To Write Love on Her Arms

We Came for Mary.

Jul. 29, 2009 at 2:15pm

This past Saturday, I got to experience my very first Warped Tour! A few of us from the office and a couple interns travelled down to West Palm Beach to meet up with our Warped team so we could meet supporters and get a taste of life on the road. We ended up staying the night after we packed up that day, spending time with some of the other members of our team that night.

Sunday we slept in, got to hang-out poolside at our hotel and eat ice cream (a very fun, girly get-away). While we were laying in the sun, Jamie’s younger sister Jessica rolled onto her side and began to tell Lindsay (our Intern Coordinator) and me the story of a woman named Mary. I was on the edge of my seat, drawn into this woman’s story with tears in my eyes and goosebumps all over my skin. You know those moments you hear a story of truth and love and know that it’s real and that it tells a greater story? That’s Mary’s story.

Lindsay told Jess she needed to write about her experience, and Jess responded by laughing, saying, “Jamie’s the writer in this family, not me.” I told her that she absolutely needed to write it, and that I would help her with the tricky grammar stuff (which, wasn’t much). We all have stories to tell, and I knew that Jess’ story would resonate with each of you. So, enjoy.

Love.

Kaitlyn

---

There is a reason and purpose for every festival or event we do. Sometimes we know the reason in advance. Sometimes we have to do a little searching. Other times that reason finds us.

Last Saturday was your typical summer afternoon in Florida, hot and muggy in the morning and a downpour in the afternoon. Music was blaring from the Kevin Says Stage not far from where we were set up. People embraced the rain and started dancing, or they ran for shelter under one of the tents nearby.

As the rain started, a woman came up to our tent and asked what we did. Over the noise of the rain and the loud music, I leaned forward so she could hear me; I told her about all of the issues we were there to raise awareness about. Immediately her eyes filled with tears. Something I said hit home. Was it the word suicide? Was it the word depression? I walked around the table and immediately hugged her. I didn’t know what she had been through. All I knew is that she was the reason we were there. We came for Mary.

Through her tears, she then told me her brother had committed suicide six weeks ago. In addition, her sister has been struggling with self-injury by burning herself. Since she had never heard of TWLOHA before, I asked her what made her approach our booth. She said that she read the top of our tent. She read the words, TO WRITE LOVE ON HER ARMS, and said all she knew is that she wanted that for her sister. A funny sounding phrase for most made all the sense in the world to her.

She asked where our name came from. She asked if Renee was still alive today, and the moment I told her “yes” gave her all the reason in the world to keep fighting for her sister. I heard her tell her friend that if Renee was okay then one day her sister could be okay too.

I don’t think Mary came to Warped Tour thinking she’d find hope or a group of people already fighting the fight she’d been struggling with the last six weeks. I’m not really sure why she went. I know why we went though. We went for her. We went to give her hope through conversation, through resources, through information we had available. And we’ll continue to go to events for Mary, for people with a story all their own, for you.

Your story matters. And you are loved in this moment.

Jessica : )

Posted in General by Kaitlyn Suveg

Comments (30)

Beautiful. Thank you, Kaitlyn and Jessica for sharing this.

1 | Left by Bethany | Jul. 29, 2009 at 8:44pm

Just as Kaitlyn had said, this story left me with tears and my eyes. I recently went on a missions trip to Mexico, and it really made me realize that people are just looking for love, and when they find it, they are truly impacted. It sounds like Mary was looking for someone to love her, while she was loving her sister, and still loving her brother, and you guys know how to provide that. I fully support TWLOHA, and I thank God that it's here. It helps, more than anyone could imagine.

2 | Left by Sarah | Jul. 29, 2009 at 9:15pm

This is what To Write Love On Her Arms is all about, and it's surly what Renee wanted from TWLOHA, too.

xx

3 | Left by Harper | Jul. 29, 2009 at 10:49pm

It is so amazing what you guys are doing. I feel that so many people are going through these issues but feel as if there is no escape and even for those helping there friend/sibling, who is there to help them? It is such a devastating and scary thing to face and you guys just give it that much more hope. Thank you.

4 | Left by Erin | Jul. 30, 2009 at 6:32am

That was an amazing and beautiful story, thanks for sharing.

5 | Left by Brittany | Jul. 30, 2009 at 1:11pm

jessica!! that rocked, you are a great writer!! i remember mark 10:45 says that Jesus came to serve, not to be served and that is what you, your brother and everyone at TWLOHA are doin; serving others because you realize that they have a story just as we all do; those who deserve love the least need it the most!! i will pray for mary and her family and continue to support TWLOHA through thoughts, prayers and buying awesome merch!!!

peace.love.
ben

6 | Left by ben | Jul. 30, 2009 at 7:42pm

That was truly beautiful....God bless the TWLOHA team for giving the world hope and being its rescue, and God bless Mary too. <3 =]

7 | Left by Katie | Jul. 30, 2009 at 9:58pm

i am going to warped tour this coming sunday in MN, and honestly, i am just as excited to visit the TWLOHA booth as i am to see the bands i love. TWLOHA is very extremely close to my heart, and i hope that somehow, through my anxiety, god provides someone at the booth for me to share my story with. i'm still healing, but i want to help. i really really do.

8 | Left by Kelly Castle | Jul. 30, 2009 at 10:45pm

Very Beautiful! That is an amazing story.

9 | Left by Brittany | Jul. 31, 2009 at 8:54am

Literally gave me the chills. This is the reason I love this movement. God Bless

10 | Left by Sadaf | Jul. 31, 2009 at 10:35am

I am hitting Warped Tour in Stl and I am psyched about meeting the ppl at the TWLOHA tent. I am for sure more excited about TWLOHA than any of the bands... If yall werent gunna be there then I wouldn't care if i missed out on the tour. I havent personally struggled with the issues that TWLOHA deals with but I have had a multitude of friends and family that have struggled with them and I have helped them through it and that is what brings TWLOHA close to my heart. look for me at the tent. I have a tat on my forearm that has the logo from the BOLD AS LOVE shirts...!

11 | Left by Scott Mans | Jul. 31, 2009 at 10:47am

This story brought tears to my eyes! Stories & people like this are the reason I want to be an intern (and maybe future employee) at TWLOHA. Thank you so much for sharing this with us!
Peace & Love

12 | Left by Shelby | Jul. 31, 2009 at 7:16pm

You are amazing.

reading your blogs makes me feel so strong and hopeful everytime, it makes me want to keep fighting, and I feel like I can win this time. I am winning.
thank you.

13 | Left by Fran | Aug. 1, 2009 at 5:58am

Wow.
It's so touching. I'm nearly to tears.
Hope TWLOHA will reach the whole world.
Greetings from Germany :)

14 | Left by Anna | Aug. 1, 2009 at 9:43am

This story made me cry.
TWLOHA is the one of the greatest charities/causes out there.
:]

15 | Left by Maria | Aug. 1, 2009 at 5:35pm

Wow. Thats awesome. I really hope that TWLOHA can make a huge difference even if its only one person at a time. I hope I can help someone out someday.

16 | Left by Alex | Aug. 1, 2009 at 5:54pm

They're already making such a huge difference, TWLOHA is the best!

17 | Left by Gerardine Marcia | Aug. 1, 2009 at 9:00pm

Wow this is why I love this organization. you never know when you can change the world for someone... this story hits home with me as i am struggling with burning as well... I actually just got back from a friends and as they smoked the hookah i held a lighter to the tongs and held it to my hand. This is the second time I have done this while they are smoking the hookah, it leaves thick scars basically a brand. I personally don't smoke and sitting there gives me time to think... which usually leads to overthinking things and thinking about stuff I would rather not, and in turn do stuff I should not. Anyways sorry for rambling, and keep on saving livess

~life is good, life goes on

18 | Left by Vinnie | Aug. 2, 2009 at 1:57am

my name is mary. and i feel extrememly close to this story. it hit the spot. i am young, but i have depression. this organization needs to be known everywhere. it would help so many children, as it has helped me. these are obviously great people saving as many people as they can.

19 | Left by mary | Aug. 3, 2009 at 12:47am

That's so wonderful, how a person simply wandering the tents of Warped Tour can find hope without really hunting for it. Thank you, Jessica and Kaitlyn, this is beautiful. Keep doing what you do best. <3

20 | Left by Lacey | Aug. 3, 2009 at 7:45am

Omg, i-started-crying>.> .. You-guys-are-UhMazeZingg:D .. You-guys-have-made-such-a-difference-in-so-many-peoples-lives, including-mine, i-really-do-love-you-guys. xoxo

21 | Left by Zach | Aug. 3, 2009 at 12:36pm

You guys really do make a diffrence in peoples lives like Mary. Keep doing what you do. love ya

22 | Left by Nicole | Aug. 3, 2009 at 12:52pm

In camp 2 years ago, I had an experience like Mary. The speaker at camp, Spencer, started talking about TWLOHA. The moment he said, "I would like to share with you guys an organization my friend has shared with me: To Write Love on Her Arms," I was already thinking that it's got to be about self-harm. And sure enough, he went into the details I half-way expected coming. I broke down in tears and the friends sitting next to me hugged me. They didn't know that I was a cutter, that I had been hospitalized for suicide attemps. I was afraid to tell anyone there. But I sat down with Spencer that night and shared with him my story and we prayed together. Jessica's story spoke to me; she is a wonderful writter and I am keeping Mary and her sister in my prayers. God sent you there and guided Mary to find encouragment and love through TWLOHA. You guys are really truely amazing. You have saved my life, I have not cut in 2 months and I'm trying to keep it up. When I am older I'm getting "Love" tatooed very small almost where my left wrist meets my palm. I love you all, you are making a difference in so many people's lives. Thank you for doing what you do. xoxoxo.

23 | Left by Amber | Aug. 4, 2009 at 7:43pm

wOw.you people have really experienced God's love that it resonates through y'all to reach the broken hearted.
thank you.
this really hits home.
but indeed, there's hope. there always is.

24 | Left by gludz | Aug. 4, 2009 at 10:06pm

this is amazing when i was reading it i got chills. im so excited to go to warped tour and visit your booth. what you guys are doing i think is so importaint because it can help everyone and is deffently making a difference.
i love you guys and what your doing!

25 | Left by Caitlyn | Aug. 6, 2009 at 4:01pm

I started reading this to learn more about what the title meant, by the end I could'nt see the words because my eyes had teared up too much. As someone who has put my own sister through hell because of my depression and thoughts of suicide, Mary reminded me of all the things worth living for... Thank you TWLOHA for always being here for me.

26 | Left by Ricky | Aug. 6, 2009 at 9:23pm

Every encounter with a person is a chance for something grand. This is a wonderful story. Even more so that Mary found hope.

27 | Left by Genevieve K | Aug. 7, 2009 at 1:15pm

i love this. i read about twloha by a story in 17, it inspired me <3

28 | Left by addie | Sep. 7, 2009 at 3:04pm

wow, this is so amazing.
last year, in 7th grade, i started cutting. my friend michael found out, and for a while i could trust him with it. so i continued with it. but then he came over one day, and since we were in my room away from anyone else i didnt feel the need to wear a jacket,so i took it off, and he flipped out. i told him i would stop.
i didnt, he eventually got over it. one day when me and him were at the park, playing around, i puled my arm out too much, and the cut opened. he saw the blood soak my sleeve. he ignored it. when he went home i took a shower and changed clothes. and got the blood off of my jacket. then he called my home phone, and i answered, he saidd he wanted to talk to my mom. i knew instantly why he wanted to talk to her. so i said no. he called my friend shane, and shane had my moms cell number, he gave it to michael. so michael called my mom, and told her everything.
that was last year. im better now, on medication, and in therapy. it wasnt fun being betrayed by a friend, but after hearing my story, betrayal can save your life

29 | Left by adele | Sep. 9, 2009 at 2:29pm

Just like Mary, ur simple phrase made me look up TWLOHA, when i saw it. just like everyone else here, i have my struggles too.

30 | Left by Samie | Jan. 4, 2010 at 3:03pm

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