The four-person crew surpassed the record distance from Earth of 248,655 miles—a mark that had stood since the Apollo 13 mission set it in 1970. 

That same day, the crew discovered two unnamed, relatively fresh craters on the lunar surface during their historic flyby.

The Artemis II crew—Commander Reid Wiseman, Mission Pilot Victor Glover, Crew Specialist Christina Hammock Koch and Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen—proposed names for both newly identified craters, though the designations are not yet official. 

Proposals must be formally submitted to the International Astronomical Union (IAU), the governing body for naming celestial bodies and their surface features, after the mission concludes.

Carroll Crater: A bright spot on the moon

The first crater sits between the craters Orientale and Ohm on the far side of the moon. The crew proposed naming it Integrity, after their spacecraft.

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The second crater carries a more personal significance. Located near the boundary of the far side of the moon, it was proposed to be named Carroll in honor of Carroll Wiseman, the late wife of Reid Wiseman. 

The Carroll crater is visible from Earth during certain times of the lunar cycle—a detail that became central to the emotional moment aboard the spacecraft.

“If you want to find this one, you look at Glushko, and it’s just to the northwest of that, at the same latitude as Ohm, and it’s a bright spot on the Moon. And we would like to call it Carroll,” Hansen said in the announcement.

Artemis II crew share group hug aboard the spacecraft 

Hansen, who was visibly emotional over the radio, announced the Carroll crater naming on April 6. 

In his remarks, Hansen provided specific coordinates relative to well-known lunar features, offering fellow observers a way to locate the crater:

“A number of years ago, we started this journey in our close-knit astronaut family and we lost a loved one. And there is a feature in a really neat place on the Moon, and it is on the nearside/farside boundary,” he said of the crater.

“In fact, it’s just on the nearside of that boundary, and so at certain times of the Moon’s transit around Earth, we will be able to see this from Earth,” he added. 

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Wiseman wiped tears as Hansen spoke, then placed his hand on Hansen’s shoulder. All four crew members shared a group hug shortly after. The moment was captured in a video posted to NASA’s Instagram account.

Carroll Wiseman was a NICU and pediatric nurse

Carroll Taylor Wiseman was born in Virginia Beach, Virginia, and graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University as a pediatric nurse practitioner. 

She dedicated her career to working as a newborn intensive care unit (NICU) registered nurse, serving at Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters in Norfolk, Virginia. 

She also worked as a school nurse in Patuxent River, Maryland and Friendswood, Texas, near NASA.

Carroll Wiseman died on May 17, 2020, at age 46 after a five-year battle with cancer, according to her obituary. 

She was survived by husband Reid, daughters Katey and Ellie, her parents, a brother, a sister and seven nieces and nephews.

Reid Wiseman dedicates lunar flyby to his two daughters

Reid Wiseman was 44 years old when he lost his wife. He has been a single father to his two daughters since Carroll’s passing—something he describes as his “greatest challenge and most rewarding phase of life.”

Just before the mission launched, he shared a selfie on Instagram with his now-teenage daughters and the spacecraft, writing “I’m boarding that rocket a very proud father.”

Life

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He also revealed that he spoke to his daughters about death in case things go wrong during the mission. 

“I told them, ‘Here’s where the will is, here’s where the trust documents are, and if anything happens to me, here’s what’s going to happen to you,” Wiseman said, per Daily Mail.

“I actually wish more people in everyday life talked to their families in that way because you never know what the next day is going to bring,” he added.

How the sisters discovered Home Depot Kids Workshops

It all started with an idea from the twins’ dad, Gabriel Marzonie, back in 2014 when the girls were toddlers. He needed to get the kids out of the house and was looking for an activity one October weekend. That’s when he stumbled upon a Home Depot Kids Workshop.

The dad remembers that first workshop vividly. “Our twin girls were immediately captivated by the hands-on pine-wood craft and the experience began a weekend tradition that has enriched our lives ever since.”

Why the girls kept coming back month after month

What followed became monthly “daddy-daughter Home Depot days.” And since their mom, Amy, is an engineer, they knew from day one that girls could do and build anything.

What started as a fun habit became a remarkable visual timeline through pictures over the years, says Gabriel. “You can literally watch them grow up across the workbench, from toddlers barely able to hold a hammer to young girls confidently leading their own projects.”

A monthly tradition that became a family legacy

The sisters made attending these workshops a priority in their busy lives, navigating vacation schedules and swim meets. Even during COVID, the tradition continued as the family picked up kits curbside and assembled them at home. “If it was the first Saturday of the month, that meant we were going. Sometimes that meant finding a Home Depot in whatever town we happened to be visiting that weekend,” shares Gabriel.

The favorite DIY projects that stood the test of time

Mailboxes, games, cars? What build-it crafts stood out over the years? “I had two favorite projects,” shares Finley. “The snow globe was special because it was the very last project I did. I liked it because it reminds me of all the Home Depot memories just inside of one small project.” Another favorite was the treasure chest. Finley adds, “I still use my treasure chest for jewelry and small trinkets.”

Quinn has her own answer. “I liked the white board. We used it in our playroom. I write little notes on it and leave it on my dresser.”

How they celebrated their amazing achievement

Finley says, “I can’t believe we finally hit 100, but I am proud we have new tricks and skills to show for it.”

How did they honor the big day? “There was a big party and we got to invite all of our friends and family to our house after we finished the project,” Quinn remembers. “Home Depot got me and Finley each a huge sheet cake with our names written in the frosting. The celebration was fun, but the build felt special knowing that would be my last time at the Kids Workshop.”

The celebration included one more special reveal. Quinn adds, “One surprise at the very end was a toolbox that our dad gave us when we finished 100 projects. Inside were all the tools we might need to do projects—pliers, screwdriver sets, bits, levels, tape measure, flashlight, knife and more.” She adds, “Eventually, I plan to take my toolbox to college to build furniture and fix stuff in my dorm and apartment.”

Home Depot also highlighted the girls’ achievement on social media, inspiring other families to start their own workshop traditions.

The surprising life lessons learned through hammers and nails

The 10-year journey became a masterclass in problem-solving. “I learned more than just building projects. I learned about being creative,” shares Finley. She quips, “I learned the difference between a flathead and Phillips.”

Quinn says, “One surprising thing I learned was patience, because sometimes a build didn’t go as planned so I had to use many skills to start over and try again. I learned how to read building instructions thoroughly.” She adds, “I feel great knowing that I can do anything if I try hard and do my best.”

Skills and memories that will last a lifetime

Reflecting on the completed 100 workshops, Gabriel says, “I am not sure they fully appreciate what those Saturdays represent yet…Hopefully they will see what I see now. Sometimes the most meaningful traditions are not the big milestones, but the small things you keep showing up for over time.”

As a visual reminder, the kids’ orange Home Depot work aprons—bedazzled with “I did it!” pins—are displayed prominently in their home, like jerseys of retired all-star athletes. Quinn says, “Our dad hung our aprons, signed by the CEO of Home Depot, in a frame.”

“If our story encourages even a few more parents to spend an hour building something with their kids and inspires a few more girls to realize they are capable of doing things for themselves, then we will feel like we helped carry forward the spirit of what this program represents,” says Gabriel.

How to join Home Depot Kids Workshops in your area

Inspired by the sisters’ journey? You can start your own family tradition today—and it won’t cost you a penny. Visit your local Home Depot the first Saturday of each month. The free drop-in workshops are typically held between 9 AM and 12 PM. The build-it kits are available until supplies run out, so it’s smart to register in advance online through the Home Depot site. Check out the 2026 lineup to build your own farm planter and keepsake box. Who knows? Ten years from now, you might be celebrating your own 100-project milestone!

How to sign up for free Home Depot Kids Workshops

These free in-store workshops are held the first Saturday of every month, typically between 9 AM and 12 PM (though you’ll want to check your local store for specific times and details). Ready to sign up? Store staff recommend registering in advance online through the Home Depot website. The registration window opens on the Monday after each workshop. The build-it kits are available on a first-come, first-serve basis, so registering early is a good idea. And keep in mind that programs can vary from location to location.

The workshops are geared for kids ages 5 to 12, but there are no strict age requirements—younger siblings are welcome to join in the fun. Adult help is welcome and store staff is always on hand to answer questions or provide assistance.

What your kids get at these free monthly workshops

Kids not only receive the free supplies to build their kits, they often earn orange Home Depot work aprons, certificates and themed project pins. The most exciting part? Fans of the workshops love earning special “I Did It!” pins for completing certain milestones such as their 1st, 10th, 50th, 75th and 100th builds.

Home Depot Kids Workshop 2026

So far this year kids have enjoyed building adorable mailboxes and clever leprechaun traps. But the fun is just getting started. Don’t miss out on future events. Here’s the exciting project lineup for the rest of 2026. Mark your calendar for…

• April 2026: Farm Planter (perfect for spring)
• May 2026: Keepsake Box (sweet for Mother’s Day)
• June 2026: Soccer Goalie Game (get outside and play)
• July 2026: Go Cart (summer fun ramps up)
• August 2026: Rocket Game (blast off with learning)
• September 2026: Bus Organizer (get back-to-school ready)
• October 2026: Witch Candy Box (spooky Halloween holder)
• November 2026: Dump Truck and Christmas Car (double workshop month!)
• December 2026: Holiday Train (festive decor or gift)
• Looking ahead… January 2027: Claw Machine (try your luck in the new year)

Why parents love these workshops

For years, these free build-it workshops have been creating precious family memories across the country. Just ask the parents who’ve made them a beloved tradition. New Jersey mom Katey DiStefano shares, “When my kids were little they used to go with my parents. It’s such a great grandparent activity.”

And talk about dedication! Michigan-based twins Finley and Quinn Marzonie (now 12-year-olds) hit the amazing milestone of completing 100 Home Depot workshops, attending the free kids DIY events over 10 years. Their proud dad Gabriel Marzonie cheers, “Here’s to empowering girls in the DIY space!” He adds, “It is a reminder that meaningful traditions do not have to be complicated or expensive.”

The life-changing skills kids gain from these DIY workshops

Kids learn so much more than the basics of following instructions and using tools at the drop-in events. “While the workshops cost nothing financially, the return in confidence, practical skills and independence is something that really can’t be measured,” Gabriel explains. “Finley and Quinn now approach challenges with a simple mindset. Try it. Learn from it. Try again if needed. That mindset will serve them long after the crafts are gone.”

Hammering home the inspirational message, Gabriel says, “Confidence often begins with something very small. In our case, it was a simple wooden craft on a Saturday morning.” Sounds like the blueprint for lifelong success!

Home Depot workshop facts at-a-glance

• Cost: Free (yes, really—materials, tools and guidance included)
• When: First Saturday of every month, typically 9 AM–12 PM
• Suggested ages: 5 to 12 (but all ages welcome)
• Registration: Online recommended
• What to bring: Just yourselves and enthusiasm
• Adult participation: Encouraged and welcomed

Best of all, it won’t cost you a penny—just a Saturday morning and the joy of watching young builders discover what they’re capable of creating. That’s time well spent!

The name Maria von Trapp instantly conjures up nostalgic images of Julie Andrews frolicking in the hills, and she so fully embodied the role of the singing governess in 1938 Austria that it’s easy to forget the character was based on an actual person. The real Maria von Trapp, along with her employer turned husband, Baron Georg von Trapp (played by Christopher Plummer in the film) and his children fled Nazi Austria to immigrate to the U.S. and settled in Vermont, and the family had a surprising second act in hospitality.

Georg von Trapp had seven children with his first wife, Agathe Whitehead, who died in 1922, and he and Maria added three more children to their brood after their marriage. The musical family of 12, who toured the world as the Trapp Family Singers, needed plenty of space for their new residence, and they purchased a farm in Stowe, Vermont in 1942. Sadly, Georg died of lung cancer at 67 in 1947. In the years that followed, the family turned their property into a rustic lodge, which Maria ran until her death at 82 in 1987.

Amazingly, the lodge, now known as von Trapp Family Lodge & Resort, is still entirely owned and operated by the von Trapp family, and over 80 years after they first bought it, it remains a popular destination in Vermont. Read on to learn about the story of von Trapp Lodge and see how you can visit a real-life part of The Sound of Music.

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From a run-down farmhouse to a sprawling ski lodge

The Vermont property that would become the von Trapp’s American residence was originally a dilapidated farmhouse—not exactly tourist material—but Maria was charmed by the land’s sweeping mountain views that felt reminiscent of the Austrian homeland they’d left behind.

Once the von Trapps bought the property, they set about rebuilding it, and by 1950, they opened their upgraded family home to the public as a 27-room ski lodge known as Trapp Family Lodge. The 1965 release of The Sound of Music kicked off a new wave of interest in the von Trapps, and in 1968, the lodge was expanded with 20 new rooms.

In 1980, after 30 years in business, Trapp Family Lodge was destroyed by a fire. Tragically, one of the guests staying in the hotel at the time was killed. The von Trapp family had already overcome their share of trauma, and having their hard-won American home and business burn down was devastating. Just as they’d done in previous years, they dedicated themselves to working through their hardship and coming out stronger, so they poured much time, effort and money into building a new lodge from the ground up. As Maria said after the disaster, “You just have to find out the will of God and do it.”

Three years after the fire, the fully rebuilt and expanded lodge opened its 73 rooms to the public in 1983. The Trapp Family Lodge stayed in the family following Maria’s death in 1987, and in 2000, a new wing was added to the building.

The von Trapp Family Lodge & Resort today: Breweries, maple syrup farms, wagon rides and more

The last living von Trapp child, Johannes, now 87, still lives in the lodge part-time and helps run it, while his daughter, Kristina, serves as the manager along with her husband. Johannes’ son, Sam, also lives and works at the lodge. Amazingly, not only has the lodge been in the von Trapp family for decades, it’s also gotten bigger and better than ever as the years have gone by.

Last year, all the public spaces and guest rooms at the lodge were fully renovated, and the name was changed from Trapp Family Lodge to von Trapp Family Lodge & Resort to better reflect the impressive variety of activities and amenities now offered at the hotel. Today, von Trapp Family Lodge & Resort offers 96 rooms along with villas and guest house chalets on 2,600 acres of land. The decor and hospitality are influenced by the family’s Austrian heritage, and their motto is “A Little of Austria . . . A Lot of Vermont!”

In addition to all that you’d expect to find at a historical hotel, the sprawling grounds of the lodge also feature a farm (in true Vermont fashion, they make their own maple syrup), ski trails, bike trails, wagon and sleigh rides, a brewery (producing traditional Austrian-style beers, of course) and much more, and it’s considered one of the most famous places in the quiet Vermont town of Stowe.

There are plenty of fun things to do at von Trapp Family Lodge & Resort, but it’s more than just a tourist attraction. Today, the lodge stands as a powerful symbol of family history and resilience. Visitors can further immerse themselves in von Trapp lore by taking history tours (which often feature Q&As with Kristina or Sam), and family memorabilia is displayed throughout the lodge. Maria and Georg von Trapp are even buried in the family cemetery located on the grounds, and their spirit can be felt throughout the beautiful space they built. Vermont is filled with vacation spots, but few of them boast a backstory quite this captivating, and the lodge remains a multigenerational source of fascination.

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What are Angel Families? 

In recent years, the term Angel Family has been used to describe families who have lost a loved one in an act of violence committed by an undocumented migrant. The label is often used by some politicians and advocacy groups in the context of immigration debates, and not all bereaved families embrace or use it themselves.

One of the most prominent examples of this is the Riley family, who lost their daughter Laken on February 22, 2024. She was just 22 when she was killed while on a run near the University of Georgia, where she was studying nursing. 

Riley’s family attended the White House event honoring Angel Families on Monday, February 23, and was acknowledged by the government in the official proclamation making February 22 National Angel Family Day. 

“On the second anniversary of Laken Riley’s murder, we remember her kindness and the promise of her young life,” reads the White House proclamation from President Trump. “While nothing can undo the pain her family has suffered, I recommit to removing dangerous illegal alien criminals from our Nation to prevent such senseless tragedies from happening again.” 

Riley’s mother, Allyson Phillips, recognized this, saying in a speech, “If you’ve lived that nightmare that we have lived, you understand the importance of the job that he’s [President Trump] doing in securing our nation and fighting for our families—because this could be any family. This happened to my family. This could be anyone’s family. Lanken was the most responsible, hardworking, kind, selfless, beautiful Christian and she wasn’t someone who put herself in bad positions. She didn’t make bad choices. She was just a good girl, and she just wanted to go for a run that morning.” 

Other families who lost loved ones in crimes attributed to undocumented immigrants and attended the Angel Family event included: 

• Steve Ronnebeck, whose 21‑year‑old son, Grant, was shot and killed in 2015
• Laura Wilkerson, whose son Joshua was killed in 2010
• Marie Vega, whose son Javier was killed in 2014
• Jody Jones, whose brother Rocky was killed in 2018

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How you can help Angel Families 

To help Angel Families, consider donating or volunteering with nonprofit organizations that provide grief counseling, legal aid or financial support to crime victims’ families. You can also advocate for policies that advocate for victims of homicides by calling your representatives about expanding funding and counseling for families of those lost and ensuring faster access to mental health support and legal aid.

Ready for more? Subscribe to our YouTube channel for video podcasts, health tips and uplifting stories designed for women 40, 50, 60 and beyond.

Observed on the last Monday of May (due to the Uniform Monday Holiday Act of 1968), Memorial Day is a solemn occasion rooted in honoring fallen service members. It’s a moment to pause and recognize the cost of our freedoms. To help you express that sentiment, Woman’s World has curated more than 30 meaningful Memorial Day quotes that pay tribute to those who served with courage and conviction. Keep scrolling to find the words that best reflect the spirit of the holiday.

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Memorial Day quotes about the holiday and the United States   

• “Land of the free because of the brave.” – Francis Scott Key
• “This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is home of the brave.” – Elmer Davis
• “All gave some, some gave all.” – Billy Ray Cyrus
• “Our debt to the heroic men and valiant women in the service of our country can never be repaid. They have earned our undying gratitude. America will never forget their sacrifices” – Harry S. Truman
• “Duty, Honor, Country. Those three hallowed words reverently dictate what you ought to be, what you can be, what you will be.” – Douglas MacArthur
• “Ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.”– John F. Kennedy
• “As America celebrates Memorial Day, we pay tribute to those who have given their lives in our nation’s wars.”– John M. McHugh
• “One flag, one land, one heart, one hand, one Nation, evermore!”–  Oliver Wendell Holmes
• “This is the day we pay homage to all those who didn’t come home. This is not Veterans Day, it’s not a celebration, it is a day of solemn contemplation over the cost of freedom.” – Tamra Bolton
• “Patriotism is not short, frenzied outbursts of emotion, but the tranquil and steady dedication of a lifetime.” – Adlai Stevenson II
• “Our flag honors those who have sacrificed to protect it.”— Joe Barton

Memorial Day quotes honoring fallen soldiers and military members

• “The legacy of brave men and women who have fought and died for their country is the freedom we enjoy as Americans.” – Lucien Adams
• “The brave die never, though they sleep in dust: Their courage nerves a thousand living men.” – Minot J. Savage
• “Our flag does not fly because the wind moves it. It flies with the last breath of each soldier who died protecting it.” – Unknown
• “And they who for their country die shall fill an honored grave, for glory lights the soldier’s tomb, and beauty weeps the brave.” – Joseph Rodman Drake
• “I have long believed that sacrifice is the pinnacle of patriotism.” – Bob Riley
• “Those who have long enjoyed such privileges as we enjoy forget in time that men have died to win them.” – Franklin D. Roosevelt
• “Our nation owes a debt to its fallen heroes that we can never fully repay.”  – Barack Obama
• “We come, not to mourn our dead soldiers, but to praise them.” – Francis A. Walker
• “May we never forget our fallen comrades. Freedom isn’t free.” – Sgt. Major Bill Paxton
• “A nation reveals itself not only by the men it produces but also by the men it honors, the men it remembers.” – John F. Kennedy
• “They fell, but o’er their glorious grave / Floats free the banner of the cause they died to save.”— Francis Marion Crawford

Life

Bible Verses For Memorial Day to Honor Our Heroes

Here, a collection of verses to share with loved ones to bring hope and healing

Memorial Day quotes about military heroes

• “Without a sign, his sword the brave man draws, and asks no omen, but his country’s cause. ” – Homer
• “I think of a hero as someone who understands the degree of responsibility that comes with his freedom.” – Bob Dylan
• “The true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him.” – G.K. Chesterton
• “Whatever you do, you need courage. Whatever course you decide upon, there is always someone to tell you that you are wrong. There are always difficulties arising that tempt you to believe your critics are right. To map out a course of action and follow it to an end requires some of the same courage that a soldier needs. Peace has its victories, but it takes brave men and women to win them.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
• “Unable are the loved to die. For love is immortality.” – Emily Dickinson
• I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country.” – Nathan Hale
• “How important it is for us to recognize and celebrate our heroes and she-roes!”– Maya Angelou
• ”A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself.” – Joseph Campbell.
• “The legacy of heroes is the memory of a great name and the inheritance of a great example.” – Benjamin Disraeli
• Heroes never die. They live on forever in the hearts and minds of those who would follow in their footsteps.” – Emily Potter
• “Heroism is not only in the man, but in the occasion.” – Calvin Coolidge
• “Courage, above all things, is the first quality of a warrior.” – Carl von Clausewitz

Memorial Day quotes about freedom

• “And I’m proud to be an American where at least I know I’m free and I won’t forget the men who died who gave that right to me.” – Lee Greenwood
• “Freely we serve, because we freely love, as in our will to love or not; in this we stand or fall.” – John Milton
• “No man is entitled to the blessings of freedom unless he be vigilant in its preservation.”– Douglas MacArthur
• “The secret of happiness is freedom, the secret of freedom is courage.” – Carrie Jones
• “May we think of freedom, not as the right to as we please, but as the opportunity to do what is right.” – Peter Marshall
• “Better to die fighting for freedom than be a prisoner all the days of your life.” – Bob Marley
• “Freedom is the open window through which pours the sunlight of the human spirit and human dignity.” – Herbert Hoover
• “Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom must, like men, undergo the fatigue of supporting it.” — Thomas Paine

A father’s nightmare: Hailey’s unexpected illness

At 13, Hailey Bekos was a typical, energetic teenager, until suddenly, she wasn’t. What began as a normal morning at the breakfast table quickly turned into a nightmare as she developed stroke-like symptoms that worsened rapidly. 

Within days, Hailey fell into a coma that would last for four months.

“I mean, how do you go from completely normal one day to absolutely upside down the next?” her father, Jeff Bekos, recalled. “It was just…unbelievable.”

Hailey was ultimately diagnosed with anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis, a rare autoimmune disease that attacks the brain. 

At the time, there were only around 200 cases of anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis worldwide, with Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) specialists having seen about 20. Hailey’s case was one of the most severe and ranked as the second most critical.

“During that horrific time, there was a point where the doctors told my wife and me that Hailey was probably not going to live,” Jeff recalls. 

Hailey’s treatment plan included extensive hospitalization and rehabilitation. During her long battle, the Bekos family, including Jeff’s wife and their son, Brenden, found refuge at the Ronald McDonald House near the hospital.

“Room 37 became our home for 254 nights,” Jeff said. “Ronald McDonald House’s work is so important because, as we learned, it’s not just your child that’s sick, it’s your whole family that becomes sick.”

Turning trauma into purpose: One Dad’s Mission is born

That experience planted a seed. A decade after Hailey’s illness, Jeff turned his gratitude into action. He launched One Dad’s Mission, an over 4,100-mile cycling journey across the U.S. to raise funds and awareness for Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) in time for the organization’s 50th anniversary.

“I’ve been a cyclist for a long time. So I said, ‘Well, why don’t I do a ride, a bicycle ride, across the country to raise awareness, volunteerism and money to keep the houses going for another 50 years?’”

Over 75 days, Jeff visited 26 RMHC locations, supported by his wife Liz and generous sponsors including Kroger Health, The Emerson Group and Camping World. The mission raised over $700,000.

Beyond fundraising, the ride became something deeper. “It was cathartic,” Jeff said. “I didn’t listen to music. I just listened to the earth, the wind and saw the beauty of our country by bike. It really was an emotional and healing journey.”

For Jeff’s family, his ride was a journey they experienced through him and will never forget.

“It was really cool seeing him put it all together,” Hailey said, reflecting on her dad’s solo efforts to recruit sponsors, manage social media and plan the massive bike ride. “I was tearing up a lot… It was such a special moment.”

The emotional journey of healing and hope

For the Bekos family, Hailey’s illness and now Jeff’s mission reshaped their family dynamics in powerful ways.

“I was there for Hailey every minute of the day,” Jeff said. “Holding her while she was fading away… it was horrible. But we grew stronger. I think it’s brought our whole family closer.”

Hailey agrees. “There’s a statistic out there that says when your child gets sick, the divorce rate is super high,” she said. “That just shows how strong our family is. We’ve always been close, but this made us even closer. It taught us not to take anything for granted.”

Jeff and Hailey have also become sounding boards for other families navigating medical crises. “We met a ton of families on the road,” Jeff said. “I’d tell other dads: it’s okay to cry, it’s okay to talk. Vulnerability doesn’t mean weakness. You’ve got to communicate, one step at a time.”

For Hailey, now a young adult, those years of adversity offered hard-won perspective. “You realize who you can trust,” she said. “People were there when I was really sick, but dropped off when I started getting better, even though I was still recovering. Now, as an adult, I feel like I can spot who is going to be a true friend or not.”

Beyond borders: A continuing mission

Jeff’s advocacy didn’t end in the U.S. In June, he and a team of five other cyclists will represent One Dad’s Mission at a 24-hour charity cycling event in the Netherlands, riding 310 miles to support RMHC’s 12 Dutch houses.

“We were invited to go over there to continue One Dad’s Mission, to share our story and help them raise money for the offices there,” said Jeff. 

Jeff is applying hard-earned lessons from his U.S. ride. “Hydration is key. You get behind and it’s hard to catch up. You’ve got to fuel right: carbs, protein and rest when you can. There are massage stops and places to take power naps. We’re doing it nonstop, but safety comes first.”

The mission has evolved into a larger message of resilience and support, not just for Hailey, but for countless families facing the unthinkable.

“This whole thing has taught me how strong people can be,” Jeff said. “And how much we need each other. At the end of the day, we can all be a little kinder. We can all help each other.”

Amber’s newest foster child, Daylea, was born with ­biliary atresia, and her liver was failing.

“Corrective surgery didn’t help…her only hope is a new liver, but she’s too sick for the surgery,” the doctors said. Amber was horrified when they added, “It will be a miracle if she makes it to her first birthday.” Amber prayed for that miracle, and to her amazement, Daylea’s condition stabilized and began to improve.

But over the next three years, the child continued to struggle, constantly going in and out of the hospital. “Please, God, help her overcome this,” Amber prayed, pacing the ER waiting room yet again.

At 3 ½ years old, Daylea was finally strong enough to go on the donor waiting list. And when her birth parents’ rights were terminated, Amber formally adopted her.

Amber registered Daylea with a second, out-of-state transplant center in Milwaukee. I’ve doubled her chances, she hoped.

A year later, the Milwaukee hospital called late one night, “We have a matching donor liver—how soon can you be here?”

Amber, her dad and Daylea drove through the night, and by early evening, the 4 ½-year-old was being wheeled toward the operating room.

Comfort

Daughter Saves Mother’s Life With An Organ Transplant — Twice: “It Was A Miracle!”

Eileen Harlin had always been close to her mom, Julia. She couldn’t imagine life without her. So when Julia’s liver failed, Eileen donated part of her own. That was amazing enough. But the next year, Eileen stepped up again and gave her mom a kidney!

“The transplant went well, but we need to keep her sedated for a few days,” the ­surgeon reported, 12 hours later.

Amber kept a constant vigil at Daylea’s ICU bedside, and on the third day, she spotted her arm move, her eyes slid open…and all the yellow was gone! And then she smiled.

For the first time in her short life, Daylea felt happy, energetic and well while recovering at the local Ronald McDonald House. Back home in Iowa, she soon started dance ­lessons, excelled in school and truly began her happy, full life.

A full-circle miracle

As Daylea’s 13th birthday approached, Amber’s gratitude never wavered. She fostered another dozen kids and adopted two more. She also had a child of her own, but she never forgot the precious gift she and Daylea had received. How can I ever repay such a blessing? Amber wondered.

She soon discovered the perfect way to pay it forward. “Daylea’s anti-rejection medicines strain her kidneys, so one day she’ll also need a kidney transplant,” the doctor explained. Amber and Daylea had different blood types—Amber couldn’t give her one of her kidneys. But that didn’t mean she couldn’t be somebody else’s living donor. Amber filled out the forms to become a ­living kidney donor and was approved.

Comfort

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“Do you have someone in mind?” the coordinator asked. How could I pick just one person? Amber thought. “You guys decide,” she told the transplant coordinator, confident that the recipient, even though he or she would remain anonymous, would be the person who was in the most dire need.

Amber was surprised by how smoothly her donation went. She was in and out of the hospital after just a single night’s stay with her heart filled with gratitude, knowing the blessing was coming full circle.

“I’m so proud you want to help someone who is just like me,” beamed Daylea, who couldn’t stop hugging her mom.

Today, Amber works as a pediatric social worker and recently celebrated the one-year anniversary of her kidney donation. She’s hoping one day the recipient will reach out and share their story. “I know what it’s like when somebody comes through for you,” she says. “I have my little girl, and the recipient and I share a special connection, it was a miracle for us both.” 

A dream I had sparked the idea for this letter to myself, written from the perspective of my own mother, whom I lost last year. It’s given me the reassurance and clarity I’ve been yearning for. Now, instead of looking ahead with trepidation, I’m welcoming this new year with hope and enthusiasm.

Comfort

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A letter of hope

Dear Jen,        

It’s challenging right now because you’re in an “in-between season” of transition. Your two daughters are adults, living on their own. Your parents recently passed away. You and your husband have retired from your business of 17 years. You just celebrated your 60th birthday.  

I thought you might need a pep talk. Since I’ve already been there, I completely understand. I think I’m the perfect person to help you through this.

You feel lost. Unseen. Empty. Confused. You are not sure how to move on and wonder what to do with the rest of your life. You don’t know your “why” or what your purpose is.

That sounds overwhelming. It’s too much pressure. Please know that you don’t have to have it all figured out. There’s no need to fill the deep voids right away. That’s impossible, so just let it be. Eventually, new experiences and memories will replenish (not replace) those old ones.

Think of it like a sand castle. A perfect creation is built—complete with walls, a moat, turrets, and bridges—then when you’re not expecting it, a wave thunders in, destroying your work of art. You have no control over that wave. The sand is still there, but it’s in a different formation, spread on the ocean floor. Later, another sand castle will be constructed, maybe even grander than the first. It all takes time.

Give yourself grace, just as you would for a friend.

Remind yourself you are awesome every day

Close your eyes and take deep breaths. Think of all you’ve accomplished—dwell on that for a few minutes. You’re amazing. You’ve worked hard and made an incredible life for your family. They love you so very much. You’re healthy and have made great strides in recovering from a panic disorder. You’ve transformed your house into a beautiful home—a place of safety, love, and laughter. Family and friends encourage and support you in the good times and the bad.

Ever since you were little, what you wanted most of all was to get married and have kids. To be a mom. You did just that! It’s been the greatest blessing raising your daughters. It wasn’t always easy, but along with heartache and frustrations, came ultra-proud moments of triumph, growth, and pure happiness. The girls have been brought up to be smart, independent, kind women. Of course, you’ll always be their mom. But it’s different now. You’re more like their friend. Isn’t that awesome? 

Remember the small things

Your dad and I were a huge part of your life and you always had a strong bond. What a gift it was that your girls had a close relationship with their grandparents. It must be so painful that we are no longer here. 

You probably can’t count all the times you’ve wanted to pick up the phone and call us. Maybe invite us over for Sunday dinner. Or tell us your roses are blooming like crazy and you’re making them a bouquet. Or give an update on a home improvement project you’re tackling. Simply to hear our soothing, uplifting voices.

What would we tell you right now? Your dad would have that jolly smile of his and say, “Don’t sweat the small stuff. And it’s all small stuff.” I would say, “Don’t worry about all that. You’re still young. Have fun. Make sure you do the things you want to do because one day you won’t be able to.”

Wellness

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We all want to blow out the candles on our birthday cake each year feeling strong, confident and, most of all, assured that we’re living our best life. But when it comes to knowing how to age with grace (or what that even means!) there are more than a few obstacles we face, from coming […]

Enjoy your own time

Now you have the time and resources to devote to whatever it is you want to do. This is a luxury you may feel guilty about, like your dad did. When he stopped working, he felt like he should still be going to the office. He continued feeling that way, even into his eighties and nineties.

It’s hard when your days go from disciplined to unstructured. You can feel unsettled, or how you’d put it, discombobulated. 

When your father-in-law retired, he floundered, not knowing how to spend his time. You used to think, I’d have no problem figuring out what to do. Maybe I’d take painting or photography classes, learn how to play the piano, travel, go on full-day hikes, or spend uninterrupted hours reading a book.

Society places such importance on a busy schedule. If you’re not rushing around getting things done, you don’t feel productive. Like you’re not enough. That just isn’t true. You don’t have to stuff your days with chores and responsibilities in order to be worthy.

Don’t feel bad for slowing down and having time to just be. Allow yourself to be mindful and enjoy the tiny lovely moments in life that can easily be pushed aside, going unnoticed. 

Flexibility in your schedule can be a wonderful thing. Remember you felt jealous when your in-laws drove to Las Vegas on a whim? They went during the week to avoid the weekend crowds. You were glad for them, but wished you and your husband could pick up and go somewhere, especially on a weekday. Not even close to possible. Those were your most frantic days. Driving to and from school, volunteering in the classroom, helping with homework, taking the girls to basketball and soccer practice, playdates, birthday parties, sleepovers.

Life was chaotic, but oh, so wonderful. You thrived being a mother. But that doesn’t mean you didn’t dream of lazy days at the beach alone or slipping away by yourself to a movie or maybe a day at the spa.

You reminded yourself not to have “the green-eyed monster” toward your in-laws or your dad and me for their freedom. That was their time. They earned it. They weren’t tied down anymore. It also meant they were older and would likely leave this earth before you. You wanted them to enjoy their lives and do whatever it was they wanted.

Your time would come just as theirs did. Only it seemed eons away.

But life moves too fast—and here you are.

Getting older is a privilege

Be grateful to have come this far. Embrace this new chapter, it’s going to be an incredible adventure. Don’t waste your days moping around, thinking you’re too old or too overwhelmed to move forward. Remember one of your favorite quotes: “If you don’t like where you are, move. You are not a tree.”

Be with your lovely family. Travel with your husband and explore this gorgeous world. Spend time in the garden, treasuring those quiet moments. Get back to practicing yoga, learn how to play pickleball. Go for long walks in the mountains. Jump in the pool with a gigantic splash. Find a cause you’re passionate about and volunteer. Host dinners (or go out!) with friends. 

Laugh. Love deeply. Make beautiful memories. Fill your life with joy.

This “in-between season” isn’t forever. You aren’t broken. Think of it as breaking away from what was and creating space to welcome what will be.

Choose to start the new year with faith that you’re absolutely going to be okay. Have a positive outlook, seize each glorious day, and enjoy your magnificent life.

I know you wish we could be together, maybe having lunch or chatting on the phone, laughing so hard we cry. Remember I’m always with you.

I Love You,

Mom

I just need food. I’ll take any extra you have, the woman wrote. 

Oh my God, Monica thought. Nobody should have to live like that. 

As the daughter of a Vietnam Marine veteran, who had to go to a food pantry for a period during her childhood, Monica understood the woman’s pain and shame. She remembers the embarrassment of hearing civilian kids whispering about families needing food assistance when she was a girl.

I have to do something! Monica, a mom of two young daughters, Sofia and Amelia, now 10 and 5, thought, and was so driven to help, she decided to take money from her own food budget to buy necessities for her military neighbors in need.

She bought cheap laundry baskets at a dollar store, filled them up with food and household goods and set up a makeshift pantry in her garage. 

Monica shared about her project on social media, and not only did people come to “shop,” many others donated. When a news station in Topeka interviewed Monica, and asked how people can help, food donations poured in and volunteers stepped up.

In the summer of 2022, Monica’s husband, Lt. Colonel Gregory Bassett, was transferred and the family moved to Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. Before leaving, Monica trained a group of military spouses to take over the Fort Riley pantry, which still continues today. It was hard moving on, but Monica felt good knowing her project would live on. Little did she know how many would come to rely on it. 

Spreading hope

Within a week of arriving at their new home, representatives from Armed Forces Insurance, who had seen news coverage about Monica’s project, made a generous offer: “We’d like to help you duplicate what you did at Fort Riley!”

The company gave Monica free office space and utilities to start a food-giving program at Leavenworth. Aware that nearly 24% of military families face food insecurity, the thought came to her: Maybe this is meant to be something bigger.

Monica, previously a senior executive at an employment firm, began toying with the idea of starting a nonprofit organization to alleviate hunger among military families. “I’ve never seen you more passionate,” her husband said when she shared her idea. “We will be fine as a one-income family. Do it!”

Monica’s grassroots project blossomed into Stronghold Food Pantry, headquartered at Fort Leavenworth. Customers don’t have to prove their income, and volunteers take time to get to know them as they shop. In response, the grateful shoppers walk out with smiles. One customer told Monica, “Thank you so much for not letting me feel ashamed of needing help!” A jubilant 5-year-old shouted, “It’s the best day ever!” after receiving apples.

Giving back

Many recipients of Stronghold Food Pantry’s services are so grateful, they give back by volunteering there. That’s what Army wife and mom Jessica Bennick did. She and Monica remain in touch, even now that Jessica’s family has moved from Leavenworth. “I think she’s building something amazing, and it’s more than just feeding stomachs; she’s feeding hearts,” Jessica says.

In 2023, Stronghold launched an ambassador program, which utilizes volunteers across the nation to help military members by delivering groceries. This year, Stronghold started offering pop-up pantries in areas of need. As for Monica, she’s out to supply necessities and show love. “We build trust, community and a culture of compassion,” Monica says. “You are not just a number. You are a human being who deserves more and who is more!”