Weird & Incredible Things

6 years ago Omari Nyaega had a night that changed his life forever. He woke up in the middle of the night to find intruders invading his Kenyan orphanage.

This had happened multiple times before, but he managed to protect the younger kids every time without harm.

This attempt resulted in a machete wound and near death, but the kids were still safe. His incredible story was heard by a college student doing an internship at an organization nearby.

The student shared the story to reddit after hearing. The reddit community ended up raising over $80,000 for Omari after loving his story.

Known as the "Mule-Faced Woman", Grace McDaniels was born in 1888. She did not show any facial deformities until her early adulthood.

This is when a tumour began to grow on her face. She then joined Harry Lewiston's travelling circus, where she earned 175 dollars a week. She got her nickname during her time in the circus.

McDaniels also had 2 children and was married briefly. She was described as an incredible mother who went to great lengths to make her children happy. She died of natural causes in 1958.

“My brother and I were both placed into foster homes at a young age. He was lucky—he went to a family called the Ripleys.

I went through four different homes in three years, and each one was worse than the next. I’d get to see my brother every few months.

Ms. Ripley would take us for lunch at McDonalds, and that’s when she first noticed the scars all over my body.

She immediately made arrangements for me to join their family. Back then the word ‘family’ didn’t mean much to me. But the Ripleys made me feel welcome in their home.

Whenever I did something wrong, Ms. Ripley would sit me down and explain why it wasn’t OK. But then she’d say: ‘You’re not going anywhere.

Because you belong to us now.’ Shortly after I joined the family, Mr. Ripley was diagnosed with cancer. And later that year he passed away.

Ms. Ripley’s entire world fell apart. They’d been high school sweethearts. And now she was alone with two foster kids. Nobody would have blamed her for taking us back.

But instead she took us to court and made it permanent.

The three of us moved into a single wide trailer in Mississippi, and that’s where she raised us. She worked whatever odd jobs she could find.

We never had much, but we went to movies. We had family game nights. She kept us busy with little league and Boy Scouts.

She must have been super stressed, but that’s not at all what I remember. I just remember the affirmation that she gave me.

It was always: ‘You’re smart.’ And ‘You’re handsome.’ And ‘You survived all that stuff because you’re strong.’

She cried when I joined the Marines, but she knew it was my best chance for a college education. And eventually I graduated from law school. Last year I had a daughter of my own.

And that really put me into an emotional tailspin. Because I realized how every little choice I make is going to affect her future. And then I started thinking about how different my life could have been.

Because my early development had been the opposite of what a child’s should be.

I should be broken, but I’m not. Because thirty years ago my Mom decided to keep me. And somehow, despite all her sadness and heartbreak, she poured enough love into me so that I could heal.”

Credit to the respective owner

I got out of the Army in 2017 and was going through a divorce and became homeless. I spent the next couple of years living in the back storage room of the bar I was working at. I was in and out of the hospital for severe alcohol withdrawals. My mental health had deteriorated so badly and my physical health along with it. My daughter was living in Alaska and I was back in California. Two years ago my ex wife decided to move her to Virginia and I had enough money saved up to get out of the storage room of the bar and move to Virginia as well. I didn’t get away from drinking myself to death though. I kept drinking and many more hospital stays later I finally had my last run in with the police. It finally opened my eyes and I had to change. Now 126 days completely sober and have my daughter back in my life full time. I’m so glad I was arrested because I was on track to never seeing 31 years old.

I love this ...

Mom, can I sleep at Grandma's tonight ?
I heard in the car, this morning...
When I managed to turn around, to see my child, it made me go back to the past, with just one sentence...
She was no longer within my reach.
I travelled far...
When did time go by and make us adults full of boring priorities?
We fight every day, for something we're not even sure we really want...
When in fact, grandma's house is what everyone needs to be happy.
Grandma's house, is where the hands of the clock take a vacation with us and the minutes unhurriedly arrive.
Grandma's house is where a simple pasta and homemade bread seem to have different flavours, delicious...
Grandma's house is where an innocent afternoon, can last for an eternity of games and fantasies.
Grandma's house is where the cupboards hide old clothes and mysterious tools.
Grandma's house is where the closed boxes become chests of secret treasures, ready to be unveiled.
Grandma's house is where toys rarely come ready, they are invented on the spot.
Grandma's house, is where everything is mysteriously possible, magic happens and without worries.
Grandma's house is where we find the remains of our parents' childhood and the beginning of our lives.
Grandma's house, on the inside, is the address of our deepest affection, where everything is allowed.
That luxury no longer belongs to me - unfortunately - it will live with me, only in memories.
Even so, if I could place an order now... any order of all orders in the world, I would order the same thing...
Can I sleep at Grandma's tonight?"
~ author unknown

For the Texas Quote of the Day, something VERY special from Traces of Texas reader Steve Eberhart:
"In November 1957, my Dad was killed in the line of duty in the U.S. Army in Hawaii.
At the time, our family was living in my Mom's hometown of Macon, Georgia.
My Mom, Annie Ruth, gathered everyone and traveled to Texas to bury my Dad in his hometown of Muenster, Texas.
As she had done on occasions before, sometimes for a year or more at a time, she stayed with my Dad's sister, Elvira Flusche and her family in Lindsay, Texas.
There was a wait for the body to arrive from Hawaii and the funeral was finally held in early December.
In the days and weeks after his death, my Mom dealt not only with his death, relocation to Texas, the funeral, dealing with the Army over benefits and insurance issues and such.
With the funeral behind them and 2 weeks to go until Christmas, Annie Ruth and Elvira realized the insurance and benefits would not likely arrive before Christmas and with essentially no money left after traveling and the funeral, they did not know how they were going to make Christmas happen for the 7 children of Annie Ruth and Bill's.
Elvira convinced Annie Ruth to go to the local bank, The First State Bank in nearby Gainesville, and get a small, short term loan which she could pay back once the benefits arrived hopefully in a few weeks.
She agreed and they drove to the bank.
Annie Ruth went in to see the local banker, Claude Jones. She explained the situation of having just lost her husband, an Army man, their shortage of funds, the insurance and benefits which should be forthcoming and their immediate need to provide for Christmas for her 7 children.
Mr. Jones listened and finally said, "let me look at this a little further and we will get back to you".
With that Annie Ruth left the office and joined Elvira in the lobby of the bank. As they walked out of the bank, Annie Ruth was in tears telling Elvira that he said he would get back to her, which she apparently assumed was a "no" to her request.
Upset, the two of them returned to Elvira's farm home north of Lindsay where they agreed they would just have to do the best they could and things would be better next Christmas.
For Annie Ruth it was almost too much to handle, she had lost her husband, she had no job, no income or money, she had 7 children to raise ranging from age 3 months (me) to 10 years and now had literally nothing for them for Christmas.
A few hours later that afternoon, a large station wagon car pulled up to the farmhouse yard. Annie Ruth and Elvira went out to the front porch to see who arrived.
The man stepped out of the car and they noticed it was the man from the bank, Mr. Claude Jones. The back of the car was full of toys, clothes, food items, essentially everything needed for Christmas. Unsure of what was going on, Annie Ruth asked him,
"Mr. Jones, what is this?"
He stepped over to her, hugged her and said, "Mrs. Eberhart, you're not going to need a loan and you're not going to need to worry about Christmas, it's all taken care of."
This is a true story, and THAT, was our first Christmas in Texas in December, 1957.
I never knew of this story as a child but was told of it a few years ago. I checked it out and it is all true.
I also found out Mr. Jones was as generous to many others around the Cooke County community over the years.
I never met Mr. Jones, but I sure wish I had."
THANK YOU, STEVE! This made my heart go to a very happy place!
Copied from Traces of Texas

Today I was fired…

Don’t worry, I wasn’t fired from my current employer. I was discharged by my surgical oncology specialists at KU Med. My PA said I look great, no symptoms to be concerned with, and they no longer need to follow me. I arrived home and received my results from my lymphedema scan and a message from my nurse saying it was within normal range and she also won’t need to follow up with me.

This was such wonderful news to receive today.

God is great.

Australia has already started to test a network of drainage with nets so that plastics and other pollutants do not reach rivers or sea.💚💚💚

“Today, after one year and 16 days, I dropped my son off at school for the very first time since I picked him up for Spring break last year. When I walked away and he said, “Bye mama! See you in a little bit!”

I was overcome with emotion. It was more of this overwhelming sense of gratitude for the people who made it happen. What I know in my heart, is that these people working at this school care about my son.

The accommodations they make for him, without question, the extra hours, emails and meetings…how do you ever thank someone for this gift? I am so grateful for all of the people who go into this line of work to help make my son the best he can be.

Teachers, admin, therapists, aides, volunteers, yard duty, etc. Thank you. - Larkin, proud mama to James and JuneBelle."

Credit: justtwomomssr on Instagram

The last 24 hours are a great example of why my wife is simply the best.

We got up before 3AM for a 7:00 flight.

Spokane international was an unprecedented s*** show, we had literally no chance of making our flight, we had an international flight to Morocco so the auto service kiosks wouldn’t let us get boarding passes. So we were stuck in the line of “problem passengers” who were rebooking cancellations, and after three hours we found ourselves finally in front of an agent.

Then, in the crowd behind us, an elderly lady passes out on the floor and our agent runs to assist. (just ours) and continues to do so until we’ll after the ambulance crew arrives.

While we were waiting the person to our right was trying to rebook her child solo which meant an additional fee.

The Mother was nearly in tears, she didn’t have it, her wallet was in her car, and going back for it meant the kid misses his flight.

As I’m reaching for my wallet to cover her, my wife beats me to it and volunteers to pay for it.

Then she smoothly refused any attempts to be compensated.

We stayed anonymous, didn’t give our names, just wished her kid a good flight.

Guess what?

Every single one of our flights were so delayed we made them anyway.

After two years of applications and interviews and rejection after rejection, I’d started to believe the hate comments and messages; maybe I would never be able to work as a bedside nurse again. I was about to give up when I had one final interview for a position on a Mother/Baby Unit at a local level 1 trauma center. After so much rejection, I figured they would take one look at my disabled body and turn me down. But to my surprise, when I brought up my chair the response wasn’t what I was used to. Instead I heard, “I don’t see why being in a wheelchair would impact your ability to deliver good nursing care in the slightest...plus, you’re the perfect height to catch.” 😉
I was STUNNED to say the least. I kept thinking “They made a mistake,” and, “Maybe I misheard them.” So much so that I barely told ANYONE until I had my orientation schedule in hand. But it WAS real and I didn’t mishear a thing. Monday I will begin orientation for my new job as a nightshift staff nurse on Mother/Baby and the hospital’s very first RN on wheels. 🤗 I still keep thinking I’m going to wake up from this incredible dream. Y’all pray for me as this trauma ju**ie learns a VERY different specialty! Stay tuned for more as I navigate entering back into the world of bedside nursing, ON WHEELS! 😷♿️♥️

Credit: Ryann

"This sweet lady was traveling alone and inadvertently ran out of gas alongside busy I85 in Alamance County…admittedly embarrassed by her predicament she called and requested assistance. Trooper Linch sat with her and her vehicle while Trooper Coggins retrieved some gas for her and came back. After getting her gas into the car, they invited her to join them for lunch. They were joined by Troopers Foster and Gibbs. That’s what it’s all about y’all. Community service at its best. Proud to be part of this organization/family."

Credit: Andrea King Lowe

This is the most beautiful corn I have ever seen. It is a Native American variety called I believe 'Glass Gem Corn' and yes it really does grow like that. I can't stop admiring it 🙂

An American policeman stopped a young man's car because his driver's license had expired.. The policeman asked him why do you drive with an expired license? The young man replied that he was recently fired from his evening work and that the money he had is enough for him to eat, housing, to perform the duties of living and pay the bills because he was coming from another state for the purpose of studying at the university - and he had a job interview at the time the police stopped him...
The policeman had a choice to enforce the law by forbidding the young man from driving the car...but he chose to apply his humanity...He stopped his car and got into the young man's car and drove him to the place of the interview and entered with him and apologized to them because he was the reason for his delay.....and he was accepted The young man is in the job and the young man has been granted a temporary driver's license until he gets enough money to renew his license.
"Humanity is mercy" !!! ❤️

I DON’T NEED THIS ANYMORE!! After 16 surgeries to fix a birth defect and years in a wheelchair I’ve finally been cleared to start walking! I’m not very good at it yet, it’s painful, and can’t go far distances but I CAN WALK! Thank you for reading - I’m very excited 🙂

Source: Reddit/PadmeASkywalker

Did you know that Robin Williams for every movie he filmed, asked the production company to hire at least 10 SDF people to have jobs, during his entire career, he helped around 1520 homeless. A Man with a Big Heart...💖💖💖

"So at my daughter's birthday dinner a little girl about 3-4 yrs old saw my daughter walk in the restaurant.

While we are all just enjoying the moment the little girl runs down to where my daughter was, looks and smiles real big then runs back to her mom and dad.

Shortly after, the daughter come back being carried by her dad and her head is buried in his neck.

The dad taps my daughter on the shoulder and says, 'My daughter thinks you are a real princess and wants to give you a hug.' ☺👑.

My daughter says yes and the little girl gives her the biggest hug. This brought the room to tears and cheers.

They take a couple of pics and the little girl waves goodbye with her parents.

That little girl saw just a "princess" not a black one or white one but simply a princess. Kids don't have hate in them; they are taught it."

Credit: Steve White

“Do you wish I died instead of Denise? “ My sweet little 9 year old, Theresa looked at me tearfully. She was suffering terribly from seeing her 12 year old sister struck by a car and killed in a school crosswalk by a woman who ran the red light. She had heard all the wonderful things everyone said about Denise at the funeral, at school, everywhere we we went. One stupid, cruel teacher actually said to her, “You’re nothing like your sister, she was special. It should have been you.” (She was eventually fired.)

I did everything I could to let Theresa know how loved she was. I told her I missed Denise terribly and was devastated by her death, but I would never in a million years want to lose her! She was every bit as special to me. She was my baby girl… I loved her forever and always to the moon and back. (A favorite phrase we used over and over) Still she suffered for many, many years from ptsd and survivors guilt in spite of the counseling and care she was given. A once joyful, carefree child….the light disappeared and her childhood effectively ended the day her sister died.

When I hear people say that children are resilient, they bounce back from grief and tragedy….they don’t know what they are talking about. Children have a harder time verbalizing their pain, their fear. Suddenly someone close to them dies and suddenly the realization hits them….they discover they could die just as swiftly and disappear just like Denise disappeared from Theresa’s life and mine.

Life is so very cruel. Theresa and I enjoyed a close relationship. As she grew to adulthood, we became friends as well as mother/daughter. She moved to live near me a few years ago. Then two years ago, she was killed in an accident eerily similar to her sister’s. A crazy driver caused a head on collision.

I can be thankful that both of my children always knew I loved them and that love doesn’t die. I miss them every day.

We both spent 10+ years in active addiction. Our drugs of choice were completely different. We are from opposite sides of the world from each other. Kyra is from England and I’m from America. Completely different cultures and upbringings. However our bottoms were the same. Depressed, lonely and hopeless. We were both beaten and broken by addiction.
The way we both chose to live and act in active addiction affected everyone around us. Today we make sure our recovery does the same. Together we want to make a difference in the lives of everyone we come across.
We are happy and healthy. We are married. We are both parents. We treat each other with love and respect. All of these things are possible because we are sober.
Recovery is beautiful. Connection is beautiful. Love is beautiful. 🌏❤️💪🏻

“This is Will. 14 years ago, he was homeless and addicted to he**in. We met as he was digging in the dumpster looking for recyclables.
I asked him what possessed a man to do such a thing... he shared that his wife died unexpectedly and in the wake of her death, he tried he**in- ONE TIME and became addicted. He lost his home and job as a result of his addiction.
Over the next several months, Will and I developed a friendship. I looked forward to posting at hatch and Herndon in hopes I’d get to see him. I liked him more than my partner at the time so I enjoyed seeing him as often as I could. We helped each other through a few tough times by offering advice and life experience. Then one day he was gone! I never saw him again.... over the years I’ve wondered what happened to him. I wondered if he was even alive.
God allowed our paths to cross again... ironically in a different Chevron. He was waiting for me outside the bathroom. He stood there with tears in his eyes and asked if I remembered him.
It took me about two seconds, and I knew. It was my Will!! He nostalgically reminded me about a pair of boots and a jacket I gave him to make sure he didn’t freeze. I also gave him $7 to get his ID... with a promise that he wouldn’t spend it on drugs.
Will kept his promise. He got his ID, a job, and later a wife. Will also found grace in the arms of our heavenly creator. We totally snot cried in the middle of the store before asking the clerk to take our picture.
I wanted to share this story because kindness matters. Kindness can change the course of someone’s world. You may never know it, but Will is proof of that.
Be Kind in all you do. One day it will find you and overwhelm you with eternal gratitude.” ❤️
Credit: Jeanah Nomelli

"So Today This Little Boy Came Into The Store And Asked Me 'Where Do You Guys Have The Cheapest Shoes?' So I Showed Him Were They Are. So I Asked Him. If These Where For School. He Said Yea. I Looked At His Feet And Saw The Shoes That He Was Wearing Were Destroyed. Literally They Were Breaking Apart. I Asked Him If He Wore That For The First Day Of School And He Said Yes. He Told Me In A Low Voice A Story And That Sh*t Broke My Heart. I Told Him. Don't Worry. Pick Any Shoe You Like. He Said Why 'I'm Not Gonna Have The Money' I Told Him 'Don't Worry, I'll Buy Them For You.'He Was Like 'Really?!!' I Said Yea Of Course. He Got His Favorite Shoes. And I Told Him To Make Me A Promise. To Get Good Grades And Be Good In School. He Said He Promises. He Kept Telling Me This Is Unreal And Couldn't Believe It Was Happening. So My New Buddy Walked Of Of Finish Line With A Brand New Pair Of Shoes For The School Year.. Nothing Makes Me More Happy Than Seeing Someone With A Smile On There Face. Helping People Is The Best Gift God Has Given Me. Have A Good School Year. Bless Up."
Credit: Osmani Torres

Willie Nelson Rescued 70 Horses From a Slaughterhouse and Let Them Roam Free on His Ranch
Willie Nelson, the renowned musician has another reason to be loved, he is also a devoted horse lover. In fact, he went to great lengths to rescue 70 horses from being slaughtered. These fortunate horses now roam freely on his expansive 700-acre ranch in Texas.
When he's not on tour, Nelson spends most of his time at Luck Ranch, which he considers his true home. The name "Luck" holds a special meaning for him in more ways than one. In an interview with Paul Venema from KSAT 12 News, Nelson expressed, "When you're here, you're in Luck, and when you're not, you're out of Luck."
Undoubtedly, the horses are incredibly fortunate, and Nelson agrees. He shared with Venema, "My horses are probably the luckiest horses in the world. They get hand-fed twice a day, and they were just ready to go to slaughter, which is probably the last thing they remembered. So, they're happy horses."
Nelson has always had a deep affection for horses. His song "Ride Me Back Home" is a testament to his love for these majestic creatures. In 2015, Nelson even received an award for the music video of his song "The Love of Horses." The video showcases Nelson meeting with members of Habitats for Horses, who were actively working to end horse slaughter through legislative efforts.
The love for horses runs in the family as well. Nelson's son, Lukas, supports organizations like Saving America's Horses and Habitat for Horses. Lukas Nelson & Promise, the younger Nelson's band, have also expressed their admiration for horses through their music.
At nearly 90 years old, Nelson shows no signs of slowing down or shying away from issues he feels strongly about. (Who can forget his album against Monsanto?) When asked about retirement, Nelson simply replied, "I retire after every show. I say, 'That's it, I'm not goin' no more,' but then we hang out awhile and people [the band] feel like playing, and so we go play again."
Credit to the respective owner ✍️

My heart is incredibly heavy today, in the wee hours of the morning my beautiful daughter got that knock on her door that no military spouse wants to get. Her strong, handsome, incredibly brave husband of less than a year was one of the 13 Marines that gave his life yesterday in Kabul. She’s 36 weeks pregnant and she lost her love. I never got to meet him, but I will meet his baby, and I will love and spoil that baby forever. 💜 please hold her in your heart and soul because she needs it, this mama knows exactly what she’s going though.
-RJ McCollum & Jiennah Crayton

"I saw this elderly gentleman dining by himself, with an old picture of a lady in front of him. I though maybe I could brighten his day by talking to him.
As I had assumed, she was his wife. But I didn’t expect such an interesting story. They met when they were both 17. They dated briefly, then lost contact when he went to war and her family moved. But he said he thought about her the entire war. After his return, he decided to look for her. He searched for her for 10 years and never dated anyone. People told him he was crazy, to which he replied “I am. Crazy in love”. On a trip to California, he went to a barber shop. He told the barber how he had been searching for a girl for ten years. The barber went to his phone and called his daughter in. It was her! She had also been searching for him and never dated either.
He proposed immediately and they were married for 55 years before her death 5 years ago. He still celebrates her birthday and their anniversary. He takes her picture with him everywhere and kisses her goodnight.
Some inspiring things he said;
"I was a very rich man. Not with money, but with love"
"I never had a single argument with my wife, but we had lots of debates"
"People are like candles. At any moment a breeze can blow it out, so enjoy the light while you have it."
"Tell your wife that you love her everyday. And be sure to ask her, have I told you that I love you lately?"
Be sure to talk to the elderly. Especially strangers. You may think that you will brighten their day, but you may be surprised that they can actually brighten yours.”
Credit :- Imgur/soulrose

“A very poor woman called a radio station asking for help from God. A non-believer who was also listening to this radio program decided to make fun of the woman. He got the woman's address from the radio station and told his secretary to carry a large amount of foodstuff to the woman. However, he gave the following instruction, "When the woman asks who sent the food, tell her that it's from the devil.''
When the secretary arrived at the woman's house, the woman was happy and grateful for the help received. She started putting the food packets inside her small house. The secretary then asked her, ''Don't you want to know who sent the food?''
The woman replied, ''No, I don't care because when GOD orders, even the DEVIL obeys!

Y'all I have to brag on my husband big time! He made me Soo proud. As we were sitting in our seats waiting for the rodeo to start I noticed an elderly lady (pictured below) her grown daughter and 2 young granddaughters trying to come down the stairs. The elderly lady was having a rough time. I pointed them out to Thomas Harwell and said they may need help. Not only did he help get her to her seat, but she did not have the strength to come back up the stairs. So, he carried her!
Credit: Shayla Harwell