That all changed in the summer of 1941, when the Second World War hit our snowy streets. Slowly, food became a luxury...

We were Turkish, and like the other Turkish families in Germany, my sister and I were taught to be responsible and helpful...

Growing up in the 1980s, we spent our days running off with neighborhood friends, only returning home when the hum of the streetlights ...

It’s crazy to look back on my life and see that I went from a nun candidate to a mother of five. For years, I wondered why...

Growing up, my mom was always the one I talked to. Then, she passed away when I was only thirteen...

My family got smaller when I was 12 after my dad became suddenly ill. He was rushed to hospital and died four months later...

When I was six years old, I sat in a chair and pretended to nurse my dolls. I was very conscientious with them as I cared for their...

From an early age, I showed an interest in becoming a police officer, or rather, I became interested in adventure and excitement...

As we built our life together, I was excited to learn that I was pregnant in July of 1990. Dreams of whether I’d be buying blue or pink...

As a little girl, I observed the life of my mother and vowed to be different. Better. More intentional. I promised myself that I would...

All of us have been given a purpose—I believe it. Finding it is the challenge, and once finding it, taking the risks necessary to fulfill...

There were strict rules, which included the expectation to live chaste and obedient lives. Because of these teachings, I grew up thinking...

At 100 years old, I’ve roamed the earth longer than many. I watched the Prohibition, Elvis Presley, and over a dozen presidents come and...

Sometimes our plans are not “our” plans. Life has a funny way of showing you that. Buckle up, because you’re in for a wild story...

. My mom moved us to Detroit, Michigan where she later married her second husband, a man who, unfortunately, would beat her...

I was born in 1987 and grew up in Asaba, Delta State, Nigeria with a younger sister and hard-working, loving parents who encouraged me...

Do you ever reflect on a decision you made and realize it unknowingly changed the direction of your entire life? 1950 was that year...

My dad was always in my peripheral vision, but as a busy musician, he never really stayed long enough for me or my older sister to get...

It was a great a place to grow up in the 80s. It is where I have all my childhood memories, where I met my husband, and where we go to...

Most living things remain what they were at birth, however, a butterfly was once a caterpillar, and at the risk of waxing poetic, I...