A pregnant mother of three needs to sell her stroller to feed her three children after she was abandoned by her husband.Anne Sargent sat on her kitchen floor and cried. It was past midnight, and it was the only time she could allow herself to show her pain — when her three children were asleep upstairs.Anne felt the baby move and placed a tender hand on her belly. “I’m sorry,” she whispered to her unborn child. “I’m doing my best, but it’s just not good enough…” Just two months ago, Anne had been a radially happy wife and mother, confidently expecting the birth of her fourth child, and confident in her place in the world and her husband’s love. That woman was gone.Anne was expecting her fourth child when her husband walked out.| Source: Unsplash Derek had come home one night and told her he was leaving, just like that. “But why?” asked Anne. “I don’t understand, I thought we were happy!”“YOU were happy!” Derek cried. “YOU,not me! All you did was have babies and fuss over them, now there’s one more on the way!” “But you WANTED children!” Anne protested. “You were happy every time I was pregnant…”A family is built on understanding and mutual respect. Happy?” screamed Derek. “Happy that you gave all your love and attention to the kids? All I was to you was a paycheck! Well, that’s OVER!” So three months after Anne announced her fourth pregnancy, Derek was gone. Anne immediately went out and found herself a part-time job at a local grocery store.All you did was have babies and fuss over them!” | Source: Unsplash The owner would have been willing to give her a full-time job, but for that, Anne would have needed to pay a sitter for her three boys and that would have consumed most of her salary,so she carefully stretched her salary. But even with the child support check Derek sent, it just wasn’t enough. Anne started selling some antique china she’d inherited from her grandmother and that paid for the utilities for a few months. Then she sold a silver brush-and-mirror set she’d had since she was a little girl, and that paid for groceries. Little by little, as her belly grew, Anne sold her treasures to keep her family safe and fed. Then one day, there was nothing left to sell except bric-a-brac. Anything of greater value was gone. Anne looked at the old stroller she’d brought up from the cellar. It had been hers when she was a baby and had been used by each of her children in turn. It was very old, probably from the sixties,but it was in mint condition.Anne was devastated by Derek’s attitude. | Source: Unsplash She ran her hand over the roses painted on the side and bit back her tears. She needed it for the new baby, but she needed the money even more.She thought about getting a good price for it down at the flea market. Vintage items were always popular… And so she took the stroller to the flea market, and one of the dealers gave her $50 for it. Not much at all, but every cent helped.Anne walked away, sure she’d never see the stroller again, but she was wrong. Two days later, she opened the front door and saw the stroller on the porch! There was an envelope inside and Anne opened it and read: “Please call me.” The message was followed by a phone number. Anne called the number ad a woman answered her. “Hello?” Anne said. “Are you the person who left the stroller? How did you know who it belonged to and where I live?”Anne got a part-time job as a teller. s Derek told me,” the woman on the other side said. “I’m Grace Robbs. I think we should meet.” An hour later, Grace was sitting on Anne’s sofa sipping tea. She was a pretty woman, six or seven years younger than Anne, and she looked very unhappy. Her pale skin was blotched and her eyes were swollen as if she’d been crying. “How do you know Derek,” Anne asked, even though in her heart she already knew the answer. “I was his girlfriend,” Grace said. “Was?” asked Anne. “You broke up?”What Anne earned just wasn’t enough. | Source: Unsplash “Today, as a matter of fact,” Grace said and started crying. “I didn’t know…I didn’t know about you or the children, or the baby… I found out I was pregnant, and I didn’t know how to tell him…” t“So I went to the flea market with a friend and saw this darling stroller and I bought it. I put it in the middle of the lounge and tied balloons to it with a message: ‘Hello Dad!’” “But he wasn’t happy like I thought he’d be. He started screaming and asking where II got the stroller and if his stupid wife had given it to me. He asked if it was a joke.” He told me to take it right back, that he didn’t want to know about your baby. So I told him: ‘It’s for OUR baby.’ and that’s when he went crazy.” “He accused me of wanting to trap him and said he already had three brats with you and one more on the way, and he didn’t want my baby. He told me to get out and come to you.”Anne sold her beautiful vintage stroller in the flea market. | Source: Unsplash He said: ‘Might as well have all the breeding cows under the same roof.’ I’m so sorry, I didn’t know about you, I guess I didn’t know him at all!” Anne got up and put her arm around the crying girl. “It’s okay. It’s going to be okay, you’ll see.” “He’s kicked me out,” Grace said quietly. “I have no family here and nowhere to go. I have a job, but with the rents in this city, I can’t afford to live alone, and who is going to want a pregnant roommate?” “I will!” Anne said firmly. “I need a tenant because what I earn isn’t enough, and I can’t work full-time because I can’t afford a babysitter for after school.” “But…” Grace’s face lit up. “I work online! I can take care of the kids after school. I love kids!”Anne and Grace comforted each other. | Source: Unsplash Advertisement “So I can take a full-time job?” asked Anne, delighted. “The owner of the grocery store wants me to manage it for him. With your help, I can! And you don’t have to worry about stuff for the baby. After three kids I have enough for an army.” Grace smiled through her tears. “And we have the stroller too…” she pointed out. “Are you sure? It’s Derek’s baby…” “No,” Anne shook her head. “It’s YOUR baby, and my children’s sibling, that is all that matters.” The two women settled into a new life together, and when Anne’s baby was born, Grace was there. When it was Grace’s turn four months later, Anne held her hand. They became a real family and raised their five children together.Anne and Grace raised their children together. | Source: Unsplash Advertisement As for Derek, he had several failed relationships and eventually came knocking on Anne’s door. He was shocked when he saw Grace there and asked to speak to Anne. “What do you want, Derek?” Anne asked. “I miss you, babe…” Derek said. Anne stared at him for a long moment then said, “Sorry, so not interested!” And she closed the door in his face.
Joey from ‘Friends’ Resurfaces at 57 – His New Look Has Everyone Talking
Matt LeBlanc, famous for playing Joey on “Friends,” recently appeared in public again at 57, showing a big change in his look. After staying out of Hollywood for years, his new appearance surprised fans, leading to mixed reactions online.
LeBlanc became very popular for his role as Joey Tribbiani on “Friends,” where people loved him for his humor, good looks, and memorable lines. But after the show ended, LeBlanc started to step away from the spotlight.
Let’s look at Matt LeBlanc’s journey and changes over the years — from playing the lovable Joey Tribbiani on “Friends,” going through what he described as the hardest time of his life, to his recent public appearance that left some social media users concerned about him.
1994 – 2000
Matt LeBlanc became a major star in the mid-90s thanks to his role as Joey Tribbiani on the hit sitcom “Friends.” The show, which first aired in 1994, quickly became a global sensation, winning over millions of fans and making LeBlanc a household name.
LeBlanc’s character, Joey, was a struggling actor with a big heart, known for his great sense of humor, his simple yet lovable personality, and his iconic catchphrase, “How you doin’?” Joey was the ladies’ man of the group, combining his good looks with a childlike charm that instantly made him a fan favorite.
With his sharp jawline, thick dark hair, and a smile that could brighten any room, LeBlanc’s good looks played a big role in his character’s appeal. Fans were captivated by his natural charm and the boyish innocence that made Joey both relatable and impossible to resist.
2004 – 2006
After “Friends” ended in 2004, LeBlanc tried to keep Joey Tribbiani’s story going with the spin-off show, “Joey.” While the series aimed to recreate the success of “Friends,” it struggled to connect with audiences.
Running from 2004 to 2006, “Joey” only lasted for two seasons before it was canceled due to low ratings and poor reviews.
During these years, LeBlanc went through personal struggles that made this time even harder. He was dealing with a painful divorce, and the pressure of trying to save the show added to his stress.
“My marriage was maybe doomed anyway, I don’t know,” LeBlanc admitted. On top of this, his young daughter was diagnosed with a health issue, adding to the emotional weight he was carrying.
Sadly, the challenges continued. LeBlanc also faced betrayal when a nanny sold a story about his daughter’s health to the media.
He described this time as one of the darkest periods of his life, feeling torn between his responsibilities as a father and his efforts to make “Joey” a success.
LeBlanc often struggled to be funny on set, with his mind constantly distracted by worries about his daughter’s health and the turmoil in his personal life.
Despite these challenges, he pushed through, later reflecting on how these tough times helped him grow. “But I got through it. Don’t they say, ‘What doesn’t kill us, only makes us stronger?’” he shared.
2007-2011
After “Joey” was canceled in 2006, LeBlanc made the surprising choice to leave the entertainment industry. For five years, he stayed out of the spotlight, taking a break to focus on his personal life.
Looking back on this time, LeBlanc said, “For years and years, I barely left the house. I was burnt out. I wanted to not have a schedule, not be somewhere. I was in a position to do that.”
LeBlanc described this period as a dark chapter in his life, where he nearly faced a nervous breakdown. “My agent was bummed. Most actors call their agents and say, ‘What’s going on?’ I’d call mine and say, ‘Please lose my number for a few years,’” the actor revealed.
In 2011, LeBlanc made a surprising return to television, playing a fictionalized version of himself in the series “Episodes.” “None of it’s me. Even the parts that are me, are not me,” LeBlanc explained cryptically.
LeBlanc’s comeback in “Episodes” highlighted his natural comedic talent, a key part of his personality. “I like to laugh. I’ve been like this my whole life. I have funny bones. If there’s ever any kind of tension, I’ll always be the one to try and be funny to loosen things up,” he shared.
2017
After eight years of playing his unique character, LeBlanc bid farewell to “Episodes” in 2017. Looking back, he expressed his gratitude, saying, “I’ve just been so, so lucky to be a part of it.”
During this period, LeBlanc’s appearance had notably changed. He had a fuller figure and a more rugged look compared to his earlier days as Joey, with his hair now turned a distinguished silver.
In 2022, LeBlanc made one of his final public appearances before stepping back from the spotlight once more. He showcased a distinguished look, blending his signature casual charm with a touch of mature elegance.
Leave a Reply