Now don’t run away. I know sharing your greatest struggle is scary but hear me out for a second. Before you say no and run, let’s think about why you share your story. You don’t share it for you, you share to help someone suffering.

By the grace of God I was never successful; but for 132 Americans each day these thoughts overtake them and they succeed at one of the greatest tragedies known to man: suicide

As a Daughter of God, it does not mean I am called to be perfect, but to follow Him. At times, I will fall, but I get back up again because my eyes are fixed on him, who is the way, the truth, and the light.

It was easier for me to say I was fine, I didn’t need help, and to say I forgive than to verbalize what had happened. The day I chose to tell my mom what had gone on, was the day I chose to let it hurt. And it hurt like hell. But it was worth it!

I stood in front of the priest, Fr. Solanus Casey, who asked me “Do you believe in God?”, and I responded with “Yes, I believe in God!”. He then laid his hands on my head and blessed me…

My whole life I’ve expected others to not let me down, for friends to be faithful, for them to understand me and want me in their lives. The problem is that’s not reality. It’s hard for me to accept, but the truth is that I let people down too.

I never really considered joining a gym. Earlier last week, I woke up knowing that I needed to do exactly that. God was leading me to it.

"I wish it need not have happened in my time said Frodo. 'So do I, said Gandalf, 'and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us” -Gandalf

he stood up, hugged me, and said the words I will never forget as long as I am breathing... “I know this hurts, I know it sucks and I am sorry you’ve had to go through this feeling so alone. But I promise you, this is going to get better. It’s going to be okay; I promise.”

There once was a doe-eyed teenager who had the world at her fingertips. Every ounce of her being existed for the sake of competition and teamwork. Every day of her life was filled with running, basketball, softball, and any other sport that was around. It was her existence.

Healing and forgiveness can’t happen by yourself. I was trapped in depression, isolation, and loneliness until I took the risk to let someone in. For 12 years, I didn’t tell anyone what I had been through as a young girl.