Thank you, Glee.

So I think it's pretty safe to say that if you're reading this, you know me personally. Love me or hate me, you probably know what I'm all about. It's also no secret that I'm a Gleek. As a former Show Choir member myself, it lets me relive my glory days on stage and sing along with happy, perky songs. And damnit, it makes me happy.

So, as I usually do, I turned on my tv at 8:00 and prepared myself for my typical Tuesday line up. I tried to think back to what the episode was going to be about, but try as I might, I couldn't remember seeing any previews or anything. So, I snuggled into my insanely comfortable couch and gave my full attention to the folks of McKinley High.

I'm not going to go into specifics. I know there are people who haven't seen it yet (namely, my bestie). The episode started off with the usual drama, this time starring my least favorite character of all time, Sebastian. My attention started to wane, but I muddled along with the story line. About a quarter of the way in, the obvious main story line came through and totally threw me for a loop. Without getting too much into it, a character becomes bullied to the point of attempting suicide. The story line was enough to get me (I'm just an incredibly sensitive person anyway) but the thing that really got me is that they didn't gloss over anything or censor anything to sugar coat it. You saw everything. The emotions, the second guessing, and in the end, the reaction of the parents who found the character.

It sent into into a really, really, really difficult place. I felt like I was being hit from all emotional sides, so much so that hubby actually had to ask if I was going to be alright. I wasn't trying to be melodramatic at all, I think it just hit a nerve the producers were hoping to hit. It hit the teenager inside who had felt pushed to the edge for one reason or another. It hit the nerve of a friend who had to watch someone you love struggle with anything from a bully to coming to terms with who they were.

I must say, I've had a pretty damned blessed life. I've always had an incredibly close relationship with my mom, and while I have a different relationship with my dads than most people do, I know they love me and care for me too. I had a rough time my sophomore year dealing with the emotions of moving away from friends and having a single mother with cancer. It was difficult, but again, I had the support of friends and family to get me through. By the time junior year rolled around I was at a different school, getting good grades, taking AP courses, was back on stage, and making new amazing friends and experiencing things I never thought I would (hello, National Cheerleading Championships at Disney World!) But I KNOW I was lucky. I know there were other people I went to school with who weren't as lucky. And while I'd like to think my high school was incredibly supportive of people from all walks of life, religions and sexual orientations, I imagine there are those who may not agree with that.

It breaks my heart to know there are people out there right now struggling with bullying. It also breaks my heart to know there are people out there right now who are considering taking their own lives to make it all stop.

So, I want to make something crystal clear right now. I don't care if you know me or not. We may have lost contact with one another or we may talk every single day. I promise you, I care about you. If you ever feel like you are at the end of your road (whatever road that may be) know that you can contact me at any day or night. Need to talk on the phone? No problem. Email me and I'll give you a call. These aren't just words...they're 100% genuine and I am prepared to back them up.

Also, remember that there are some great organizations out there who can help. The Trevor Project is dedicated to saving lives and you can reach them at 1-866-488-7386.

You are smart. You have worth. You are someone's world, even if it doesn't feel like it. So, thank you Glee, for tackling this subject in Prime Time, even if it was incredibly hard to watch at times. Tomorrow, we shall discuss happier things, but I appreciate you sticking with me.