Exclusive Content:

“It’s Not Easy”: An Honest Letter to My Husband on Valentine’s Day

"Here we are, 24 times we have celebrated Valentine’s Day... I feel like I am just lately really getting to know you."

Jimmy Carter: A Life of Faith, Service, and Legacy

Longest-living President Jimmy Carter has lived an incredible life rooted in deep Christian faith. From his time as the 39th President of the United States to his global humanitarian efforts, Jimmy Carter's legacy is one that honors God and country.

Lauren Daigle Returns to the ‘American Idol’ Stage That Rejected Her to Sing Multi-Platinum Hit “Look Up, Child”

Lauren Daigle returned to 'American Idol' to perform her hit song "Look Up, Child" for millions of fans—some in the audience and some watching from home.

World Cup Champ Olga Carmona Learns Father Died After Scoring Winning Goal

Millions around the world saw the victorious photo of Spain’s 29-year-old soccer star, Olga Carmona, celebrating with her jersey in her teeth after she scored the winning (and only!) goal in the World Cup Finals against Australia Sunday. Carmona was dedicating her victory to the mother of her best friend, who had recently passed away. Her name was on the shirt. She also mentioned her friend’s late mom in her post-game interview, explaining why she had shown the words written on her compression top beneath her jersey.

Unbeknownst to Carmona at the time, however, she had her own loss to deal with—in a strange twist of fate, her father Tomas Carmona Mena had just passed away. The star would not be told until after the match, which is surely the way her family wanted it. The Royal Spanish Federation announced the death just hours after the team’s victory, saying:

“REF deeply regrets to report the death of Olga Carmona’s father. The soccer player learned the sad news after the World Cup final,” the statement said. “We send our most sincere hugs to Olga and her family in a moment of deep pain. We love you, Olga, you are the history of Spanish football.”

Carmona herself later tweeted in Spanish to honor her father, showing a photo of herself kissing her World Cup medal. Translated, the tweet reads, “And without knowing it, I had my Star before the game started. I know that you have given me the strength to achieve something unique. I know that you have been watching me tonight and that you are proud of me. Rest in peace dad”.

At the time, no cause of death was given for her father, but the Daily Mail later reported that Tomas Carmona Mena died after a long battle with cancer. On her flight home from the World Cup in Australia, Olga Carmona tweeted again, in Spanish, processing the many emotions she was going through. Translated, she says, “I have no words to thank all your love. Yesterday was the best and the worst day of my life. I know that you would like to see me enjoy this historic moment, that is why I will be with my colleagues, so that from wherever you are you know that this star is also yours, dad.”

Carmona’s twitter mentions are full of loving and supportive messages from fans and colleagues. The soccer star, who also scored the only goal in her team’s semi-final match earlier in the week, will surely have one of the most emotionally complicated weeks of her life. Love and prayers to the Carmona family as they grieve their profound loss, and as they celebrate Olga’s amazing achievement.

Jenny Rapson
Jenny Rapsonhttp://www.foreverymom.com
Jenny Rapson is a wife and mom of three from Ohio and the editor of For Every Mom. You can also find her alternately griping and gushing about her kids at her own blog, Mommin' It Up. You can email her at jrapson@outreach.com, or follow her on Twitter.

“It’s Not Easy”: An Honest Letter to My Husband on Valentine’s Day

"Here we are, 24 times we have celebrated Valentine’s Day... I feel like I am just lately really getting to know you."

Jimmy Carter: A Life of Faith, Service, and Legacy

Longest-living President Jimmy Carter has lived an incredible life rooted in deep Christian faith. From his time as the 39th President of the United States to his global humanitarian efforts, Jimmy Carter's legacy is one that honors God and country.

Lauren Daigle Returns to the ‘American Idol’ Stage That Rejected Her to Sing Multi-Platinum Hit “Look Up, Child”

Lauren Daigle returned to 'American Idol' to perform her hit song "Look Up, Child" for millions of fans—some in the audience and some watching from home.