April 30th | A Day For Hope

April 30, 2008.

The unexpected ride home from the high school in the middle of the day was filled with a deafening silence... but my noisy mind was racing as a result of the heartbreaking news I had just received shortly before we left. I suddenly realized a lot during that fifteen minute car ride home...

I realized that my family of 4 was now a family of 3. I realized that I would no longer have my sister present to celebrate the many milestones of life with that awaited us in the future - my graduation from high school, her graduation from college, having sisterly conversations about boyfriends or celebrating with me on my wedding day when that time was to come - something I made her promise me that she would do just a few months before. Most importantly, I realized that she had been living with challenges that were far greater than my understanding allowed for at the time - and I wanted the opportunity to go back into the past and change that.

In that moment, I realized that my eyes needed to be opened a little wider to those around me - to their struggles and their moments of unordinary silence. I realized that my mind needed to search for the positives in even the worst situations (though incredibly difficult to do) and that I needed to seek out the very best in every person I met - knowing that everyone has a story that makes them who they are.

I am sharing this with you today because it is my hope that this glimpse into my story encourages and empowers others who are living with challenges of their own (or know someone who is) to discover their voice within and to seek help or provide comfort when needed. Because the truth is, nobody is ever truly alone.

I am also sharing this with you to challenge yourselves to accept and embrace your differences and struggles (and the differences and struggles of others) and to use them as fuel to create something of the beautiful to share with the world - you have so much to offer. Let these characteristics drive your passions, your character and your talents. Remember that you are beautiful for simply being YOU.

I challenge you to look through a different lens when interacting with your loved ones, colleagues, friends or acquaintances. Remember to always be attentive to what is going on internally or in the background of their lives. Do not make assumptions about the actions or motives of others. Understand that everyone is dealing with battles or battle wounds of their own - and that is what makes them who they are. Do not judge the realities of others simply because they do not align with the realities of your own. Life is not a uniform phenomenon because if it were, how boring would that be?

Today, I pray for an increased global awareness and willingness to understand the struggles and challenges that one may be living with - those that may not always be visible on the surface. I pray that we strive to meet people where they are and provide them with support, a helping hand, a listening ear and an incalculable amount of encouragement to speak. I pray that those who may be currently struggling to have the courage and the confidence to find those who will listen and help - they are out there - and know that in doing so, you are being so incredibly strong.

April 30th (for me) will always be a day of remembrance for my sister, her life and the greater picture. It has, and continues to be, a constant reminder that there is so much more to one's being than what meets the eye or the assumptions we generate with our own minds. Today is a day for peace, for love, for remembrance, for understanding, for forgiveness, for strength, for confidence, for courage, for encouragement, for faith, for patience, for perseverance and for a promise. A promise to be there for others; and a promise to be there for yourself.

Today, is a day for hope.