Warriors…so many warriors of love in this world who go unnoticed…I guess instead of venting and spewing,  it’s time to share light, love, courage, and  people who live ordinary lives doing ordinary things who make an extraordinary impact on the people around them.

A dear friend, who has struggled since she was 13 years old with schizo affective  disorder.  We met years ago at work.  A beautiful, vibrant young lady with a passion for her own fashion, and all things eclectic; she was the first truly old soul in a young body I have known.  (And may i just say her fashion sense is amazing, original and bold-and I ADORE IT.)  She loves owls, tattoos,  her husband, good beer, people, and God.  She left her family to move two hours away to Milwaukee, (after commuting to and from for quite a while)  with her husband, got a new job, found new friends, a new church, and started volunteering in inner city Schools. She did all this while dealing with a mental illness that affects her daily life . I can’t even  WANT to do these things on my best days. She publicly shared her plight with mental illness on Facebook 2 years ago, with the hopes to help others in her shoes. She struggles daily in ways most of us can’t even comprehend and yet, she finds,  no… she MAKES the time and effort to give, to share her story, to get off her ass and HELP people! 

Bobbi is a beautiful face with an even more beautiful soul.  Someone who sent Christmas cards to my kids, just to simply make them smile…someone who isn’t afraid to show her true self, and by doing so inspires me to do the same.  In a world full of people trying to fit in, Bobbi instead finds a way to make others feel they belong…when I think of Brene Brown’s work on courage, vulnerability and #risingstrong  , Bobbi comes to mind.

Bobbi you are a warrior.  You are  strong, loving, and confident.   You are the perfectly placed lady to show the world that mental illness is…well it just IS. It doesn’t define a person. I am beyond proud to know you♡♡♡♡♡♡