The Beginning of the Journey
Hi ... my name is "Emily". I can promise, I'm a real person, just wishing to remain uncredited in my JOURNEY TO 55. The real hero's are the people that crossed MY path during the 5 years before ...
When I turned 50, I was broken, grieving, morbidly obese, depressed and ready to give up on life. No living, but on life in general. Excepting that my lot in life was loneliness, bitterness, sadness, and all the physical effects that come with it.
Right after I turned 50, I met my first hero ... I'm actually on my way out the door for a long drive to go see her & her family. This hero changed my life. She made me realize that my life needed to have adventure in all corners. So, I started a list for my 50th year ... "50 things I've never done".
By the time I turned 51, I had lost 70 lbs, faced my grief, and found a new zest for life. She saved me. I've told her many times but she is so humble she just gives that credit right back to me ... but she did, she saved me from myself.
Over the last few years, I've learned to find adventure in everything, face my life with a new attitude, and stand confident in my own skin. Last August, she was finally able to come see me and we spent a fun long weekend together taking rides, adventures, laughs and just enjoying life.
A few days after she left tragedy struck my family and I lost my nephew and I almost lost my brother ... I did all the "things" to get through the events, but when the dust settled, I fell apart. Anxiety, panic attacks, loneliness, sleep problems, etc ... I didn't know how to put it back together, but with the help of a great therapist and a couple of friends, I didn't crash & burn forever.
Now, as I contemplated what to do for my 55th birthday, I'm still a bit broken, but healing. I'm traveling south to see my friend in a few hours, and I decided it's time to give back.
I'd been thinking about this for a while, but wasn't sure it would come to fruition. Well, here we go!!
I have 55 envelopes each with $55 in them and a message ... enjoy yourself, find adventure, keep it or give it away, but tell me how it effected your day. I'll be placing them up & down the East coast or wherever my adventures take me over the next year. I'm hoping people respond and I'm excited to see the journey.
If you're reading this, there's a good chance you found an envelope!!! Please share a little about your self, and I hope your day is amazing and full of adventure.
55GivingBack@gmail.com
55GivingBack@blogspot.com
I did not find an envelope, but I do come across a post on Reddit. That person found an envelope...which led me to your blog. I just wanted to say that I think what you're doing is amazing. I hope that everyone that finds an envelope sends you their story. I'm happy things are better for you. ❤️
ReplyDeleteHello Emily.
ReplyDeleteJust like the writer above, I found you from a Reddit post.
What an amazing journey this will be. I hope you get many replies.
I would love to see stories.
We live in such a jaded world.
Thank you for your story.
Thank you for sharing hope.
Another guy from Reddit. Amazing that you are giving it back. In this fuked up dark world. You shine high and bright. Best of luck keep going forward.
ReplyDeleteFrom Reddit and looking forward to seeing where this goes.
ReplyDeleteAnother redditor here!
ReplyDeleteThis is such an amazing idea & you sound like an amazing woman.
I hope your page fills with people’s stories!
I haven’t found an envelope but you have inspired me, wishing you all the best from across the pond.
Hey Emily, here from reddit. You sound like a kind and amazing individual, you inspired me so much. I wish you so many good things along this journey and I hope whomever fine the evolpes write and put the biggest smile on your face .
ReplyDeleteDidn't find one, but found a post about it. This is already a great project, I think it is making people realize that good things can happen and they can pay it forward... This is wonderful! I'm so glad things have gotten better for you.
ReplyDeleteYou are awesome! Thank you for spreading kindness.
ReplyDeleteI also didn't find an envelope, but did find the Reddit post. I like to blog about my general life and the things I make to donate to charity. I think what you are doing is really fun and if you ever happen to be near DC, I could give you some recommendations.
ReplyDelete