JUST AS I AM

Saturday, October 13, 2018

PEOPLE MAGAZINE #8yearslater

Jeff Truesdell Appreciate your trust in allowing me to share your story — and it’s obvious how you have only continued to enlighten and inspire. You will always have my respect and admiration.

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Jim Swilley Hey, Jeff! So good to hear from you! The respect and admiration is mutual, and I’ll always remember how much your kindness and professionalism meant to me at the time...still does. A lot of good things came into my life as a result of that article. Glad we’re still in touch!

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Tamara Stoops I read it then, was inspired by the article and found you on FB❤️ I think you're an amazing human.

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LoveShow more reactions

Jim Swilley Thanks, Tamara...I’m so glad you found it!

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THANK YOU

Melissa Floyd Hall All these years later.....and there is never ever an October 13 that goes by that I don't think back to that night....sitting there with at least 100 knots in my stomach waiting for you to begin to speak....knowing that love never fails, but also having no idea how the community, and world at large would respond. Other than my kids, I am not sure I have ever felt so protective over another human being than I was of you at that moment. As your truth flowed out, my anxiety began to turn to relief and then finally I had this overwhelming sense of peace settle in. I left with so much excitement and happiness in my heart. You did what someone very close to me could not find the courage to do and it ultimately cost them their happiness and their life. That night , watching you living out my friend's dream of being authentic healed a wound in me. I remember I was on such an adrenaline high that I found it hard to sleep that night. There are many reasons that you will always be a part of my life but October 13 was one of those moments that must be similar to being in a foxhole during wartime with a fellow soldier. When you go through something like that with someone, there's a bond that goes beyond words. I am still as proud of you today as I was that night all those years ago. <3 span="">