I love looking at the “Top Nine” most liked photos of the year. It’s a way to not only reflect on moments captured and memories made, but it also shows me what YOU connect with the most. I used to be so afraid to put myself out there. I was afraid of rejection and possibly, even more so, connection.
Connection meant that you were actually engaged. It meant that you cared about what I was putting out there and that also meant that I had an obligation. It was no longer about me and my work. Putting myself out there meant that every time I posted a photograph or to my blog, you were reading my words.
When I finally talked about my divorce (a year after it actually happened) I was shaking when I hit the “publish” button on my blog. It was something so personal and close to me. It was something that I had kept for just me. I needed to go through it and GET through it before I could expect the outside world to understand. Not only did you all understand, you gave me grace and support. The amount of messages, texts, comments, calls, etc. that I received after I opened that door was overwhelming in the most moving way possible. I found out that so many other women went through very similar pain. There were also women who hadn’t experienced what I did, but reached out to me because we were now a community. We were a community because you taught me I could be open and vulnerable, I decided to take that chance, and you caught me.
We are a community.
How f’ing powerful are we.
I have an obligation now. It’s on me to make sure that you feel as heard as I have this past year. It’s my duty to tell your story; to have you fall and be caught by me. You’ve read my words for the past year. You’ve read my words and believed in MY story. You’ve taught me that I can not only be myself, but that I can embrace who that person is and love her. In the past year my most “liked” photographs have been some about divorce, depression, sadness, resilience, strength, weakness, darkness, family, love, self-acceptance, YOU, and ME.
We all have such incredible stories to tell. It’s on us to catch each other. I know that I’ve been lucky to have the outpouring of love that I have. I also know the immeasurable amount of people who have no one to catch them when they fall. Who lack acceptance from those they desperately seek it from the most. Just know that I’ll catch you. You have a community, even if you don’t always feel it. We might not be family, but we are a community.
It’s now my obligation, and highest honor, to help tell your story.
Thank you for helping me tell mine.
