EC's Story

I cannot tell you what your email meant to me...

I know it has taken me a long time to respond, but that was simply out of panic.  When I sent that email that night, I never thought I would get a response, let alone such a heartfelt and meaningful one.  I've read your email hundreds of times since you sent it, and I cannot believe how much it means to me.  I just want to tell you how grateful I am and that people like you, those who are willing to listen no matter what is happening in someone's life, those are the people that I have faith in.  They are the reason why I keep trying, why no matter what I do I keep going on, why I keep holding that last little bit of faith that I have left. I am greatly sorry if I've caused you to worry due to my lack of response....I simply didn't know what to say or how to say it.  How can you thank someone for giving you hope? I try to be as eloquent as possible, but for me, there's almost no words for something like that. 

Well, before I finish this response out, I better update you as to how I'm doing.  It's been a few weeks since I sent you that email, and things seem to be getting better.  My dad is talking to me a little more, my sister is trying to be a decent person, and as for my mom, well, she's doing okay.  But the thing is, I'm fine with okay.  'Okay' is a vast improvement from before.  After I sent the email to you guys, and I got a response, I realized that if I wanted to change things, the only was I was going to do it was with hard work.  So I sat her and my dad down and showed them the email.  I made sure they read the entire thing.  I didn't know what was going to happen, but I didn't expect what did: my mom started crying.  In fact, both of them started crying.  I was so shocked I didn't know what to say.  And though I know that this doesn't seem like much to an outside person, it meant a lot to me.  And ever since then, things have slowly been getting better.  Now I know that things won't get better overnight, but I also know that this is a sign that some change is coming, and that I am grateful for more than anything.  Thank you so much Mandi, you have no idea what you've done for me....

Thank you.

Sincerely, 
E. C.