FIREPLACE POETRY

Last week after my daughters art show, I decided to surprise my kids with ice cream on the way home. We were laughing and smiling when I took the order, but as soon as we reached the payment window, things completely changed.

When I grabbed my debit card and was about to hand it off to the cashier, I was met with a young man who had at least 100 fresh cuts on his arms. My eyes immediately filled with tears and my stomach felt sick. In that moment, everything I wanted to do changed. Instead of eating ice cream with my kids and going on with our lives, I wanted to park my car, go into the store and hug the boy that was at the window.

I didn’t sleep a wink that night. I tossed and turned because in that moment, I was reminded that there are so many people hurting in the world. When I reached the window and he took my card, he smiled at me and asked “How are you doing”. It broke my heart because instead of getting the help he needed and being honest about what’s going on, he had to go to work, put on a mask and suppress the “IT”.

In my community and Fireplace-Poetry, I want to create a safe place for people. A place where you can feel what you feel and not be afraid of being judged. In my community and online, I want to build a platform not to lift myself up, but to help pull others up! In my community and online I want to provide a positive outlet where you can actually “trust” and feel “emotionally safe” AND actually get the help and attention you need to HEAL. More than anything, I want to help people climb their mountain and overcome what tries to stand in their way – mentally, emotionally and spiritually!

There are so many people hurting in the world and I’m SO sick and tired of people feeling like they have to put on a mask. In the United States alone, suicide rates have increased over 30%, and In 2024 rates were notably higher than the all-time highs in 2022. Y’all we have to do something!

The reasons for suicide are so multi-facet, but statistics show social media plays a huge part. I want to encourage everyone on here to really think about the platform you are trying to build. Instead of thinking about the “ME”, re-shift your focus on “WE”.

Think about it….. What if your site was the last site they looked at…. Would it make a difference?