We are so excited to have you! A Master’s Degree! Wow!!! You should be so incredibly proud. I am sorry to hear about the losses in your life as well as the bullying. I always say what someone says about you says more about them than it does about you. Stay away from the bullies and lean into the people who love you and treat you kindly, like your…read more
I’ve been here for the majority of your journey of creating The Unsealed and your hard work making it what it is today. Knowing where it found me, it is incredible what you’ve done. I know that at moments I can be incredibly difficult. You have through The Unsealed helped me reshape the person I am. A lot of the truth of my life isn’t…read more
@oneturbobenz
I can understand those struggles and having to pretend to be someone else. I am glad you finally found yourself and love that version of you. I would say you and I have had similar journeys in life and I am glad I can relate to your story. Life in general is really just growth and learning how to appreciate the growth for what it…read more
First things first, HAPPY BIRTHDAY @oneturbobenz !!! I hope you have a great day. I just read your letter, and I love that you are using your passion and your dream to inspire the next generation. You have no idea the fire you will light in someone else by sharing your knowledge and your passion. Even though your dream didn’t go as planned,…read more
Hoping to have a good night at the ballpark at a game. Last time a game was at home for my birthday was 2020 and well we know how that went. Usually my birthday falls during the All Star break so it’s great to be able to go to one tonight. To start year 38 this way is my best bet. Only regret is I’m not on the mound as the Starting Pitcher. Some…read more
I had one just last year. While driving through Streetsboro heading for Cleveland. The seatbelt buckle in my Dad’s car had a way of slapping against the door post when you weren’t wearing it. It was driving me crazy with the sound it was making. I felt uneasy about why it bothered me so much that day when it had never bothered me before.…read more
@oneturbobenz
Dear Roger,
It is always so painful to lose someone you love who is so very close to you. Their spirit and light is always with you. I feel your pain. I have lost both my dear parents and this loss is felt every day. But I will say that I always try to live each day with purpose and happiness because I know that is what my…read more
@shelleybrill I have been trying to get to that point. I changed jobs 3 times since October of 2020 in an attempt to find peace at work. My current job brings me back to the industry my Father spent 42 years working in. My Mother went through a lot of hard times with him always out on the road. My Mother never got her drivers license and so going…read more
Meet Roger! Roger lost his mother when he was 23 years old. Ever since, he has struggled with grief, anxiety and depression. He misses his mother who was a source of love and comfort in his life. One of his favorite memories of his mom is seeing her joy when she watched him perform in his first band concert in high school.
@oneturbobenz
Dear Roger,
It is always so painful to lose someone you love who is so very close to you. Their spirit and light is always with you. I feel your pain. I have lost both my dear parents and this loss is felt every day. But I will say that I always try to live each day with purpose and happiness because I know that is what my…read more
@shelleybrill I have been trying to get to that point. I changed jobs 3 times since October of 2020 in an attempt to find peace at work. My current job brings me back to the industry my Father spent 42 years working in. My Mother went through a lot of hard times with him always out on the road. My Mother never got her drivers license and so going…read more
Our friendship began the night we met. It was August 12, 2018 in downtown Cleveland. My friends and I ended up at a table at FWD nightclub with you and your friends. Thanks to your charm, and that handsome face, we immediately clicked.
In a short time, I realized there was so much more to you than your good looks and your sweet…read more
First off I’m so very sorry for this loss. Sean, from everything you’ve written, was an extraordinary man. This tribute is both heartbreaking and inspiring to read. It is heartbreaking because a great man and Father was taken from this life so very soon. Reading what you’ve written is inspiring however also. It shows the profound impact…read more
Dear Lauren:
Today is Glioblastoma #GBM Day and as we shine the light on this devastating disease, I want to express my appreciation to you for using your platform – The Unsealed – to write this beautiful and poignant letter to my son Sean who at age 40, left us last month, too soon due to GBM. We are heartbroken.
I’m so sorry for the loss of Sean. I can’t imagine how much this loss has hurt. GBM is such a terrible disease. I wish it wasn’t a thing that takes such amazing people like Sean from us so soon.
I want to let you know that I will be making a donation in Sean’s honor to one of the causes you linked above. Of all the things I try to…read more
Roger, You’ve been through some tough events in your life. I’m sorry you had to go through these experiences. I know what you mean about empty space after losing a parent. It’s tough to fathom that you won’t see your mom again until the afterlife. I bet your mom was a very loving person. When I lost my mom, it all happened so fast…read more
I am glad the letter could relate to you in a good way. I wrote it for that very reason to connect with people who feel the same or have had similar experiences as me. I think you are a very strong person for allowing yourself to start the process of finding the root and how to heal it. It takes courage to acknowledge…read more
It’s hard to express how thankful I am for each of you. When I started this company, I was motivated by the idea that my personal experiences coping with sexual violence could inspire others. For me, this company allowed me to turn what was once a deep and dark secret into a superpower. While each of you has supported me on this…read more
I just want to let you know that I am really proud of you and have respect for everything you do and are currently doing for others. I’m glad that you have given me an opportunity to be able to share my story with you and inspire others; and I am also greatful that God has given me the opportunity to work with a well driven, kind, intelligent, a…read more
OMG, I am not crying. Actually, I am crying! Kayjah, you are so sweet. You have so much greatness inside of you and your journey is just beginning. I am honored to have the opportunity to be a part of your journey and I am beyond excited to see where you decide to go in life. There is nothing you can’t do! You have already been through so much and…read more
Dear Kayjah,
Thank you so much for your kind words about Lauren. As her mother, this means so much to me. Lauren has gone thru so much in her life and I am glad she is sharing her challenges. We can all learn from each other and become inspired. Lauren tells me you are a fantastic intern and are helping her so much. I hope you and Lauren…read more
I’ve always wanted to tell the world about my experiences and opinions. But I constantly have the impression that no one is listening. But I believe I’ve found the proper spot where I can tell my story and hopefully inspire others. Your efforts are much appreciated. Continue to inspire & motivate others. With the right intentions, I believe we can…read more
Aww, I am so glad you found The Unsealed. I can’t wait to read and respond to your story. I believe everyone has a story that can inspire someone. We all need to lift each other. I wanted to introduce to @ashley_topham. She is a strong, resilient young woman like you. I hope you two begin to write to each other. You each can post a story and just…read more
Hi Friend, I just wanted to let you know that my appreciation is beyond words, and I am both thankful and proud of you. I am proud of you for choosing yourself and passions everyday even though you’ve been through so much fire. I am not much of a speaker, I do better watching and working from behind the curtains, but the unsealed has give me a…read more
@asyk This is so sweet. Thank you so much! This motivates me so much. Starting a business is so hard but when you realize it actually means something to people, it makes it so much easier to keep pushing. And whether you speak, write, scream, or whisper, you have a lot of be proud of and your message/story should be heard. You are strong and your…read more
I am sorry for your loss. Mothers are truly magical though. It is amazing to me that no matter what is going on or what a mother is dealing with, a good mother will always calm her child first and foremost. My mother is the same way. She always comforts me even if she is struggling with something. The love between a parent and child is just so…read more
Thank you for the very kind words Lauren. Yes it truly is amazing. Great moms just have a knack. And yes, always put their kids first. Mom was definitely like that. Our house was a very popular hub. Kids were always over, we had lots of gatherings to watch Browns games and stuff. We still laugh: whenever anyone would come over, especially after…read more
Several years ago, mom and dad moved out of our childhood home and mom sent me a box filled with items from our room that she didn’t know if I wanted to keep or throw away.
As I looked through this box, I found random items like a Mia Hamm Barbie in a package that I never opened and drawings from third or fourth grade. As I d…read more
I think Unsealed Conversations is your own network Lauren. Within The Unsealed it serves as a great amplifier of the stories you tell for people. If not a network it’s definitely your own kind of talk show. Without The Unsealed I wouldn’t be taking my crazy old Volvo to be in a movie tomorrow. Most likely I’d be buried the the plot meant for my…read more
Aww Roger, that is so sweet. It’s people like you that keep me pushing. I still want to grow and be so much bigger. But I know I have to be patient and it will come. I am so glad The Unsealed and our friendship has had such a positive impact on your well-being and your life. You inspire me to keep pushing ever day.
I believe that your a very strong, independent, and a successful person. I feel that you are a person that will help others speak out more on there experiences which you are currently doing; your on a level where the stories you post motivates others to post as well. You are a leading example of how a lot of people who go through hardships with…read more
That part on stop missing on the joy of the present moment because you’re consumed with the unknowns of your future is so true! It’s tough to stay in the present when your mind has been conditioned to constantly think about the future. The Unsealed (In a way) is your show, Lauren. It shows your willingness to share other people’s stories. It a…read more
It really is tough to stay present. It is something I still struggle with. I am a worrier and trying to build a business sure doesn’t make that any easier. But it’s people like you and letters like this one that remind me that everything will be OK and that I am on the right track and I just have to keep pushing. I am so glad you found The…read more
@jim-c@oneturbobenz@telina27@lostone89@bigstudbundy All of your responses were so thoughtful and so beautiful. It really touched my heart. Grief is one of those things that I feel like always stays with us in some form. Maybe it gets easier. Maybe it doesn’t. But Grief also means we were lucky enough to have someone pretty special in our…read more
The other night I was super stressed and I read a post of yours that said, “”In every life we have some trouble. But when you worry you make it double. Don’t worry, be happy!” – Don’t Worry, Be Happy by Bobby McFerrin.”
I am a worrier. I have always been like that. It’s the way I am wired. And this month I was…read more
@oneturbobenz Every time you share this story with me it reminds me why I do what I do. I am so sorry you were hurting and i am so sorry you lost your mother, but I am so glad that The Unsealed has helped you heal and get back on track. And also, I am so glad we’ve been able to build a beautiful friendship. Please keep taking pictures. Keep…read more
@oneturbobenz@telina27 I think you are both so right. We all find our own ways to grieve. But i think the underlining similarity is that we all need to allow ourselves to grieve and to express our emotions. Telina, I went through that anger stage like you did. Wanting someone or something to blame. And Roger, I also had guilt, “why did i leave…read more
That’s a powerful story. He’s right. You shouldn’t accept anything less than what he would have been willing to give. From anyone. Grief is tough. Comes in all shapes and sizes. I’m currently apart from my ex girlfriend. It’s brutal. I want to be back w her so much. But I can’t speed up the process. It just has to be a one day at a time proces…read more
I am so sorry for your losses as well. They say time heals all, but I remember writing when I was a kid that time doesn’t heal all, you just start to get used to the way you feel. One day at a time is definitely the best advice, but the reality is, some days are certainly better than others.
With that said, I have also experienced magical…read more
I think you are right on. I don’t think you ever fully heal from serious grief like that. You just get used to things as they are. Because to be fully healed, I’d think that means as good as you were before the loved ones went away. And I don’t think that will ever be the case in things like that. Nothing will ever be as good as it was. You just…read more
It’s been almost six years since I lost my ex-boyfriend, Brian. He loved me with all his heart. And even though I broke his heart, he never stopped caring about me, supporting me, or cheering on my success. When he was alive, I spent years keeping him an arm’s distance away. At the time, I just didn’t want the same relationship that he wante…read more
That’s a powerful story. He’s right. You shouldn’t accept anything less than what he would have been willing to give. From anyone. Grief is tough. Comes in all shapes and sizes. I’m currently apart from my ex girlfriend. It’s brutal. I want to be back w her so much. But I can’t speed up the process. It just has to be a one day at a time proces…read more
I am so sorry for your losses as well. They say time heals all, but I remember writing when I was a kid that time doesn’t heal all, you just start to get used to the way you feel. One day at a time is definitely the best advice, but the reality is, some days are certainly better than others.
With that said, I have also experienced magical…read more
I think you are right on. I don’t think you ever fully heal from serious grief like that. You just get used to things as they are. Because to be fully healed, I’d think that means as good as you were before the loved ones went away. And I don’t think that will ever be the case in things like that. Nothing will ever be as good as it was. You just…read more
The devastating power of grief visited me far earlier than I had ever imagined. I was 17 and undeniably in love with my high school girlfriend. I wanted to go out with her that night but I missed the chance to ask her before she went home. The next morning I was at a friend’s house when I found out she had been killed in a car accident early that…read more
Grief in general is hard to deal with because when we lose someone we feel like apart of us is gone, but we take on who they were in the things we do. Each person we meet gives us apart of themselves. When I lost my dad I was angry 😡 and sad at the same time. I couldn’t understand why I had to lose him. As I started to come out of my anger I r…read more
@oneturbobenz@telina27 I think you are both so right. We all find our own ways to grieve. But i think the underlining similarity is that we all need to allow ourselves to grieve and to express our emotions. Telina, I went through that anger stage like you did. Wanting someone or something to blame. And Roger, I also had guilt, “why did i leave…read more
This is a powerful read. It’s not easy losing people we care about. It takes time to process a loss. Our minds start wondering how things would be different if that person was still alive. It’s said that time heals all wounds, but, it doesn’t feel like it. It feels like time just makes us get into a place where we can tolerate our wounds. Not…read more
Gerald I know your mom is looking down on you and she is really proud. You know, I too often bury my emotions . Not because I think I have too but because it’s easier not to face them. Often they come out in other ways like anxiety, stomach aches or even back aches. That’s how I ended up writing. It became a healthy outlet for self-expression. A…read more
Appreciate that Lauren. I believe she is too, looking down with a smile. Yeah. Anxiety is definitely one way those emotions can come out. I’m glad you found healing and empowerment through writing. I feel writing has done the same for me in terms of its healing power & empowerment I’ll never felt before. It’s a great outlet for self-expression. I…read more
I struggled for quite a while after losing my mother. She had been diagnosed with breast cancer many years prior to succumbing to it. When first diagnosed she entered a trial study and it was under control for years. When the trail ended, she was so excited to find out she was in the test group and he cancer was under control. About a year latter…read more
I am so sorry for what you and your mother went through. But you are so right, focusing on the happy times makes everything a little easier. Also, you can feel gratitude for having so many happy times. With my grandfather, I always think about how he called me his little athlete because he knew I got my athletic talent from him. With Brian, I…read more
I remember the first time I read about the promise you made Brian. I think what he wanted was to ensure you were happy. The way he treated you was the way he felt was the best way he could make you happy so that is what he hoped you would find with someone else. Maybe a part of him hoped you would look and not find someone and come back to him.…read more
“Maybe next time instead of putting his sister at your table he will put the guy you are looking for there.” This line nearly made me cry. He is probably just waiting until i feel so tortured that I will appreciate that person to no end. And I do think you are right. I do think on some level he was hoping I would one day come to him. I just don’t…read more
@jim-c@oneturbobenz@telina27@lostone89@bigstudbundy All of your responses were so thoughtful and so beautiful. It really touched my heart. Grief is one of those things that I feel like always stays with us in some form. Maybe it gets easier. Maybe it doesn’t. But Grief also means we were lucky enough to have someone pretty special in our…read more
Lauren,
I’ve been here for the majority of your journey of creating The Unsealed and your hard work making it what it is today. Knowing where it found me, it is incredible what you’ve done. I know that at moments I can be incredibly difficult. You have through The Unsealed helped me reshape the person I am. A lot of the truth of my life isn’t…read more
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