The newest victims of the nation's foreclosure crisis are pets, which is extremely distressing to me.

I have learned to love that which is meant to harm me, so that I can stand in the way of those who are less strong. I can take the bullets for those who aren't able to.

The day on which I received confirmation was a distressing one to me.

I always felt like an outsider growing up. In school, I felt like I never fit in. But it didn't help when my mother, instead of buying me glue for school projects, would tell me to just use rice.

Being called ugly and fat and disgusting to look at from the time I could barely understand what the words meant has scarred me so deep inside that I have learned to hunt, stalk, claim, own and defend my own loveliness.

When the times are a crucible, when the air is full of crisis, those who are the most themselves are the victims.