Wristbands and Gratitude

My support of To Write Love on Her Arms is no secret, which is why I wear two wristbands 24/7 that speak the simple message of TWLOHA:

"To Write Love On Her Arms"

"Love is the Movement"

Customers regularly ask me about the meaning of the bracelets, commenting on how cool they look (let's be honest, the blue one is very classy) and asking where I got them (I bought them here). Every once in a great while, someone actually opens up about the topic and has a conversation with me. I've heard things like:

• "I'm a Christian, so I think suicide is bunk. Suck it up."
• "That's an important topic. Thanks for sharing."
• "Thank you for saving a life."

Occasionally I hear a shocking comment like the first one above, but the response is overwhelmingly positive. Suicide and depression are serious issues and they shouldn't be taboo from the national conversation anymore. I am always encouraged by the "thank yous" and "keep up the good work" comments from customers and friends. But nothing, nothing, could have prepared me for the conversation yesterday. After explaining what my bracelets mean, the woman looked at me, square in the eyes, and said:

"Oh wow. I needed this. My son is...yeah, he needs this. Bad."

I gave her the URL of the website and said a prayer. 

Open up his heart and mind to the love and hope that God and the TWLOHA community have for him.