A face among many.

This is me (on the left) with my Mom and my sister, Haley. This is me. This is the face of person with an illness. I stopped studying for my finals because I just felt led to write this message. I was corresponding with someone who is suffering from unexplained ailments but afraid she was alone in her situation, did not want to speak out. This message goes out to everyone, sick or not: You are NOT alone!
We are all with you. You never know what your neighbor is going through. You never know what the person at the cafe sipping their morning coffee has own their heart. You don't know if the man that you smile at, as you cross the street has a deep ache. You just don't know. You never know if there is a person suffering like you and is too afraid to speak out.
My message is this: it is not easy to be the person to carry the torch or to speak out. I often feel that by speaking out about my illness that I will be labeled as having a "pity party" or being a "drama queen" or worse. I have found that I have gotten quite the opposite reaction from others when I speak out about my circumstances. Not only are they supportive and understanding but usually people share their paths of hardship and I form friendships and lasting bonds.
I urge everyone to not be afraid or your lament-whatever it may be, it doesn't have to be physical. I promise you, if you share your heart's burdens, others too, will come and be happy that there is another face among the crowd of strangers, now.

Let me leave you with this.
"For where two or three come together in my name, there I am with them. "
Matthew 18:20

Merry Christmas to all!
Much love!
Heather