PostSecret

Frank Warren of PostSecret spoke at Cornell tonight. He didn't show as many postcards as I'd expected, and some of what he said was kind of Hallmarky, but it all really means something to him, the things he said, so that's OK in the end. And the night overall made me cry. And I wish I'd thought of the whole idea myself.

So buy his books. They're full of art and beauty and humor and sadness, and the project has raised loads of money for 1(800)SUICIDE.

A large part of the talk was devoted to letting audience members speak. I was SO impressed and awed by the fact that each one stood up to say something so private to so many people.

I've liked you so much for a year and I know you're here tonight so I want to ask you, D.K., if you would have dinner with me! (arms spread wide: "YES!")

I work in the bakery at Wegmans and I want you to stop talking down to us. You talk to us like we're 5. I don't go to Cornell but I'm eloquent, I'm smart, I'm well-educated. Also, I enjoy decorating your cakes; get excited about your cakes!

I am going to be a clinical psychologist and when they ask me why I won't be able to tell them so I'm telling you: because three of my cousins killed themselves

My friend wanted to be here tonight but couldn't, but one night she tried to kill herself and I was sleeping in the room and didn't hear her and didn't wake up and I will never forgive myself

I want to thank the love of my life, Theresa, for making me not want to run

My grandmother couldn't read and she's the only one who told me I could make it

I had my first panic attack in the past month and I want to say to everyone here: TAKE A BREATH!

I have so much rage because one of my ex-girlfriends after we broke up accused me of rape, and it ruined my name at the school where I went for a year and a half

One time I asked my best friend what she would do if I killed myself, and she said "I would blame myself and be in therapy the rest of my life." I never thanked her but I'm going to tonight

We're not good friends but I know you, I see you in class every day, I know you're here tonight, I know you cut yourself and burn yourself and I wish you would talk to me, please, please, please talk to me