the hard stuff.

                     unfiltered.

This is where I bare it all—the raw, unpolished truth of grief, loss, and the struggle to find my way. Here, I let you into the depths of my heart, sharing the pain, the love, and the moments that have broken me but also shaped me. It’s not always pretty, but it’s real. And in the chaos of it all, I’ve found flickers of peace, love, and life again. This space is for anyone who needs to know they’re not alone in their hardest moments.

Latest Unfiltered Reflection

Unfiltered
Quality of Life, End of Life, and the Decisions No One Prepares You For
Quality of Life, End of Life, and the Decisions No One Prepares You For

In this week’s Unfiltered piece, Tina Santos shares a raw and deeply personal reflection on caregiving, anticipatory grief, disability parenting, and the impossible weight of making quality-of-life decisions for someone you love.

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  • Two young people in winter clothing at a football game, hugging and smiling, with a packed stadium background.
  • A young man with curly brown hair smiling and standing in a field of tall grass and wildflowers, wearing a red and white varsity jacket with patches and blue jeans, during early evening or late afternoon.
  • A young woman with red hair wearing a striped shirt and sunglasses on her head, and a young man with dark hair wearing a gray t-shirt and sunglasses hanging from his collar, sitting at a restaurant table with Christmas decorations in the background.
  • A family of four standing together on a football field at night, with a football player in a maroon jersey, and three adults, smiling and posing for the photo.
  • A smiling young man wearing a colorful Hawaiian shirt with parrots and tropical leaves, and a large blue traditional Mexican sombrero with gold embroidery.
  • A woman and a man smiling on an airplane. The man is wearing a tan and black cap with an orange patch that says, 'Morgan Wallen, That Boy from East Tennessee, USA.' The woman has blonde hair and is wearing a striped shirt.
  • A young boy wearing a black fedora hat, black T-shirt, camo shorts, and neon green sneakers, smiling and pointing to his head in a clothing store aisle filled with shirts, pants, and athletic wear.
  • Two men in swimsuits and safety helmets standing in a cave with stalactites and water, smiling at the camera.
  • Two men in camouflage and green clothing sitting on the tailgate of a pickup truck outdoors, holding a small animal.
  • Young man in graduation cap and gown sitting in a grassy field, smiling at the camera.
  • Two young women sitting in a green golf cart parked on a driveway, with desert plants and houses in the background.
  • A man and a boy standing on a beach with water and trees in the background, both smiling, with the man wearing sunglasses and a white shirt and the boy wearing a white tank top.
  • A young boy dressed in a Superman costume with a blue shirt, red pants, and a yellow belt, standing with hands on hips indoors.
  • A boy and girl standing near a partially frozen lake with mountains and trees in the background.
  • Four high school football players standing on a football field at night, wearing maroon and black uniforms with helmets, posing for a photo.
  • A young person lying on a bed with a brindle cat sleeping on their chest.
  • A young man and woman smiling and standing close together outdoors with green foliage in the background. The man is wearing a red shirt, and the woman is wearing a black jacket.
  • A young girl with long, wavy hair and a girl sitting on a small motorcycle outdoors in a wooded area. The girl on the motorcycle is wearing a helmet and smiling. The other girl is standing beside her, with her hands on her cheeks and smiling. There are trees, parked trucks, and a building with a green roof in the background.
  • Two males standing outdoors on a football field, one in a black jacket and sunglasses, the other in football uniform holding a helmet, with a line of trees and other people in the background.
  • A young male football player in a red uniform with the number 9, holding a football, on a field with trees in the background.
  • A woman and a boy take a close-up selfie indoors, both smiling with the woman wearing a red top and the boy in a dark shirt.

Unfiltered Reflections

Briana Hardy Briana Hardy

Living in the Black

Grief changes everything. After burying my parents and losing my child, I’ve learned what it means to live in the black — the dark, quiet place where survival, anger, and acceptance collide. This is not polished or easy, but it is real.

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Resources

  • Logo of the Martyred Angels Foundation featuring a child with angel wings and a banner with the foundation's name.

    Support Families Through the Martyred Angels Foundation

    Losing a child is an unimaginable pain, and no family should have to navigate that journey alone. Martyred Angels Foundation is here to offer comfort, connection, and resources to those who need it most. Through community support, advocacy, and healing programs, we stand beside grieving families, helping them find strength in the love that remains.

    If you're looking for support, you don’t have to do this alone. Whether you need resources, someone to listen, or a place where your child’s name is always welcome—they are here.

    Learn more, get involved, and help us honor the lives of our angels.

    Learn More

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