By In November 2016, I found myself sobbing into my phone with my chosen brother and journey partner on the other end of the conversation. I was terrified and nervous for what the next day was going to bring my way. He asked me some questions quickly realizing it was going to take more than questions to get me out of my overthinking, panicking, mode.
With that understanding he directed the conversation where only he could take it. The next word out of his mouth was Stacey… not Stace, polar bear, or sis, but Stacey. Hearing him, call me by my name instead of a nickname made me stop crying and pay attention to what he had to say next because I knew it was going to be important. I was right. The next part of our conversation was vital and the advice given in that conversation after using my name instead of a nickname is advice I still revisit, and give to other people as well.
What is the advice you ask? He reminded me it is never just me alone when I go through excruciatingly, difficult and fear inducing circumstances. He had me remind him what is still true after all these years when it comes to the way, we choose to live our lives. We live our lives, choosing to go through life together when we’re not required to do so. Reminding me not only of that but of how proud he and the rest of my chosen family are of me and that they’re always going to be there for me. All of this was really helpful for him to reiterate to me. We both know the advice was still helpful all these years later.
A bit later in the conversation, my chosen brother and journey partner, said to me you just need to pick yourself back up and keep moving forward, knowing that no matter what I am loved and supported. I did know that, but the reminder is always nice. He wanted to make sure I remembered something else he sent to me all those years ago: “you just have to get back up and go achieve every dream you have. Every dream is within your reach.” he wasn’t wrong then and he isn’t wrong now. However, it is more difficult to put his advice in the practice right now, but I’m doing just that. I remembered my chosen brother and journey partner’s words of encouragement to me and I wanted to share them with all of you to help you overcome whatever it is that you are dealing with; just like his words from back, then, which he repeats every once in a while because they are still relevant and he knows I need them. The most profound truth he shared with me that day is everybody who loves me believes in me and is with me as God and Jesus, because they love me too, and believe in me as well.
I am sharing my chosen brother and Journey partner’s words with you all because I hope they help lots of you as much as they helped me continue to persevere and chase my dreams using my gifts because that is what is expected of me from everybody who loves me, including God and Jesus. I am so grateful to be surrounded by so much love and support, and I know that you are loved just as much as I am. The advice shared in this post is important but making sure each of you know you are as love as I am is much more important.
