It's okay to start over!

     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

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