To Write Love on Her Arms

Jenny came from California.

Mar. 17, 2010 at 3:25pm

Below are the words of Shannon, one of our spring interns spending the season with us. Shannon had attended MOVE prior to interning with us, and this past weekend she got the chance to help out a bit behind the scenes. While there, she connected with an attendee named Jenny who touched her heart, and we want to share her experience with all of you. Enjoy!

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This past weekend I had the privilege of attending the MOVE Community Conference held in Cocoa Beach. Last April I attended a MOVE conference on my own in that same quiet beach town, with the same breeze and overcast sky. I never imagined I would be in this place again, one year later, with renewed encouragement and thoughts of hope.

As I stood in the red and gold conference room early Friday morning, MOVE attendees slowly arrived and filed in. Young and old; seeking information about the topics TWLOHA addresses and wanting to fill a need. Some were weary with tired eyes from long rainy drives, and others wide-awake, smiling, with thankful handshakes. I saw a beautiful lady approaching in a bright blue sweater that matched her hopeful eyes, her right hand met mine and she spoke, “Hi, I’m Jenny.” When I learned that we both come from sunny Southern California I felt comforted in meeting a kindred spirit on the right coast. When I asked her what it was that had brought her to this Cocoa Beach hotel, thousands of miles from home, I had no idea that her answer would shake the Southern ground we stood on.

“My daughter committed suicide. Five months ago. I couldn’t wait for MOVE to come to California; I had to be here now.”

We instantly embraced in a hug as I told her I was sorry and I was thankful she was here. In that moment, when words seemed so insignificant, I felt the overwhelming beauty in her hope. It was the kind of hope formed out of a painful place, and the kind that’s made even more powerful when we get to share it with others. Through my ensuing conversations with Jenny over the next two days, I got a glimpse into the beautiful life of her daughter, Grayson. I felt the weight of her hard and promising words, and I was thankful for the hospitality she had extended to me by trusting me with her story. Jenny came to MOVE to take information back to her community, and yet something beautiful inside, despite her brokenness, brought strength to Florida that this little Californian will never forget.

Thank you to everyone who played a part in MOVE this weekend, for both your willingness to learn and for the words you shared. Thank you for being a part of something bigger that we like to think is only made possible because of people like you. Sometimes our greatest fear and greatest joy is being known and knowing others. I hope we are all able to carry that fear and joy with us into our own communities as we continue to write our stories.

With Love,
Shannon
Spring 2010 Intern

Posted in General by Kaitlyn Suveg

Comments (14)

This touched me.
Bring MOVE to DC! Please!

1 | Left by Diamond D. | Mar. 17, 2010 at 3:43pm

I can't wait for the day when none of these programs will be needed. I just don't see it ever happening.
Because of people like this, with hope and love inside their hearts, others find the strength to carry on. God bless all of these interns and anyone who believes in this cause. God bless anyone looking for that light at the end of the tunnel.Even if it fades to a distant glow, it's still there, and always will be. I'm at a loss for words for what i feel about this right now, I just know it's a beautiful thing; people helping people.

2 | Left by Erica | Mar. 17, 2010 at 3:44pm

Hearing about people like that brings a tear to my eye, to know that people still have hope even though they've lost something so precious, like a daughter or son or other loved one. Beautiful, thank you Kaitlyn and Shannon; I hope to hear more from you both.
P.S. Bring MOVE to Southeast Idaho - I'll be there in a heartbeat! :)

3 | Left by Lacey | Mar. 17, 2010 at 6:25pm

I am always impressed by people who are willing to take such awful circumstances and work to change them or to help others because of what they've been through. I hope she is able to go back home and make a difference in the lives of those around her.
God Bless everyone there and the work you all are doing.

4 | Left by Robin | Mar. 18, 2010 at 6:53am

i always listen to these blogs and stores and it makes me wonder what i was doing when i was like those poeple thinking of hurting myself i just don't understand it anymore

5 | Left by kiera | Mar. 18, 2010 at 10:06am

The thing that amazes me the most is that people will travel so far for these things. For something that will open their hearts to something new. Something so beautiful, When all they need is to find hope. The things they will go through to get that. It is incredible.

6 | Left by stephanie | Mar. 19, 2010 at 1:05am

This touched me a lot. Jenny has so much strength. It's beautiful. Thank you for bringing this. x

7 | Left by Veeee | Mar. 19, 2010 at 4:08am

This was very touching. Jenny seems to be an incredibly brave person. I know she has the tenacity to overcome this tragedy.
Peace to everyone,
-Jovie
****Bring MOVE to New Jersey!****

8 | Left by Jovie | Mar. 19, 2010 at 1:09pm

it's so sad. i really feel touched by this. my uncle committed suicide three years ago and ever since then i have been trying to help people with their problems. i hope to persue psychology and be a therapist for those who need someone to talk to. *****bring MOVE to south carolina******

9 | Left by FallenAngel | Mar. 19, 2010 at 8:40pm

I'm not going to ask you to bring MOVE to Michigan...because believe me...one day I am going to go. SOON. I'll have to start saving up money now but it shall happen ;)

10 | Left by Ciara | Mar. 20, 2010 at 5:51pm

Love, be loved, and grow....MOVE, be MOVED, and glow. Jenny, you shine.

11 | Left by Kim | Mar. 20, 2010 at 10:38pm

I think this is a beautiful story, and that God does work in masterious ways. I found this website through a visiting youth pastor at my church. My uncle has recently tried to commit suicide and I have prayed and ask God for help and now I am looking for answers and ways to assist. My only conclusion is to show him that God loves him, I love him as well as other family members. The funny thing is even before I asked God showed me some answers today in Luke 10:30 where Jesus tell the story of the Good Samaritan and how he stopped for the man who was beaten half to death. Even as I type this I am trying to reach out to my uncle and unable to get through, just hope someone there tells him people are calling because they love him and someone tells him God loves him.

12 | Left by Terica Davenport | Mar. 21, 2010 at 10:52am

This has made me realize how ppl really do care for others in this darken world that we live in. I just hope that everyone who has some need to get into TWLOHA's and see that everyone deserves to live a long and happy life:)

13 | Left by Erwin | Mar. 22, 2010 at 1:44pm

Shannon, It is hard to fathom that someone would make a trip from that far away to be part of your weekend and touch you so deeply. I often wonder about the people around me each day, and how they might be hurting? I wonder about someone who hurts who is a stranger to me. I think we really need to look at people who our lives touch everyday. I believe in what you are doing at TWLOHA and wish you the best. I have found that sometimes missions begin within our own life. Rusty

14 | Left by Rusty | Mar. 27, 2010 at 4:47am

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