Thank You

It's hard to find the words to describe the feelings I experience whenever I visit Vocal Media.

Awe, I think, could be a close descriptor; awe for the people who share their passions on this website every single day, and awe for those same people who go out of their way to bring encouragement and heartfelt engagement to another writer's doorstep.

As some of you may be aware from my previous piece, Loneliness, I've been going through a very rough time on my end this past month. Not only has my sister had double pneumonia, a long string of seizures, an ambulance ride and four separate ER visits, but now her and the rest of my family has gotten COVID - 19.

If you're not familiar with who my sister is and why this has been so stressful for my family, I encourage you to check out this article I wrote about her and the symptoms of Rett Syndrome.

I usually never talk about the struggles I face outside of myself and my mental health. I think it's much easier to find people who can connect with my mental health pieces than anything I've written about being a caregiver. ( To be honest I think I've barely written more than two pieces that could be considered me talking about caregiving. )

If not my mental health, then events like the one that has been happening this past month is the most common culprit for me being absent from Vocal for weeks at a time. And while I know it is so, so utterly ridiculous to think this, I do worry about my online presence and activity quite often when I go for more than a week without publishing something.

And it is that thought that brings me to the reason for even bothering to write this article: the community on Vocal.

I know it's pretty easy to criticize Vocal for some of their lackluster responses to people who abuse the platform, but for me at least it does not overshadow the heart of the community that has flourished here.

That same heart gave me great pause this past week as - after posting Loneliness after weeks of grueling stress - you all came not just to leave kind comments on my work, but thoughtful and truly heartfelt wishes for my sister's recovery.

You guys reminded me how every time I am gone, you all still come back to support and encourage me to keep going. You've done it during RE:SURGENCE. You did it between Fantastical Vocal Favorites. And you continue to do it for every milestone or accomplishment I achieve.

And the reason I can do any of it is because of the love and community I have found through Vocal.

So, to end this, I just want to say thank you. Thank you to every single one of you who has commented, subscribed, or just came by to give your well wishes for my family. And thank you to Vocal for continuing to uplift my voice among so many other talented writers.

Every genuine comment means the world, and I hope I can give even 10% of what y'all give to me.

As for me and my family, we will be just fine. Already both of my parents have been improving on their new medications, and Amy has finally been able to sleep peacefully without struggling to breathe or cough during the night.

Again, I can't express how much your love and support means to little old me. I got a lot more work coming down the pipeline, and I hope you will enjoy it!

With much love,

Amanda Starks