community Archives - Page 11 of 17 -

The T-shirt Winner Is…

July 28, 2011 by Farewell Stranger ·

The lucky winner of the Band Back Together t-shirt, chosen by random.org, is comment #23 from Roxanne!

Roxanne gets her choice of t-shirt to show that she’s With The Band.

If you haven’t visited Band Back Together lately, we’ve got a super easy way for you to support those sharing their stories. You don’t have to comment – just fling some glitter at them. So go on – click. Give out some glitter and get some good karma in return.

And thanks to all those who entered and retweeted and all that good stuff. The Band appreciates your support.

Filed Under: Better world · Tagged With: community, spreading the love, we're not alone

Hello, Inspiration: From My Heart

July 24, 2011 by Farewell Stranger ·

Inspiration, at times, is something simple but powerful.

This week I wrote a post in two parts. I used to think I would never share that story. I just couldn’t see how I could admit to that stuff.

As time went on, though, I knew I needed to write about it.

After conversations last week, I knew I needed to do write about it now so other people struggling with the same things could read it and know it’s okay. That it will be okay.

I wrote the whole thing and had a good cry. I went to bed, got up and revised and edited. I got my husband to read it to make sure he was okay with it and I asked him the question I’d been scared to ask for months.

I sat in front of my computer. I looked at my husband, who knew I could do it. So I held my breath and hit ‘publish’.

I held my breath for a long time.

I had no idea what kind of a response I’d get. I was sure some would be supportive (especially since I’d called on my #PPDChat army for back-up) but I was waiting for the haters.

They didn’t come.

I got nothing but amazing support. I got emails. I got DMs on Twitter. I got messages on Facebook.

I was totally overwhelmed. I can’t even begin to express how grateful I am for the support.

I also got messages from women who aren’t ready – who may never be ready – to admit publicly that this is an issue for them too but who wanted to reach out to someone who understands.

Knowing that sharing the hard parts of my story helps other people is inspiring. It’s why I write.

Odds are I will never be able to reach every mom who struggles with this and thinks she’s alone. But it doesn’t matter.

I’m inspired to try.

Filed Under: Hello, Inspiration, Postpartum depression · Tagged With: community, depression, expectations, gratitude, hope, rage, we're not alone

With The Band & the Shirt to Prove It

July 21, 2011 by Farewell Stranger ·

A while back our dear Aunt Becky from Mommy Wants Vodka mentioned she was looking for help with Band Back Together.

What? You don’t know Band Back Together? You’re not With The Band? You need to be With The Band, people.

I can’t describe what it is any better than the founder did herself:

Band Back Together is a group weblog that provides educational resources as well as a safe, moderated, supportive environment to share stories of survival. Through the power of real stories written by real people, we can work together to destigmatize mental illness, abuse, rape, baby loss and other traumas so that we may learn, grow, and heal.

All are welcome.

That’s it. It’s that simple and that beautiful.

Some of the stories are hard to read. I don’t read them all, I admit. Some of them I just can’t. But I can always provide a supportive comment and that’s really what being With The Band is about.

I know how hard it is to share hard stories. I’ve shared mine here – even the hardest one. But some people can’t do that, or don’t have a place to. (And a lot of people’s stories are WAY harder than mine.)

I also know how much it means when someone says, it’s okay. You’re not alone. You are not defined by that experience or that illness or that tragedy.

Because of that, when Becky asked for help I signed up. I’m doing what I can to promote the site so people have a safe place and I’m doing some other behind-the-scenes work like writing resource pages and stuff. This is all volunteer – the whole site is.

So if you want to get With The Band, it’s easy. Comment. Spread the love. Retweet or Stumble stuff. Buy a t-shirt. Yes, a t-shirt.

Or…win one! I don’t generally do giveaways but I’m doing this one. One lucky person is going to win a Band t-shirt of their choice.

Mandatory entry:

Browse Band Back Together and leave a comment below telling me which resource page you think will help the most people.

For extra entries (leave a separate comment for each entry):

Subscribe to Band Back Together on Google Friend Connect
Follow @bandback2gether on Twitter
Like The Band on Facebook
Tweet about this giveaway. Sorta like this: I’m With The Band and I want a shirt to prove it! Enter to win one with @MamaRobinJ and @bandback2gether http://wp.me/p1z3B0-Ik #giveaway

Want to go all the way?

Write a post about Band Back Together and share the link in the comments. To thank you for your efforts we will not only give you an entry to win a fabulous t-shirt, we’ll also feature your post on the site (somehow – we’ll figure out exactly how) and then you’ll get some love too.

Giveaway will end at midnight (Pacific time) on July 28, 2011 and a winner will be drawn at random.

The small print: I was not compensated for this post (except with Becky’s undying love). I have a Band shirt, which I bought with my own money, and I’m doing this giveaway because I think more people should know about – and support – Band Back Together.

Filed Under: Better world · Tagged With: community, spreading the love

A Spoiler, With Love

July 18, 2011 by Farewell Stranger ·

The words I want to put on these pages are elusive today. I’m still sick and it’s wearing me down. I have a headache, again, and it’s blocking out the things I want to say. But for so many reasons, today, in particular, I want to say something.

In dedication to my #ppdchat mamas and all those who come here because you need to know you’re not alone, I offer you this, which I trust to be true.

With much love.

R xo

Filed Under: Better world · Tagged With: community, depression, hope, spreading the love

Everybody’s Got a Story

July 5, 2011 by Farewell Stranger ·

Driving down the road, I see her. A block or so ahead, she’s standing at a bus stop and I notice her immediately because her face is white. Not white as in Caucasian, just white. Really white.

“What is up with her face?!”

The thought crosses my mind before I’m able to catch it, but it’s immediately pushed down by a newer, more understanding voice. The one that reminds me that I have no idea what might be happening for someone else. That she might be sick. That she might be expressing an inner struggle through her outer appearance. That she might just do her makeup that way.

Or maybe it was the way the light reflected off of her. I’ll never know, because I actually didn’t see her face up close as I drove by. I was watching traffic. I was participating in the dialogue in my head and acknowledging its rightness.

Or maybe I wasn’t meant to actually see her and identify the cause. Because it doesn’t matter, does it? We are who we are and, for the most part, it’s not for others to judge.

That ain’t the picture, it’s just a part, sang Amanda Marshall. Everybody’s got a story that could break your heart.

I understand that better now and I know it’s true.

I’ve got my own stories and I’ve been privy to so many others.

For a long time I resented what my experience with depression took from me, but now I appreciate the gifts it’s giving back. Compassion. Understanding. Tolerance. Love. And the honour and endless gratitude that comes with being entrusted with another’s story. Even if – perhaps especially if – it breaks my heart.