For context lang 4 kaming magkakapatid; Kuya ko (27, Engineer), ate ko (24 Nurse), ate ko (22), and ako na bunso (20). Yung kuya ko and yung ate ko na nurse lang yung nakapag tapos. Yung kuya ko kasal na din sila ng SIL ko and yung ate ko na pangatlo may anak na babae which is 3 years old na din.
Kaming tatlo ng panganay and pangatlo eh nakatira parin sa parents namin. Yung kuya ko kasi dito nag tatrabaho malapit sa bahay ng parents namin kaya sabi ni mama dito nalang sila maki tira para din di na gagasto sa apartment. Yung kuya ko din and yung SIL ko yung nag babayad halos ng bills sa bahay kasi nag resign ako sa work and tumutulong nalang kay mama sa grocery store nya para na din maalagaan yung anak ko. Kaka anak ko lang last year December and yung SIL ko naman buntis ng 6 months chaka kambal yung dinadala.
Eto na nga, last few months pa unti-unti na yung binibigay ni kuya and ni SIL and halos sa benta na namin ni mama sa grocery store kumukuha ng pangabayad ng kuryente which is dapat kay kuya na yun and sa SIL ko. Pati yung sa grocery na binibigay nila kuya may bawas na na 1k. Ang reason is nag sesave na sila para sa panganganak ni SIL, sa baby, and sa bahay nila. Nainis ako syempre may anak din ako tapos wala akong work kaya bat ngayon halos mas malaki pa yung mabibigay ko na mas malaki nga sahod nila kuya kasi engineer sya at ni SIL kasi head sya ng department nila. Obligasyon na nila mag bigay kasi nakikitira na din naman sila sa parents namin.
Last mother's day nag tampo kami ni mama kasi binilhan ni kuya si SIL ng cake and flowers. Yung cake para daw sa amin lahat pero yung SIL ko lang yung may flowers kasi daw nag titipid si kuya. Nag tampo kami ni mama kasi bakit di SIL lang eh di pa nga lumalabas yung anak ila chaka kami ni mama literal na nanay na. Sabi naman ni kuya nag titipid na nga raw sila kaya di kami nabigyan. Edi kung nag titipid sana binigay nya nalang yung pera kay mama pang dagdag ng bills sa bahay.
Last May 19 din nag sabi ako kay mama na mag-aaral na nga sana ako next SY kasi ayoko naman na di ako graduate. Nakakahiya yun sa anak ko chaka family ng boyfriend ko. Nagusap kami ng family after namin kumain. Sabi namin ni mama sila kuya and ate na mag shoulder ng tuition ko tapos parents na namin yung sa baon. Noon naman bago pa ikasal si kuya nangako na sila ni ate na sila yung gagasto pang college ko. Ngayon nagalit si kuya kasi alam na alam daw namin ni mama na manganganak na nga si SIL tapos siya pa daw yung hinihingian lagi. Nagkasagutan kami ni kuya at sinabihan ako na Ang aga ko raw kasi nag pa buntis at tinalikuran kami. Nag sorry sa amin si SIL tapos sinundan si kuya. Grabe nakaka tampo talaga. Noong di pa naman sila kasal ni SIL hindi ganyan si kuya, nag bago lang dahil sa bruha nyang asawa.
Pagka umaga sinabihan ko si SIL na bayaran nalang yung binigay kong used clothes ng anak ko kasi kailangan ko para sa ipon ko. Binayaran nya naman at di na nag salita. Pero t@ng!nuh, kwinento ba naman sa ate ng boyfriend ko na pinapabayaran ko daw yung binigay ko na used clothes. Magkaibigan kasi yung SIL ko at ate ng boyfriend ko. Kaya ayun masama ako sa tingin ng pamilya ng boyfriend ko. Ang sabi pa tinanong lang daw ng ate ng boyfriend ko kung saan binili yung mga damit kasi magaganda tas sabi ni SIL sa akin daw. Nag taka yung ate ni bf kung bakit pa pinabayaran kasi nga pamilya naman tapos sabi lang daw ni SIL okay lang kasi dagdag sa ipon ko. T@ng!nuh nya, gusto nya talaga na sya yung mag mukhang anghel, yung mabait, tapos ko yung demonyo.
Kanina sinabunutan ko sya at kinumpronta. Nagalit si kuya at nag sabi na aalis na sa bahay at mag bubukod na sila ni SIL pero ayaw pumayag ni mama kasi mababawasan ng 20k a month yung budget namin na galing yun kay kuya kung aalis sya.
Kaya ABYG kung pinagtanggol ko lang naman yung sarili ko?

Sa mga nurses dito na tumanggap na ng HEA, may tax ba talaga? Papano kung nag resign na, may tax pa din ba? Ilang %? Salamat. Kung may makaka-provide ng calculation mas okay.

In 2001, Dr. Tape was arrested and booked in the state of New Mexico on the count(s) of child sexual assault, but was later released due to the fact that he was not given his right of a speedy trial and it took more than a year to formally charge him(the state of New Mexico argues he used different tactics to purposely slow down his trial, but Tape and his lawyers deny this). I will attach his statement from the arrest and anything else I can find later on if possible. He was formally accused of hitting/ slapping and rubbing his girlfriend’s daughters behind with his bare hand and/or a belt while putting her in suggestive positions. She was 7 at the time. I have attached the court transcript in a link below. 

 While I’m sure there is more, there is the basic facts, and I will continue to update as new information arises. There is a recall petition in effect since April and is currently collecting signatures. Putting a person not just accused, but charged with sexual assault at the head of a sexual assault resource program is comparable to allowing a criminal to investigate his own crime. 10 elected officials, 3 of those being Senators, and 7 of them being council members from St. Tammany and surrounding parishes/cities have signed a letter calling for the Parish President Mike Cooper and the St. Tammany Parish Council to resign, which he refused and refuses to do. St. Tammany is notorious for corruption, from our former Sheriff Jack Strain who has state and federal charges for financial crimes and sex crimes was sheriff for 20 YEARS before being succeeded by Randy Smith and receiving 4 life sentences, or the former Covington Deputy Chief Joseph Mahon who is currently on trial for 5 felony possession of child pornography, on top of the previous controversy and corruption from previous coroners, this is the last person I want heading the coroner’s office in my parish. Thank you for reading, feel free to leave any comments or questions in the thread. This is about 3 months worth of research throughout the internet and local new sources. If you think it is unprofessional/ improper, this is just a reddit post(an compilation of exposure of my local government too). 

My wife just passed her NCLEX. She has 7 years of experience, pero nag resign sya nung pandemic. That was 2020. 4 years na syang walang hosp experience. May mga offer sa kanya sa USA tru agencies for skilled nursing facility and pedia nurse. The rate is around $32-36USD . I'm a software developer earning 6 digits / month. We want to ask help if you can refer a good agency? or any direct hire in USA? Thanks!

I am a nurse (38f) working in a Neuro Ward. I have this colleague (25m)who is 13yrs my junior. At first I don't really have any romantic feelings for him whatsoever even though he really is very good looking. We also seldom interact with each other and most of the time his cubicle would always be farther away from mine. But last month we always had the same shift and every time our cubicle would be right next to each other so we are constantly interacting. We would always joke around and tease each other. We would also share our frustrations and comfort each other especially if we are having a very rough and toxic shift and in a way he would make those shifts bearable. I also found out how sweet and caring he is. He would always come to me and ask me if I needed anything or if I am doing ok or if there is anything he can help me with. I know that he's just being a friend, but the problem is I started catching feelings for him and no matter how much I suppress it, I can't seem to stop it. It's also not helping that we often interacts now and would sometimes cross path even outside of work. I really tried avoiding him after realising my feelings but sometimes it's as if fate is playing tricks on me and would always put me in a situation wherein I am forced to interact with him. And whenever I am convinced that my feelings are slowly fading he would do something that would make me fall for him all over again. I really don't want to feel this way because it seems so wrong because of our age gap. I am also really worried that the more interactions we have, the deeper my feelings will get. I really don't know what to do. I am planning to resign from work because maybe I just need to totally distance myself from him to forget him. Maybe a change in environment will help. should I resign? I badly need some advice.😢

Im (23F) a fresh grad and just started practicing nursing in the philippines. I’m 3 months in at my first job as a bedside nurse in a medical surgical ward at a secondary level private hospital in the province.
I’ve decided to quit nursing due to the following reasons: 1. Hospital system and management 2. Toxic work environment
Reason 1 Our hospital is not that big but most times, the nurse patient ratio is whack eg. 20+ patients to 3 nurses (2 senior nurses and 1 newbie). Currently we have 3 new hires who are also fresh grad nurses. Most of the time, they come with me during duty since i’m more approachable than my seniors. I try teaching them what little i know but heck, what do i know? I think training is lacking immensely since we are immediately put on the job. You are forced to learn on the job.
There is also an issue with scheduling. Our head nurse releases our schedule every 15th and 26th of the month (on the dot). She doesn’t release it ahead of time, leaving us, having our schedules hanging since we don’t know what to expect in the upcoming days. Overtime has to be approved by the section head before it’s counted as overtime. Requesting day offs is frowned upon. They even chat in our groupchat “No request off for this cut off!”. May times na we have meetings outside of our working hours and we are REQUIRED to attend these at wala itong pay.
Human resources. They had an orientation for us (at that point 2 months na ko nagwowork). Nakakainis kase we were not informed that it was a whole day thing and again it’s outside of our working hours at di na naman bayad. They went on to “teach” stuff na pwede naman naming basahin nalang sana (eg customer satisfaction, history of the hospital, sexual harassment in the workplace, etc) basta pretty self explanatory stuff which dragged on for more than half a day (9am to 2pm). The second half of the day, they spent that on discussing the important stuff like salary computation, benefits, filing a leave. Stuff na sana nauna nilang idiscuss dahil nga importante. By that point iritang irita na ko i cant even bring myself to listen anymore.
The paperwork. There are TONS of paperwork. Charting is handwritten. Signing of meds is redundant and increases the risk for making medication errors.
Reason 2
Workplace bullying is apparent. Some doctors have this superiority complex. One doctor even has the VIP treatment when she comes to our ward. All nurses should stop what they are doing and pay attention to her and only her. I’ve been shouted at by this doctor in front of the entire ward because i made a minor error in reading some labs. At that moment, I knew there was something deeply wrong with this place.
One resident likes “testing” me. He keeps complaining behind my back, telling my co-workers that I am being disrespectful and throwing tantrums. His “fondness” of me started noong may inutos siya sakin. He asked me to have a consent form signed para marefer si patient to a specialty doctor. Andaming papers and I was looking for the consent forms so hinawi ko other papers and I placed them normally on the desk then he accused me “nagdadabog ka ba?”, to which i replied “di naman po doc” as calmly as i can. Ever since then, he’s been out to get me. He asks me on the spot questions about a patient na for sure di ko naman talaga memorize (eg ano mga nebules ng patient na to?). Beh, kaya nga tayo may chart? Para may log tayo ng meds niya? Di ko talaga gets.
One thing that irks me too is none of my seniors stand up against this type of behavior against us, nurses. Tinatanggap lang namin. I would love to stand up for myself pero my thinking is im new. I have no skills to show up for it kaya di ko pa nakukuha lakas ng loob to stand up for myself.
Im having difficulty sleeping. I am dreading going to work. Pagpasok ko palang, iniisip ko na kaagad na gusto ko na umuwi. I am on the verge of tears most of the time. I am just so done.
Now, im handing in my resignation tomorrow. Policy dito is may 2 months rendering period pa upon resignation. Idk if i can make it that long. Can someone pls validate my experience? Oa lang ba ko? Am i being too sensitive? Pls share your thoughts :<

I’m currently working as a nurse aide in a hospital. 3 years na ako sa work ko, but i always feel out of place pa din lalo na halos lahat extrovert ang mga ka workmates ko🥲. Ako ang nahihiya kapag ako ang kasama nila sa duty kasi sobrang tahimik ko and wala akong ma ambag na chika sa duty namin kapag ako kasama nila. Wala naman akong problema sa trabaho. I love my job ang i love taking care of my patients, pero soooobrang drain na talaga ako😭, pero hindi ko naman magawang mag resign kasi kailangan ko ng pera huhuhu. Next week inaaya pa naman akong gumala ng mga ka workmates ko, in the back of my mind ayoko talaga sumama pero nahihiya akong i turn off yung invitation nila kasi pinipilit pa nila akong sumama😭. I badly needed help kung paano maging extrovert huhu.

I’m currently working as a nurse aide in a hospital. 3 years na ako sa work ko, but i always feel out of place pa din lalo na halos lahat extrovert ang mga ka workmates ko🥲. Ako ang nahihiya kapag ako ang kasama nila sa duty kasi sobrang tahimik ko and wala akong ma ambag na chika sa duty namin kapag ako kasama nila. Wala naman akong problema sa trabaho. I love my job ang i love taking care of my patients, pero soooobrang drain na talaga ako😭, pero hindi ko naman magawang mag resign kasi kailangan ko ng pera huhuhu. Next week inaaya pa naman akong gumala ng mga ka workmates ko, in the back of my mind ayoko talaga sumama pero nahihiya akong i turn off yung invitation nila kasi pinipilit pa nila akong sumama😭. I badly needed help kung paano maging extrovert huhu.

Hello po, any thoughts po if okay lang mag resign sa current job ko (nurse sa isa sa mga JCI na hospital sa metro manila) kahit almost 5 months palang po ako? I realized na ayoko ng bedside nursing parang drained na drained ako maybe because fresh grad ako and product ako ng online class so very limited talaga ang skills ko so kinoconsider ko ngayon maging island clinic nurse.
Pero worry ko is for the long run, wala talagang future yung nurses dito sa philippines kaya need talaga mag abroad kaso if mag aabroad they require atleast 2 yrs of bedside experience. Mahirap pala sa JCI na hospital kasi everyday grabeng taas ng risk na nakataya yung lisensya mo sa bigat ng mga patient cases ng mga naka admit.
Okay lang ba mag resign kahit 5 months palang sa work? If ever makakabalik pa kaya ako sa current hospital na pinag wworkan ko ngayon if ready na ako ulit mag bedside? Huhu hirap mag decide.

Hello po, any thoughts po if okay lang mag resign sa current job ko (nurse sa isa sa mga JCI na hospital sa metro manila) kahit almost 5 months palang po ako? I realized na ayoko ng bedside nursing parang drained na drained ako maybe because fresh grad ako and product ako ng online class so very limited talaga ang skills ko so kinoconsider ko ngayon maging island clinic nurse.
Pero worry ko is for the long run, wala talagang future yung nurses dito sa philippines kaya need talaga mag abroad kaso if mag aabroad they require atleast 2 yrs of bedside experience. Mahirap pala sa JCI na hospital kasi everyday grabeng taas ng risk na nakataya yung lisensya mo sa bigat ng mga patient cases ng mga naka admit.
Okay lang ba mag resign kahit 5 months palang sa work? If ever makakabalik pa kaya ako sa current hospital na pinag wworkan ko ngayon if ready na ako ulit mag bedside? Huhu hirap mag decide.

Hello po i just recently got acccepted sa medgrocer pampang as company nurse, will be starting sa june 1 onwards. Anyone who is currently working there as company nurse, okay naman po ba experience? especially the work-life balance?
btw I used to be an ER nurse from a hospital, i resigned to become a company nurse.

As the clock struck midnight, casting eerie shadows across the room, a sudden, blood-curdling moan shattered the silence. Oliver, a young boy with a penchant for adventure, froze in his tracks, his heart hammering against his ribcage like a caged bird desperate to escape. "What in the world..." Oliver murmured to himself, his voice barely above a whisper as he cautiously approached the door. Each step felt like an eternity as the agonizing wail continued, echoing through the empty halls of his family's old mansion. With trembling hands, Oliver swung the door open, revealing the darkness of the night beyond. There, lying on the doorstep like a harbinger of doom, was a tattered envelope, its edges frayed, and its surface marred by a thick, viscous substance that seemed to pulse with a life of its own. Oliver's curiosity outweighed his fear as he reached for the envelope, his fingers brushing against the slimy residue that coated its surface. With a mixture of trepidation and anticipation, he tore open the envelope, revealing a letter that seemed to emanate a malevolent energy all its own. The words on the page danced before Oliver's eyes, swirling and shifting like shadows in the night. They spoke of a dying plea from his great-grandfather, a man long gone but whose presence seemed to linger in the very air around him. "The time is near, my son," the letter began, its words etched in a handwriting that seemed to writhe and contort before his very eyes. "I need your assistance to travel far. Meet me here: 48.8584° N, 2.2945° E. I wish you the best on your travels." Oliver's head spun with confusion as he read and reread the words, trying to make sense of the cryptic message. His great-grandfather had been dead for years, hadn't he? And yet, here was a letter from beyond the grave, beckoning him into the unknown. With a sense of dread gnawing at his insides, Oliver rushed to call his father for assistance. But to his shock and horror, his father's voice on the other end of the line was thick with confusion. "What do you mean, grandfather died ages ago?" his father slurred, his words tumbling out in a jumble of anxiety and disbelief. Oliver's blood ran cold as he realized the truth - he was alone, trapped in a nightmare from which there seemed to be no escape. With a curse under his breath, Oliver snatched up the letter, his hands trembling with a mixture of fear and determination. "Fuck it," he muttered to himself, his voice a low growl as he stormed out of the house and into the night. Little did he know, he was about to embark on a journey into the heart of darkness, a journey that would test his courage, his resolve, and his very sanity. With the coordinates from the letter burned into his mind, Oliver set out into the night, his heart pounding with a mixture of fear and excitement. The road stretched out before him like a black ribbon, winding its way through the desolate countryside like a serpent in the dark. As he drove, Oliver's mind raced with a thousand questions, each one more terrifying than the last. What awaited him at the end of this journey? What horrors lurked in the shadows, waiting to pounce on their unsuspecting prey? But despite the doubts that gnawed at his mind, Oliver pressed on, driven by a stubborn determination to uncover the truth behind his great-grandfather's cryptic message. The night air was thick with the scent of fear and uncertainty, but Oliver refused to be swayed by the darkness that threatened to consume him. As he travelled deeper into the night, the landscape around him began to change, morphing into a twisted, nightmarish version of reality. Trees twisted and contorted like gnarled fingers reaching for the sky, their branches creaking and groaning in the wind like the whispers of the damned. Oliver's heart pounded in his chest as he navigated the treacherous terrain, his eyes darting from side to side in search of any sign of danger. But try as he might, he could not shake the feeling that he was being watched, that unseen eyes were lurking in the darkness, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. And then, just as he thought he could go no further, he saw it - a corroded steel gate looming in the distance like a sentinel guarding the entrance to some long-forgotten realm. With a sense of trepidation, Oliver slowed his car to a stop, his eyes scanning the landscape for any sign of movement. But the night was silent enough to hear the mournful howl of the wind, and Oliver knew that he was alone. With a shaky hand, he reached for the gate, his fingers brushing against the cold metal as he pushed it open and stepped into the unknown. As Oliver made his way through the forest, the sense of unease that had been gnawing at him since he first set out only grew stronger. The trees seemed to loom overhead like ancient sentinels, their twisted branches reaching out like skeletal fingers grasping for purchase in the darkness. But despite the oppressive atmosphere, Oliver pressed on, driven by a stubborn determination to uncover the truth behind his great-grandfather's mysterious message. The coordinates from the letter burned brightly in his mind, guiding him ever closer to his destination. And then, just as he thought he could go no further, he saw it - a looming, dilapidated structure rising from the darkness like a spectre from the past. The hotel stood silent and foreboding, its windows shattered and its walls crumbling with age. With a sense of trepidation, Oliver approached the building, his footsteps echoing in the empty silence of the night. As he stepped through the shattered doorway, he was greeted by a sight that chilled him to the bone - the lobby was empty except for a single figure standing in the shadows. "Hello?" Oliver called out, his voice echoing in the empty space. But there was no response, except for the sound of his own heartbeat pounding in his ears. With a sense of unease gnawing at his gut, Oliver approached the figure cautiously, his eyes scanning the darkness for any sign of movement. But as he drew closer, he realized with a start that the figure was nothing more than a mannequin, its lifeless eyes staring blankly into the void. Relieved but still on edge, Oliver made his way deeper into the hotel, his footsteps echoing in the empty halls. But no matter where he turned, he found only darkness and decay, the once-grand building now nothing more than a crumbling monument to a forgotten era. And then, just as he was about to give up hope, Oliver heard a voice echoing in the darkness - a voice that sent a shiver down his spine and made his blood run cold. "Welcome to the Hotel of Horrors," the voice whispered, its words dripping with malice. "We've been expecting you." As Oliver made his way through the abandoned corridors of the hotel, he couldn't shake the feeling that he was being watched. Every shadow seemed to conceal some new horror, every creak of the floorboards sending a chill down his spine. But despite the fear that threatened to consume him, Oliver pressed on, determined to uncover the truth behind his great-grandfather's cryptic message. With each step, he felt the weight of the darkness pressing down on him, a suffocating presence that seemed to seep into his very bones. And then, just as he thought he could go no further, he heard a voice echoing in the darkness - a voice that sent a shiver down his spine and made his blood run cold. "Hello, there," the voice said, its tone smooth and mocking. "What brings you to this forsaken place?" Oliver spun around, his heart pounding in his chest as he searched for the source of the voice. And then, emerging from the shadows, he saw him - a figure dressed in fine clothes, his face obscured by the darkness. "Who are you?" Oliver demanded, his voice trembling with fear and uncertainty. The figure stepped forward; his features bathed in the sickly light of the moon. "My name is Jack," he said, a smirk playing at the corners of his lips. "And I'm here to offer you a deal." Oliver's blood ran cold at the mention of a deal, his mind racing with a thousand possibilities. What could this stranger want from him? And what price would he be forced to pay? But before he could voice his concerns, Jack continued, his voice smooth and persuasive. "You see, Oliver, this hotel holds many secrets - secrets that could change your life forever. And I'm willing to share them with you, for a price." Oliver's mind raced as he weighed his options. On the one hand, he knew he should be wary of Jack and his promises of power and wealth. But on the other hand, the allure of the unknown was too strong to resist. And so, with a sense of trepidation and excitement, Oliver made a decision that would change the course of his destiny forever. He would follow Jack into the heart of darkness, and together, they would uncover the secrets that lay hidden within the walls of the Hotel of Horrors. As Oliver made his decision to follow Jack into the depths of the Hotel of Horrors, he couldn't shake the feeling of uncertainty that gnawed at him. But the allure of uncovering the secrets hidden within those haunted halls was too strong to resist. With a steady resolve, he nodded to Jack, signalling his agreement to whatever pact lay before them. Jack's smirk widened, revealing a glint of satisfaction in his eyes. "Excellent choice, Oliver. You won't regret this." With a wave of his hand, Jack led Oliver deeper into the labyrinthine corridors of the decrepit hotel. Each step echoed ominously, the sound reverberating through the empty halls like a haunting melody. As they walked, Oliver couldn't help but notice the subtle changes in the atmosphere. The air grew colder, carrying with it a palpable sense of foreboding. Shadows danced on the walls, twisting and contorting in unnatural shapes that seemed to watch their every move. Despite the growing unease in his gut, Oliver pressed on, his curiosity driving him forward. He had come too far to turn back now. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, they reached a grand chamber at the heart of the hotel. The room was shrouded in darkness, illuminated only by the faint glow of moonlight filtering through the broken windows. In the centre of the chamber stood a pedestal, upon which rested a dusty tome bound in ancient leather. Jack approached the pedestal with reverence, his movements careful and deliberate. "This," he said, gesturing to the tome, "is the key to unlocking the true power of this place." Oliver's heart raced as he stepped closer, his eyes fixed on the mysterious book. What secrets did it hold? And what price would he have to pay to uncover them? With a sense of trepidation, Oliver reached out and opened the tome. As he flipped through its pages, he was greeted by a wealth of knowledge - spells, incantations, and rituals dating back centuries. But as he delved deeper into the pages, Oliver's excitement turned to horror. The rituals described within were dark and twisted, their intentions malevolent and cruel. It was clear that this tome held powers far beyond his comprehension. Jack watched with amusement as Oliver's expression darkened. "Impressive, isn't it?" he said, his voice dripping with malice. "But power comes at a price, Oliver. Are you willing to pay it?" Oliver hesitated, his mind racing with uncertainty. He knew that delving further into the secrets of the Hotel of Horrors would come with consequences, but the temptation was too strong to resist. And so, with a sense of resignation, Oliver nodded. "I'll do whatever it takes." Jack's smirk widened, a glint of triumph in his eyes. "Excellent," he said. "Then let us begin. "Under Jack's guidance, Oliver delved deeper into the dark arts than he ever thought possible. Night after night, they performed rituals that twisted the fabric of reality, bending it to their will. With each incantation, Oliver felt himself changing, his mind and soul becoming darker and more twisted with each passing day. But the allure of power was too strong to resist, driving him further down the path of darkness. As weeks turned into months, the Hotel of Horrors became their sanctuary, a place where they could explore the darkest depths of magic without fear of judgment or consequence. But as their power grew, so too did their arrogance. They became reckless, summoning creatures from the depths of the abyss and wielding magic beyond their control. And then, one fateful night, they performed a ritual that would change everything. Under the light of a blood-red moon, Oliver and Jack stood before the pedestal in the grand chamber, their faces illuminated by the flickering glow of torchlight. With trembling hands, they began to chant, their voices merging into a cacophony of dark whispers that echoed through the empty halls. As the ritual reached its climax, a surge of power coursed through Oliver's veins, filling him with an exhilarating sense of euphoria. But as he looked into Jack's eyes, he saw something flicker beneath the surface - a darkness so deep and consuming that it sent a chill down his spine. And then, with a deafening roar, the ritual reached its climax, unleashing a torrent of energy that tore through the fabric of reality. As the dust settled and the echoes of their chanting faded into silence, Oliver and Jack stood in shock, their minds reeling from what they had unleashed. But as they looked around, they realized with horror that something had gone terribly wrong. The hotel around them was no longer the decrepit ruin they had come to know - it was alive, pulsating with a malevolent energy that seemed to seep into their very bones. And then, emerging from the shadows, they saw them - twisted creatures of nightmare, their forms shifting and changing in the darkness. With a sense of dread sinking in his gut, Oliver realized the true cost of their actions. They had unleashed a darkness that threatened to consume everything in its path. And as he looked into Jack's eyes, he knew that there was only one thing left to do - they had to find a way to stop it, before it was too late. As Oliver and Jack confronted the horrors they had unleashed, they found themselves locked in a battle for their very souls. The creatures that lurked within the depths of the hotel were unlike anything they had ever encountered - twisted, grotesque abominations that seemed to defy the laws of nature. But despite the overwhelming odds, Oliver refused to back down. With every ounce of strength he possessed, he fought alongside Jack, determined to undo the damage they had wrought. For days, they battled against the darkness, their bodies weary, and their spirits tested. But no matter how hard they fought, it seemed as though the darkness was inexhaustible, its tendrils spreading like wildfire through the hotel's corridors. And then, just when all hope seemed lost, Oliver made a startling discovery. Hidden within the pages of the tome they had used to perform the ritual was a spell - a spell of binding that could trap the darkness once and for all. With a renewed sense of purpose, Oliver and Jack set out to perform the spell. But as they reached the grand chamber at the heart of the hotel, they were met with a sight that chilled them to the bone. Standing before them, bathed in the sickly light of the moon, was a figure unlike any they had ever seen. Its form was shrouded in darkness, its eyes burning with a malevolent fire that seemed to pierce straight through to their very souls. Oliver's heart raced as he realized the truth - this creature was the embodiment of the darkness they had unleashed, and it would stop at nothing to destroy them. With a sense of determination burning in his chest, Oliver stepped forward, his voice steady despite the fear that gnawed at his insides. "We've come to end this," he said, his words echoing in the empty chamber. "We will not let you consume this world." But the creature only laughed, its voice a twisted cacophony that sent shivers down Oliver's spine. "You cannot stop me, mortal," it said, its words dripping with malice. "I am the darkness that lurks in the hearts of men, the shadow that consumes all in its path. You are nothing but insects to be crushed beneath my heel." But Oliver refused to be intimidated. With a defiant roar, he raised his hands and began to chant the spell of binding, his voice ringing out in the darkness like a clarion call. And then, with a blinding flash of light, the spell took hold, trapping the darkness within the confines of the hotel's walls. For a moment, there was silence, broken only by the sound of their laboured breathing. And then, with a deafening roar, the hotel began to collapse in on itself, its walls crumbling to dust as the darkness was consumed by the very shadows it had spawned. As Oliver and Jack emerged from the ruins of the hotel, they were greeted by the light of the rising sun, its warm rays banishing the darkness that had threatened to consume them. With a sense of relief washing over him, Oliver collapsed to his knees, his body weary from the battle. But as he looked up at the sky above, he knew that the nightmare was finally over. Or so he thought. As Oliver lays in the hospital bed, his mind a maelstrom of confusion and uncertainty, he couldn't shake the feeling that something was terribly wrong. The events of the past few days seemed like a distant dream, a surreal nightmare from which he couldn't seem to wake. But try as he might, he couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to the story than he remembered. With a sense of unease gnawing at his gut, Oliver glanced around the room, his eyes falling on the figure of a nurse standing by his bedside. "Where am I?" he asked, his voice hoarse from disuse. The nurse smiled sympathetically; her eyes filled with concern. "You're in the hospital, dear. You've been in a coma for quite some time. "Oliver's heart skipped a beat at the mention of a coma. How long had he been unconscious? And what had happened to him? As the nurse explained the details of his condition, Oliver's mind raced with a thousand questions. But try as he might, he couldn't seem to piece together the events that had led him here. And then, just as he was about to give up hope, a flicker of memory flashed through his mind - the hotel, the rituals, the darkness. With a start, Oliver realized the truth - it hadn't been a dream at all. The horrors he had faced were all too real, and they had left a mark on his soul that would never fade. As the reality of his situation sank in, Oliver felt a sense of despair wash over him. How could he ever hope to move on from the trauma he had endured? But even as he grappled with his fear and uncertainty, a small voice whispered in the back of his mind - a voice that told him that he was stronger than he knew, and that he would find a way to overcome the darkness that threatened to consume him. With a newfound sense of determination burning in his chest, Oliver vowed to face whatever challenges lay ahead with courage and resilience. For he knew that the journey was far from over, and that the true test of his strength had only just begun. And so, with a sense of resolve burning in his heart, Oliver closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep, knowing that no matter what trials awaited him, he would face them head-on, armed with nothing but his own indomitable spirit. But little did he know, the darkness that had once threatened to consume him still lurked in the shadows, biding its time until the moment was right to strike again. And as Oliver drifted off into unconsciousness once more, a sense of dread settled over him, for he knew that the nightmare was far from over, and that the true battle for his soul had only just begun.

As the clock struck midnight, casting eerie shadows across the room, a sudden, blood-curdling moan shattered the silence. Oliver, a young boy with a penchant for adventure, froze in his tracks, his heart hammering against his ribcage like a caged bird desperate to escape. "What in the world..." Oliver murmured to himself, his voice barely above a whisper as he cautiously approached the door. Each step felt like an eternity as the agonizing wail continued, echoing through the empty halls of his family's old mansion. With trembling hands, Oliver swung the door open, revealing the darkness of the night beyond. There, lying on the doorstep like a harbinger of doom, was a tattered envelope, its edges frayed, and its surface marred by a thick, viscous substance that seemed to pulse with a life of its own. Oliver's curiosity outweighed his fear as he reached for the envelope, his fingers brushing against the slimy residue that coated its surface. With a mixture of trepidation and anticipation, he tore open the envelope, revealing a letter that seemed to emanate a malevolent energy all its own. The words on the page danced before Oliver's eyes, swirling and shifting like shadows in the night. They spoke of a dying plea from his great-grandfather, a man long gone but whose presence seemed to linger in the very air around him. "The time is near, my son," the letter began, its words etched in a handwriting that seemed to writhe and contort before his very eyes. "I need your assistance to travel far. Meet me here: 48.8584° N, 2.2945° E. I wish you the best on your travels." Oliver's head spun with confusion as he read and reread the words, trying to make sense of the cryptic message. His great-grandfather had been dead for years, hadn't he? And yet, here was a letter from beyond the grave, beckoning him into the unknown. With a sense of dread gnawing at his insides, Oliver rushed to call his father for assistance. But to his shock and horror, his father's voice on the other end of the line was thick with confusion. "What do you mean, grandfather died ages ago?" his father slurred, his words tumbling out in a jumble of anxiety and disbelief. Oliver's blood ran cold as he realized the truth - he was alone, trapped in a nightmare from which there seemed to be no escape. With a curse under his breath, Oliver snatched up the letter, his hands trembling with a mixture of fear and determination. "Fuck it," he muttered to himself, his voice a low growl as he stormed out of the house and into the night. Little did he know, he was about to embark on a journey into the heart of darkness, a journey that would test his courage, his resolve, and his very sanity. With the coordinates from the letter burned into his mind, Oliver set out into the night, his heart pounding with a mixture of fear and excitement. The road stretched out before him like a black ribbon, winding its way through the desolate countryside like a serpent in the dark. As he drove, Oliver's mind raced with a thousand questions, each one more terrifying than the last. What awaited him at the end of this journey? What horrors lurked in the shadows, waiting to pounce on their unsuspecting prey? But despite the doubts that gnawed at his mind, Oliver pressed on, driven by a stubborn determination to uncover the truth behind his great-grandfather's cryptic message. The night air was thick with the scent of fear and uncertainty, but Oliver refused to be swayed by the darkness that threatened to consume him. As he travelled deeper into the night, the landscape around him began to change, morphing into a twisted, nightmarish version of reality. Trees twisted and contorted like gnarled fingers reaching for the sky, their branches creaking and groaning in the wind like the whispers of the damned. Oliver's heart pounded in his chest as he navigated the treacherous terrain, his eyes darting from side to side in search of any sign of danger. But try as he might, he could not shake the feeling that he was being watched, that unseen eyes were lurking in the darkness, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. And then, just as he thought he could go no further, he saw it - a corroded steel gate looming in the distance like a sentinel guarding the entrance to some long-forgotten realm. With a sense of trepidation, Oliver slowed his car to a stop, his eyes scanning the landscape for any sign of movement. But the night was silent enough to hear the mournful howl of the wind, and Oliver knew that he was alone. With a shaky hand, he reached for the gate, his fingers brushing against the cold metal as he pushed it open and stepped into the unknown. As Oliver made his way through the forest, the sense of unease that had been gnawing at him since he first set out only grew stronger. The trees seemed to loom overhead like ancient sentinels, their twisted branches reaching out like skeletal fingers grasping for purchase in the darkness. But despite the oppressive atmosphere, Oliver pressed on, driven by a stubborn determination to uncover the truth behind his great-grandfather's mysterious message. The coordinates from the letter burned brightly in his mind, guiding him ever closer to his destination. And then, just as he thought he could go no further, he saw it - a looming, dilapidated structure rising from the darkness like a spectre from the past. The hotel stood silent and foreboding, its windows shattered and its walls crumbling with age. With a sense of trepidation, Oliver approached the building, his footsteps echoing in the empty silence of the night. As he stepped through the shattered doorway, he was greeted by a sight that chilled him to the bone - the lobby was empty except for a single figure standing in the shadows. "Hello?" Oliver called out, his voice echoing in the empty space. But there was no response, except for the sound of his own heartbeat pounding in his ears. With a sense of unease gnawing at his gut, Oliver approached the figure cautiously, his eyes scanning the darkness for any sign of movement. But as he drew closer, he realized with a start that the figure was nothing more than a mannequin, its lifeless eyes staring blankly into the void. Relieved but still on edge, Oliver made his way deeper into the hotel, his footsteps echoing in the empty halls. But no matter where he turned, he found only darkness and decay, the once-grand building now nothing more than a crumbling monument to a forgotten era. And then, just as he was about to give up hope, Oliver heard a voice echoing in the darkness - a voice that sent a shiver down his spine and made his blood run cold. "Welcome to the Hotel of Horrors," the voice whispered, its words dripping with malice. "We've been expecting you." As Oliver made his way through the abandoned corridors of the hotel, he couldn't shake the feeling that he was being watched. Every shadow seemed to conceal some new horror, every creak of the floorboards sending a chill down his spine. But despite the fear that threatened to consume him, Oliver pressed on, determined to uncover the truth behind his great-grandfather's cryptic message. With each step, he felt the weight of the darkness pressing down on him, a suffocating presence that seemed to seep into his very bones. And then, just as he thought he could go no further, he heard a voice echoing in the darkness - a voice that sent a shiver down his spine and made his blood run cold. "Hello, there," the voice said, its tone smooth and mocking. "What brings you to this forsaken place?" Oliver spun around, his heart pounding in his chest as he searched for the source of the voice. And then, emerging from the shadows, he saw him - a figure dressed in fine clothes, his face obscured by the darkness. "Who are you?" Oliver demanded, his voice trembling with fear and uncertainty. The figure stepped forward; his features bathed in the sickly light of the moon. "My name is Jack," he said, a smirk playing at the corners of his lips. "And I'm here to offer you a deal." Oliver's blood ran cold at the mention of a deal, his mind racing with a thousand possibilities. What could this stranger want from him? And what price would he be forced to pay? But before he could voice his concerns, Jack continued, his voice smooth and persuasive. "You see, Oliver, this hotel holds many secrets - secrets that could change your life forever. And I'm willing to share them with you, for a price." Oliver's mind raced as he weighed his options. On the one hand, he knew he should be wary of Jack and his promises of power and wealth. But on the other hand, the allure of the unknown was too strong to resist. And so, with a sense of trepidation and excitement, Oliver made a decision that would change the course of his destiny forever. He would follow Jack into the heart of darkness, and together, they would uncover the secrets that lay hidden within the walls of the Hotel of Horrors. As Oliver made his decision to follow Jack into the depths of the Hotel of Horrors, he couldn't shake the feeling of uncertainty that gnawed at him. But the allure of uncovering the secrets hidden within those haunted halls was too strong to resist. With a steady resolve, he nodded to Jack, signalling his agreement to whatever pact lay before them. Jack's smirk widened, revealing a glint of satisfaction in his eyes. "Excellent choice, Oliver. You won't regret this." With a wave of his hand, Jack led Oliver deeper into the labyrinthine corridors of the decrepit hotel. Each step echoed ominously, the sound reverberating through the empty halls like a haunting melody. As they walked, Oliver couldn't help but notice the subtle changes in the atmosphere. The air grew colder, carrying with it a palpable sense of foreboding. Shadows danced on the walls, twisting and contorting in unnatural shapes that seemed to watch their every move. Despite the growing unease in his gut, Oliver pressed on, his curiosity driving him forward. He had come too far to turn back now. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, they reached a grand chamber at the heart of the hotel. The room was shrouded in darkness, illuminated only by the faint glow of moonlight filtering through the broken windows. In the centre of the chamber stood a pedestal, upon which rested a dusty tome bound in ancient leather. Jack approached the pedestal with reverence, his movements careful and deliberate. "This," he said, gesturing to the tome, "is the key to unlocking the true power of this place." Oliver's heart raced as he stepped closer, his eyes fixed on the mysterious book. What secrets did it hold? And what price would he have to pay to uncover them? With a sense of trepidation, Oliver reached out and opened the tome. As he flipped through its pages, he was greeted by a wealth of knowledge - spells, incantations, and rituals dating back centuries. But as he delved deeper into the pages, Oliver's excitement turned to horror. The rituals described within were dark and twisted, their intentions malevolent and cruel. It was clear that this tome held powers far beyond his comprehension. Jack watched with amusement as Oliver's expression darkened. "Impressive, isn't it?" he said, his voice dripping with malice. "But power comes at a price, Oliver. Are you willing to pay it?" Oliver hesitated, his mind racing with uncertainty. He knew that delving further into the secrets of the Hotel of Horrors would come with consequences, but the temptation was too strong to resist. And so, with a sense of resignation, Oliver nodded. "I'll do whatever it takes." Jack's smirk widened, a glint of triumph in his eyes. "Excellent," he said. "Then let us begin. "Under Jack's guidance, Oliver delved deeper into the dark arts than he ever thought possible. Night after night, they performed rituals that twisted the fabric of reality, bending it to their will. With each incantation, Oliver felt himself changing, his mind and soul becoming darker and more twisted with each passing day. But the allure of power was too strong to resist, driving him further down the path of darkness. As weeks turned into months, the Hotel of Horrors became their sanctuary, a place where they could explore the darkest depths of magic without fear of judgment or consequence. But as their power grew, so too did their arrogance. They became reckless, summoning creatures from the depths of the abyss and wielding magic beyond their control. And then, one fateful night, they performed a ritual that would change everything. Under the light of a blood-red moon, Oliver and Jack stood before the pedestal in the grand chamber, their faces illuminated by the flickering glow of torchlight. With trembling hands, they began to chant, their voices merging into a cacophony of dark whispers that echoed through the empty halls. As the ritual reached its climax, a surge of power coursed through Oliver's veins, filling him with an exhilarating sense of euphoria. But as he looked into Jack's eyes, he saw something flicker beneath the surface - a darkness so deep and consuming that it sent a chill down his spine. And then, with a deafening roar, the ritual reached its climax, unleashing a torrent of energy that tore through the fabric of reality. As the dust settled and the echoes of their chanting faded into silence, Oliver and Jack stood in shock, their minds reeling from what they had unleashed. But as they looked around, they realized with horror that something had gone terribly wrong. The hotel around them was no longer the decrepit ruin they had come to know - it was alive, pulsating with a malevolent energy that seemed to seep into their very bones. And then, emerging from the shadows, they saw them - twisted creatures of nightmare, their forms shifting and changing in the darkness. With a sense of dread sinking in his gut, Oliver realized the true cost of their actions. They had unleashed a darkness that threatened to consume everything in its path. And as he looked into Jack's eyes, he knew that there was only one thing left to do - they had to find a way to stop it, before it was too late. As Oliver and Jack confronted the horrors they had unleashed, they found themselves locked in a battle for their very souls. The creatures that lurked within the depths of the hotel were unlike anything they had ever encountered - twisted, grotesque abominations that seemed to defy the laws of nature. But despite the overwhelming odds, Oliver refused to back down. With every ounce of strength he possessed, he fought alongside Jack, determined to undo the damage they had wrought. For days, they battled against the darkness, their bodies weary, and their spirits tested. But no matter how hard they fought, it seemed as though the darkness was inexhaustible, its tendrils spreading like wildfire through the hotel's corridors. And then, just when all hope seemed lost, Oliver made a startling discovery. Hidden within the pages of the tome they had used to perform the ritual was a spell - a spell of binding that could trap the darkness once and for all. With a renewed sense of purpose, Oliver and Jack set out to perform the spell. But as they reached the grand chamber at the heart of the hotel, they were met with a sight that chilled them to the bone. Standing before them, bathed in the sickly light of the moon, was a figure unlike any they had ever seen. Its form was shrouded in darkness, its eyes burning with a malevolent fire that seemed to pierce straight through to their very souls. Oliver's heart raced as he realized the truth - this creature was the embodiment of the darkness they had unleashed, and it would stop at nothing to destroy them. With a sense of determination burning in his chest, Oliver stepped forward, his voice steady despite the fear that gnawed at his insides. "We've come to end this," he said, his words echoing in the empty chamber. "We will not let you consume this world." But the creature only laughed, its voice a twisted cacophony that sent shivers down Oliver's spine. "You cannot stop me, mortal," it said, its words dripping with malice. "I am the darkness that lurks in the hearts of men, the shadow that consumes all in its path. You are nothing but insects to be crushed beneath my heel." But Oliver refused to be intimidated. With a defiant roar, he raised his hands and began to chant the spell of binding, his voice ringing out in the darkness like a clarion call. And then, with a blinding flash of light, the spell took hold, trapping the darkness within the confines of the hotel's walls. For a moment, there was silence, broken only by the sound of their laboured breathing. And then, with a deafening roar, the hotel began to collapse in on itself, its walls crumbling to dust as the darkness was consumed by the very shadows it had spawned. As Oliver and Jack emerged from the ruins of the hotel, they were greeted by the light of the rising sun, its warm rays banishing the darkness that had threatened to consume them. With a sense of relief washing over him, Oliver collapsed to his knees, his body weary from the battle. But as he looked up at the sky above, he knew that the nightmare was finally over. Or so he thought. As Oliver lays in the hospital bed, his mind a maelstrom of confusion and uncertainty, he couldn't shake the feeling that something was terribly wrong. The events of the past few days seemed like a distant dream, a surreal nightmare from which he couldn't seem to wake. But try as he might, he couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to the story than he remembered. With a sense of unease gnawing at his gut, Oliver glanced around the room, his eyes falling on the figure of a nurse standing by his bedside. "Where am I?" he asked, his voice hoarse from disuse. The nurse smiled sympathetically; her eyes filled with concern. "You're in the hospital, dear. You've been in a coma for quite some time. "Oliver's heart skipped a beat at the mention of a coma. How long had he been unconscious? And what had happened to him? As the nurse explained the details of his condition, Oliver's mind raced with a thousand questions. But try as he might, he couldn't seem to piece together the events that had led him here. And then, just as he was about to give up hope, a flicker of memory flashed through his mind - the hotel, the rituals, the darkness. With a start, Oliver realized the truth - it hadn't been a dream at all. The horrors he had faced were all too real, and they had left a mark on his soul that would never fade. As the reality of his situation sank in, Oliver felt a sense of despair wash over him. How could he ever hope to move on from the trauma he had endured? But even as he grappled with his fear and uncertainty, a small voice whispered in the back of his mind - a voice that told him that he was stronger than he knew, and that he would find a way to overcome the darkness that threatened to consume him. With a newfound sense of determination burning in his chest, Oliver vowed to face whatever challenges lay ahead with courage and resilience. For he knew that the journey was far from over, and that the true test of his strength had only just begun. And so, with a sense of resolve burning in his heart, Oliver closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep, knowing that no matter what trials awaited him, he would face them head-on, armed with nothing but his own indomitable spirit. But little did he know, the darkness that had once threatened to consume him still lurked in the shadows, biding its time until the moment was right to strike again. And as Oliver drifted off into unconsciousness once more, a sense of dread settled over him, for he knew that the nightmare was far from over, and that the true battle for his soul had only just begun.

I edited Lund's article to make it a quicker read. Go here for the article.
​
The Revelation That Saved One Boy Shot During the Haun's Mill Massacre
by Gerald N. Lund
Warren Smith and his wife, Amanda Barnes Smith, were among the first to hear and accept the gospel after The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was organized. They were baptized in 1831... In 1838, the Smiths, along with many other Saints, were forced to leave Kirtland by the enemies of the Church, including many who were former members turned apostate... Unfortunately, although they were hoping to find peace and safety, the Kirtland Camp moved from the proverbial frying pan directly into the fire. By the time the Smiths approached Far West, all of Missouri was in an uproar. As they neared their destination, the Smiths and a few other families were delayed, and the main camp moved on without them.
On October 27, 1838, the situation in Missouri exploded. Governor Lilburn W. Boggs issued his famous order to drive the [Latter-day Saints] from the state or exterminate them. On receiving word of the governor’s order, the Prophet Joseph sent messages to the outlying [Latter-day Saint] settlements and told them to come into Far West for protection.
October 30, 1838
The day after the extermination order was issued, a band of Missourians stopped the small party that included the Smiths and confiscated all their firearms. The following day, October 29, the group stopped at a small settlement just 12 miles east of Far West to rest and repair their equipment. Stopping there proved to be a fateful decision. The town had been founded by a man named Jacob Haun and was called Haun’s Mill. One of those in the Smiths’ group later recorded what happened the next day:
"More than three-fourths of the day had passed in tranquility. . . At about 4:00 p.m., the settlers heard what sounded like distant thunder. Suddenly they saw a band of about 250 men riding hard toward them. As mothers screamed for their children and husbands and fathers came running from the fields, a fusillade of rifle shots erupted. In an instant, all was pandemonium. The women and children ran for the woods, while the men raced for the protection of the blacksmith shop with its thick log walls and heavy door.
Screaming for his three boys to join him, Warren Smith also darted into the blacksmith shop. Alma and Sardius followed. But Willard, the oldest, was thrown back by some invisible force when he tried to pass through the door. He tried again and again, but with the same result, before he raced to a woodpile and dove behind it with bullets flying around him.
The blacksmith shop proved to be a death trap. Although the logs were heavy and thick, there were great cracks between them. The mob dismounted and surrounded the building, then put the muzzles of their guns to the openings and unleashed a withering fire.
Warren went down immediately, gravely wounded. Alma and Sardius crawled beneath the blacksmith’s bellows to escape the gunfire. When the mob broke in, they found Warren Smith crawling toward his boys. They stripped him of his boots, then killed him.
One mob member shoved his rifle under the bellows and fired. The bullet hit Sardius in the head, killing him instantly. Another mobber heard Alma whimpering in terror. He jammed the muzzle of his rifle against the boy’s body and blew the entire hip joint away.
Willard Smith was the first to enter the blacksmith shop. What a terrible thing for a young boy to see. In addition to several other bodies, he found both his father and his brother Sardius dead. Alma, his youngest brother, was nearly unconscious and in terrible agony. He picked him up and took him outside.
“Heavenly Father, What Shall I Do?”
Here is Amanda Smith’s account of what happened that terrible day:
"When the firing had ceased I went back to the scene of the massacre, for there were my husband and three sons, of whose fate I as yet knew nothing. . . . Passing on I came to a scene more terrible still to the mother and wife. Emerging from the blacksmith shop was my eldest son, bearing on his shoulders his little brother Alma. I cried, in anguish..."The entire hip joint of my wounded boy had been shot away. Flesh, hip bone, joint and all had been ploughed out from the muzzle of the gun, which the ruffian placed to the child’s hip through the logs of the shop and deliberately fired. We laid little Alma on a bed in our tent and I examined the wound. It was a ghastly sight.
"'Oh my Heavenly Father,' I cried, 'what shall I do? Thou seest my poor wounded boy and knowest my inexperience. Oh, Heavenly Father, direct me what to do!' And then I was directed as by a voice speaking to me. The ashes of our fire was still smouldering. We had been burning the bark of the shag-bark hickory. I was directed to take those ashes and make a lye and put a cloth saturated with it right into the wound. It hurt, but little Alma was too near dead to heed it much. Again and again I saturated the cloth and put it into the hole from which the hip joint had been ploughed, and each time mashed flesh and splinters of bone came away with the cloth; and the wound became as white as chicken’s flesh.
"Having done as directed I again prayed to the Lord and was again instructed as distinctly as though a physician had been standing by speaking to me. Near by was a slippery-elm tree. From this I was told to make a slippery-elm poultice and fill the wound with it. My eldest boy was sent to get the slippery-elm from the roots, the poultice was made, and the wound, which took fully a quarter of a yard of linen to cover, so large was it, was properly dressed. It was then I found vent to my feelings in tears, and resigned myself to the anguish of the hour."
“I’ll Never Forsake”
But Alma Smith was not going anywhere. Amanda continues her account:
"I removed the wounded boy to a house, some distance off, the next day, and dressed his hip; the Lord directing me as before. I was reminded that in my husband’s trunk there was a bottle of balsam. This I poured into the wound, greatly soothing Alma’s pain. 'Alma, my child,' I said, 'you believe that the Lord made your hip?'
“'Yes, mother.'
"'Well, the Lord can make something there in the place of your hip, don’t you believe he can, Alma?'
"'Do you think that the Lord can, mother?' inquired the child, in his simplicity.
"'Yes, my son,' I replied, 'he has showed it all to me in a vision.'"
"Then I laid him comfortably on his face and said: 'Now you lay like that, and don’t move, and the Lord will make you another hip.'
"So Alma laid on his face for five weeks, until he was entirely recovered—a flexible gristle having grown in place of the missing joint and socket, which remains to this day a marvel to physicians. On the day that he walked again I was out of the house fetching a bucket of water, when I heard screams from the children. Running back, in affright, I entered, and there was Alma on the floor, dancing around, and the children screaming in astonishment and joy.
"It is now nearly forty years ago, but Alma has never been the least crippled during his life, and he has traveled quite a long period of the time as a missionary of the gospel and a living miracle of the power of God."
​
Copied this from Amanda's journal, page 6. Go here
The news of the Mormon Miracle spread far and near and after Amanda
went to Quincy, Illinois, she was visited by five physicians sent by a
board of doctors in St. Louis who had heard of the case and wished to
investigate. After watching the action of the hip as he walked, they
declared it a complete mystery. They could not understand what kind of
combination it was the supplied strength and action for the bone was
gone. A sort of gristle had partly supplied the place and it was just
as strong as the other leg and as active though there was a depression
easily detected through his clothing. 'They asked the name of the surgeon
who had performed the wonderful piece of surgery. Armanda said, "Jesus
Christ." 'They said not the Savior of the World; she replied, "Yes, the
same sir, He was the Physician and I was the nurse."
​
​

YOU DO NOT NEED TO GO ABOVE AND BEYOND FOR THESE JOBS! YOU DO NOT MATTER TO THEM!!
I worked in a nursing home for about nearly 2 years, a very short staffed one tbh and during my time there I would always stay late to help and even came in on weekend off etc when short staffed to help out. Today I put in my resignation and the tables switched. Instead of thanking me for my time or anything they responded by coming up there and telling me since I didnt give 1 month notice ( WTF nobody gives 1 moth notice) it will be place on my file and could impact future employment if I choose to come back there in the future. First of all you think I am gonna come back to this s***** facility and second you think I am not gonna callout for the rest of the time until end of my resignation date. You just basically told me you are essentially DNRing me from the facility, why would I come back? You know damn well administration bout to mess with schedule or etc just to be petty. I have seen them bully out nurses in the past and I can see the writing on the wall. I clocked out today almost 1 1/2 hours after my shift because they had no relief until then and I can tell you I aint coming back!

I resigned my job from a hospital in nyc two days ago. The work environment and experience there were less than ideal.
I’m not sure hospital nursing is for me. What’s next? Where do I go from here? Feeling defeated. I have 1 year of experience. Any advice?

Been in this career longer than I care to admit. I am honestly so touched out and disgusted with our system in Ontario. I want to resign from the college and nursing completely. I haven't renewed my license since 2021. How long does the process take and do they remove my name from the website?

(continuation of part 5)
Post-OG Cloud ruminates on what he could have done to save Aerith. Had he not been so lost in his own mind —distracted by Sephiroth and Jenova, consumed by his need to fulfill the emptiness at the core of his identity—, would he have paid more attention to Aerith’s sadness and anticipated her plan to go to the Forgotten Capital alone? Could she have survived if not for his obsession with what tormented him at the time? Could he have figured it out and kept her by his side? He’s angry with himself in retrospect, drowning in guilt, just like in Advent Children.
Here are the choruses, which usually contain the thesis main message of a song:

“Shine bright once more
Guide me to you
Smile bright once more
This time I will never let you go”

&

“Hear me once more
Show me your smile
This time for sure
I'll see the truth hidden inside your tears
But I, I know
That you're long gone
But I, I will
Go on, howling and hollow”

In these choruses, Cloud asserts that he will get it right this time (“this time” referring to the second chance that is the Remake trilogy). He will make sure he saves Aerith and never lets her go. He knows she’s gone, but he will fight against time to get her back. He longs for her smile and her light again, and he cannot bear the guilt: so he doesn’t. Post-OG Cloud embarks on a new adventure: ”I want to go to a place where everything is new,” said Cloud to Wol and Echo in Eclipse Contact before facing his past and being launched into Remake. “Hollow” makes far more sense now, doesn’t it? It’s a song not only about Cloud’s loss, but also about his determination to save Aerith this time. Given that it’s the theme song of Remake, the fact that “Hollow” fits with our theory perfectly is a very good sign: a theme song is meant to reflect the main plot of a story, indicating as our theory states that Remake is principally, albeit secretly, about Cloud saving Aerith. Because of this hope being set up, I’m confident that they will be together in the end, reunited for good. My dear Clerith friends, this is the hidden purpose of the Remake trilogy. Cloud and Aerith will be reunited.
VI. e) ii. “No Promises to Keep” Lyrics
This is quite obvious. Aerith is resigned to her fate, but still harbors hope that she will meet Cloud again in a permanent reunion:

“Till the day that we meet again
Where or when?
I wish I could say
But believe, know that you'll find me
[…]
Till the day that we meet again
On our street, I want to believe
[…]
Till the day that we meet again
At our place, just let me believe
In the chance that you'll come
Take my hand and never let me go
Take my hand
And believe
We can be
Together evermore
[…]
Still I hope someday you'll come and find me
Still I know someday you'll come and find me”.

VI. f) The Theme of Reunion Explained?
The last point I want to hit on is the concept of reunion. In OG, this theme was pretty much dominated by the Jenova Reunion. To an OG fan back in 1997, “reunion” meant “Sephiroth and Jenova’s evil plan”. However, in the Remake trilogy, the theme is expanded into something more. The first time Cloud meets Aerith in Remake, she gives him a flower and tells him something she didn’t in OG:

“Lovers used to give these when they were reunited...”

In addition, we’ve already talked about how part 5 of “Aerith’s Theme - The Cetra” from the Remake OST tells the story of Cloud and Aerith’s reunion (see section “V. b) ii. 2)”).
Many moments exclusive to the Remake trilogy serve the same purpose: linking the theme of reunion to Aerith. This expansion of the theme is highly significant. Our theory is that the Remake trilogy exists to reunite Cloud and Aerith, so the fact that the trilogy would implement so many Clerith-centric references to reunion is great support for our theory.
VI. g) i. The Leslie-Cloud Parallel
Let’s consider another instance involving the reunion flower in Remake, more precisely, the chapter 14 subplot surrounding Leslie’s lost lover. In case you need a refresher, Leslie is one of Corneo’s lackeys, although he secretly plans to betray him. He once had a fiancée and things were looking up until she was selected as one of Corneo’s brides. The day before she disappeared (presumably taken by Corneo), his fiancée broke up with him with no explanation. It was confusing and left Leslie perplex. As she broke up with him, she returned a necklace to him, one with a flower pendant. Of course, that flower is the very same reunion flower Aerith gives Cloud in chapter 2.
Evidently, Leslie and Cloud are going through parallel situations. At this point in time, Aerith was just kidnapped by Shinra, and Cloud is on his way to get her back. Both their loved ones have been taken by tyrant rulers, one being slumlord Corneo and the other being the Shinra government. In fact, even Leslie and Cloud’s attitudes share similar disillusioned, cold and stoic qualities. Leslie’s fiancée would evidently be paralleled by Aerith.
The most obvious proof of the Leslie-Cloud parallel is written plainly on the list of Remake’s chapter 14 main scenario objectives. Objective 7, called “For the Reunion”, consists of receiving the grappling guns needed to reach topside and save Aerith. The description of the objective reads as follows:

“Leslie gives them grappling guns, and they wish each other luck in reuniting with their respective loved ones. Leslie walks off, and the three prepare to climb the wall.”

The grappling guns are “For the Reunion”, because evidently, the loved one Cloud wants to reunite with is Aerith.
All this is simple and apparent enough. Just the fact that the theme of reunion is linked to Clerith in this way is proof enough, but there’s another layer to the Leslie-Cloud parallel. Not only does Leslie’s situation reinforce the concept of a Clerith reunion, it also mirrors the specifics of our theory: namely that Cloud will save Aerith from specifically Sephiroth (represented in Leslie’s scenario by Corneo) and that Cloud will take the initiative to accomplish this reunion. These two specific aspects of our theory are reflected by Leslie’s circumstances, meaning the Leslie-Cloud parallel not only pushes the theme of reunion, but also supports our specific theory.
VI. g) i. 1) The Separators: Corneo and Sephiroth
I’ll first prove that Leslie’s scenario is not meant to echo Cloud’s separation from Aerith at the hands of Shinra —or at least not exclusively—, but rather Cloud’s separation from Aerith at the hands of Sephiroth. Corneo would therefore be paralleled by Sephiroth rather than the tyrannical Shinra government.
The first piece of proof for the Corneo-Seohiroth parallel lies within the way in which Leslie’s fiancée broke things off: by lying. Aerith also lies to Cloud to create distance between them, but not pertaining to her kidnapping— rather, pertaining to her fated death. Since Sephiroth is Aerith’s killer and not Shinra, Corneo’s role in the Leslie-Cloud parallel is analogous to Sephiroth’s rather than Shinra’s.
There are two pieces of evidence that the Corneo-Sephiroth comparison makes more sense than the Corneo-Shinra one. The first lies in the fact that Leslie’s breakup resembles Cloud’s resolution scene: the topic of Cloud’s resolution scene is Aerith’s fate at the hands of Sephiroth rather than her kidnapping by Shinra, meaning Corneo and Sephiroth are the antagonists of both heartbreaks.
Let’s examine Leslie’s breakup. Here is how his fiancée broke things off, taken from the English script of Remake’s chapter 14, with tone indicators added by me in bold:

“Fiancée: It was all just a dream, wasn't it[?]
Fiancée: (Hopefully) But one day…
(She trails off, then shakes her head and stops herself.)
Fiancée: (Sadly, hopelessly) — no. Time to wake up. And forget.
(She walks away.)”

Now, here is a more literal translation of this quote from the original Japanese (verified by me via DeepL), with tone indicators added by me in bold:

“Fiancée: It was only just a dream we had / We were only dreaming...
Fiancée: (Hopefully, as though as a hail Mary) In the language of the flowers...
(She trails off, then shakes her head and stops herself.)
Fiancée: (Sadly, hopelessly) — no. You should forget about me.
(She walks away.)”

Leslie’s fiancée is clearly breaking up with him to spare him the pain of blaming himself for not being able to protect her from Corneo, as she knows it’s too late for her to escape from the slumlord’s clutches. We know this because we understand that the pendant she gave back to him symbolizes a reunion (especially between lovers, as Aerith told Cloud in chapter 2). In fact, the Japanese version of the script reveals that the fiancée was about to reveal the meaning of the flower, perhaps in the hopes that they would find each other once more, but she lost her nerve at the last second. Notice that she tells Leslie two specific things. One: their love or their future together was only a dream, meaning that it wasn’t real. Two: he should forget about her, because the dream is over now and it’s time to wake up from it.
If you’re finding this familiar, then you might be ahead of me. Let’s take a look at what Aerith says to Cloud in his resolution scene, also in the English script of Remake’s chapter 14, with tone indicators added by me in bold:

“Aerith: […] you can’t fall in love with me. [It]’s not real […]. (With a sigh, as though from sadness or difficulty, but resolutely) It’s almost morning. Time to go.”

Now, here is a more literal translation of this quote from the original Japanese (verified by me via DeepL), with tone indicators added by me in bold:

“Aerith: You can’t let yourself fall in love with me. [It]’s only your imagination […]. (With a sigh, as though from sadness or difficulty, but resolutely) Looks like it’s already morning. Time for me to go.”

Just like Leslie’s fiancée, Aerith is rejecting or denying Cloud’s love for her in order to spare him from the pain of not having been able to be with her before her death, as she believes it is inevitable. Just like the fiancée, Aerith also tells Cloud two things. One: their love is imaginary or isn’t real. Two: it’s morning, and she has to go (she says this right before Cloud wakes from the pseudo-dream).
In both cases, the women know something about their fate that the men don’t and are hiding this impending tragedy from them. Just like Leslie’s fiancée, Aerith uses well-intentioned deception to protect her loved one from the pain that will come from her fate— the lie, of course, is that their love isn’t real. Both women are hopeless, and both men are initially clueless. Aerith’s resolution can’t be about her kidnapping, because Aerith thinks her rescue is anything but hopeless— she’s sure Cloud will come save her from Shinra. She says so herself in OG’s disk 1, chapter 8:

“Cloud: Aeris!? You safe?
Aeris: Yeah, I'm all right. I knew that [you] would come for me.”

What Aerith is so resigned about in Cloud’s resolution scene isn’t her kidnapping, but instead her fated death at the hands of Sephiroth. Nojima hints at this in FFVII Remake Ultimania:

“If you know Aerith’s fate, then this line would really pull at your heart strings […]” (section 08 “Secrets”, “Development Staff Interviews, Part 2: Tetsuya Nomura, Yoshinori Kitase, Yoshinori Kitase, Kazushige Nojima”, page 744).

Here is what codirector Toriyama had to say on Aerith’s words:

“[While] these words are intended for Cloud, I think Aerith is partly speaking them to herself. The contents of her request may be at odds with how she truly feels inside” (FFVII Remake Material Ultimania Plus, VA Script Notes, “A Dream Shown by Aerith”, “Scenario Staff Q&A - Answered by Motomu Toriyama”).

These two quotes by the devs show that Aerith is trying to protect Cloud from her death. Therefore, the Corneo-Sephiroth parallel is far more apt than the Corneo-Shinra parallel.
The second piece of evidence supporting my belief that Corneo mirrors Sephiroth and not Shinra in the Leslie-Cloud parallel is the inclusion of the theme of revenge that crops up in the following piece of dialogue:

“Tifa: Why did you wanna come down here?
Leslie: Revenge. I know I need to let go, but I can't. I need closure, 'cause without it... I'll never be able to move on” (Remake, chapter 14).

Leslie’s sentiment toward Corneo resembles Cloud’s feelings toward Sephiroth after Aerith’s death. Revenge links Cloud to Sephiroth, not to Shinra. Corneo and Sephiroth reflect each other in that, as a consequence of their actions toward a woman, the man who loves her desires revenge.
Additionally, it looks like Leslie’s obsession with revenge as a means to closure is the reason he didn’t bother trying to understand the message his fiancée left him with: he’s focused on his hate rather than his love, and it’s hindering him. He doesn’t succeed in killing Corneo either: his focus and energy are misplaced. Cloud’s desire for vengeance against Sephiroth is also depicted as an obstacle to accomplishing his goals (see how in section “III. c)” of my previous literary analysis). Once more, the Corneo-Sephiroth parallel fits far better than a Corneo-Shinra perspective.
VI. g) i. 2) The Reunion Seekers: Leslie and Cloud
The other aspect of the Leslie-Cloud parallel that supports our theory is that in both scenarios, they both take charge of the situation and decide to actively seek reunion with their respective lovers. The following dialogue excerpt, supplemented by the VA script notes, shows Leslie’s initiative:

“Tifa: [Your fiancée] could still be out there.
Barret: Can never be sure how much someone means to ya till they're gone. Don't give up on her yet.
Leslie: (Looks at the flower pendant, [recalling his lover’s words) A message in the language of flowers… I wonder what she meant by it.
[…]
Tifa: Reunion.
Leslie: Huh?
Tifa: In the language of flowers, it means ‘reunion.’
(Leslie shifts his gaze from Tifa to the pendant and stares at it for some time. At last he understands the words his lover left him. With that, as if his mind has been made up, he clutches the pendant and hangs it around his neck.)
Leslie: Then I guess I’ll just have to find her first” (FFVII Remake Material Ultimania Plus, VA Script Notes, “Other Notable Stage Directions - Chapters 14-16”).

Take note of Leslie’s final response and the determination with which he speaks: “Then I guess I’ll just have to find her first”. Remember that we’re searching for evidence that Cloud is going to be the one reaching out to Aerith in the Remake trilogy, and that it’s his turn to take his future into his hands. He must be more attentive, more active this time. And Leslie’s words of determination reflect this perfectly. Leslie must find his fiancée first, just like Cloud has to be the one to offer his hand to Aerith in the Remake trilogy and fight for her. This is exactly what our theory is all about.
VI. g) i. 3) Delayed Realizations
Interestingly, not only does Leslie’s determination mirror Cloud’s, but both men are depicted as realizing the truth too late. Just like Leslie only began searching for his fiancée six months after her disappearance, Cloud only realizes he loves Aerith in OG once she’s died. It took him this long to actually get somewhere in his mission to reunite with her— “somewhere” being the Remake trilogy.
Even Barret’s words highlight the lovers’ delay: “Can never be sure how much someone means to ya till they're gone”. Barret would know: he lost his wife Myrna, whom he loved dearly. The devs have Barret comment on the situation as a man whose lover died, mirroring Cloud’s situation in OG. Just as Barret says, Cloud only truly realized the strength of how he felt for Aerith in OG once she was gone. The gunman’s words apply to both Leslie and Cloud’s tardy initiatives. Regardless of this delay, both men are now determined to see their respective reunions through.
The degree to which the Leslie-Cloud parallel fits our theory is a great sign of its validity: even the details are lining up!
VI. g) ii. Reunion in the Theme Songs
Too easy: in our analysis of the lyrics of the theme songs, we covered how both texts include the theme of reunion. “No Promises to Keep” is especially relevant (see section “VI. e) ii.”), as the entire song is Aerith hoping against fate for a reunion with Cloud (even if you believe the song is about all her companions, that still includes Cloud).
On top of these reunion-themed lyrics, during Aerith’s in-game performance of “No Promises to Keep” at the Gold Saucer production of Loveless, her yellow blossoms signifying reunion bloom all around her as Cloud watches her, captivated.
Another great sign for our theory: the highly significant theme songs are on our side!
VI. g) iii. Waking Up Reunited
The thing I want to juxtapose to our theory is a small yet special moment in chapter 2 of Rebirth that stuck out to me like a sore thumb and got me really excited about sharing it with you. This moment occurs after the battle against the Midgardsormr. We’ll be comparing it to two other clips, describing all three in chronological order, and making deductions based on their similarities.
The first clip I want to address occurs in chapter 8 of Remake (1:32-2:12). There are a couple of things I want to point out in this scene. First, Aerith wakes Cloud from unconsciousness with a cute call of “Hello~?”. Second, despite pretending that he doesn’t, he immediately recognizes her. The VA script notes prove it:

“Aerith: Nice to meet you again.
Cloud actually remembers Aerith, but he pretends not to, perhaps wishing to make himself look cool.
Cloud: Again, huh?
Aerith: What? You don’t remember? How about…the flowers?
Cloud looks at the flowers at his feet and pretends as if he’s only just remembered.
Cloud: Oh, the flower seller” (FFVII Remake Material Ultimania Plus, VA script notes, “Reuniting with Aerith”).

So: she wakes him with a cute call, and he recognizes her. Also note that these two elements also apply to the OG church reunion scene.
Now onto the Rebirth chapter 2 scene that stuck out to me. After Cloud is saved from the Midgardsormr by Sephiroth, Cloud wakes from an unconsciousness spell with Aerith calling for him (7:20-7:34).
Once more, Aerith wakes him with a cute call (this time, it’s “Wakey, wakey!”), and Cloud recognizes her. In this Midgardsormr clip, unlike their reunion in the church, Cloud verbalizes that he remembers her. This time, there’s more: next, Aerith tells Cloud “おかえり, クラウド”, or “okaeri, Cloud”, which translates to “welcome back, Cloud”. “Okaeri” is what you say in Japanese when someone has returned home. In the third clip we will analyze, Aerith says “okaeri” to Cloud once more. But first, let’s break down this second clip.
I don’t know about you, but this cutscene felt extremely weird to me when I first encountered it. That is, it would have been, if not for the theory I’d begun formulating at that time.
You see, the devs could have chosen for Aerith to ask Cloud if he remembers his own name or where they are, if he’s okay, or check if he responds to his own name. In fact, asking someone who’s been hit on the head to say their own name is a much more common reaction to them finally waking up than asking them if they remember you. Even stranger is Cloud’s reaction: he could have answered “Yeah, you’re Aerith,” or “I remember everything, I’m fine”. Instead, he says her name with this airy and wonderstruck tone. He sounds like he’s opening his eyes to something mystic rather than his comrade leaning over him, like he’s seeing someone unexpectedly for the first time in a while… or rather like he’s waking from a trance of some kind— a trance in which he did not remember Aerith, and now he does. You may see where I’m going with this.
Let’s examine the third clip, wherein Aerith tells Cloud “okaeri” again. More specifically, in chapter 14, Aerith welcomes Cloud back when he snaps out of his zombified, Sephiroth-controlled state and runs toward her. Of course, it’s the sight of her and his memories of meeting her in chapter 2 of Remake that shake him awake (2:17:43-2:18:02).
For a third time, Aerith wakes Cloud. This time, she’s pulling him out of a trance and back to himself. And for a third time, Cloud remembers her. In fact, it’s remembering her that wakes him up. Cloud calls her name and Aerith says “okaeri” in both the post-Midgardsormr cutscene and this third clip. And in both scenes, not only does Cloud return to himself the way someone returns home (recall that “okaeri” is used to welcome someone back home), but he’s also returning to her, recognizing her as his home.
Now we’ve got three scenes lined up: the church reunion scene (both in OG and Remake), the Midgardsormr scene and the hand-reach scene. All three of these recognition scenes feature Cloud being woken up by Aerith and remembering who she is. The main difference is that, in the scenes among these three that are exclusive to Rebirth, Cloud’s return to Aerith is far more meaningful, as he already knows her name, and knows more about who she is to him. Evidently, in the OG church reunion scene, Cloud only remembers being sold a flower by this girl. In the Remake version, he remembers the same thing, plus the attack of the whispers. So there’s something much more weighty about the Rebirth recognition scenes: he remembers more, and he remembers deeper. These aren’t just recognition scenes, they’re also mini-reunions. Of course, as we’ve already analyzed pertaining to the hand-reaching scene, Cloud remembering Aerith is followed by him being the one to take action and run toward her, eager to save her, because she means the world to him. When you place the Midgardsormr scene between the church reunion scene and the hand-reach scene, an evolution of Cloud waking up and remembering Aerith is formed. Each mini-reunion scene adds a piece to the story: the church scene informs us that Cloud and Aerith are meeting again, the Midgardsormr scene tips us off that something mystic is going on from Cloud’s tone when he says Aerith’s name, and the hand reach scene tells us that as a consequence of remembering who Aerith is, Cloud saves her from falling to her death and saving her. “Meeting again”, “mystic”, and “saving Aerith”: these are the keywords of the mini-reunion scenes. They are also the keywords of our theory on Cloud’s mission to save Aerith. This time around Cloud knows more and is more conscious about how he feels for Aerith, just like he feels more when in the hand-reach scene in Rebirth compared to the church reunion scene in Remake. From the latter scene to the former, Cloud gradually wakes up and remembers his love for and loss of Aerith in the OG more and more. Each mini-reunion brings him closer to saving her when he blocks the masamune. This is why I am certain that in part 3, whether Cloud comes to his full senses or not, whether he remembers the events of OG or not, he will save Aerith this time. The Remake trilogy is centered around Aerith, after all. In fact, don’t take it from me, take it from Nojima:

“Aerith's the most important character in the remake so we paid special attention to her lines” (FFVII Remake Ultimania, section 08 “Secrets”, “Development Staff Interviews, Part 2: Tetsuya Nomura, Yoshinori Kitase, Kazushige Nojima”, page 744).

I have full confidence in this fact: one way or another, these two will have a happy ending. This is Cloud’s second chance, and as he swore in “Hollow”, he is not losing her again. That is why I don’t think you should fret, and that our Clerith hearts will be very happy to see these two together again for good in part 3.
VI. h) Zooming In
In fact, this zooming-in method of directing players’ attention to important narrative beats is far from new.
VI. h) i. Changing Fate
Let’s divert our attention to Nanaki’s Skywheel date (2:28-3:30). The dialogue goes like this: Nanaki brings us the Whispers and suggests the party might eventually forget about their existence, and Cloud says that frankly, if it’s impossible for them to change fate either way, then it would be better for them to forget to Whispers altogether.
This is a very clear message from the devs: “There would be no point in including the Whispers in the Remaketrilogy if we did not make use of their defeat”. They’re telling us through Cloud’s dialogue that they know it would be foul play and bad writing to introduce the theme of defying fate if it didn’t eventually pay off.
As if it weren’t clear enough what the devs are referring to, Nanaki brings up Aerith’s death directly after Cloud delivers the devs’ message to us. He actually makes Cloud promise to save her. This is pretty on the nose. By promising Nanaki he will protect Aerith, the devs are promising us the same. I’m certain that part 3 will deliver on this promise.
If you still aren’t sold, I’d like to direct your attention to the framing of the shot where Cloud says “If we can’t change [fate]” (2:49-2:51). There’s a zoom-in on his mouth, which is a visual cue that translates to “what this character is saying right now is important to the plot”. It’s very indiscreet in theory: the camera literally hones in on the invisible words as though the script has them highlighted, italicized triple-underlined and in bold.
VI. h) ii. Aerith’s Knowledge
We’ve seen the Remake trilogy use this camera framing at least twice so far. The first time occurs in Remake’s chapter 8, before it becomes clear that Aerith knows things from the OG game that she wouldn’t normally know if this were just a remastered version of the same 1997 plot. I’ll let Remake Ultimania‘s description of this moment speak for itself:

“When Cloud and Aerith return the rescued children to Oates, the man in the tattered black cloak shows up again at the hideout. The moment the man grasps Cloud’s arm, he’s overcome by another violent headache and sees a vision of Sephiroth. Cloud wonders if this man who supposedly died five years ago could possibly still be alive. When he says as much to Aerith, she gives him a vague reply” (FFVII Remake Ultimania, section 04: “Scenario”, “Chapter 8 Main Story Digest”, page 256).

Aerith’s “vague reply” is accentuated by a very deliberate zoom-in on her mouth (1:18:05-1:18:09), and therefore her words.
The framing of this shot indicates to us that what Aerith says provides an important hint as to the plot’s direction. Sure enough, with hindsight, it’s easy to see that’s true.
VI. h) iii. Tifa’s Question
Another time this framing is used is in chapter 1 of Rebirth, after Cloud recounts the Nibelheim incident. Tifa asks the group why Sephiroth is choosing to come back now, after five years (37:55-37:58).
Once more, we are being signaled that the reason Sephiroth chose to return at the moment he did is significant to the plot, but cannot be revealed explicitly yet. The reason why Sephiroth took five years to return is because that’s how long it took for Cloud to get back on his feet after the Nibelheim incident: Sephiroth wants and/or needs to manipulate Cloud in particular rather than all the other people with Jenova cells in them. It took five years for Cloud to not only go through Hojo’s experiments but also escape Shinra and make his way to Seventh Heaven, where Tifa nursed him back to health— therefore, it took five years until Sephiroth’s favorite pawn was available to be used. There are a few reasons why Cloud is the one Sephiroth wants to use, and all of them would be spoilers at this point in Rebirth to players who don’t know the OG plot. The devs can’t reveal any of them yet, but they do indicate via a close-up shot of Tifa’s mouth that her question is important.
VI. h) iv. The Takeaway
As you can see, this framing of characters’ mouths when they speak signals a plot-significant piece of dialogue. This means Cloud’s words on his gondola date with Nanaki can’t be brushed off as a red herring or an unimportant or throwaway line: it has narrative weight.

VII. The Devs

I think it’s important to remember the devs and their commitment to the world of FFVII. They know best for this story, and they’ve proven it to be true many times over. There are many things about the devs’ intentions that the fandom don’t seem to know that I think would give you confidence to find out.
VII. a) Shifting Themes
Good storytellers don’t introduce themes as a way to pull the rug from under audiences’ feet by later rendering them completely irrelevant to the plot.
In other words, the devs would not have introduced the notion of fate as an antagonistic force in Remake, nor allowed the players to defeat it in chapter 18, had they planned for these themes not to pay off at all. Think of how good FFVII OG and FF stories in general are, how strong the writing is from a narrative point of view. Nothing is included for no reason or for a cheap reaction— especially not a central theme of a story. Fate and defeating it is a huge point of Remake, and not for no reason.
I mean, think about a storyline all about defying fate ending with a shrug and a “Oh well, we tried.” It would be ridiculous! The devs are better than that.
VII. b) What the Devs Want
The devs are well aware that fans of FFVII have been begging for Aerith’s resurrection since 1997. All those petitions, all those myths of a revival hack… SE knows about them all too well. They were even referenced by FF’s 30th anniversary expo, which partly promoted Remake:

“No one expected [Aerith’s death] in the middle of the story. Rumors of a secret way to revive Aerith spread, and it was clear players were having a hard time saying goodbye to her too. Even now, twenty years later, it still feels like a shocking turn of events” (Final Fantasy 30th Anniversary Exposition Pamphlet, page 36).

Hamaguchi, codirector of the Remake project, commented on these rumors:

“Interviewer: Do you have a favorite fake rumor about the original FFVII?

Hamaguchi: I hear a lot about Aerith coming back to life and that's something that's very interesting to hear” (Hamaguchi interview: “129 Rapid-Fire Questions Answered About Final Fantasy VII Rebirth”, by Game Informer).

The devs are also aware of how beloved Clerith is to the FFVII fandom, especially in Japan— in fact, the only FFVII ship name that is an official iOS search term on the Japanese Apple Store is Clerith’s (“クラエア” or “kuraea” in Japanese). Aerith herself is a widely beloved character, particularly, once more, in Japan. For instance, Famitsu and NHK’s recent polls on the best FF heroine and on the best FF character in general both resulted in Aerith ranking number 3, beaten only in the latter poll by Cloud at number 1 and FFX’s Yuna at number 2.
The devs know how well-loved both Clerith and Aerith are. And in fact, they love Aerith at least as much as we do:

“Cloud's feelings [of guilt] cannot be resolved by anyone other than Aerith. I tried to convey [that Aerith is saying to Cloud] ‘I'm still here for you’” (FFVII Reunion Files, Nojima’s note on Aerith’s character file, page 58).

&

“When I saw the finished product of [Aerith’s face in] CG, I thought, "Oh, isn’t she so cute?” (FFVII Reunion Files, Nomura’s note on Aerith’s character file, page 58).

&

"The idea of having Aeris die during the story had a great impact on all the dev staff," Toriyama explained, "and personally I decided to dedicate my efforts to depicting Aeris in as appealing a way as possible, so that she would become an irreplaceable character to the player in preparation for that moment" (Toriyama interview “Final Fantasy anniversary interview: Toriyama speaks” by VG247).

The devs care about Aerith, and they’re fully aware we do too.
I think a lot of people have it in their heads that the devs don’t want anything to change from the OG story, but there’s a lot of evidence that says otherwise. Codirector Toriyama spoke on this, stating the following about the production process of Remake:

“[…] there were times the original version became a hindrance. Specifically, staff members with a strong attachment to Final Fantasy VII would often hold themselves back for fear of deviating too much from the original. When we created the original game, we obviously didn’t feel bound in that way. We were passionate about creating a brand new Final Fantasy title, and so we dove in and embraced whatever seemed most interesting to us. We wanted to take that approach this time as well, so we made a special effort to liberate ourselves whenever we held back, remembering that it was okay to do the things we wanted to do” (FFVII Remake Ultimania, section 08 “Secrets”, “Development Staff Interviews, Part 1: Motomu Toriyama, Naoki Hamaguchi, Teruki Endo”, page 737).

Codirector Nomura said the following:

“When I asked Nojima if he’d write the scenario, I was clear about my demands up front. I said, ‘If we're going to remake Final Fantasy VII, I want it to be done like this.’ At that point, I was intent on making something more than just a remake. [Similarly to how] the battle system this time incorporates elements of the original game’s ATB mechanics [while] also been reborn using a real-time approach […], I wanted to make a story that players would feel is fundamentally Final Fantasy VII but also something new” (FFVII Remake Ultimania, section 08 “Secrets”, “Development Staff Interviews, Part 2: Tetsuya Nomura, Yoshinori Kitase, Kazushige Nojima”, page 745).

Clearly, the devs don’t want to be bogged down by the OG, and are making efforts to do things the way they want to rather than the way they were previously done. The newer generation of developers such as codirector Hamaguchi is also involved in these story changes:

“Interviewer: There are also drastically more scenes with Sephiroth than there were in the original game.
Nojima: We weren't planning on having him appear so much at first— the idea was only to hint at his presence. But we changed our approach partway through and became more proactive with having him appear, after which the number of scenes he features in rapidly increased.
Nomura: Hamaguchi [codirector Naoki Hamaguchi] came up to me one day and said in a mysterious tone, ‘I'd like to talk to you about something.’ He asked me about having there be a battle with Sephiroth in Midgar. In the original game, Sephiroth’s true body is located elsewhere, so he didn’t think I'd give in to the idea so easily. I think he even prepared materials to persuade me. But in the end I agreed readily [laughs]” (FFVII Remake Ultimania, section 08 “Secrets”, “Development Staff Interviews, Part 2: Tetsuya Nomura, Yoshinori Kitase, Kazushige Nojima”, page 746).

Kitase, the producer of the Remake trilogy, even says that after working on this project for so long, and after spending almost 30 years on the FFVII project and getting to know the characters, he has realized that:

“The more [he works] on it, the more [he wants] to make all these characters happy. [He wants] to give them a happy ending. The rest of the team’s opinions [obviously] also have to be taken into consideration, so it won't be all happiness and rainbows. But [he] just [wants] to make [the characters of FFVII] happy” (Kitase and Hamaguchi’s interview “Final Fantasy VII Rebirth’s Producer Just Wants 'the Characters to End Up Happy'”, by Vandal, translated by me).

Kitase is indeed only one developer, but he’s the producer of this project: that’s the very top position. He oversees everything and nothing goes without his approval. That counts for something. Of course, Kitase is fair and values the input of all the devs, so of course it won’t be “all happiness and rainbows”— but I sincerely believe there’s a big chance that Cloud and Aerith are heading toward their happy ending. Even if this theory is completely bogus, I want to have faith that the devs would not sacrifice good storytelling for nostalgia and a conservative attitude toward preserving the OG story, as that would be cheap of them, and we have not known them to be cheap. This game truly matters to them, so I think they deserve our faith.
(conclusion in

Of Suicide

Reflexions on suicide, & on my father, possess me. I drink too much. My wife threatens separation. She won’t ‘nurse’ me. She feels ‘inadequate’. We don’t mix together.
It’s an hour later in the East. I could call up Mother in Washington, D.C. But could she help me? And all this postal adulation & reproach?
A basis rock-like of love & friendship for all this world-wide madness seems to be needed. Epictetus is in some ways my favourite philosopher. Happy men have died earlier.
I still plan to go to Mexico this summer. The Olmec images! Chichén Itzá! D. H. Lawrence has a wild dream of it. Malcolm Lowry’ s book when it came out I taught to my precept at Princeton.
I don’t entirely resign. I may teach the Third Gospel this afternoon. I haven’t made up my mind. It seems to me sometimes that others have easier jobs & do them worse.
Well, we must labour & dream. Gogol was impotent, somebody in Pittsburgh told me. I said: At what age? They couldn’t answer. That is a damned serious matter.
Rembrandt was sober. There we differ. Sober. Terrors came on him. To us too they come. Of suicide I continually think. Apparently he didn’t. I’ll teach Luke.

I am a nurse practitioner in Texas working a less than ideal job position with an employer that had fired 4 NPs prior to me onboarding, within 2 years of company being created. I had worked with him 8 months with a one year contract with a stipulation on contract if it was broken I would need to reimburse employer $3000 credentialing fee. In the 8 months I was with employer I was never credentialed. I have found new employment, and had a discussion with employer that I would be resigning. He then told me to not return back to work, but is requesting the $3000 within 1 week. He requested I send an email stating I would pay this back or my last check would only be minimum wage and not wage specified on contract. Would I be legally required to pay back this amount?

I just signed my mom up for hospice and also signed a DNR. My heart hurts. The hospice nurse said patients can live for a while on hospice but I don't think she's got that long. She's eaten a single donut in the last 6 days and I'm not sure how much water she's had. She's resistant to taking any medication and she is resistant to assistance in personal care. She bites and hits the nursing staff and that's really not the mom I know. She won't take anything but water now, if that, because she knows (sometimes) that they like to crush her meds and put it in something sweet. The nursing staff at the medical facility she's living in were kind of at a loss of what to do with her. The hospice nurse is aware of all this and so she's going to get shots with her meds. I'm both really sad that she's at this stage already, and relieved that she'll get the kind of care she needs. At least she gets to stay with my dad through this. He's resigned to what's happening but she's the great love he had of his life and I know this saddens him too.