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Video of two 90-year-old sisters saying goodbye shoots straight to the heart

“If we don’t see each other again on this earth, we’ll see each other in heaven."

@stephanieatkinson/TikTok

Don't say goodbye.

Viral elderly siblings are reminding us that love transcends all time and distance.

94-year-old Barbara Carolan of Seabrook, Massachusetts, hadn’t been able to see her 90-year-old sister Shirley, who lives in Nevada, since 2020.

When it became clear to Barbara that she might not have much time left to spend with her beloved sister, she prepared to make the 2,700-mile cross country trip to say goodbye.

“They waited so long to see each other, and if you don’t know if you’re going to see someone again, you know, especially siblings, it must be really hard,” Barbara’s granddaughter, Stephanie Atkinson Shively, told told her local news outlet WMUR.

Shively volunteered to ride alongside her grandmother and document the trip. In a viral TikTok video, , we see Barbara and Shirley getting emotional while reminiscing.

“We had a wonderful, wonderful time,” Barbara tells Shirley through tears.

“If we don’t see each other [again] on this earth, we’ll see each other in heaven,” her little sister assured.

“You betcha!” Barbara sobs. “You betcha.”

Watch the video below, aptly captioned: “Hug your sister.”
@stephanieatkinson #goodbye #sistersforever #notgoodbye ♬ original sound - Stephanie Atkinson Shively

Needless to say, viewers were struck by the sweet moment.

“There needs to be a category on this app for videos that are guaranteed to make you cry cuz dammit I’m tired of randomly balling my eyes out!” one person wrote.

Another added, “It’s not good bye, it’s see you later. I imagine when we pass, it’ll be like going home. And never again will we have to be separated from the ones we love.”

Shively shared several other moments from the journey, including some pictures of the sisters when they were younger. But the ‘last tearjerker’ showed grandma Barbara waving goodbye as she made her way back home.

There’s a bit of comic relief in this one, as Barbara yells “Until we meet again!” and gets a loud “WHAT?!” from Shirley, prompting her to repeat herself a bit more forcefully.

Watch:

@stephanieatkinson #sistersforever #notgoodbye #sisterlylove ♬ original sound - Stephanie Atkinson Shively

All in all, just a beautiful, heartwarming reminder to savor our lives, and all the loved ones in it.

Now, (if you have one) go hug your sister. If not, just hug someone you love.


This article originally appeared two years ago.

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Joy

Son surprises dad with the dream car he sold 41 years ago for 'diaper money'

"I knew deep down he loved that car more than any other he had ever owned."

Courtesy : Jared Guynes

A gift 41 years in the making.

So many of us have a dream that one day we’ll be able to surprise our parents with a paid-up mortgage, completely erased debts or some other grand gesture to thank them for their support and sacrifice. While this dream can’t always logistically come true (nor does it need to in order to make parents feel loved and appreciated) it can nonetheless be incredibly inspiring to hear stories of it happening in real life.

Over forty years ago, a Texas man named Earl Guynes sold his beloved 1967 Marina blue Chevrolet Camaro in order to afford raising a family. As the man’s son Jared tells the story, it was “sold for diaper money.”

Courtesy : Jared Guynes

In a Facebook post, Jared recalled how throughout the years, Earl would have a “twinkle” in his eye anytime the car got brought up. Which seemed to be often, given Jared noted that specific details were “burned into” his brain.

“Even though he would never admit it, I knew deep down he loved that car more than any other he had ever owned.”

And thus Jared became determined to show his dad "how important he is to me and how good of a job he did being a dad,” in the "biggest, most symbolic [and] most outrageous way" possible: finding a car exactly like his father’s.

Of course, this would mean three years of scouring the internet for parts and assembling them, piece by piece, onto a Camaro that was intact but in need of several repairs—and also “nearly in Oklahoma.”. But sure enough, a completely restored version of Earl’s dream car was ready just in time for his 65th birthday. With a brand new set of period correct 15” crager wheels, identical to the set he had in early 80’s, to boot.

Courtesy : Jared Guynes

As for how Earl reacted upon seeing his Camaro back from the dead, Jared wrote, “I’ve only seen my dad cry two times in my entire life. Dad only smiles, laughs and selflessly gives his best effort in the service of others. Tonight I saw him cry a third time, as he realized the car in the parking lot that looked just like his old one, was actually his after all. He was shocked. He threw his arms around me.”

“It was one of the best moments of my entire life,” he added, “I love you Dad. Thanks for the diaper money.”

Courtesy : Jared Guynes

Again, maybe we won’t all be able to honor our parents in this way. But there are plenty of other gestures that convey our appreciation. Never underestimate the power a heartfelt letter, offering to help with a chore, spending quality time together, showing interest in their life, celebrating milestones, and of course, actually saying “thank you.” Gratitude is a neverending process, after all.

But still, to those of us that still dream of buying mom and dad that house, stay hopeful.

As Jared himself said, “it was impossible. Til one day, it wasn’t.”

Watch a full version of the story below:

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Community

Grandkids roast their 'Papaw' on his 80th birthday by dressing up as his different 'eras'

May every grandparent get a tribute as funny and heartfelt as this.

@kkenziegreene/Instagram

Now THIS is a tribute.

It’s not easy to add just the right amount of roasting into birthday tributes, but when it works, it really works. And this one, created by the Tennessee-hailing Webb family for their “Papaw,” Bill Webb on his 80th, is a perfect example of how to honor someone while poking fun at the same time.

In a viral Instagram video, shared by Papaw’s only granddaughter Kenzie Greene, we see each of the seven grandkids dressed up just like their grandkids in seven distinct eras of his life.

According toToday, the eras (and the grandkid representing them) were as follows:

Elementary school singing quartet Papaw: Mason Greene, 14

High school football Papaw: Hutton Jones, 19

Fraternity Papaw: Kenzie Greene, 21

Beach Papaw: Jackson Greene, 22,

Wedding day Papaw: Carson Cooper, 20

Young dad Papaw: Colton Jones, 17, sporting plaid pants that Papaw assures was “the style back then”

Working engineer Papaw: Cameron Cooper, 18

Greene, the mastermind who helped bring this vision to life, told Today that the celebration didn’t end there. The group began in PaPaw’s "signature outfit” of a maroon sweatshirt and khakis, and dinner including chips with French onion dip, Vienna sausages and Golden Oreos—Papaws’ favorite snacks.

The family apparently “always goes all out” for grandparent birthdays, especially milestone ones. And doing this cute tribute was easy to commit to, since Papaw is “literally is the best grandfather ever."

As for PaPaw himself, he shared that he “was a little slow on the uptake,” but “once I caught on, it was kind of an honor — and making fun of me at the same time — so it was a neat thing to do.”

Of course, PaPaw isn’t the only one who loved this idea. Folks who’ve seen the video are absolutely in love, calling it “refreshingly” wholesome.

“The best thing I seen on the internet in years…thanks for posting this family video and letting my sanity get away from all the political nonsense I’m forced to look at on this app.”

“A well loved man, a well lived life!”

“You can’t buy a gift that made him more happier than this. Well done”

“I may not know this family personally, but this speaks volumes about love, legacy, and the strength of family bonds. What a reminder of the beauty in honoring those who paved the road before us. This is the kind of legacy that inspires us all. What a family!”

“Oh nothing. Just me crying for strangers again. This was beautiful.”

Cheers, Papaw. Here’s to many more years of being delightfully roasted by the ones who love you.

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Pets

Ultimate thrift shop find: Kitty accidentally gets 'donated' while hiding in a recliner

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Images from Denver Animal Shelter's Facebook page.

Imagine rummaging through secondhand finds in your local thrift store, only to find that some items include a bonus feline at no extra charge. Montequlla the orange tabby had somehow not gotten the memo that he and his family were moving.

As they dropped off furniture, including a big recliner chair, to the Denver Arc Thrift Store on New Year’s Eve, they had no idea that poor little Montequlla was tucked away inside. Luckily, the staff began to notice the chair meowing.

Though the family had already left, the store called Denver Animal Protection to make a report.

Jenna Humphreys, the DAP officer who responded to the call, told the Denver Channel:

"Sure enough, there's a recliner out front, and there's a little orange tabby stuck inside. Very friendly, couldn't get out. They said that they had noticed the meowing shortly after somebody had dropped it off."

Officer Humphreys scanned Montequlla’s microchip and tried to call his owners, to no avail. According to the Denver Animal Shelter, the microchip had not been updated.

A friendly reminder to keep your microchips updated, pet owners!

Meanwhile, Montequlla’s family were back home, frantically searching for their beloved pet. When they eventually realized he might have accidentally become a furniture stowaway, they immediately called the thrift store.

The stress of moving can often cause cats to hide. They are notoriously averse to change and try their best to escape the chaos in favor of something familiar. Fortunately there are ways to help soothe your anxious kitty into the unknown.

While we’re on the subject, recliners can pose a huge risk to cats. There are several horror stories out there, and I won’t punish our readers by going into detail. But suffice it to say, you should always check underneath a chair to avoid serious injury.

But this story does have a happy ending, as Montequlla is very much unharmed and back safely in the arms of his owners, who are “relieved” to be reunited with their furry adventurer, according to Humphreys.

Judging from the look on his face in this photo, this cat will not forget his trip anytime soon.


This article originally appeared two years ago.

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