost a year since we ended things. No big fight. No dramatic walkout. Just silence. A slow fade-out. Like a movie you keep watching, even when the credits are already rolling.
By Ishaq Ahmadzai 9 months ago in Confessions
Attacks continue despite Putin's 'Easter truce' pledge, Zelensky says
Volodymyr Zelensky, the president of Ukraine, has accused Russia of creating the "impression" of a ceasefire while continuing to use military force in some areas of Ukraine. Zelensky stated that Russian forces had engaged in 387 shellings, 19 assaults, and the use of drones 290 times during the first six hours of the "Easter truce," which was mandated by Russian President Vladimir Putin. There are no casualties reported. From 18:00 Moscow time (6:00 BST) on Saturday to midnight on Sunday, Putin instructed his troops to "stop all military activity" in Ukraine. Kyiv stated it would adhere as well. According to the BBC in Ukraine, things have been quieter on the front lines. Despite the fact that Putin's ceasefire was announced minutes before it was supposed to take effect, there has been less noise. At midnight on Saturday, there were no reports of Russian drones or fighter jets in the Ukrainian skies before Zelensky stated that there had been ongoing attacks in some areas. That rarely happens. The only information that surfaced was that a Russian ship equipped with missile launchers had been sent to the Black Sea. It was still in the southern city of Odesa. Prior to Moscow's announcement on Friday, Russian drones flew in from the direction of occupied Crimea, making air defenses crackle throughout the night. Moscow was "trying to create a general impression of a ceasefire, but in some places it does not abandon individual attempts to advance and inflict losses on Ukraine," according to Zelensky on Sunday morning. Zelensky added, "everywhere our warriors are responding as the enemy deserves, based on the specific combat situation," while accusing Russia of specific military actions. "If Russia is now suddenly ready to truly engage in a format of full and unconditional silence, Ukraine will act accordingly - mirroring Russia's actions," Zelensky had stated late on Saturday, hours into the truce. "Our actions are symmetrical and will be. "The response to the proposal for a complete and unconditional 30-day silence must come from Moscow," he wrote on X. Zelensky stated that Ukraine would be prepared to extend a truce beyond April 20, appearing to be referring to Ukraine's acceptance of a 30-day ceasefire proposal from the United States. Now it appears that both Kiev and Moscow want to demonstrate to Washington that they are serious about peace. Any possible path to peace hinges on whether the Kremlin accepts Zelensky's offer to extend the truce from 30 hours to 30 days. That doesn't even cross the minds of many Ukrainians. During a meeting with Valery Gerasimov, Putin's chief of general staff, the temporary truce was made public. "The Russian side announces an Easter truce on the basis of humanitarian considerations." "I command the cessation of all military operations during this time," Putin told Gerasimov. "We assume that Ukraine will follow our example. At the same time, our troops ought to be prepared to retaliate against any aggressive actions, provocation by the enemy, or potential breaches of the truce." The Russian defense ministry stated that the ceasefire would be adhered to by its troops if Ukraine "mutually respected" it. It is not the first time that fighting has stopped suddenly. In January 2023, during Orthodox Christmas, an earlier attempt at a ceasefire failed because neither side could come up with a plan. "Now is the moment for Putin to truly show he is serious about peace by ending his horrible invasion and committing to a full ceasefire, as the Ukrainian government has called for - not just a one day pause for Easter," a British Foreign Office spokesman said in response to Putin's truce announcement.
By Rk konok9 months ago in Confessions
The Dangerous Lover
(Dark Romance - Part 7) "This is what true love really is, Neela. This is what a sacred relationship looks like. The fact that you still feel this way proves that you were truly Shraban's wife. And from what I’ve seen, that boy loves you madly," said Neela’s mother.
By Sabiha Sums9 months ago in Confessions
Journey Becomeing You
Becoming the Best Version of Yourself: The Journey of Becoming You It all began on a rainy Tuesday. Jason sat in his car outside the office, engine off, windshield wipers squeaking across glass that didn’t need wiping anymore. He stared at the steering wheel like it held answers. His fingers gripped it loosely, not out of stress, but confusion. Exhaustion. A hollow kind of questioning.
By Gabriela Tone9 months ago in Confessions
The Things We Bow To
"The Things We Bow To" — A Story About Idolatry Long ago, in a sun-scorched land, temples towered over the hills like monuments to forgotten truths. People came from all directions—merchants, mothers, shepherds, soldiers—each bringing something to offer. They laid their sacrifices before carved statues with eyes that never blinked and mouths that never spoke. Some were made of gold, others of wood or stone, each one shaped to represent power, beauty, love, or strength.
By Gabriela Tone10 months ago in Confessions
