As the Communications Manager at Hope For The Warriors (HOPE), I’m behind the camera.

I’m the person interviewing veterans and their families, laughing, crying, and sometimes a mixture of both with them.

I have the important job of pulling out the best moments of those conversations, putting them into my editing software, and turning them into a visual story that resonates with anyone who clicks on it.

It’s not easy, and it’s not for everyone.

Sometimes, I’ll wake up at 2 a.m. with a racing mind that leads me to write down notes and ideas that look like gibberish from an outside perspective.

Whatever works, right?

Those notes lead to stories like Kelsey’s. 

Before HOPE, I was in front of the camera as a sports anchor in upstate New York.

I would run up and down sidelines with a video camera, capture touchdowns, buzzer beaters, and celebrations, then speed back to the studio where I’d write scripts and somehow get on television by 10 p.m.

It was controlled chaos, but I loved it.

I would travel for stories on local athletes pursuing their dreams, coaches capturing titles, and mascots making waves.

After a decade in those trenches, I needed more.

I wanted to make a difference, and as a military spouse to an Army recruiter, working for a veteran organization like HOPE was the perfect fit. 

When I made that decision, it felt like I was giving up on my dream of becoming an ESPN anchor one day.

Little did I know at the time, at HOPE, that I would become more fulfilled in one year than I ever was on television.

I interviewed some amazing athletes and coaches who were viewed as heroes, but nothing compares to interviewing the real heroes—the veterans and their spouses who were willing to sacrifice EVERYTHING so that we could be free.  

Over the past 15 months, I’ve done a lot of reflecting.

I can’t tell you how often I stepped away from my computer after an interview and just sat silently, tears quietly making their way down my face.

My husband recognizes this and always asks difficult questions, “Tough one today, huh? Do you want to talk about it?”

I often think about the Gold Star Spouses, who, despite suffering an unimaginable loss, still put a smile on their face and continue to pursue their passions through HOPE’s Military Spouse and Caregiver Scholarship program.

How easy would it be to shut down?

It shows courage and commitment, which I hope to attain one day. 

I think about the veteran who is struggling to breathe due to burn pit exposure.

I think about the retired service member who attempted to take his own life and now uses that experience to help others who are heading down that path.

I think about the firefighter who blames himself for a loss that he couldn’t control.

I feel honored that these men and women share the deepest parts of themselves with me, someone they barely know. In some strange way, I feel like I’m going on this journey with them.

These people will have no idea how much they’ve impacted me. 

Recently, a friend of mine suffered a traumatic event. I won’t get into the details because it’s not my story to share, but she is suffering from PTSD as a result.

One day, she was struggling, and I shared a story from that firefighter I mentioned earlier. He told me that in your “life book,” it’s easy to just look at the highlighted parts and miss the full text.

Sure, something horrible happened, but you must read the rest of the book to understand why.

He now has his head “above water,” and now he must dish out life preservers to the other people suffering from PTSD who are struggling to float.

When I shared this with her, she took it to heart, and now she’s working with a local nonprofit to help other women suffering from trauma. 

I’m saying this because the ripple effect that comes from sharing is REAL.

Each story makes a difference; you never know how far it will reach.

Next time you’re struggling, think about that statement about the highlighted portion of your “life book.”

What does it say?

Is there more that you’re choosing not to read? 

*Kate Dudley is a military spouse and Communications manager for HOPE FOR THE WARRIORS. You can also catch her on the HFTW Podcast. You can also connect with pother powerful stories at the M:M Expert Author Page.