To Write Love On Her Arms

To Write Love on Her Arms is a non-profit movement dedicated to presenting hope and finding help for people struggling with depression, addiction, self-injury and suicide. TWLOHA exists to encourage, inform, inspire and also to invest directly into treatment and recovery.

I have no idea when it started, but I have had depression since at least my mid teens. If I were to go back and really delve into it, there may have been signs long before that. I wrote some about it here.

Today is TWLOHA (to write love on her arms) Day.

Here's what that means to me...

I have written the word LOVE on my arm today for myself, and grieve (just a little) about what could have/should have been while I was in the midst of the hell called depression. And I will thank God for healing.
I have written the word LOVE on my arm today for my mother. Although never publicly admitting to depression, I can look back and clearly see how she suffered.
I wrote the word LOVE on my daughter's arm this morning. And said to her, "Just know you are loved and you do matter." And I encouraged her to make a difference in some one's life today by doing the same.
I have written the word LOVE on my arm today for my sister, my friend Ronne, my blog pal Elaine, my brother, my sweet Granny, my McYaya girls, Angel, Tiffney, my mother-in-law, my Grandaddy, Mike, Linda, my uncles, Sherri, Heather, and sweet Jana. And for every man, woman, adult or child who secretly suffers from depression.

It's everywhere, people. It cannot be denied. And writing the word LOVE on my arm may seem pointless to you, but for those who have been in the grips of depression, anxiety, addiction, self-injury or tinkered with the thought of suicide, they will understand the powerful statement that LOVE makes. It's about validation. Validation is KEY to healthy human existence and thriving.

I will step out of my comfort zone today and express LOVE to someone. I challenge you to do the same. And let's not limit ourselves to one day. Step out and step it up.