Jamie, your writing always helps me feel hopeful.

Thank you, thank you, thank you.

1 | Left by Carlie | Dec. 25, 2010 at 1:36pm

This is exactly what I needed to hear today. Thank you for all you do and for encouraging me and so many others to spread such an important message. Because of this organization, I began to truly believe that I do matter and that I am priceless. So thank you.

Merry Christmas to everybody at TWLOHA.

2 | Left by Amber | Dec. 25, 2010 at 1:53pm

Thank you.
Live and love.

3 | Left by Elliot | Dec. 25, 2010 at 2:27pm

Thank you, Jamie. Thank you for reminding me that sitting here waiting for that one text is NOT what this day is about and that my world won't end when it doesn't come.

Merry Christmas, also. You do very good work and I, and countless others, are beyond grateful.

4 | Left by Christi | Dec. 25, 2010 at 2:44pm

It's like you read my mind. I have thought all those things. I know I am useless, replacable, and nameless. People have always reassured me of that. But you Jamie. You always make me feel alive and special. So Thank you. And may you have the merriest of Chirstmas's

5 | Left by Jen | Dec. 25, 2010 at 2:52pm

Perfect. Thank you and Happy Holidays!

6 | Left by Leah | Dec. 25, 2010 at 3:04pm

Thank you, this is beautiful.

7 | Left by marlene | Dec. 25, 2010 at 3:22pm

Jamie,
You truly have a way with words. It is impossible for me to describe to you how much you, and TWLOHA in general, have inspired and influenced my life, but I will at least say this: To Write Love On Her Arms found me the help I needed when I was in a time of need and if it wasn't for you guys I'd be six feet under right now. You have inspired me to be an advocate of hope and to help people realize and believe that their stories do matter and that they are important, alive, and beautiful in every way.
So, thank you from the very bottom of my heart and I hope you all have the most amazing Christmas.

8 | Left by Frannie | Dec. 25, 2010 at 3:37pm

Your message just put me in tears. This is exactly what I needed to hear... thank you.

9 | Left by Amanda Kate | Dec. 25, 2010 at 4:57pm

I wish I could've gotten to this sooner. Would've made my day much better. That's for sure.

10 | Left by Laine | Dec. 25, 2010 at 5:11pm

this is the first christmas i don't feel 'haunted' or 'abandoned' and it's because of people like you! i am so glad i hung on - though i couldn't have imagined that i could have last year. thank you for the hope you give...

11 | Left by lisa | Dec. 25, 2010 at 5:17pm

thanks for this post. in solidarity
alarr

12 | Left by Anon | Dec. 25, 2010 at 5:46pm

These are the words i needed to hear today. Throughout this holiday season I've felt 'abandoned' nd I'm grateful for things like this. It keeps me going. I can't thank you enough for your words, you save me. This is my release. Thank you.

13 | Left by MooMoo | Dec. 25, 2010 at 6:07pm

Thank you for your reminder...
Merry Christmas to you as well. :)

14 | Left by Katrina | Dec. 25, 2010 at 6:08pm

Great blog Jamie,

I also want to tell everyone, that is never to late to reach out God. it is because of days like this and easter that we truly have a hope.

15 | Left by Brandon Ryan | Dec. 25, 2010 at 6:14pm

I needed this for today. Thank you for your words.

16 | Left by Carolina | Dec. 25, 2010 at 6:47pm

Thank you. I know that I can always come here for something helpful. Today was no exception.

17 | Left by Jessica | Dec. 25, 2010 at 6:56pm

earlier this month i attempted to take my life... i still feel that haunting everyday... if only i could do it better.

I know i'm not alone and thats what hurts the most.... i'm not alone and theres nothing i can do help anyone...

i've tried to be numb and try not to care but the reality is ... is that i care too much...

i don't want to care anymore... i don't want to feel

rather be dull, unfeeling, dead

18 | Left by Anon | Dec. 25, 2010 at 7:05pm

Jamie. Your words always seem to be directed towards me.

Thank you.

19 | Left by Kendra | Dec. 25, 2010 at 7:09pm

Thank you! The most touching, meaningful, and appropriate message for Xmas, for all of us, the community of TWLOHA; we are one! We'll continue working together, struggling together to save the next life.

20 | Left by Stavo | Dec. 25, 2010 at 7:38pm

thank you. this is what i needed to hear because just before i read this i was crying in my bed, wanting to kill myself, and this is keeping me alive another day.

21 | Left by Steph | Dec. 25, 2010 at 8:00pm

Thank you Jamie,this is what i needed tonight. Have a very merry Christmas to everyone at TWLOHA.
The hope this blog gives is just amazing!!

22 | Left by Emma | Dec. 25, 2010 at 8:17pm

Your words mean more to me than you know. Thank you. Happy Holidays

23 | Left by Estela | Dec. 25, 2010 at 8:24pm

you are what keep me changed for the beter. u keep me pushing and moving forword. i can notbelieve how this helped so many people. u r a hero. yo uhave forever changed my perseption for the better

24 | Left by Erica | Dec. 25, 2010 at 8:32pm

Thank You. Your words make me cry and fill me with hope. I am 15 and this is exactly what I needed to hear today. I am so blessed to be a part of this amazing movement and I want to say thank you for making each day slightly better than the one before it. You are truly a hero with a heart of gold. I wish you the best in 2011 and the happiest of Christmas's. This has given me hope and peace today and I will sleep better tonight knowing that someone understands. All my love and Happy holiday's, Amanda

25 | Left by Amanda | Dec. 25, 2010 at 8:52pm

a boy i knew killed himself last night. i knew him, but obviously not well enough. he thought he had no one. he thought he was alone.
one of my close friends killed himself november 1, 2009.
i've almost killed myself multiple times over the past 6 years since i've met the monster.
it is amazing to realize the unspeakable pain that hides behind the jolly faces at christmas time.
many never get help, and as i sit here i weep for everyone who falls in that category; who believed they were nothing and were never shown otherwise.
but if you're reading this, reading Jamie's words, you are in the right place. Jamie, your words saved me time after time. I wish i had logged on earlier today and found the peace that flows from your pen hours ago.
with only 20 minutes of Christmas Day 2010, thank you Jamie, bless you, and Merry Christmas.

26 | Left by Emily | Dec. 25, 2010 at 9:40pm

this helped me. thank you.

27 | Left by davina | Dec. 25, 2010 at 9:46pm

I logged onto TWLOHA tonight hoping for a Christmas message and...WOW. Jamie, your words just blew me away. Beautiful, simply beautiful, touching, and real. I hope that all the people out there that feel like this can find some hope and comfort in your words. Tonight I was fortunate enough to be wondering why I had had such suicidal thoughts just days before...when my Dad said he was glad I was here for Christmas, it just broke my heart (in a good way) - pretty sure he meant home from college, but I was thinking about being here instead of being dead. You may not realize it, but there ARE people who care about you. You matter. And if you still think that's not true, then you matter to me. Seriously. And to all of us here too. Happy Holidays to everyone, and may we all continue fighting into the new year together!!! :)

28 | Left by Amber | Dec. 25, 2010 at 10:22pm

This is exactly how I feel. Thank you Jamie for writing this and making me feel less alone, less abandoned.

29 | Left by Everleigh | Dec. 26, 2010 at 12:22am

I read this today and it was something I really needed to hear. Even though I don't believe that I'm anything but worthless and useless right now, it was good to hear it. Only 3 of my friends have any idea that I struggle with this, only one of whom really knows the full extent. All of them live far enough away that I rarely see them, if ever. No one has said in awhile, but they are exactly the words needed to hear. Thank you, thank you, thank you. TWLOHA is one of the few lights in this personal darkness. Thank you for doing what you do.

30 | Left by Gwen | Dec. 26, 2010 at 10:49am

Thank you- although I am past the hard times now, I thoroughly enjoy reading what you have to say. This is the happiest Christmas I've had in a long time, and I can finally be proud of how far I've come. :]

31 | Left by Anon | Dec. 26, 2010 at 1:17pm

Amazing. Jamie, you are a hero.

32 | Left by Kay | Dec. 26, 2010 at 8:20pm

WOW this is really the first time i have read this blog.I struggle from depression anarexia and suicide and i have a sister who struggles from anarexia,bulima, drugs and is an acholic and a brother who use to beat us and who sell and do drugs. So me and my sister have a hard time during chrismas cause my mom complains about how she has the worst life and how we should be greatful for her staying with us when she was the reasons of so many suicide attempts by me. You help me see so much just by writting this.

Thank you so so much Jamie

33 | Left by Amanda | Dec. 26, 2010 at 8:56pm

Thank you so much this helped me and i feel better then i have in a while. I,ve never felt better thank you this is the first blog i have read and i love it thank you.

34 | Left by Anon | Dec. 26, 2010 at 9:31pm

Thank you so much I feel better then I have in a long time. this is the first blog I've read and I love it thank you so much.

35 | Left by Anon | Dec. 26, 2010 at 9:32pm

Although i am not reading this on christmas it has definetly given me a sparkle of hope today. i spend christmas in the hospital and even though i was able to see my family it wasnt the same. But i know that others are experiencing the same things that i am. Thank you for this.

explore. dream. discover.

36 | Left by Britt | Dec. 26, 2010 at 9:40pm

britt i have no idea who you are but i hope you are out of the hospital soon so next christmas you can be at home with you family if you ever read this i hope you feel better soon! ;)

37 | Left by Anon | Dec. 26, 2010 at 10:07pm

A little over a year ago, my grandfather had a stroke that led to his passing seven months later. He was the one person in my life who seemed to see me for who I am, loving me for that and not requiring any more. When my world appeared to be falling apart he held me tightly and promised that it would all be okay again soon. But now he is gone and things are not okay; it seems that my world has fallen.

I began cutting at the age of eleven, at thirteen, I turned to anorexia. I'm now 16. The only family I have is a drug addicted mother and a grandmother with Alzheimer's. I'm the one that they both lean on when things become too difficult, but I'm left with no one. My comfort lies within self-destruction, a pattern I so desperately wish to change but unfortunately I don't believe that will ever happen. My grandfather showed me how to appreciate the small things in life such as the rain or a simple song but I seem to have become so numb that I can't, or I don't want to, see or hear these wonders anymore.

Thank you so much for your beautiful words. I hope you had a Merry Christmas... Sadly, my house is haunted by a non-existant love and my house is missing a family.

38 | Left by Anon | Dec. 27, 2010 at 12:48am

Jamie i wish i could have gotten on here christmas day. christmas eve was exactly 2 months sence 1 of my mothers commited suicide. its been really hard on my mom, brother(13) and me(14) to not have her with us anymore. i just feel like i wanna go up there with her. my family is broken now. and the worst part is we dont know why she did it... we need help but i just dont know how to get it. this really helped me though id like to thank yall so much .

39 | Left by alaunah | Dec. 27, 2010 at 10:26pm

You have a way of making me cry. I wasn't even in need of those words... yet there you are... hitting a homerun.. You're an incredible person Jamie, thank you.

40 | Left by Dayelle | Dec. 27, 2010 at 10:46pm

I'm struggling with life in general at the moment and reading this made me cry. I'm trying to not cut myself, but it's getting harder to not do it. The only thing keeping me going is knowing my best friend will see the marks and I can't do that to him. He's going away soon though and I won't see him for eight weeks. It's going to be very hard and painful. Please, someone, pray for me and everyone else struggling with depression and self abuse.

41 | Left by Anon | Dec. 27, 2010 at 10:59pm

for all the anonymous messagers... you are loved and you are prayed for...

a fellow self abuser, medicator, bulimic/anorexic tendencies.... jeez... the list

we all struggle

you aren't alone in the haunted world of plastic figures with fake smiles but inside have bruised,battered and cut hearts...

you aren't alone

you are loved

stay strong, and hold on to hope WE WILL BE THE VOICE

i just hope people are willing to listen

42 | Left by LOUDER VOICE | Dec. 27, 2010 at 11:16pm

i would just like to say thank you twloha has helped my so much ive attempted suicide many times and stuggled with trying not to cut myself, this helped me realize im not alone in all this and theyre are always people to talk to! i have twloha tattooed on me to remind me that im not alone and that i never want to go back to those days. THANK YOU!!

43 | Left by Catherine | Dec. 28, 2010 at 8:12am

i love you all and i hope nothing happens too you guys help is always out there

44 | Left by Catherine | Dec. 28, 2010 at 8:14am

this year has been a hard year, especially Christmas, this is the first Christmas ive had with my parents apart and my Nana passed away only 4 days before Christmas day. This made me cry, when i reaad it, and i would just like to say thanks for all the inspiration.

45 | Left by Stephanie | Dec. 28, 2010 at 2:55pm

Thank you. i needed this just now.

46 | Left by Anon | Dec. 28, 2010 at 9:06pm

Louder voice, thank you.

That's something everyone needs to hear more often.

You are loved. People do care. Please, please, don't give up.

This website here, all of us here, this entire community is here because there is hope. There is hope. Know that even if you can't see it, there is hope.

Don't give up. You are stronger than what you're dealing with. You are strong.

You are loved.

Don't give up. There is hope.

47 | Left by Anon | Dec. 28, 2010 at 9:54pm

Louder Voice, thank you as well.

I'm the 38th anonymous messanger whose currently struggling to find peace in a world that is very much composed of plastic figures and fake smiles. Every night I wish to wake up happy and every morning I wake up wishing I were dead.

When I was 9 my older sister took her own life because for her, waking up became too painful. My brother had a very difficult time dealing with her loss and in the process of finding acceptance... he attempted to take his own life as well.

Self-destruction is the only coping mechanism I've known and I seem to be to weak of a person to try fighting back.

Mentally I'm exhausted, but reading your words gives me hope that one day, somehow, everything will be alright... maybe not for me but for everyone out there trying to overcome there own personal daemons.

There is so much love in this world and sometimes in the midst of our own problems we loose sight of that. TWLOHA proves that we aren't alone no matter how it sometimes may seem.

Again, thank you for reminding me of this.

You too are loved.

48 | Left by Emily | Dec. 29, 2010 at 12:00am

thanks I needed this today

49 | Left by Doreen Payne | Dec. 29, 2010 at 1:59am

i KNOW for a fact i have real hope somewhere in my heart but it seems 2 have been replaced by all the darkness of my choices. I'm so sick of waking up to nothingness. I hate having 2 act like everything is perfect especially at church. i have one person who knows i exist. She's my BEST friend. i love her. she says things like i'm worth the fight and she says i'm more than what i sometimes do. she says God made me for a reason and because of Him i have a purpose and a  reason 2 live. she says that God will be my Daddy if i let Him. i try 2 believe her, i used 2 believe her, but what she says goes against what my family tells me everyday. my family hates her. They won't let me see call txt or talk to her anymore. She's the only reason i'm still alive. She talked about TWLOHA a lot so i thought i'd look it up. Please pray i get to see and talk to her again. i love her.

50 | Left by Anon | Dec. 29, 2010 at 12:56pm

thank you for this. i want to name myself and not let people label me. I am who i am and theres nothing wrong with that. I need to remember that. Ive forgotten why im alive today and i need to remember that. Thank you so much for this. God bless.

51 | Left by Mitch | Dec. 29, 2010 at 3:14pm

i just watched charlie st. cloud. i remember you writing something about it, but i don't quite remember what. im surprised at how much it touched me and made me think. it just struck a chord. are we going forward or back? was one of the best lines. it is something i seem to ask myself a lot. whether to face the future and what it holds. if i can. thank you for your hopeful words.

52 | Left by Terrie | Dec. 29, 2010 at 4:37pm

These words speak somthing to me of a place that we can all relate to. It is true that we are not alone, because everyone, no matter who they are has felt this way more than once...

53 | Left by Melody | Dec. 29, 2010 at 7:12pm

"Nobody gets to name you. You are not forgettable. You are not replaceable. You are not your pain. You are sacred and special and alive."

This quote makes me feel completely special. I am not alone in this. Thank you.

54 | Left by Sarah H. | Dec. 30, 2010 at 2:55am

This post makes me feel so special.it's so nice to read these words of encourgement it made me smile.

55 | Left by Charlotte | Dec. 30, 2010 at 10:45am

Jamie, your words always encourage me to keep going. You let me know that I'm not alone even if I feel that I am. "You give me hope in spite of everything." (You Give Me Hope by Between the Trees) In spite of everything I'm feeling and going through, you bring me hope. Thank you.

56 | Left by Kimber | Dec. 30, 2010 at 6:50pm

Thank you for posting this. It actually made me cry while I was reading it for the second time. I've been cutting for about 2 months, and been feeling very hopeless, odd, and confused nowadays. I haven't been cutting for about 1 to 2 weeks, and I just wanted to say thank you again. This post made my Christmas. Twloha has done a lot for me, and I'm very proud to be a supporter of it.

57 | Left by Jennifer | Dec. 30, 2010 at 7:19pm

I thought that this was beautiful and might brighten up someone's night.
"Sometimes you think you've found love, when it's really just one of those objects that are shiny in a certain light-a trophy, say, or a ring, or a diamond, even. Glass shards, maybe. You've got to be careful, you do. The shine can blind you. The edges can cut you in ways you never imagined. It is up to you to allow that or not. You are the protector of yourself. The most basic and somehow forgettable thing is this: Love is NOT pain. Love IS goodness. And REAL love-it's less shiny than solid and simple. It's the stuff of sunflower spirals and seashells, where there is beauty and mystery, but there is logic, too. You do not need protection from it. It is not about lies that someone else tells you or that you tell yourself, but about the truth. Love is clear. It's as uncomplicated as a shell. It's as timeless. When you find it, pick it up. For all the right reasons, pick it up and hold it close." -Deb Caletti

58 | Left by Amanda Saunders | Dec. 30, 2010 at 8:24pm

thank you. i haven't been on this site until now but ill defantly continue to come, i always feel alone and your message helped because now i know i'm not... thank you so much. i feel that this site will help me(hopefully)

59 | Left by bree | Dec. 31, 2010 at 9:07am

i woke up today feeling lost. feeling so tired. then i came to see if there was a new blog on twloha.com and there was. thank you jamie, you always manage to say the right things. some days i feel like these blogs are the one thing keeping me alive, making me believe in tomorrow. i believe again, and since year 2010 seemed to be good for me, i'm excited to see what 2011 brings! thank you everyone at twloha, it's because of all of you that i am getting better and that i am starting to believe i can be happy someday!

60 | Left by mindy | Jan. 1, 2011 at 2:26pm

This is amazingg. your words always give me hope and i love your writing.

61 | Left by Shannon | Jan. 4, 2011 at 4:28am

i wish i could write like this.. i would write a letter to my best friend.. he just started cutting again..and its only cause i gave him my razors..so i could quit.. and now it feels so pointless.. i wish i could find hope but i dont have anything to hope for anymore.. i live with so much guilt..and its hard to get out of bed anymore.. i just wish i could find something that seems worth it

62 | Left by patsi | Jan. 5, 2011 at 5:45am

If I had people like you, someone to save me, I might be able to face tomorrow.

63 | Left by Emmii | Jan. 5, 2011 at 12:08pm

Life will always give you bad days and cutting is always an anwer but its not always the right one

64 | Left by Danielle | Jan. 6, 2011 at 5:40am

"people cant hurt you without ur permmision" gandhi

i live by these words everyday cuz they are so true

65 | Left by Catherine | Jan. 6, 2011 at 9:45pm

wow. "we are not our pain."

that really spoke to me. i will always remember that. that little spark of hope might just be the thing that i turn to in the dark. that quote might just have enough power to keep me breathing in times of doubt. thank you.

66 | Left by just a young girl-JR | Jan. 7, 2011 at 1:06pm

"Nobody gets to name you. You are not forgettable. You are not replaceable. You are not your pain. You are sacred and special and alive."

but what happens when they do name me? and when someone forgets me, so i'm left abandoned? maybe i'm not my pain, but pain is the only thing consistent...so what am i, then? if i was so sacred and special, i wouldnt be alive because being sacred means nobody else can touch it..

67 | Left by Leesha | Jan. 10, 2011 at 11:37am

I have been a cutter for three years and I have tried many times to kill myself, and I don't know what else to do.... i know it's not a good thing to do, but It makes me feel alive... it makes me feel like I'm actually alive... I don't wanna do this to myself anymoree... I need helpp... :'(

68 | Left by Adrienn | Jan. 23, 2011 at 6:57pm

how come it takes for us to cut and such for ppl to try and help? why dont they do it before it gets to that point?

69 | Left by Will Swan | Feb. 22, 2011 at 10:32am

yes i kno why cant they show they care b4 it gets to the point of depression bcuz if they showed tht thay cared we would kno we are loved b4 the cutting starts

70 | Left by sydney | Mar. 1, 2011 at 11:01am

sometimes i feel the only one that cares is my best friend wee have been thru everything 2gether she knos everything about me and i do about her but i dnt kno if i can tell her that i cut once twice or 3 times im worried she will freak out and decide to not be my friend i think i will tell her after the last bell wish me luck:)

71 | Left by sydney | Mar. 1, 2011 at 11:27am

i did some stupid stuff in the past tht got me into ALOT of trouble even community service and now my parents are embarassed 2 be in public with me i blame them 4 EVERYTHING and then i led into peer pressure with this guy who hates me now my family calls me a slut and i think they should get over it because it is my life ill do wat i want:)

72 | Left by sydney | Mar. 1, 2011 at 11:31am

I've been reading through all the twloha blogposts during the past couple of weeks to make it through alot of struggles. I'm so thankful that you guys do big things like start this organization, but i may even be more thankful that u guys do simple things like post an encouraging blog every now and then.
And even though this and other entries was written a year ago, its still so relevent now. u guys are sometimes the only reason that i have any encouragement/ strength/ determination/ hope to keepp going, to not.give.up. to believe that my problems dont name me and i can break the addiction to cutting. Whenever i read the words/ truths? in this blog, i believe in better things.
Thank you so much for the hope and the inspiration. Thank you for not giving up and helping other people do the same.

73 | Left by Emily | Apr. 7, 2011 at 9:04pm

Can anyone help me?
My wife’s father succumbed to his demons in January. It has truly devastated the entire family, understandably. Now my wife is beginning to question everything in her life….career, education, even our marriage. It’s almost like she’s going through a mid-life crisis, with the catalyst being her father’s death. I believe I am giving her everything she needs; space when she wants it, time for herself when she needs it. When I ask she says that she is just confused about everything and that his death is all encompassing. I’ve already lost both of my parents, so I understand grief, but she says this is different. That his choice to leave us is something she is having difficulty accepting. She’s afraid that she is becoming angry at him for what is happening to her mother. She doesn’t want to feel anger towards him, which is causing even more confusion. I’ve suggested that she go away for a few days to detach herself from work, me, our kids, everything. She leaves today. I’m trying to remain strong, supportive, and understanding, but she has grown distant. She is meeting with a counselor, attends a local survivors group, and we have already worked through Hospice. Can anyone give me any advice? Any sense of if this is normal behavior? Thank you….

74 | Left by cycleboy | Aug. 31, 2011 at 6:48am

I need a friend. Someone with me, physically to help me. To listen. Because I feel so hopeless, and alone. I desperately need newness, change, love.

75 | Left by Katelyn | Dec. 25, 2011 at 10:06am

The part of holidays I look forward to is the TWLOHA blogs that tell me it's okay to feel the way I do and hope that I might not feel this way next year. Thank you.

76 | Left by Sidney | Dec. 25, 2011 at 10:14am

Jamie, I know every single person has said this already, but thank you. I'm not in a safe place right now, and haven't been for a few months, but it is nice to have a few minutes of calm whilst reading posts like these. They keep me here, for a few minutes at least. xx

77 | Left by Georgia | Dec. 25, 2011 at 10:19am

cycleboy
that seems to be normal behavior. the way women act towards their husbands can often be in reaction to their relationship with their father. she's probably struggling with her self worth. if she wasn't "good enough" to keep her own dad around, why should you stay? my advice is to never stop reminding her that you chose her and you will never leave her. be there to listen and point out all little things you love about her. remind her that you are in this together. continue being the man and pursing her relentlessly. God bless your heart and evident love you have for her.

78 | Left by Sidney | Dec. 25, 2011 at 10:21am

I needed to read this so badly. Today has been a beautiful day when with people, but hell when I've been alone. I'm thankful but also saddened I'm not alone in feeling this. Sending love to everyone who needs it today

79 | Left by Becca | Dec. 25, 2011 at 11:07am

Stitches are no fun on christmas. Wish i read this last night... And your right. Its dumb to wait by your phone and rely on one text to make your day. Noone else can make your day but you. Thanks. I needed that.

80 | Left by Anon | Dec. 25, 2011 at 12:45pm

Thank you for all the support you've given to ones in need of this very important and special message because without it, some of us wouldn't be here on this festive holiday, Christmas.

81 | Left by Rose | Dec. 25, 2011 at 1:46pm

Jamie, your writing got me through a lot.. And even though things are better now, I still love reading. Thank you for being inspiring, hopeful, and most of all, caring. The world needs more people like you. I only hope to be one of them someday.

82 | Left by Steph | Dec. 25, 2011 at 4:09pm

This made me smile I was crying all day but this made me realise I'm not the only one that's alone and upset. Lots of love out to those who spent their Christmas alone and upset. Your beautiful no matter what

83 | Left by Lyzz | Dec. 25, 2011 at 4:10pm

People underestimate the importance of feeling that we matter and are important to someone else...

If someone in your life matters to you, make sure they know it everyday...the excuse you make for not saying I love you today will be little comfort when that person is no longer in your life.

84 | Left by Davetta | Dec. 25, 2011 at 4:25pm

Dear Anon (post #18) I just read this and my heart is beating fast as I think about your pain. I literally empathize with you, feeling that dark hurt. I have to tell you something.... you are so amazing, just saying what you do is like placing your hand out and you have to know it is received by so many hands in return. It meets a mutual need, you are NEEDED. YOU ARE WANTED, you are a sapphire and others can see it, see you sparkle. I don't know you but I know its true about you. Breathe, live, keep reaching, someone needs you to be there.

85 | Left by kap2 | Dec. 25, 2011 at 4:30pm

"Remember the stars".
It always helps me. If you guys can write a quote on a small piece of paper & carry it wherever you go. & whenever you need it read it over & Remind yourselves that:
YOU ARE NOT ALONE!
YOU ARE LOVED!
YOU DO MATTER!
YOU ARE PRICELESS

86 | Left by MariaJudith | Dec. 25, 2011 at 4:42pm

This was exactly what I needed to read today. Sometimes it's hard but reading these posts always reminds me of how special life can be. Thank you so much. Happy Holidays to all.

87 | Left by A.J. | Dec. 25, 2011 at 4:47pm

Thank you! My sister passed away 2 weeks ago tomorrow. She was only 31. She had lived such a hard life, filled with suicide attempts, overdoses, sadness and depression. Yet the last 1 year, 9 months and 3 days of her life were truly happy....she had finally come HOME! She renewed her relationship with Jesus and He changed her life. I am honored she was able to spend the last of her life with my family in our home. I love her so much and really miss her! I so needed to read what you posted! I felt haunted today by her absence......yet I knew she is much better off now, with no more health or mental issues to deal with. Thank you!

88 | Left by Dawn | Dec. 25, 2011 at 5:03pm

as someone struggling today, i am so happy to read this. moving and wonderful. thank you for all you do.

89 | Left by alex b. | Dec. 25, 2011 at 5:59pm

This really touched my heart. My life has not been so easy as a teenager. I have been bullied since third grade, I attempted bullycide my freshmen year of high school. This year I started self harming myself. Demi Lovato has made me want to get help so after xmas is over I am going to see about going to a treatment center.

90 | Left by anonymous | Dec. 25, 2011 at 7:21pm

everyday i wish i was strong enough to reach out for help from people like you guys. i dont talk to my parents, but i do talk to my friends. i've been strong somewhat but the haunting thoughts tug at me everyday, and i have trouble fighting. i have a lot of trouble fighting. the thoughts get harder to ignore as each day passes, especially when i dont have my friends to lean on. i feel like i put a lot of pressure on my friends to keep me strong and it shouldnt be there job but i dont know who else to turn to. my friends are my family because my real family arent people i can talk to. any advice?
sorry this is so long, but i'm not sure where else to try and get in touch with twloha.

91 | Left by Cat | Dec. 25, 2011 at 9:08pm

I wish I had read this earlier today. Even more I wish I could come to believe it--to believe that I matter--REALLY matter--to anyone. I go about my day to day life as I have for so many years feeling invisible, unneeded, unwanted..and it only seems to get worse as time goes on. I have a physical disability that affects the way that I walk and has made me feel like an outcast my whole life and I recently had a corrective surgery that I had so much hope for as it was supposed to make me able to walk pretty much completely normal for the first time in my life. Rehab from the surgery is going so slow and painful--learning how to walk again. I am able to work and still be self-sufficient, but I still feel so useless, like I have nothing to offer that matters. I long to make a difference, and I long to be loved--but both seem so far from my grasp. Those that I do love in my life, rarely show that love in return and I am often left wondering if they truly love me or really care at all. Sometimes I feel like the love that I have in my heart for others is like torture because I love so much that it hurts, and that love is rarely if ever returned. I just feel so empty, alone and useless.

92 | Left by Bethany | Dec. 25, 2011 at 10:43pm

I use this website as a lifeline almost, the blog posts give me hope that things will get better, but then I go back into real life and I find it so difficult. Especially now, people are missing in my life and there has been a gap in my life over Christmas, I feel like there is no hope, that there is no reason for to me to be, over Christmas everyone has people they miss, I know that, but that also makes talking to people about it all the more difficult. I feel so abandoned and alone.

93 | Left by Anon | Dec. 27, 2011 at 7:35am