BREWED THOUGHTS
 

If you’d asked me how I thought leaving the military would feel, I would have painted a picture of anticipation—maybe a little anxiety, but mostly excitement for the wide-open possibilities of civilian life. I talk about it often, especially with fellow veterans, tossing around the phrase “the quiet of civilian life”. The military does its best to prepare us—there are transition classes, out-processing checklists, a few counseling sessions if you’re lucky. But if you leave ab

I’m often asked how I can be so happy — smiling all the time. For me, it’s simple. Through every struggle and every triumph, I have one person in my life who keeps me going. Who’s that, you ask? My LORD and SAVIOUR, JESUS CHRIST. He has been with me through everything. From removing me from an unhealthy situation as a child and placing me into the right family through DCS (Department of Children Services), to every surgery I had to undergo because of the third-degree chemical

Caregiving is not for the weak. It’s exhausting. It’s emotional. And it’s often invisible. But it’s also filled with deep love, quiet strength, and moments of laughter I’ll carry with me forever. My name is Kimberly, and I am the caregiver for my mom, Annette. Being a caregiver for my 88-year-old mother who is battling dementia, legally blind, and bedridden is a truly unique and rewarding journey. Each day presents its own set of challenges and triumphs, and I've learned to a