Teenage years
The Lady in the Square
There was not a lot of joy in my hometown that day. I was a student, and I had to use the downtown core in order to earn some extra money for my studies. And it was a beautiful day in the city. The sun had hit us with more heat than we deserved, but I still had to dress fairly conservatively for my work (I was a runner at the library and would be brought to different floors to return and restack books, handle damaged material, and generally assure others that the library had no disturbances that did not require the security guards I never saw). That must have been the reason why there were so many conferences and meetings in our city. I knew vaguely of the gatherings at the convention centre and could see the people who huddled in the lobby of the hotel that was attached to the mall. But it had nothing to do with me or my work…or so I thought.
By Kendall Defoe 5 months ago in Confessions
Letters to a Stranger I Once Loved — Part 2
After days of holding Claire’s letters close like a secret treasure, I couldn’t shake the feeling that her story wasn’t finished. Something inside me urged me to find out what happened after those unsent words. Who was Claire, really? And did she ever find the stranger—or herself?
By Solene Hart5 months ago in Confessions
Letters to a Stranger I Once Loved #1
When I found the old box in the attic, I wasn’t expecting much. It was tucked behind some dusty photo albums, wrapped in a faded blue ribbon. The box looked like it hadn’t been opened in decades, and I hesitated before lifting the lid. Inside were dozens of letters, each tied together with string. On the top, in neat handwriting, was a note: To the stranger I once loved.
By Solene Hart5 months ago in Confessions
Life’s Messes Are Where the Magic Hides
Introduction: The Illusion of Perfection We spend so much of our lives chasing something impossible—perfection. The perfect job. The perfect body. The perfect relationship. The perfect home. Social media only fuels the fire, showing us curated highlight reels that make us feel like our messy, complicated lives aren’t good enough.
By Nadeem Shah 5 months ago in Confessions
Your Biggest Teacher Will Always Be Pain
Introduction: The Lesson Nobody Wants If life were a classroom, then pain would be the teacher nobody wants to sit with. It’s harsh, relentless, and it never asks permission before showing up. Unlike joy, which feels like a celebration, pain feels like punishment. Yet when we look back, we realize something surprising: pain has been our greatest teacher all along.
By Nadeem Shah 5 months ago in Confessions
The Night Brandon Swanson Vanished: America’s Enduring Mystery
Who Was Brandon Swanson? Brandon Swanson, a vibrant 19-year-old college student from Marshall, Minnesota, was the kind of young man who radiated warmth and optimism. Known for his infectious cheerfulness, a deep love for adventure, and an unshakeable bond with his family, Brandon had a future brimming with possibility. His friends remember him as a responsible yet fun-loving individual, always ready to share a laugh, lend a helping hand, or embark on a new outdoor exploration. He dreamed of building a life filled with purpose and joy, embodying the spirit of youth and hope.
By Amanullah5 months ago in Confessions
When Love Wasn’t Enough — But Still Everything
I never believed in “right person, wrong time” — not until I lived it. We met during a season of chaos. My life was a blur of unfinished healing and unspoken pain. He was focused, driven, but quietly tired — tired of expectations, tired of always doing what was right instead of what he truly wanted. Neither of us was looking for love. But love, as I’ve come to learn, doesn’t wait for your permission. It simply arrives.
By Nadeem Shah 5 months ago in Confessions
The Last Message in a Bottle
The storm had passed, leaving behind a bruised sky and a restless sea. Sand clung to my boots as I walked along the shore, scanning the debris scattered by the tide—broken shells, tangled seaweed, and the occasional piece of driftwood.
By Hubaib ullah5 months ago in Confessions
Remembering Summer of 1967. Content Warning.
MAGA are building unwed mother's home again as they killed Roe vs. Wade. This is terrifying. I this from my heart and from my experience in the summer of 1967. My parents were conservative one day and liberal the next day. Watch the video. I worked 9 hours on this project.
By Vicki Lawana Trusselli 5 months ago in Confessions
My Grandma’s Secret Life as a Cold War Spy
The Grandma I Thought I Knew Growing up, my grandmother was my anchor. Her little kitchen smelled like cinnamon and safety. Light streamed through lace curtains, catching dust motes in midair like tiny floating stars. Her hugs weren’t just embraces—they were shields, the kind that could melt away a bad day before I could even explain what had happened.
By LUNA EDITH5 months ago in Confessions
