Starbucks Barista"s Note Saved Depressed Teen"s Life

We sometimes forget that it doesn’t take much to be a kind person or do nice things for others. We can’t all afford to pay for a family’s meal or buy a homeless person new clothes. But there are things we can do that don’t require wealth. All it can take sometimes is a simple smile, holding the door open for someone, or telling someone they look nice. Anything that makes you stop for a moment and that makes someone else feel better about their day. No matter how small you might think it is, it can make a big difference. It could even save a life.

Bekah Georgy is from New Hampshire.

She dances, loves her family and friends, often has a smile on her face, and is a fighter. Bekah has been battling anorexia for over half of her life. She has good days and bad days that can sometimes take control, but she continues to fight each day. It was on one of her bad days when the suicidal thoughts she had before came flooding back.

“Dear barista,

“You didn’t know me and you didn’t know my story. Most importantly, you probably didn’t know writing the simple word ‘smile’ on my order would change my day for the better. When you look at me, you might assume I’m happy, bubbly, outgoing and full of life. But you don’t really see the complete me.”

“You wouldn’t know…

“…that behind this plastered smile is a girl who has broken and fallen to pieces. You wouldn’t know this girl had so much self-hate, she starved herself for over half her young life. Or that she’s tried to end her own life five times. I’m guessing you didn’t know these past few weeks, and that day particularly, had been extremely hard.”