The pain she feels every day she hides behind. She feels that nobody understands her and that she's alone in her battle. She's a leader to her friends and doesn't want to show her weakness, because she feels that they'll judge her. She feels that she can't tell anyone about her struggle. Little does she know that everyone around her is broken too. All she needs to do is be honest, because maybe honesty is all they need. - Joe Pedersen

Sleep is her safe place.
While the trees outside
dance this waltz with the wind,
she is safe.
I wait in the silence
only wondering how long
it will be until I can
speak; how long until I can sleep.
She is beautiful and smart
but all she can see is a
distorted image of a broken girl.
I will love her.
I have hope for healing.
As I wait, there is nothing I
can do except pray. I do so
humbly, sharing my heart
with God, as well as showing
Him my brokenness and
thoughts of how she and I can heal
together. I tell her the pain is
only temporary, but her story
will carry on to help many people.
"Look ahead," I tell her,
"We will be the hopeful for
the next generation."
-Amanda Kay