As many of you know, my friend Samuel is currently competing on the Project Runway spin-off, Under The Gunn. (OK, technically hes done competing because the show is done taping, but the show is currently mid-season...but I digress.) If you follow me on twitter, you know that WhyIsSamCrying.tumblr is a thing. (The back story can be a follow-up to this post, if people are curious.) On last nights episode, Sam cried. The challenge was a Marvel Comic challenge, which for many would evoke happy childhood memories of a time of innocence when they would dream of growing up to be a superhero. For Sam, it was different. He didnt want to be a superhero when he was a kid--he wanted to be Britney Spears. The challenge didnt bring back fond childhood memories--the challenge brought back memories of a difficult time when he was bullied in school for being gay, a time when he felt alone and unloved. Sam cried because he was reminded of the time when he was ready to kill himself. He had a plan, he had a time picked out, and that time had come. At that same time, his mom called to make sure he had got home from school safely, and to just make sure that he was OK. Something that surely felt so ordinary to his mom was enough to help Sam realize he was loved, that he had worth. That small, ordinary gesture by his mom saved his life. Dont take for granted that your loved ones know how you feel about them. Dont take for granted that people know you care. Actions that might be small or inconsequential to us might have a huge impact on someone else. If you are feeling unloved or worthless, think of the small things that others do to show they care and that they love you. I am very proud of Sam for what he has accomplished. Im proud of him for sharing his story. Im hopeful that he will accomplish much more with his life. Im hopeful that some other young boy who dreams of growing up to become Britney Spears (or whatever the dream may be) will see Sam and know that things get better.
Posted on: Sat, 05 Apr 2014 01:23:51 +0000