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Our Street Team members have been invited to write letters of encouragement for people currently involved in residential treatment programs. We plan on sending these letters to people seeking help, to remind them that their fight is worth the effort. It has been our experience that sometimes people in these programs are unable to access the Internet, have visitors or receive mail on a regular basis. These notes are meant to meet people where they’re at in their recovery, and provide hope for them along the way.
Below is a letter we recently received from a member of our Street Team for this purpose. We think it’s wonderful, and wanted to share it with you guys too. If you would like to help write letters of encouragement, head over to our Street Team page on Fancorps to sign up today.
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My mom was always the strong one. The one who always knew what to do and what to say. A child needs someone to look up to, and naturally most kids look up to their mother or father. Whether they have a good or bad influence on them, it's just something children do. I consider myself a grownup now, but in the midst of all the searching and wondering and mystery that life offers, I'm still a child. A child seeking approval, and acknowledgment, and love.
I started writing songs when I was 14. Most of it was crap but it's just those steps you have to take to get where you want to be. I don't know what drove me to actually keep writing during the first two years because nobody heard them except for two of my siblings (and they are both younger so of course they thought that everything I did was cool). When I was 16 I thought that I wrote a half-decent song and I decided to play it in front of my mom. I remember it very well. I asked her if she wanted to hear something, I wrote, and I sat down in the hallway while she was doing her hair in front of the mirror while she got ready for work. I started playing on my guitar and singing. I will never forget the way she looked at me, the way she listened. In that moment I knew that she saw something in me. I didn't know what it was but I felt that it was something significant. She believed in me.
As we wander through this life, in whatever we do, we are always looking for approval. In school or at our jobs we need to know that what we do is good. That it matters. That we matter. The greatest fear as human beings is to be unloved.
I don't think that my mom didn't believe in me before she heard my song. I bet she did. I know she always loved me and always will. Maybe the reason why this moment was so significant to me was because she let me know that she believed in me. She encouraged me to sing my song in front of other people. When I said that I don't think it was good enough, when I didn't believe in myself, she did.
Sometimes we keep searching. We long for someone who believes in us other than our parents. We’ve all heard that “sometimes you can't make it on your own,” and most of the time we're just not brave enough to ask for help. We are ashamed because we're in need of something other than what we have on our own.
I'm a little older now and I realized that my mother is also just a person in need. I wanted to be a giver more than a taker. But there's a time for both. There are times we're the ones who are asked to give and other times we take. We may be surprised in how easy it is to give to others, even when we feel like we're the ones in need.
What if all someone needed from us was to share pieces of ourselves? To share our pain, our fears, our dreams, our stories. If we believe that other people matter and we tell them that they do, then we have to also believe that there are moments we will have to accept it when we feel like we can’t.
We may just find ourselves respond by saying, “If you believe I can, then I think I can.”
Esther
23-year-old from Germany
member of the TWLOHA Street TeamPosted in General by Kaitlyn Suveg
Comments (33)
This really hit me. Thank you. I am moving to Germany in a few months to be a missionary and this letter reminded me why. To share parts of myself in the hopes that it will help another person.
I love this.
1 | Left by Molly | Feb. 9, 2010 at 12:39pm
this was beautiful.
almost made me teary even.
2 | Left by laura | Feb. 9, 2010 at 12:50pm
thanks for that piece of beautiful writing.
3 | Left by Jill | Feb. 9, 2010 at 3:37pm
I've been struggling with this issue for about 2 years now im only 14. I have the same dream as Esther, i want to sing and i want to write a song so powerfull it could save a life. Im still unsure of who i am, but the only thing i know i want is to sing. I still can not seem to find the courage& confidence to do it. I tired of people telling me i can't and i just want to realize that i can. But i dont know if really can. It hurts. But thank you TWLOHA for helping me finding at least the slightest bit of hope.
-Kalle
4 | Left by Kalle | Feb. 9, 2010 at 4:12pm
Giving hope to the hopeless. That's what u guys are about, hey? I have no hope. But who cares? It doesn't matter. Atm im laying here wishing i was dead. I am scarred by all the times i have cut, but frankly cutting doesn't do it for me anymore. I really want to hurt myself very badly. Like crashing a car into a concrete building. Maybe i will die. That will be nice.
5 | Left by Colette | Feb. 9, 2010 at 7:51pm
Colette, there is ALWAYS hope. we just have to be strong. if there is anyone in the world who believes in you, then you must live. and I believe in people.
6 | Left by amilton | Feb. 9, 2010 at 8:54pm
Colette!
I've been where you are right now. there is ALWAYS a light in your darkest hour. Don't give up yet. I know you're stronger than that. I bet you that everyone here at TWLOHA wants you to keep going. If you're having a rough day, please listen (or at least look up the lyrics) to "Famous Last Words" By My Chemical Romance. It helped me live.
Peace
Jovie
7 | Left by Jovie | Feb. 10, 2010 at 4:12am
Colette,
I understand why you would feel that way, but there is always hope. Remember everything that To Write Love on her Arms has to say! These is always hope and there is always love. I can promise you that you are more loved than you will ever know. You're not alone and this is not the end of your story. I promise. If you need someone to talk to, please... e-mail me. I have been there.If you've never heard it, listen to the song "Love is the Movement" by Switchfoot. It helps me sometimes.
8 | Left by Sam | Feb. 11, 2010 at 1:07pm
This made me teary eyed. I have no one to be proud of me. I have no one to believe in me. No one to love me. My mom blames me for the cancer she got and beat. My dad doesn't like me truthfully. I'm just here to have them yell their problems to and blame them on. I had to be an adult at 3 years old, and no one cared. No one noticed. I somehow survived 10 more years. Not only that but I've been raped way more then once. For everyone who has had that happen to them knows how bad it is. I will pray for you every night. But as I'm telling you this I feel guilty. Because it doesn't really matter and neither does my pain. The thing that keeps me from killing myself (though its hard) is God. And I've even failed him so much, I don't think he likes me anymore. I need help, but have no intensions on getting any.
9 | Left by Smile, I love you | Feb. 11, 2010 at 3:32pm
To Sam-
You're in my prayers. I've been there, I've been down those roads and it's not a good place to be. But please know that despite the fact that I don't know you, I still love you. God still loves you. There is Hope, there is Love still in this world. TWLOHA has shown me that.
To TWLOHA-
Thanks so much for doing this. When I was in treatment I had people encouraging me and helping me through. However, letters from people who cared about me despite not knowing me would have had a significant impact on my recovery and my depression. I love what you do; it changes lives. Thanks for the gift of Hope.
-Matt
10 | Left by Matt Kaiser | Feb. 11, 2010 at 9:25pm
To Smile-
I've floated in your boat somewhat, and trust me, I know it's hard. Just remember to keep your hope alive. I'll pray for you tonight.
Peace.
-Jovie
*by the way, listen to Famous Last Words by My Chemical Romance when you're down. The chorus is really inspiring.
11 | Left by Jovie | Feb. 13, 2010 at 4:31am
I hope and pray I have given my daughter that feeling. I think I have. I haven't given it to myself yet, though, even though I am 47. My parents were quite absent and saw themselves, I didn't experience what you did. But that is okay, because I am an adult and know the worth of my being. Sometimes it seems selfish to me, but that is old, old stuff.
Believe in yourself and your love will spread. Ultimately it is a gift for all the people we love.
12 | Left by lori | Feb. 13, 2010 at 8:30am
i am so scared. I just found this website and i have written love 1000 times. All over myself and i am so scared of what i may do to myself. I didn't know where to ask for help on this website so i clicked the first thing that allowed me to express my feelings (comment...) but believe me i want to stop so badly but i can't. Cutting is my only escape. Tell me what to do or help me before something terrible happens. Please just help me. please.
I'm so scared.
Sarah
13 | Left by sarah kreutz | Feb. 13, 2010 at 5:27pm
Hi Sarah,
You have written Love all over yourself. Now, when you feel like things are the worst and when you feel like you want to cut, look at all the Love all over you. Do you want to cut that? Let love protect you; even when the written words fade away, you will still have love around you.
i believe in you. stay strong.
14 | Left by adela | Feb. 13, 2010 at 8:06pm
I don't know if Colette and Sarah will read this, but...your words shaked me on the inside girls. Please take care of you, and don't give up. Please. There is always hope and love for you, always. This is tough,I well know it is, but don't give up. We believe in you. We are with you.
x
15 | Left by Veeee | Feb. 14, 2010 at 3:16am
To Smile : I know your pain...if you feel the need to talk to any of us first, please do it. All my thoughts are going for you girls. x
16 | Left by Veeee | Feb. 14, 2010 at 3:20am
I am doing a project on suicide rates for my school and some of these stories make me almost cry. I use to think somewhat like what some of you are thinking in about the 8th grade I guess it was just someone I was hanging around that I thought these thoughts. I use to think that there was no point in life. The only thing people really do or are good at is death and destruction. Like killing animals, global warming, people getting murdered and robed every day every second. But when I got into high school those thoughts when away. At some points to I wanted everything to end cause my parents yelling at my sister for the bad chooses she has made (drinking, smoking weed, constuntly way from the house ,and please excuse my spelling) I use to listen to really depressing songs which made it wearse. I got through it though so... I just wanted to add to the songs that may help you when you are feeling sad and that is You're Not Alone by Saosin.
17 | Left by Peyton | Feb. 14, 2010 at 1:29pm
This letter is absolutely amazing. It's very powerful and moving. I was wondering if I could use this as a monologue for my Drama class...I totally understand if you don't want me to. But if I could, could you email me-- efrancisco107@gmail.com
Thanks a ton.
18 | Left by Emily | Feb. 14, 2010 at 5:06pm
That's a really neat idea. I would love to organize something similar for my Letters of Love project.
To Colette, Sam, Sarah, and anyone else who feels like they have no way out: I've been there. It's a hard place to be. But please don't give up. If you need someone to talk to, I am here. You can email me at elizabeth@lettersoflove.net. I would love to be your pen pal, your friend, there for you through these dark times. I love you and I believe in you. Keep fighting.
19 | Left by Elizabeth Kaylene | Feb. 15, 2010 at 11:16am
I have written love. But only to cover up all of the scars from hate. I was told to "go f**ing die" today because of my cuts i'm guessing. And all i can say is, i am so scared. However, i have no fear of dying. I am frightened of everything else but that.
I'm still alive today. doesn't that count for anything?
From
Sarah
20 | Left by Sarah kreutz | Feb. 16, 2010 at 4:50pm
Of course it DOES count Sarah!!
Don't listen to these haters (I know, easier said than done,but)...Please keep fighting. You deserve to be happy.
Please come and write here whenever you want to, ok? :)
x
21 | Left by Veeee | Feb. 17, 2010 at 4:16am
You are all so beautiful, because of what you have been through, the strength you have gained from it, and how hard you fight. Keep on fighting. You can beat this. I know sometimes it is hard to keep fighting; believe me, I'm having one of those days today. But it matters because you keep trying.
Let's keep trying together. If we stick together, we will have hope, because we'll have each other.
I am here and I am listening. You can email me at elizabeth@lettersoflove.net any time.
Hugs and love.
22 | Left by Elizabeth Kaylene | Feb. 17, 2010 at 9:56am
All of you. Each and every single one of you, Colette, Sam, Sarah, Vee, Elizabeth, you are all amazing and beautiful examples of hope. Look at yourselves, you, each of you, you are all alive and life represents hope. Every moment you keep on breathing you keep on breathing in hope. *hugs to all of you*
Love is so real and it is so present. God still reaches into our darkest valleys and still picks us up and rescues us. He is still in the business of redemption.
I used to hurt myself. I still struggle with it every day, but i've discovered...To hurt myself, not only hutrs me, but it hurts the ones I love most. The girl who stopped me from suicide? well, every time I cut, She helps me get back up. she hugs me, reminds me she still loves me, talks to me.. but I know it hurts her just as much as it hurts me. That is just how much she loves me.
Each of you are loved by someone. Even if there is nobody in person, I love you. I really do. And I care about what you're going through.
I've been in the process of quitting SI for over a year now. With only 2-3 relapses. God is making my story of hopelessness into one of beauty. He brings beauty from the ashes.
I am here for each and any of you. Feel free to email me.
blackandwhitefantasy@gmail.com
23 | Left by Em | Feb. 17, 2010 at 12:38pm
thanks for these kind words Em. xx
24 | Left by Veeee | Feb. 18, 2010 at 8:22am
Em, you rock. Thank you for sharing that. *hugs*
25 | Left by Elizabeth Kaylene | Feb. 18, 2010 at 10:07am
I also wanted to say, to everyone who emailed me: I got your emails. I will definitely write back today. I am here for you, and I love you.
26 | Left by Elizabeth Kaylene | Feb. 18, 2010 at 10:11am
I love this beautiful peace of writing. It really touched me. I agree with aother person that had left a comment,Kalle, and i trully want 2sing. Not for the money but for the ffame in a way. But i want someone to look up to me, and think im amazing, and believe in me< and if i had millions of fans and people that loved me, like miley cyrus or something, than i would love that.I would open my eyes every morning with the biggest smile on mt face and tears of joy in my eyes. I use 2 want 2 sing and be a singer, but i had soooo many people tell me how hard it is to do that< even my own parents said that they would pay for voice lessons and music lessons but its a one in a million chance that it would happen and in the end i would prob. be left with nothing. So i had givven up. ut about a year ago i had to do an easy on what i wanted to when i grew up, i had no idea. I made something up but there is never a day that goes by that i turn on the T.V and see someone performing infront of a camera and makeing they're dream come true and also putting hope into the hearts of otheres. so i will hope but i need help to find the courge to go after my dreams. I cant realy turn to my friends cause most of them know what they want and its something like a doctor, or a teacher. Something that almost anyone could get and well, at least for me, it will never give me the same feeling as when im on stge. I have bin on stge before, a little singing, mostly acting, and i love it! I love singing and acting! Maybe acting a little better, but my heart also wants to get on that stage and perform. I know all this is really long and no one might read it, but if u r i could really use some help! -Amanda
27 | Left by Amanda | Feb. 18, 2010 at 6:33pm
I would also just like to say that i love this website. I had heard about this website only about an hour ago, and i love it. Everyione hear has very similer problems and pray and hope for one another,and i just wanted to say that i love this site. I have had times where i had such bad depretion. Never cut myself or anything, cause i was to scared and i knew i would get caught...just like my brother. MY brother use to( and i think still a little) be deprest and one day while wakeing him up he had scratch "death" on his chest. At the time our life was fine, the only problem was,and still is, my dad's temper. He loves us and would give us as much as he can which is just enough, but he has this temper that sends me in a dark and scary place, never beat me, but the way he yells and we agrew, just hurts..u know?... Then god gave my mom cancer...i guess trying to open our eyes and look a life...it work for a while but as my mom finishes treatment i feel like that the darkness is getting stronger. All of my famliy is bussy. My dad with work and then he usally just sleeps or gets mad at me or my brother, my mom with cancer and my grandmother whio i think just doesnt like me, and my brother with his own problems, bringing girls home, getting his tounge pierced and now comeing home at one the other nigh. And here i am, always in my room or in school...i feel like what can i do....im nt spiecal at all....i guess i can bore out my feelings here...
28 | Left by Amanda | Feb. 18, 2010 at 7:17pm
Hello Amanda!
Thanks for sharing your dreams and thoughts here!
Believe in your dreams,always. You want to act and sing? what about asking for musicals auditions in yr city or school? It's a little step but still, a step on your goal :)
These things require time and perseverance. Don't give up!
Also, you are a pretty strong girl, seeing all what happens to you and your family.
You are special Amanda, don't let people get you away from your dreams and hopes.
x
Veeee
29 | Left by Veeee | Feb. 19, 2010 at 6:06am
Thanks Veeee! I'll try, but im nt sure if i can get into that kind of schools...if i do try i need to get better at my music, but acting i guess im pretty good. I do try to be strong but at times it is hard, tnx 4 ur help! :D
30 | Left by Amanda | Feb. 19, 2010 at 4:30pm
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31 | Left by seo silvershine company | Mar. 10, 2010 at 9:56am
It's been a long time since I visited here. So much has changed since I last commented, for worse and for better. Really it doesn't matter right now, no pain can stop me from telling all you souls out there. There IS at least one person who cares. Don't EVER think different. Recently a girl in my area committed suicide and didn't think anyone cared. She was an 'outcast' and a 'loner' and she thought no one would even care if she died. Guess what? There were so many people at that funeral not even half of them could fit in the church. Some of the people she thought she barely knew, well they knew her better than others. Please, believe me when I say this. You ARE beautiful and someone DOES care. No matter how alone you think you are. Feel free to email me ANY TIME.
32 | Left by Smile, I love you | Apr. 14, 2010 at 7:45am
P.S. My email is aqua32123@yahoo.com
33 | Left by Smile, I love you | Apr. 14, 2010 at 3:46pm
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