Wednesday, September 16, 2015

With Gratitude for Laura......"When You Believe"...

At this time of the year, Jewish people are celebrating Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. As part of our celebration, we take stock. We attempt to recognize the good that has happened in the last year and make amends for the things that we have or haven't done that aren't so good. So, as part of this...if there is anyone I have offended in my audience, I wish to make amends. And part of that amends has to be to my friend, Laura.  I recently thanked her for what she has done for me in connection with my blog. Laura helped me decide to publish this blog. She has read this blog. She has shared this blog. And she has listened to me when I was trying to get through the tough times. We lived in different communities. And now we live in different states. But she has always been there for me. And I've never properly thanked her for that support. Until I realized that and thanked her on Facebook. But I need to make it a more public kind of thank you because she has helped me to make my story public. So, here it is......

Laura, you helped me to believe in my story.  You helped me believe in my perceptions. And when I thought this was about the way I write...grammar and other writing skills...you told me that wasn't the case.  You encouraged me every step of the way. As I told you on Facebook, you encouraged me to look at the possibility if I stepped out of my comfort zone and started writing. And the result has been simply amazing. I've developed relationships as a result of sharing my story. I've taken huge steps to deal with my depression. (For example, moving to Tennessee and being near my family. And getting a job which led to access to the medication that helped me to stabilize.) I've had over 55,000 views on this blog, which means that people are reading it. While the ideas for the blog probably started when I was a child and started to notice that something was not quite right with Maxine, your encouragement helped me create the actual physical blog. I've always recognized that Maxine influenced me. You helped me find the words to express that.

Why am I writing about this publicly?  I want my readers to understand that if you recognize that there is possibility in going outside of your comfort zone, you might begin to understand that is where real recovery happens. Nothing is possible when you sit in your misery. And Laura kept reminding me of that fact. Over and over. And I recognize that Maxine might not have had access to imagining a solution. She didn't see the problem. But many of us who live with mental illness do have access. I'm one of them. And Laura's support of my decision to take the risk made all the difference. Even before I recognized exactly what my goals were. So, my dear friend...you have contributed to my life immensely. I value your feedback.  And your support. I'm sending you vugs before hugs. And I hope you know that when I think about you, it is with great love. Truly, you are my sister.

For my readers:  Here is a link to the music that I've dedicated to my friend Laura. It is called "When You Believe" and is sung by my favorite a capella music group, The Maccabeats. The reason? Laura helped me believe and I can't listen to that song without thinking of her. Hope it inspires you even if you don't share my faith. And remember that I believe in you. We can find the light together...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BzKadvKKFW4

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