Latest news with #family
New York Times
33 minutes ago
- Health
- New York Times
Holy Water Couldn't Save My Husband. MAHA Wouldn't Have Either.
On a sunny spring morning in 2006, while my husband, Mike, was showering, I secretly sprinkled his bath towel with holy water I had gotten from a friend who had used holy water from the same source on her husband. Her husband went on to survive his cancer, so I happily accepted the plastic container filled with water from a sacred site in Europe. It couldn't hurt, right? Watching Mike dry himself off, I tapped into my childhood Catholicism and faith in a benevolent God as I pictured the magic water covering him with a protective layer. I never told Mike I did this. And I still feel guilty that I did. Neither of us went to church; we were agnostics. He would have been very annoyed. He didn't believe in magic. But we were six months into multiple brain surgeries and complications stemming from what was described to us as a benign tumor that had nonetheless taken over his midbrain. Thanks to hours on the internet, I had tried to Nancy Drew my way to the cause of his tumor, which devolved into my dabbling in conspiracy theories, and now I was out of options. That was the last morning Mike would ever shower in our home. It was the last time he would see our 1-year-old boy wake up in his crib. When Mike received his craniopharyngioma diagnosis in October 2005, he was given a 95 percent survival rate at five years out, but he was dead nine months later. He spent many of those months hospitalized, undergoing radiation therapy, blind, with no short-term memory and unable to care for himself, enduring over a dozen brain surgeries and other procedures. I watched the disappearance of light from his eyes as this once brilliantly funny man looked up at me from his hospital bed each morning, kind but emotionally flat, unsure if I was arriving for the first time that day or if I was just returning from the bathroom. I have a picture in a small album that shows Mike in the hospital holding our son, looking down at him quizzically but unaffected, as though the baby were a strange rock or a loaf of bread. The doctors surely tired of my asking, 'When will he be back to normal?' and 'When will this be over?' There is nothing quite like feeling you have no agency to affect your circumstances. Up until then, my efficacy had always paid off. I got all A's, was editor of my public high school newspaper and landed a free ride to an Ivy League school for my Ph.D. Lots of agency. But I could not outorganize, outresearch, outcharm or outwork a tumor. So I turned to magic. It wasn't just the holy water. I started keeping a little heart-shaped healing stone in my pocket for luck and brought him fresh berries from home each day. I read about the anti-inflammatory properties of berries online, so I fed them to Mike and pictured the berries shrinking the golf-ball-size tumor in the middle of his head. I started praying again for the first time since middle school. You find yourself bargaining in those moments. 'I'll never ask for anything again if you just get Mike better.' Well, he didn't. So I guess I can keep asking God for things. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
BBC News
2 hours ago
- BBC News
Leeds bus crash: Woman, 79, dies after being hit by double-decker
A 79-year-old woman who was hit by a bus in Leeds city centre has died, police have woman, who has not been named, suffered serious head injuries when she was struck at a pedestrian crossing in Vicar Lane shortly before 14:00 BST on a statement, her family described her as "a deeply loved mother, sister and friend whose kindness and spirit will be profoundly missed by everyone whose life she touched".West Yorkshire Police said no arrests have been made in connection with her death, and have appealed for anyone who witnessed the collision, or those with video footage, to get in touch. Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
The Sun
2 hours ago
- The Sun
Tragedy as body found in search for missing girl, 14, who vanished two days ago
A BODY has been found in the search for a missing 14-year-old girl. Dorset Police has issued an update Thursday evening following a search for Weymouth teenager May. 1 They believe the body to be that of May. She was described as 5ft tall with brown, shoulder-length hair, and reportedly usually wears baggy clothing and trainers. The schoolgirl was last seen on Wednesday June 18 at around 10pm in Old Station Road, Weymouth. The death is not being treated as suspicious. A statement from Dorset police reads: "Officers searching for a missing Weymouth teenager are very sad to update that a body has been found." They added: "Our thoughts are very much with the family and loved ones of May at this extremely difficult time." Her family has been informed.
BBC News
3 hours ago
- BBC News
Tribute to 'remarkable' dad who died in crash on A6
Loved ones have paid tribute to an "incredible" dad who died in a collision on the A6 in Miller, 48, was pronounced dead at the scene in Market Harborough on 31 May after a collision involving his Yamaha motorbike and a grey Volkswagen Passat, police said. A 46-year-old man from Leicester was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and was released while inquiries a statement released by Leicestershire Police, his family said they were "devastated he has gone too soon". He was described as a "loving partner, son, brother, uncle and friend" and an "incredible" statement added: "Trev would do anything to help others and would go out of his way to go above and beyond, whether this was in work, with family, or with friends."They said his passion was motorbikes but that his son was "his world, and he loved sharing this with him".The tribute added: "As a family, we are all devastated he has gone to soon, but we are so honoured to have been a part of his life."The force previously appealed for anyone with information about the crash - which happened on the A6 between the Harborough Road roundabout and Langton Road - to come forward.
Khaleej Times
3 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Khaleej Times
Superdad Awards Season 2 celebrates UAE's most inspiring fathers in a meaningful tribute
The second edition of the Superdad Awards was held on June 14 at JW Marriott Hotel Marina, Dubai, bringing together fathers, families, and community leaders to recognise fatherhood in its many powerful forms. The event was timed ahead of Father's Day to spotlight real stories of strength, sacrifice, and love, and to reflect on why celebrating fathers is more important than ever in today's world. Organised by 321 Events DMCC, the Superdad Awards were created to shine a light on the often-unacknowledged contributions of fathers who serve as role models, caretakers, mentors, and changemakers in their homes and communities. The 'Superdad of the Year' honour was awarded to Taylor Johnson, an American father of three, including two adopted daughters with visual impairments. Taylor's story stood out for his ability to balance fatherhood and entrepreneurship while creating a nurturing environment filled with love and opportunity. Zoha Masood Beig, founder and CEO of 321 Events DMCC, shared: 'Fathers are often the silent supporters — strong, loving, consistent, yet rarely recognised. That's why we created the Superdad Awards: to tell their stories, to celebrate their efforts, and to inspire more families to see fatherhood as a role of heart and year's winners reminded us that being a dad isn't just a title, it's a legacy.' The evening was far more than an awards ceremony — it was a heartfelt celebration of fatherhood in all its forms. Guests were treated to a powerful live sand art performance, beautifully narrating the emotional journey of a father's life. A moving dance tribute followed, paying homage to fathers across generations and their timeless role in shaping lives. The awards were adjudicated by a distinguished Jury and Advisory Board comprising renowned industry leaders and dignitaries: Maher Al Kabi, Raza Beig, Gaurav Tandon, Amitabh Taneja, Nina Zandnia, Mohammed Al Mansoori, David Van Lachem, Mirza Al Hussain Sayegh, and Juhi Yasmeen Khan. Their collective expertise ensured a rigorous, fair, and thoughtful selection process, celebrating truly deserving fathers. The night concluded on an inspiring note with the official announcement of Superdad Awards – Season 3, set to return in 2026 with renewed spirit, wider community engagement, and even more extraordinary stories. The next chapter promises to elevate the celebration of fatherhood to greater heights.
