; SEMICOLON
a semicolon is used when an author could’ve chosen to end their sentence, but chose not to. The author is you and the sentence is your life. —Project semicolon
This saved my life. For a long time, I would wake up every morning and draw a semicolon on my wrist with a permanent marker. But it wasn’t permanent.
Although I had never before considered a tattoo, it became an obsession. I needed to remember that no matter what, I needed to choose to live my life to the fullest. Even if that was just taking one more breath.
My daughter and I designed my tattoo.
The butterfly reminds me that I am new. My past has made me who I am and not to resent that. But also, the fact that it is tattered reminds me that even as a butterfly, I am continuing to encounter struggles. I may be worn, but I’m not broken.
The “S” reminds me that I am strong. Stronger than I ever imagined I could be.
The vine shows that beautiful things can grow from times of emptiness. “The Garden,” by Kari Jobe was the inspiration.
The semicolon and what is stands for has been a pivot. It’s where I dug in, changed my trajectory, and chose to keep going. When choosing quotes to share, that had to be at the top. It literally changed my life. And I am thankful.
As a college student, after the loss of her father to suicide and her own long-standing battle with depression, Amy Bleuel was inspired to start Project Semicolon in 2013. It was in an effort to help destigmatize mental illness. However, when researching, I was devastated to learn that she has ended her own life. My heart aches that she felt she could no longer go forward.
The impact she has had, and will continue to have, cannot be measured. Like a ripple effect, one person who is affected in a positive way shares with others. They, in turn, influence those around them.
I am sharing with you. Please pass it on.
