Very recently, my family and I received some not-so-good news. My younger brother was diagnosed with brain cancer. When I got the call that confirmed my worst fear, I felt like the whole world was against me and my family.
And then I was totally proven wrong.
Only a few close friends knew what was going on with my family, until Friday, when I decided to go public and post what was happening up on Facebook and Twitter. After I hit enter, I put my phone down and spent the day with family.
Later, when I looked at my phone, I was overwhelmed by the response. There was three hashtags on Twitter for my brother. I had friends from different states say them and their friends, people I didn't know, were praying for my family. I had messages ranging from ex-boyfriends to grade school classmates, people who I haven't talked to in years, send their love and support.
I have been given this great opportunity to write for the Odyssey and to have something published each week for the world to see. So in the most public way I know how, I want to say thank you.
Thank you to my neighbors who let me borrow clothes when I found I had not packed efficiently in my rush home from college. Thank you to my roommates for being strong for me when I couldn't be. Thank you to my friends and the strangers across the country praying for my brother. Thank you to the people I haven't talked to in years for reaching out and making me feel a little less alone.
I had felt like it was my family and me against the world. And then you proved me wrong. So this is my thank you to you. You know who you are. I don't know how I can repay you for everything all of you have done, but hopefully this article is a way I can start.