I was talking with some of the ladies from aerobics class this afternoon, the usual mom chit chat: someone's kid won't stop biting their brother; or my kid won't eat anything but chicken nuggets, blah blah blah....
One mom with two teenaged sons was saying how lucky she felt that they were good kids, because her 15 year old niece is turning into "quite a trouble maker".
She then went on to tell us that her niece had started cutting herself. She said that her niece was manipulative and probably cutting herself for attention.
My heart was instantly shattered for this girl. It brought me right back to a place of being lost and lonely and hurting and desperately looking for reassurance, with none to be found.
How could such a brazen act be so minimilized- so misunderstood.
About a month ago, I ordered a t-shirt from the To Write Love On Her Arms site, after hearing Josh speak about the organization.
Offering hope to those suffering from self abuse, addiction and depression- TWLOHA hit close to home for me, and I wanted to offer support in some way (plus my purple t-shirt is super cute!).
The shirt came with a card that tells the story of TWLOHA, and has their web address and other info on it. I can't tell you why this card was in my gym bag today, but it was.
I told the lady about the site, and gave her the card.
Who knows what if anything will happen with that little card, but I am praying that some way, some how, hope and help will reach that lady's niece.
It's funny how often little pieces of life come full circle.
Funny, and useful.
For more info on TWLOHA check out:
http://www.twloha.com/
Rebeca, Thank you so much for supporting TWLOHA, and more importantly for giving away that card. Lets all pray that we can love her someday... may Villagers will "write love on that girls arms."
Posted by: Joshua Schmidt | May 09, 2007 at 08:38 PM
WOW! What a great story...let's pray the card gets to her neice and she gets the help and support she needs...
Posted by: Mike | May 10, 2007 at 09:15 AM
by the way, you have some great taste in music. Some of my favorites: Ben Folds, Tool, Weezer, PINBACK!!!!(AMAZING BAND), and Clutch.
You almost moved up some notches on my favorite people list; unfortunately you included Destiny's Child and Phish.
(jk of course)
Posted by: Joshua Schmidt | May 10, 2007 at 09:32 AM
Oh, one more comment for this post that has nothing to do with what you wrote.... The artist on have posted on my blog that is doing Measure Manhattan is my uncle. He is a great guy and I am actually hoping he will come down to speak to the Village sometime.
Posted by: Joshua Schmidt | May 10, 2007 at 09:58 AM
ok dude, time to get a new post up (but then again... who am i to talk, right?)
shoot me an email to my tyburn account so we can do coffee this week.
Posted by: Joshua Schmidt | June 03, 2007 at 06:09 PM