Yesterday, Marcey, one of my readers, shared a link to a Yahoo News post, which shared an image that Reddit user chellylauren posted on her page five days ago, and which I’m now going to share with all of you. Did you follow all that?
LOL. I can barely follow it myself.
Anyway, chellylauren posted the image and said, “In a girls’ bathroom stall at my university, girls have written about some of their most horrifying life experiences. This week, somebody replied.”
Then she posted an image of the anonymous reply. I thought it was such a beautiful human moment that I wanted to share it with all of you. Click on the image to read it, or I’ve transcribed it here:
To the girl who was raped: You are so strong. I cannot fathom the pain you must have gone through. The fact that you have the bravery to write it (even on a bathroom wall) gives me hope.
To the girl with eating disorders: I promise you, although I don’t know you, you are beautiful, you deserve your health. You deserve freedom from that hell.
To the girl with the alcoholic father: I am so sorry for the agony it must cause. Again, such courage is remarkable you must be such a strong person to see such pain.
To the girl whose father died: Missing them never goes away. The ache of their absence never goes away. But the love they had, the memories you share surely must last. I am sure, out of the bottom of my heart, the people who have left you in this world are exceptionally proud of the person you are.
Every time I see these walls, these confessions, I feel so blessed to know I have the privilege of seeing them. Your moments, these secrets, are all precious even though they are sad. To all of you (including those I did not mention, and those who have not yet written)
-You are worthy.
-You are strong.
-You are brave.
-You are loved.
-Somebody cares.
Someone had scribbled their own quick reply at the bottom which was poignant all by itself.
“To the person who wrote this, thank you.”
Whoever wrote this note, this is beautiful you. You’re a bathroom stall angel.
Dan Pearce, Single Dad Laughing
There are so many good people in the world like the bathroom angel. It's a shame we don't always see them and that too many of us are not brave enough to show compassion in public.
That's inspiring...thank you... J xx
Thanks for sharing, Dan. I needed to see that right now.
Bathroom Stall Angel.
Is it weird that I want/hope this becomes a thing? Private messages of support and love left in places where people feel vulnerable. Chances for others to discover the kindness of strangers. And, yes, I know it's a bathroom stall but beauty can bloom anywhere.
Love is louder... there really are beautiful people everywhere.
I feel bad that these poor girls need to write this on the bathroom stall in order to tell someone. This is why the sacrament of confession is so incredibly healthy for people's souls- and minds. Society unfortunately has disregarded it as "religious superstition" and now our only confidant is a cold steel wall.
It saddens me to know we are all so damaged. However reading this gives me hope that healing may be possible. Angles are amoung us.
THe woman who wrote this note has a beautiful heart.
@Wilma S Cohen
Very true. She does.
Love is louder
This is so beautiful! I think we all need to remember that we are worthy, strong, brave, loved, and cared about! Thanks to those brave souls for sharing their hard secrets, even privately, and for that amazing girl for the reminder.
Sometimes, when it seems that people hear but no one seems to want to listen, one has to do it all alone. It may be grieving. It may be fellowshipping oneself when one just isn't able to be part of the group at all, and everyone wants to get on with whatever is happening that one doesn't exactly belong in, or can take part in as easily as everyone else. Maybe it's just not having anything to say that seems to matter, or that's what the feedback feels like. Learning to be alone instead of lonely is difficult, and the only real choice left. It is, like every relationship, full of ups and downs. If there had been one to recall with joy, perhaps that is a template for knowing how to befriend oneself. The one good thing in that is, one may eat anything for dinner...
This gave me goosebumps and glossy eyes.
Words cannot describe...how beautiful!
~
Awesome!
I am the first three of those girl...I am each of them, in my own way. This had me crying like a child. Thank you so much for sharing this. We need more bathroom stall angels.
LOVE IT!
I tried to share this with you when I saw it and never figured it out. But it reminds me of your "truth box", and I mentioned you and the "truth box" when I shared it on facebook!
I'm glad you've seen it too. You do good. Lots and lots of good. And for that, I thank you.
Beautiful! Thank you for sharing it Dan!
I was in my local Human Services office and a very young woman was just sobbing, quietly. It pained me to see it. It pained me to see others look at her in judgment. I wrote her a note. I told her that though I did not know her or her troubles that I cared. I wrote about how young and full of life she was and to stay strong. I slipped the note to her when I was called back for my appt. When I came out she was gone but there was a small note taped to the table where she had sat. "Thank you." It only takes a few seconds or minutes to be kind. To reach out to someone in need. Do it. It will be the most awesome thing you will ever do.
Beyond magnificent. <3
How wonderful for her to take that kind if time to leave such a magnificent message. I am positive she has made a difference to any who have visited that particular stall. It's nice to see that there is stiil some decency in this world.
Bathroom wall writings are called latrinalia. /linguist geek
That was a beautiful letter. Thanks for sharing it with all of us. I hope that if I am in a similar situation, I will take the time to be affirming, like this author.
Wow...definitely an angel!
That brought tears to my eyes. Bless the young woman that took the time to reach out to those who were hurting. And thank you for sharing and reminding me that I cannot know the pain that is behind the smiles I see each day.
@TammieElliott Thanks for reminding me of that fact as well..
Tears. Of joy for this glimpse of Grace & Compassion in a world full of pain & sorrow. Have to share -- thanks for posting it!
people like this restores my faith in the human race.
Shared this -- had to. You're such a great dad!
That bathroom stall angel has a beautiful heart!
This is pretty AMAZING!! Even more amazing is the person who wrote all those words with such empathy fora complete stranger. Reading this made my day. :)
You can find good in the world in the most unexpected places :)
You can find good in the world in the most unexpected places :)
@amy660 Yes you can and for that I am grateful..
I saw this a yesterday too and it helps me remember that people are worthwhile.
How awesome! I am amazed at the sweet encouraging spirit of some that walk this earth. Angel indeed.
Most people are good decent. When I read something like this it restores y belief in the basic goodness of mankind/womankind. I shall continue to wear my "rose colored glasses." that our son tells me I wear.
Love this! Made me tear up!
Wrote about this very same thing on my blog yesterday.
Love in its purest form. We all need to know that someone hears us even if it is on a bathroom stall. My heart goes out to all these young women and to the young woman who took the time to say..I hear you. You are important and you are loved.
It is good to see this, Dan. At a time when negativity is so high and people are taking digs at each other whenever they can, it made me feel a little hope for all of us.
Again my faith in humanity gets a boost, thank you for sharing!
How awesome, and so very touching, too.
That's so sweet. :)
Love <3
just when the media reports make you think the world is going to hell in a bucket, someone restores your faith in humanity! :)
Good stuff <3
Haha, Amber I was going to give you the credit. :P