I’ve been where you are. I’ve always been a bit of a perfectionist myself. I don’t think that’s all bad as we are called to excellence. However, it can make life kind of stressful. Your need for perfection can then spiral into overthinking every little move you make, criticizing yourself for things outside of your control, and shame t […] View
In Carrie Underwood’s song “Some Hearts” she says “some hearts just get lucky sometimes.” I know that’s true. I am so thankful that you had the courage to ask me if you could room with me and Erin. That “yes” brought me a best friend. I’ll spend a lifetime thanking God for making me lucky enough to meet you, to get to know yo…read more
Have you ever given much thought about plants and how they grow? I have. When I was younger I would sit myself in front of our houseplants captivated by them, observing every minuscule change that had occurred since the last time I’d sat with them. Noticing a plant that looked sickly, dotted with many brown specks a…read more
Thank you for sharing your beautiful reflections on plants, society, and the power of compassion. Your childhood memories of sitting with plants and attempting to revive them with your breath highlight the innocence and wonder we often have as children. While your understanding of the science behind plant growth may have been limited at the time,…read more
@mavisjohnson I’m so sorry that that happened to you. You did nothing to deserve that. I know that is easier said than to believe, but it is true. That 5th grader was probably hurting inside and didn’t know how to express the hurt they were feeling so it came out sideways and ended up hurting you in the process.
@kmimsrice I truly believe that even though they may not have been able to name or recognize us cognitively something in their heart knows who we are. When my memere was in the nursing home we would visit a few times a week. When my dad (her son) stepped foot in the room she would light up. I know in my heart that she knew we were family and…read more
You’re right, I know somewhere deep inside of them, they know who we are, maybe not the name, whether we’re family or not, but they recognized that familiarity the comfort of that particular person, and they feel more at ease and loved. Each time I walked into my mom’s room at the nursing home, I too felt so good, that I was there to protect her…read more
@mavisjohnson I miss those days too. I found a picture of younger me a couple days ago. I was probably 5 or 6 in the picture and I look like I was having the time of my life swinging on a swing. I have even called it my “big Hannah attitude.” It reminds me of when life was much simpler and when I was more care-free. I want to get back to that.
Thank you for your kind comment. I’m literally tearing up right now. All I want is to make my loved ones (living and deceased) proud of me. My memere was definitely one of the most beautiful souls I had the opportunity of meeting. I miss her dearly.
It’s about to get personal here. You’ve been with me for way too long. You’ve torn down my self-confidence, you’ve creeped into the narratives that I tell myself, you have kept me grounded and not in a good way, but in a self-isolating way, you’ve even made a place for yourself in my beliefs. You have long outstayed your welcome and you need…read more
Aww Hannah, this piece really pulled at my heart strings. I am sorry your classmate was so meaner and I am so sorry your teacher didn’t do what she should have done. But you are so sweet, and you are most certainly lovable. I always say, what people say to you about you says more about who they are than who you are… let go of any shame you feel.…read more
This reminded me of the first time I experienced shame. It was the 2nd grade on the playground and a 5th grader told me to get off the monkey bars and before I could she punched me in the stomach. (Pretty hard too.) I never told anyone about it. I even held back my tears so the teachers wouldn’t ask questions. I’m not sure what I did to des…read more
@mavisjohnson I’m so sorry that that happened to you. You did nothing to deserve that. I know that is easier said than to believe, but it is true. That 5th grader was probably hurting inside and didn’t know how to express the hurt they were feeling so it came out sideways and ended up hurting you in the process.
This brought tears to my eye. A reminder to live Life through a child’s eyes so pure and full of joy. Not a worry in the worlds. Oh how I miss those days. Thank you for sharing.
@mavisjohnson I miss those days too. I found a picture of younger me a couple days ago. I was probably 5 or 6 in the picture and I look like I was having the time of my life swinging on a swing. I have even called it my “big Hannah attitude.” It reminds me of when life was much simpler and when I was more care-free. I want to get back to that.
Thank you Kayjah! I did tell her I wrote about her when we did the Monday night writing workshop where we had to write to someone who inspires us. It was a while back and I hadn’t finished the letter till now. Erin and I have definitely still continue to nurture our friendship. Last summer we were in our friends wedding together which meant she c…read more
I totally agree Kayjah that vulnerability requires empathy towards others. I always try to be empathetic towards anyone I meet cause I know that everyone is fighting a battle I know nothing about. I also try to be compassionate towards others. I want to help mend hearts that I did not break.
So sorry for a delayed response. I am just catching up on posting and commenting. Work has been busy. Bullying can be really overt or it can be very subtle, or it can be a mix of both. In high school there was a boy who was making trouble in class so the teacher sat him next to me. He started making comments that didn’t come across…read more
I agree with Lauren. I am also jealous of your last name. And your last name is definitely not a misnomer. You are so strong. Perhaps the line I resonated with the most is “I am strong because of my kindness and my ability to empathize.” I too try to speak kindness into people’s lives and speak a language of compassion in their difficult…read more
Thank you Lauren and Hannah! When I saw the content it made me realize that I really need to join this community and write more, it had my name all over it – you could say (lol). Love all of your kind words. And I love that it resonated, Hannah! Thanks for reading!
@jessicaappleby I love your submission. It contains a great deal of authenticity. I can totally relate to a lot of the paragraphs that you’ve written. Your paragraph about how you are strong because you cry really struck me. I am also a sensitive soul.
Keep on writing! I will definitely continue to read what you write! 🙂
So powerful! Thank you for sharing Loraine! Know that you have a bunch of cheerleaders in the Unsealed community cheering you on! We are proud of you for who you have become and who you are becoming! You got this! 😀
I’m also a woman of faith so I really enjoyed reading your submission! My favorite line is “when it gets tough just say hey I am more than enough.” It reminds me that there is no one that Jesus did not die for. He died for all of us. It reminds me how the INRI sign they hung over his head to mock him coincidentally (I think this…read more
Thanks for sharing this. You were definitely not alone in having so many emotions related to the vaccine. I had a lot of emotions surrounding it too. I find it refreshing when people are able to share their emotions so freely and vulnerably without putting down people who have different perspectives. Your letter is so raw,…read more
I remember the beginning of freshman year of college being worried about if I would be able to make friends as good as the ones I had at home. My naturally shy self wanted a place to fit in and longed for friendships that would be lifelong. Though my floor and I bonded well, I didn’t always feel like I fit in or that my f…read more
Awwwe. This is such a sweet letter. I’m sure Erin would’ve been proud to see her old roomie write such a caring letter about her. I hope you guys stay strong in your relationship. I know that can be hard especially since you guys aren’t roommates anymore I know seeing each other is a lot less than more. Hopefully though when you get married she w…read more
Thank you Kayjah! I did tell her I wrote about her when we did the Monday night writing workshop where we had to write to someone who inspires us. It was a while back and I hadn’t finished the letter till now. Erin and I have definitely still continue to nurture our friendship. Last summer we were in our friends wedding together which meant she c…read more
Our time with you was always filled with special moments, moments filled with adventures that fostered in me a sense of awe and wonder. Though the days could get busy you always made sure we had a few moments impregnated with silence and rest. You spoiled us to no end with the quality time and the many extravagant gifts you gave…read more
This is a beautiful letter. I’m sure she’s looking down and smiling at what a genuine person you are. How beautiful your words are reflect the beauty and love she showed you. Beautiful.
Thank you for your kind comment. I’m literally tearing up right now. All I want is to make my loved ones (living and deceased) proud of me. My memere was definitely one of the most beautiful souls I had the opportunity of meeting. I miss her dearly.
I so love this, it truly touched me, because my mom, as well as my father had Alzheimer’s and both was in a nursing home at the end. It bothered me that they had to be in a place like that, but I (we) couldn’t help them with such a disease and we truly tried, but it really bothered me that my mom was in such a place. I hated so much that they…read more
@kmimsrice I truly believe that even though they may not have been able to name or recognize us cognitively something in their heart knows who we are. When my memere was in the nursing home we would visit a few times a week. When my dad (her son) stepped foot in the room she would light up. I know in my heart that she knew we were family and…read more
You’re right, I know somewhere deep inside of them, they know who we are, maybe not the name, whether we’re family or not, but they recognized that familiarity the comfort of that particular person, and they feel more at ease and loved. Each time I walked into my mom’s room at the nursing home, I too felt so good, that I was there to protect her…read more
Hannah, The future you is going to be soooo thankful for the present you. You are doing everything in your power to the lay the foundation to live your best life. And for that (among other reasons) you should be so very proud. Your heart, your strength, your willingness to be vulnerable and the effort you put into live your best life are all what…read more
Your determination to heal not only benefits you but also paves the way for a future where you can fully experience the freedom and joy of being healed. Your resilience and perseverance will be rewarded.
I often look back on my past self and thank myself for being strong enough to stick around. My younger self would be proud of who we are no. Might not be happy where we are but proud of who we are. Thank you for sharing.
C.S. Lewis wrote “to love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything and your heart will be wrung and possibly broken.” When I think about the question what makes me strong it is the ability to be vulnerable yourself and others even when your heart has been broken. To choose to be seen and known, even when it is hard. As I look at my…read more
Hannah – I am so sorry you were bullied. My best friend , who I have known since I am 14, just told me last weekend that she was badly bullied in middle school and I never knew. When someone is mean to you it says everything about them and NOTHING about you. I have also had friends come and go – sometimes that’s just life. The people who matter…read more
So sorry for a delayed response. I am just catching up on posting and commenting. Work has been busy. Bullying can be really overt or it can be very subtle, or it can be a mix of both. In high school there was a boy who was making trouble in class so the teacher sat him next to me. He started making comments that didn’t come across…read more
Hannah, you are a very strong person. A lot of people may look at being vulnerable as a weakness but it is a strong suit. No one can stop you from being vulnerable because a vulnerable person carries the trait of sympathy and empathy towards others. Even when others hurt them they may be heartbroken but they still stand strong and care for others.
I totally agree Kayjah that vulnerability requires empathy towards others. I always try to be empathetic towards anyone I meet cause I know that everyone is fighting a battle I know nothing about. I also try to be compassionate towards others. I want to help mend hearts that I did not break.