"For Empty Seats and Elephants In Rooms and Dreams That Feel Impossible"

by Liz on December 27, 2009 · 79 comments

in anxiety,Charity,holidays,keep calm and carry on,my journey,new beginnings,TWLOHA

This week I’ll still be in and out, but I wanted to say HI! Tell me everything! Happy Holidays so far??

Mine was SO good…but I’m glad it’s over and I can catch my breath, you know? Next up New Years-and then 2010!! Big changes! HURRY UP! There were moments of holding back tears, of forcing a smile. But I got through it.

I’m not going to list all the presents I got-I don’t know, something about that bugs me because it’s really not what Christmas is about, to me-but, because it’s relevant to the bloggy, I will say that I did get a Flip HD Camera, so now I can video blog without looking like a bobblehead, so yay. :)

More important things are on my heart and mind tonight, though. For all that I’ve been given, I HAVE to give back just as much.

To Write Love on Her Arms is Non Profit organization that I support, however I can. It’s near and dear to my heart.
“To Write Love on Her Arms is a non-profit movement dedicated to presenting hope and finding help for people struggling with depression, addiction, self-injury and suicide. TWLOHA exists to encourage, inform, inspire and also to invest directly into treatment and recovery.”
{I’m kissin balls for TWLOHA on Socialvibe.com}
On Christmas Eve, this blog was posted on the TWLOHA website, and I wanted to share it with you too. I’m not going to lie loves…I had to read this over a few times this week/weekend. It brought me strength, and will continue to, and just in case even one of you needs some strength…

FOR EMPTY SEATS AND ELEPHANTS IN ROOMS AND DREAMS THAT FEEL IMPOSSIBLE.
DEC. 24, 2009 AT 11:53PM

Hey Guys.
My heart is light tonight. And it feels almost strange to type that. Because i remember so much wrestling and the weight of so many different Decembers. i don’t know if it’s the holidays or the year’s coming to a close but this time of year has a way of reminding us what’s missing, reminding us what hurts… i feel like i’ve been there a lot in recent years.

If you can relate to any of that tonight – to things missing or things changed or lost or broken – we just want to take a moment to say that it matters. Your story and your pain, your hopes and fears and dreams. It matters. You matter. Tonight and tomorrow and ten years from now. We’re sorry for your hurts, for empty seats and elephants in rooms and dreams that feel impossible.

John Mayer said it well in a tweet earlier tonight: “Sending a heartfelt Merry Christmas to those who feel loneliness this time of year. You’re not alone. Hang in there.”

We’ll add to that: Keep going. Keep fighting. Talk to someone. Get the help you need. Your life is worth fighting for. Your dreams, your story, the things that make you come alive – those things deserve to shine. You deserve a friend. You deserve to be loved, to be known. Whatever you’re carrying – whatever aches or haunts or steals – you were never meant to carry it alone. Bono sings “We get to carry each other.” He suggests that it’s a privilege, that it’s the best way to live. You were meant to walk with other people, to invite other characters to play parts in your story.

Wherever you’re at tonight, however heavy or light the night is, whatever scene it finds you living – please know that you matter very much. Please know that you are something priceless, something beautiful and entirely unique. There is hope for you. There is hope for all of us. 2010 has never happened before and the same is true about tomorrow.

A prayer for you, or perhaps a wish if you prefer it said that way: We hope these things feel true. We hope you know you matter. We hope you find your smile. You deserve it -you absolutely do.

Merry Christmas / Happy Holidays / Happy 2010.
Peace to you tonight.
jamie
If you made it through all that…Thank YOU for walking with me, for being such an important part of my story this year. We deserve to shine…and shine we will. Thank YOU for being a reason for me to SMILE. Lots of love to you all, can’t wait to catch up. xoxo
post signature

If you have any questions…or need to talk…you know how to reach me. Do not hesitate. :)

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{ 79 comments }

1 Treacle December 27, 2009 at 6:30 pm

I'm happy that you had a happy holiday, Liz. Thanks for giving so much of yourself to the blogosphere. :-)

2 Nicole Leigh December 27, 2009 at 6:38 pm

I love TWLOHA, I've known about them for a while now. Such a great cause.
I can't wait for 2010, 2009 was the WORST.
xoxo

3 Erika December 27, 2009 at 6:45 pm

Liz this made me want to cry!! YOU and this post are the reasons for me to smile; and 2010 is bound to bring us A-MA-ZING new adventures – especially if we keep a copy of THIS blog folded up in our handbags at all times to remind us of the Unbeweavableness to come. Love you loads and loads and loads!!! :)

4 Juliana December 27, 2009 at 7:03 pm

Liz I am new to your blog and have to say it is probably my favorite blog out there, I have gone back and read back a few but cannot wait to read more. I love this post. You are like me with the way you have such an open heart. You are one of the people who restores my faith in humanity. I am really glad that you blogged about this cause. I lost my baby brother to suicide in April and my world has been turned upside down. I was very broken and lost…but I have a lot of super glue and a map and have reached out to others to help them the most I can. Thank you for posting this. It is nice to "meet" you!

5 Leah December 27, 2009 at 7:56 pm

Liz, I don't want to cry but I'm crying. You inspire me truly. Underneath that happy and funny and carefree attitude of yours… there is a person with so much heart. I love you girl. And yes, you do make me smile… a lot.

6 Dustjacket Attic December 27, 2009 at 7:58 pm

Hey honey, have to say this was a really touching post. Good on you for putting this up.. my heart goes out to all who suffer and those close to them. It is just so heartbreaking.

love DJ

7 Melissa December 27, 2009 at 8:04 pm

Heres to 2010!

TWLOHA is amazing. What a huge heart you have, sweets, a prime example to us all.

Hugs and kisses

8 Ams December 27, 2009 at 8:10 pm

Beautiful post lovely lady :)
Of course.
2010 is going to be amazing. I can feel it in my bones!
Love you and thank you for always making me smile xo

9 Cuddleslut December 27, 2009 at 8:13 pm

Amen!

10 Mrs EyeCanSee December 27, 2009 at 8:15 pm

Glad you had a fantastic holiday!! Cheers to 2010!!

11 Carol December 27, 2009 at 8:25 pm

Heres to a wonderful 2010 ahead! Glad you had a good Christmas!

12 mommara December 27, 2009 at 8:27 pm

Precious. Just precious.

13 MuLtI-CoLoReD SPRINKLES December 27, 2009 at 8:42 pm

I support TWLOHA as well because through the darkest days in my life it got me through…Love you girl and Im glad we are on this adventure together! Email me soon so I know how to pray for ya!

14 Mari December 27, 2009 at 8:45 pm

Liz I needed that post in more ways than I knew. Thank you for posting and linking to it. Happy Holidays

15 Allison December 27, 2009 at 9:49 pm

I totally am crying now that I read that. Although I'm sad often, the new year is really one of the saddest times of the year for me. It is a reminder that other years where better, some things are gone, and I'm not sure what's ahead for the future. I'm barely holding on…and it's hard to keep having faith.

16 Kirsten December 27, 2009 at 9:49 pm

Here is to days filled with sunshine, Louboutins and sangria/champange!

17 J-Diggety December 27, 2009 at 9:53 pm

Thank you Lizzy Marie, I needed this… I do get blue during holidays, yes… family drama… an insanely tight budget strained by wanting to buy my loved ones gifts… loneliness… ugh, it gets to a girl after awhile… "your life is worth fighting for"… TRUE dat!

Much love to you, Lizzy Marie!!
xoxo J

18 my so called fab kelly December 27, 2009 at 10:15 pm

♥

19 Rasha (andthisiswhatshesaid) December 27, 2009 at 10:22 pm

love this post… and you look gorgeous!

20 Kym December 27, 2009 at 10:54 pm

YOU!!!!!

hi! :) Holidays have been good but busy so far but i'm lovin every momeny of it! :) Gotta end 2009 well! :)

I <3 TWLOHA, i purchased a shirt last year in support of it when a friend introduced it to me. I think to a certain degree at a point in our lives, we've all been there :)

Can't wait to see all the fab vids you'll be coming up with!

21 Kristin December 27, 2009 at 10:59 pm

Thank you for giving me hope for 2010. You are a blessing and I'm thankful for you and all the blessings that God has in store for us all!

22 Simply Mel December 27, 2009 at 11:12 pm

beautiful words…and so dear to many hearts. Hope is something we all need to embrace.

23 ema.leigh December 27, 2009 at 11:18 pm

Wow- I needed this tonight. Thank you so much for sharing. We're here for each other. For strength and support the whole ride. I'm here for you girl, we'll get through this and come out on top! xo

24 Dennis Chiuten December 28, 2009 at 1:02 am

Much love Liz (from Baguio Philippines).

It's so important to reach out and create those connections. That is what brings color, vibrancy, and poignancy to life.

xoxo

25 Sara December 28, 2009 at 1:12 am

wow….I love you!

26 Nahl December 28, 2009 at 4:42 am

Thank you sooooooo much for posting this!
xx

27 Seyma December 28, 2009 at 5:31 am

oh Liz, i can't tell you how much it meant reading this.. how much it meant once in a while to see those kinds of heartening words in bold.. how much it made me feel hysterically crying burying my head on someone's lap.. maybe your lap.. i forgot how to smile for a long time.. how to be truly happy.. how to appreciate things.. but no matter what, THANK YOU DARLING!!! thank you so much for sharing this piece of happiness.. thank you so much for being there every time i feel lonely and desperate (which happens to come quite often)..

love you with such bizarre and delicate bonds..

xoxo

28 Seyma December 28, 2009 at 5:37 am

and by the way:

you know what sister??? i just began to explore the beauties of "sex and the city" and it became a phenomenon for me!! i love love love love the way those four girls share everything!! and the way they lead EVERYTHING!!

and that is my new fabulous shit right now!!

so while i was watching it (after having his first date with mr. Big which ended up with sex), Carrie said: "i don't blame myself. i blame the dress!" then Bamm!! it hit me immediately that it's also written on your blog header.. and THEN i came to understand why you have it on there..

am i right?? or does that have another reason??

love.xoxo

29 Meghan December 28, 2009 at 5:50 am

"2010 has never happened before and the same is true about tomorrow."

Umm, wow! This just completely changed my attitude on a few things I have been feeling "blah" about lately.

Great post, lady!

30 SG December 28, 2009 at 6:43 am

What a great organization, I've actually never heard of it before so thank you for introducing me to it. This is really a wonderful, inspiring post…not that I would expect any less from my Lizzy Love.

I'm glad you made it through the holidays and I know 2010 will bring you many wonderful things.

xoxo

31 Brown Girl December 28, 2009 at 7:13 am

Bring on 2010, it's going to be a great year because we have each other. xoxo

32 learnxtoxfly December 28, 2009 at 7:41 am

Glad you had a great christmas! And I also support to write love on her arms on social vibe!

=]

33 orsoifeel December 28, 2009 at 7:52 am

that was truly beautiful and really moved me… thank you for sharing

34 meredith December 28, 2009 at 8:35 am

loved this post. can't wait for more of you in 2010! it's gonna be a good year, baby!! :)

35 Chef Green December 28, 2009 at 8:42 am

Liz, that was amazing. Absolutely beautiful. I'm glad we survived the holidays—and how awesome of you to be involved with the TWLOHA folks.

36 Kris December 28, 2009 at 8:46 am

Have a very happy new year! Can't wait to see what you do with the flip phone! Watch out for bad audio though. It's not the best for sound, but I'm sure you'll be fabulous!

37 Micaela December 28, 2009 at 8:50 am

i just loved the name of this post… and then the beauty you shared.

THANK YOU. thank you.

xo

38 Shop N' Chomp December 28, 2009 at 9:13 am

"2010 has never happened before and the same is true about tomorrow."

Love it.

39 xox D. December 28, 2009 at 9:30 am

WE DESERVE TO SHINE – I love it, it is such a heartwarming letter and I LOVE YOUR PIC from this post! so gorgeous!

40 Rose Red December 28, 2009 at 9:54 am

Great post! Love the kissing balls pic. Sounds like a great organization that you are supporting.
Hope you are having a great holiday.

41 Rose Red December 28, 2009 at 9:54 am

Great post! Love the kissing balls pic. Sounds like a great organization that you are supporting.
Hope you are having a great holiday.

42 Kellie December 28, 2009 at 9:54 am

GREAT post. Seriously. We all need that reminder every now and then.

Glad to hear your holidays went well! I'm so glad to be home. Too much driving! Although we returned to over a foot of snow. Ugh!

43 janettaylor December 28, 2009 at 10:11 am

Ur hair Ur hair…beautiful…

X♥X♥

44 missy. December 28, 2009 at 10:50 am

oh i love you lady. can't wait for the video blogs!

45 missy. December 28, 2009 at 10:50 am

ps you look gorgeous.

46 Summer (BisforBrown) December 28, 2009 at 11:21 am

babe. you are the best. you have such strength in you. i know it is hard to find sometimes but it is there. life has wonderful things in store for you, i know it! I DO!

thank you for sending me the blog post and always blogging about it here. it is important for folks to know they are never alone.

xo

47 Summer (BisforBrown) December 28, 2009 at 11:21 am

btw, that photo of you. HELLO! HOTTIE!

48 Mara December 28, 2009 at 11:47 am

great post Liz! 2010 is going to be a great year I can feel it. You have so many exciting adventures before you!
xox
I'm free this week! Are you?

49 Kelsey @ Seattle Smith's December 28, 2009 at 11:49 am

There is a purpose for us, and it's just a matter of time for everyone to find their place in this world! Thanks for the encouragement and inspiration to us alL!

50 Annie December 28, 2009 at 12:03 pm

great post hun, just what i needed to read today. thank you.
you look amazing in that photo, couldn't be any prettier.
i hope you are having a good day love…xo

51 Jaime December 28, 2009 at 12:30 pm

What a nice post to share – thank you!

52 Hanako66 December 28, 2009 at 1:04 pm

:) love you…thanks for passing that one on

53 PorkStar December 28, 2009 at 1:49 pm

beautiful post. i should actually check that website myself.

…i looove that pic of yours

54 Selma December 28, 2009 at 2:12 pm

OMG, this made me almost cry. Not kidding. Love this. :) There's always some sort of purpose in our life and even though 2009 was not the best year in years it could have been worse, but I'm trying to stay positive or start to be more on that side and will make sure that 2010 is gonna be just a thousand times better and brighter for all of us. Because, as it was written so clearly and beautifully we all matter!!! :)

55 Chessa! December 28, 2009 at 2:47 pm

I think you are amazing. and I'm thankful that I "met" you in 2009. xx

56 my name is lauren. December 28, 2009 at 5:41 pm

thanks for sharing this and for doing your part to help out TWLOHA. it's such an incredible organization. i used to work with at-risk youth with behavioral issues in a treatment center and many of them were cutters. what a great mission TWLOHA has to just help people by meeting them where they're at and not judging, but loving. i think it's a truly beautiful thing and i love that you're raising awareness about it here.

also, i just wanted to say thanks for following my blog and leaving a sweet comment. can't wait to start reading yours as well!

57 wonderfelle December 28, 2009 at 6:30 pm

i need to talk… about how awesome you are :)

58 TheBeautyFile December 28, 2009 at 7:33 pm

You should know that you're a gift to this blogging world. You bring the sunshine everywhere you go…hopefully you'll steal some to bring to NY when you arrive in Feb!!

xoxo

SO glad we bumped into each other in 2009…can't wait to see what 2010 brings, neighbor!

59 Style Porn December 28, 2009 at 8:40 pm

What a neat cause. Thanks for sharing.

And not to bring it down to a superficial level (I can't help it!! I'm superficial!) but your hair looks fucking marvelous.

You'll have an amazing 2010. I know it! Keep ya head up girl!

60 Cynthia December 28, 2009 at 9:53 pm

such a lovely post so beautiful especially cause it hits close to home!

61 lauren December 28, 2009 at 10:35 pm

i have missed your blog so much! i swear we're too much alike in some ways, cracks me up.

hope you had the best christmas yet!!! <3

62 Geez Louise♥ December 28, 2009 at 10:37 pm

I love this!! Thank you for sharing this with all of us! You are fantab!!! Lots of Lurv to you!! And I left you some on my page!!!

Xo,
Chrystal

63 Michelle December 28, 2009 at 10:54 pm

That was amazing and you're amazing for posting it. Love you!

64 OceanDreams December 28, 2009 at 11:07 pm

I've heard of this organization, what a great cause and great letter – thanks for sharing! Thank you for being such a wonderful lady – you bless us so much. Happy almost New Year sweetie!

65 Caitlin December 29, 2009 at 1:38 am

Well said girl :) Amazing cause.

http://candyflosspersie.blogspot.com/

66 Midtown Girl December 29, 2009 at 2:32 am

OH doll – I love this and I am reading it soo late here, but it will totally help cure me of my insomnia knowing that there are such wonderful, beautiful (inside & out) people like you Lizzie.

I love you girl!

XOXO
Amy

67 KLaw December 29, 2009 at 4:53 am

Beautiful and empowering story Liz. Thank you for sharing. Lover you!

68 LiLu December 29, 2009 at 7:47 am

I TOTALLY GOT A FLIP TOO.

Let's Flip together!!!!!!!!!!

69 Dream Sequins December 29, 2009 at 8:54 am

Oh yay! The Flip! It's such a fun little device. My future brother in law gave me his a while ago and I had been meaning to use it to shoot some fun pieces for the blog, so we'll see!

I totally agree that Christmas is not about loot– it's about spending time with loved ones and giving… I love watching my family and friends as they open gifts. Not to mention food. Food is always good.

I'm rambled on long enough. Need to caffeinate!

xx D

70 LENORENEVERMORE December 29, 2009 at 1:05 pm

You are amazing Liz…I'm glad to have crossed path in this blogsphere!
Love U more than Nutella*
xo as always!

71 Sarah Lynn December 29, 2009 at 1:46 pm

Such a good post! I'm thankful to have met you in the blogosphere. Hope you have a happy new year!
PS-I'm lovin' the bangs.

72 eQ December 29, 2009 at 4:03 pm

That's so beautiful. You are so beautiful. Thank you for sharing that!

2010 has never happened. So true. 2010 can be whatever we want to make it. Let's make it a happy and fun!

xo

73 ~KS December 29, 2009 at 4:53 pm

This is why I think you're an angel… because this post was amazing. You are amazing. What you care about and what you dream about and what you aspire for… amazing.
This post just hit home… for so many different reasons, I found myself with tear stained cheeks at several points this Christmas. And I felt guilty- I KNOW I have so much and I know I should be grateful for what I DO have… and yet, like Jamie said… it's just so easy at this time of year to notice what's not there… to focus on what's missing. Wow.

So… because you're so entirely amazing… I left two little bloggie awards for you on my post today. I know you get a million of these, so what's two more?? But you deserve 'em and so very much more…
Happy end of 2009 to you!!

74 Couture Cookie December 29, 2009 at 5:09 pm

What a beautiful post!

Wishing you a happy new 2010 with lots of love and happiness! xoxox

75 Ela December 29, 2009 at 5:44 pm

You have a beautiful heart, Lizzy Love. But I already knew that ;) Thank you for sharing this.
I'm glad you had a totetastic (totes fantastic :) ) Christmas!
xoxoxo and more xo

76 Diana December 29, 2009 at 11:59 pm

I'm all about supporting a good cause and this one is a such a great one.

77 kanishk January 1, 2010 at 12:58 pm

love TWLOHA, I've known about them for a while now. Such a great cause.

kobi beef

78 kathleen January 3, 2010 at 1:36 pm

I am so glad you shared this here. Big ups to the blog world for bringing attention to such important issues. Thank you, my dear. I love the blog, the bug and the bug's hair (duh).

79 Fashion Police January 4, 2010 at 12:18 am

It's so great that you'd think about people other than yourself at this time of the year.
I hope you succeed.
And I hope that a lot of people benefit from whatever you've written.
have a great NYear!

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