First off, I want to wish you a very Happy Birthday! Secondly, I want to thank you for writing this. I think many people, including myself, need a constant reminder that we are loved and we all care, that hope, help, and love are all very real things.

Jamie, I am so glad that you were born and here to really get this organization off the ground! Thank you for all that you and your team does for thousands, infact, millions of people across the country. Thank you so much!

1 | Left by Faith | Jan. 26, 2009 at 12:52pm

happy belated birthday :)
& i agree with Faith, thankyou for making this organization, i think its amazing & always gives me and many others hope when we need it most :)
ox

2 | Left by megaan | Jan. 26, 2009 at 1:16pm

Happy belated birthday!

Ironically enough the 24th is my sister's birthday, as well.

3 | Left by Shelby | Jan. 26, 2009 at 3:05pm

I don't think you (or anyone for that matter) will ever know just how much impact those words on a screen or t-shirt from the drawer have meant to me. Happy birthday, and thank you from the bottom of my heart for everything that you have done to change to world. It's a big, scary world without your work.

4 | Left by Erin | Jan. 26, 2009 at 3:12pm

Thank you for posting this. It seems like I read it right when I needed it.

Thanks again and happy birthday!

5 | Left by Anon | Jan. 26, 2009 at 4:06pm

Happy belated birthday, Jamie. :] Sorry I missed it...

I know that you're constantly thanked for writing blogs such as these, and I guess I want to thank you one more time. It's these things that really keep you striving for the end and a new beginning, you know? It's really difficult to wake up in the morning sometimes, feeling really bad and not knowing why, and then having to sit through an entire day like that. Sometimes getting into bed at night is the best part of my day.

Thanks again. :]

6 | Left by Katy | Jan. 26, 2009 at 4:55pm

happy b-lated birthday!

i was so moved by this that i printed it out and put it with my stuff, maybe to show it to someone in need, someone hurting with some reassurance. I know it gave me that.

thanks

7 | Left by Cassie | Jan. 26, 2009 at 5:34pm

Jamie. I think it's possible that you are an angel in disguise. Those words are exactly what I needed to hear at this moment; the moment I was considering letting it all fall away.
I needed to hear that even though I barely know anyone at TWLOHA, you all are my family and you love me too. And that you give a sh-- about me and my life.
I needed to be reminded that the little things are what matter most- the rainbow after the rain, the life after the death, the hope after the fall. The sunsets, the flowers, the friends, the road trips where you drive for two days straight with your best friends next to you, singing along to music that most people haven't heard and what's more don't care, but brings all the hope in the world to you.

I don't know how to repay you for the life you gave me.

Happy birthday, dude. I hope it's a day that brings change (the good kind) and love and hope.

8 | Left by Hannah | Jan. 26, 2009 at 6:26pm

Happy 29th Birthday Jamie!!!
I love your blog and don't worry you are certainly helping!
Your words provide hope and comfort when and where it is needed most!

9 | Left by a Friend | Jan. 26, 2009 at 6:49pm

Happy Birthday, Jamie. <3
This blog seemed kinda ironic for me, becuase latley, I've been thinking of "giving up". On everything. On love. On hope. On life. And if I've given up on life, than what point is there to live it?
This blog might not have stopped me from the inevitable, but it reminded me that people care. =] Thank you.

10 | Left by Katie | Jan. 27, 2009 at 3:35pm

Happy late birthday jamie!
God bless you! :)

11 | Left by Anon | Jan. 27, 2009 at 7:34pm

HAppy belated birthday! Mine was yesterday and readig this today is what I really needed. Everybody needs to be reminded that they are loved and cared for in this world. I know that it helped me and I too printed it out to read whenever I feel that I have no reason to get up I'm the morning, or when I don't so much as to smile when something good happens. This. This, riht here is what truly helps people like me. And I am truly greatful to be apart of this community.
Amelia Rose

12 | Left by Amelia rose | Jan. 27, 2009 at 8:55pm

I haven't been on in a few days and I came on in search of something to lift my mood, as it's almost 2:30 in the morning, I cannot sleep and I haven't been in the best of moods

And this post, helped alot. It made me feel loved and I think you're a saint for always keeping the reminder that everyone is cared about and loved.

Also happy belated birthday
what also sparked my interest to read this was the fact that the 24th, was my 16th birthday. (:

13 | Left by Alex | Jan. 27, 2009 at 11:22pm

Happy belated birthday, Jamie! I often come on TWLOHA's website when I am feeling low or hopeless, and this post reminded me why I do what I do, and that there is still lots of love and hope out there.

14 | Left by Celestine | Jan. 28, 2009 at 10:10am

i think what yall are doing is amazing.i suffer from major depression and have for years.a cuople of months ago i was sent to River Crest because i was cutting,burning,and starving myself and attempting suicide three times.although i knew the love of god i didnt think i was worthy. My parents had no idea what was going on,and i honestly didnt want them tio because i thought they wouldn love me anymore.Going to River Crest helped me get away even though i hated it there,but then i accepted i needed to be there. for so long i had made up excuses and didnt think i had a problem. But laying there in that empty room i saw on the ceiling someone wrote "your not alone.have faith because god is here and your gonna make it through this,i did."

before then i was so determined to give up,even being at an institution, i was being lazy!
i wanted the pain to go away so bad i was willing to risk everything.
they gave me medicine which made me feel like i was crazy,but i realized i was crazy before for thinking death and physical pain was the answer.
im still dealing with the depression part but haven mutilated myself since November 2008. The thing that has helped keeep my mind off of doing those things is putting god first instead of me. trying my best to do wonders for his kingdom is what has kept me going. although i still sufer from major depression,i know that one day ill be set free from that. God was testing me and still is, so that when i make it through he can say"she is mine,a good and faithful servant" and i know god doesnt put anything in front of us that we cant handle. I know that everything i have been through in my life is just so that i can minister to someone else. My testimony is huge and will do wonders for him, as long as i can stay strong and not give into those bad habits. I refuse to let satan drag me down that deep again.

15 | Left by kasey | Jan. 28, 2009 at 11:10am

I woke up on the 24th and found this blog entry. The 24th being my birthday, i felt alone and a little bit depressed at the thought of time going on and on and things moving along while i felt like i stayed the same. Thank you for writing this.....it saved my day. :)

16 | Left by Hailey | Jan. 28, 2009 at 2:44pm

Well i was having a TERRIBLE DAY until this here.
I believe that you are Mr. Perfect ,amie Tworkoski!
Happy Birthday!
I love you and the TWLOHA organization and i am so getting you a birthday present.
Well maybe not, but what you wrote was amazing. I love you and this organization and the starters, the talkers, the listeners, the lovers, the haters, that readers, the writers, the caretakers, the hopefuls, the background people, the up-close-and-personal people.
Everyone who ever thought, looked at, heard, saw, touched, felt this organazation, this movement.
I keep them in my prayers.
Our story Matters.
My story matters.
E-mail me if you have a problem.
Love is the movement =)

myluvlyoctober@yahoo.com

17 | Left by Taryn | Jan. 28, 2009 at 4:36pm

Happy Birthday Jamie. I just wanted to say that I am so glad that you wrote this blog. I haven't truly enjoyed a birthday in a long time, because I didn't have many people in my life there to tell me happy birthday.

It always seemed like some people didn't care, and sometimes I didn't either. I think when someone tells you happy birthday it means that exactly "I'm happy you're alive." That's why I tell it to myself in the mirror every birthday after I decided to enjoy my life.

That aside....

This is one of the most forthright and powerful blogs I think I've read on here. It was just so honest and refreshing. It was exactly what I needed right now, especially where I am right now. Thank you and have a blessed birthday.

18 | Left by Fleur De Lis | Jan. 28, 2009 at 8:54pm

First, Happy belated Birthday Jamie! Thank you for writing this. When it's my birthday i feel like they're just saying happy birthday for the heck of it and the same when i say it. THis changed my perspectives and how much i relate to this. I needed to hear these words, your words. You truly are an angel. Thank you and God Bless.

19 | Left by your friend | Jan. 29, 2009 at 5:17pm

I love this.
It made my day.
I printed this out and put it on my mirror, your comments.
It makes me feel better when i get up on a tough morning.
I REALLY needed to hear this.
An angel in disguise truly.
I think this was God's words spoken through an 'Earth Angel'.
That sounds a little stupid, but it's true.
I have a shirt, and i have cards with quotes.
I write names of some people on here on my notebooks and my hands from time to time.
I want to intern here when i'm older.
Hopefully it'll still be here when i get to be 18.
I love you all, stay strong for me =)

20 | Left by Taryn | Jan. 29, 2009 at 7:23pm

everytime i read something you write, the world seems a little brighter.
thank you.
and happy late birthday

21 | Left by PJ | Jan. 30, 2009 at 5:10am

Hope. The best four letter word there is. Thanks J, and happy belated birthday. We're all glad you're Alive.

22 | Left by Ashley Stoneback | Jan. 30, 2009 at 7:37am

Happy late birthday Jamie!
Your work inspires so many to see hope and i hope you know what you've done for so many of us out here.
xxxx

23 | Left by Beckie | Feb. 1, 2009 at 5:04am

theres a whole story behind what im about to say that you'll never hear. but you just saved me.

24 | Left by savannah | Feb. 2, 2009 at 10:48am

happy belated birthday jamie~ i hope you had a wonderful day !
thank you so much for writing this. i've been having another one of my chronic episodes, and your words have given me one of the few genuine smiles i've had in the past few days. i don't feel as alone and helpless after reading this.
thank you so much~ i'm so glad there are people like you alive in this world.

25 | Left by Anon | Feb. 2, 2009 at 7:23pm

We're thankful you were born. That you're alive. And that you, Byron and the gang were uniquely gifted to gather people to causes greater than themselves while at the same time letting them know the causes would be exponentially smaller without each person's continuing story. love you guys. Catch ya soon. -bigJohn

26 | Left by bigJohn Scott | Feb. 4, 2009 at 9:54am

I've got a box full of enlish papers written about TWLOHA.
it's inspiring. this movement, this writing. it's something i'll always want to be a part of. the hope, knowing there's more, better.

Happy Belated Birthday :]

27 | Left by Sam | Feb. 5, 2009 at 7:33am

Happy birthday Jamie! Thanks for all you've done.

Hello everyone.
i am looking for someone.
i am 15 in 2009 and im looking for someone to write to. i dont want any girlfriend/boyfriend type thing just someone whose like me.

i understand people. people in general people.

if you know what that means email me with a response. if you don't; please don't.

please if your out there.

happy birthday Jamie.

28 | Left by Charles | Feb. 8, 2009 at 1:40am

Read above:

deathindisguise@live.com

29 | Left by Charles | Feb. 8, 2009 at 1:41am

This came at the right time.
:]

I'm glad that you were born, which is also to say I'm glad that you're alive.

30 | Left by Zach | Feb. 8, 2009 at 7:54pm

Happy Belated Birthday!

I'm extremely glad you were born, and you are alive.

Thank you for writing this.

31 | Left by Sharon Jacobsen | Feb. 10, 2009 at 9:03pm

Happy belated birthday, Jamie! You share the same birthday as my sister and my birthday is the same day as you'll be celebrating Renee's three years, February 24. Knowing that makes me feel even more like I was meant to be rescued from whatever crack I fell in to in my life. It also reminds me that this year is going to be the first birthday in three years where I won't feel lost and alone, and i'm so grateful for that, and I'm even more grateful for people like you, Jamie-people who are out there who want to help others and tell us that the world isn't perfect and life may not be wonderful at times but we can always find a way to make it better and WE can always get better.

My mom learned that I was cutting myself last Thursday when she got my report card in the mail and it wasn't exactly what she was expecting. She told me to tell her what was going on and I told her, and the whole time I was expecting her to yell at me and tell me that my problems aren't that horrible and I'm being stupid and possibly get kicked out of the house. Never in my wildest dreams did I expect her to sit down next to me, listen to what I had to say about everything that was going on, and tell me that she understood and said she would do her best to be there for me and give me a push now and then so I can be the person I was three years ago again. And because I trusted my mom for a split second in my life, I know that I can be ok again if I WANT to be ok and I make the effort to, and everything that Renee talked about makes a whole lot more sense to me now. I couldn't have had that split second of bravery without TWLOHA and the rest of the people in the world going through the same thing right now. Thank you so much Jamie, for bringing all the broken and the healing together, and thank you so much for sharing Renee's story and helping us find our own strength in it.

And also an early congratulations to Renee for being free for three years :)

32 | Left by Charlette | Feb. 10, 2009 at 11:26pm

jamie, you are seriously an inspiration to me and this organization is so awesome, i totally love what you all do, especially considering my past; i created my own hell and now i am looking forward to heaven... thanks for what you are doing and happy late birthday

peace.love.
ben

33 | Left by Benny t | Feb. 11, 2009 at 1:23pm

Hey, where do i give my storie?

34 | Left by kelsie | Feb. 28, 2009 at 3:01pm

Jamie thank God for people like you. Its really late but happy belated birthday. I know that you inspire A LOT of people and I'm so glad that theres people like you, thank you and everyone in TWLOHA for everything. =)

35 | Left by Cindy | Mar. 5, 2009 at 12:23pm

Happy birthdayy : ) ♥
I've been reading all of TWLOHA blogs for a while now. They are so well written, inspirational and say everything I've been meaning to tell myself.
I cut. Not with a razor or knife, but with my nails.
I love reading TWLOHA blogs; but when I do I feel like I'm fake and I'm making a mockery of everything you stand for. I write this in tears. I can't not feel the way I do; the worst is when people see the scars and don't bother to ask if everything's alright. They just assume it is.

I just want an "Is everything alright?"; that's all.
Happy Birthday again.
Thank you for being alive : )

36 | Left by Nicole | Mar. 9, 2009 at 2:40pm

This blog entry is so important to me. Tomorrow's my birthday; I'm turning fourteen. I feel afraid and anxious and sulky. I feel like I'm not ready for my life to start; high school in less than two months, the potential for moving, my dad's job being quite if-y. But I know that with you guys (not to mention God) on my side, I'll be OK. Thank you for that.

37 | Left by Hannah | Jun. 28, 2009 at 8:12pm