Hello, Hope,
For as long as I can remember, Hope, you have been there in the far corners. When I was in hospital, on the oncology ward, in palliative care, you got closer. I held onto you. I hoped I would make it through. And after a long, harrowing journey, I did.
When I was in the depths of my mental health battle, I thought I had lost you. I thought I'd never even hear your name again. I didn't want to know you. People told me about you, but I didn't think I'd ever get to really know you again.
I was at my lowest, mentally, and forgot about you. I forgot that you were there, waiting for me to make the first move. Waiting for me to reach out. And then I did.
Hope, I reached out. I didn't want to know you, but so many people told me about you. I felt that maybe, just maybe, you could help me make it through once again. You inspired me. You encouraged me to fight the thoughts that had tormented me for so long. Gradually, I got to know you better. Gradually, I saw how amazing you are.
Now, I know you well. I'm able to write about you. To tell people you are real and that you are worth it. That, even knowing of you is enough. Knowing that, with you, anyone can recover. Anyone can fight for a better life, a healthier and happier life, if only they believe in you, Hope. If only people could fight to realise how powerful you are in helping others realise just how much beauty there is in the world and how important it is to fight for yourself. To fight for your life. To fight for your future. To fight for happiness.
-Claudia
Voices of Hope wants you to know that you do not have to do this alone. Click here to ‘find help’ - it’s not weak to speak!