What a beautiful day on the water with family on the Boston Harbor Cruise Line for the Northern Lights Autumn Foliage Cruise... Even in the rain! Making time to spend with the people we care about is one of the most important things anyone can do to keep a positive mind space. 
     Usually I'm a YES!!! It's raining out, stay in bed all day and watch movies kinda girl... but today I embraced my love of both open water and rain and took my mum on a cruise to see this years foliage. Sitting on the boat I thought about how easy it would have been for me to cancel because of the bad weather and to be honest if this was a year ago... hell even 6 months ago I would have. It really all comes down to opening myself up to new unexpected experiences and not closing up or give up when there is a hiccup or a wrinkle in my plans... 
     Today I happy to report was a wonderful day with my mum, sometimes you need to take a day off and enjoy the world around you.  I hope you enjoy the pictures below and than you for reading! God Bless!

​~Talie Marie

     Over the years I have thought of strength as something that at times I lacked but I was able to hide behind a false image, a facade. I was able to easily hide behind jokes and my work for many years but when I was laidoff I was faced with an immense amount of time on my hands. It didn't take long to realize that I wasn't completely in control of my emotions and being a complete control freak made me feel weak. 
     I tried and tried to hide away those feelings but with time they wore me down. I discovered RAINN by recommendation of a friend and I can honestly say that first call changed my life... I felt completely terrified of what the person on the other line might think of me but by the end of the call I was one step closer to finding some of my strength back. RAINN throughout the years has helped me not only heal but grow to become a survivor. A simple thank you just isn't enough for what they have done for me and so many others. Unfortunately we can revert to our weaknesses when we are least expecting it. . . . 
     I have recently been feeling that same haunting feeling of weakness. . . . Sometimes it's easily concealed and other times it's tears pouring from my eyes when I'm alone. For weeks I've struggled with this because of some professional changes I've decided to take on but the truth is sometimes your strength is in the people within your support system who can see your cracks before you can. I have been blessed with amazing people in my life who are loving and kind but most importantly supportive of me in this journey. 
     Sometimes we forget they are there because the emotions inside are coming on to strong, I realized recently how lucky I am to have certain people in my life who are just there to be a friend sitting next to me in silence or to listen when I'm ready to share without judgement... I always though being strong could only be from my own thoughts and actions but I was wrong... It comes from all of that but also the thoughts and actions of those close to me. 
     Thank you to everyone who has been a loving and caring support in my life and through the process of writing my story. So many of you have touched my life and I hope that someday when I have the opportunity to tell you how grateful I am that I will have the strength to do so... 
       If there is anyone who may need to talk in regards to Sexual or Domestic Violence please contact RAINN!
https://ohl.rainn.org/online/ This organization helps victims, family members, and friends affected by these situations. They are 24/7 and truly some of the kindest people I have ever spoken with. Thanks for reading everyone, God Bless. 

~ Talie Marie

     My first journal/blog post back! I have been going back and forth about what to do and it has hit me that the truest way to not only help other but help myself is to share my experiences with as many people as possible. 
     I had started to give up on my journey with my charity and then a blessing arrived in the mail not to long ago. This gave me the hope I once had to help others who may be experiencing the same emotions and struggles with childhood sexual assault / sexual assault as I am. 
     This letter is from a young man who found courage within himself from the character Thorin Oakenshield in the Hobbit trilogy played by actor Richard Armitage to stand up and stop the sexual violence happening to him and in the same breath protect his younger brother as well. This young man is my hero, his courage has been contagious in my heart and inspired me to keep going on my journey to help others. 
     I will say the Hobbit / Lord of the Rings franchise is one of my absolute favorites, I have watched them more times than I can count. I easily get lost in the storyline, escaping from the stress of reality into a world of fantasy. Now when I watch I see hero's! I see courage! I see strength! I see true inspiration to be a better person to myself, my family, my friends, and everyone I meet!
     Though I was moved to receive this amazing letter, I do feel that the letter truly doesn't belong to me. My heart tells me that this letter belongs to Richard Armitage, he is the inspiration that was the catalyst to this young mans courage and determination to his family. I have sent the original letter and a journal to Richard, I hope with all of my heart that he has received it if not maybe he will see this post and be able to read it. He deserves to know that he posses the gift of touching lives in ways that maybe he didn't realize. I use a picture of the letter as the lock screen on my phone... this reminds me that I can't give up, even when things seem to hard or I'm afraid... I must keep going! I will keep going!
     I want to end this post with a special thank you to both the courageous young man and Richard Armitage, you are both an example of the greatness there is in the world today. I carry you both in my heart, God Bless. 

​~Talie Marie