So far, my blog has been viewed in 59 countries since the publication of my book in March of this year. I never imagined that my story and messages of hope and love would travel so far around the globe. So I decided to buy myself a scratch map of the world, so I could see for myself just how far my story has travelled.
Every time I look at that map now, I can not help but be reminded of myself as a girl of 13, sat alone upon the roof top of Denver House, gazing at the stars and hoping for change. The memory is a sad one but also a powerful one, that serves me as a reminder of the power of hope and faith.
At 13 I learned that it is quite possible to find yourself in a situation where you are completely alone, without anybody to care for you. My family had told me that I was not wanted and that they were better off without me. The staff at the children’s home, my social worker and even some of the police officers I encountered, did nothing to protect me from being sold and used. And yet, in my darkest moments I was still able to hope, even at the age of 13.
I am so very thankful to the universe for all of the ways it has inspired hope in my life.
Hope is life saving and life changing. Hope inspires faith, and with faith you can summon the courage needed to keep moving forward, even when everything else around you is trying to hold you back.
I have taken a picture of a Christmas cactus that I believe sums up beautifully the power of hope. For those of you who don’t know, the Christmas cactus is a small genus of cacti found in the coastal mountains of south eastern Brazil.
There are around 6-9 species and the Christmas cactus gets its name from a legend about a young girl called Pepita from Mexico who was too poor to buy a present for Jesus’ birthday. Instead she gathered what greenery she could find in the mountains and placed it on the church alter. Then, when what was thought of as weeds by the local villagers suddenly burst into bloom, the legend of the Christmas cactus was born.
The Christmas cactus in the picture below was in need of watering. It was dying and it knew it. I know this because it had started to send out roots, in the HOPE of preserving its life. It had been trying to move to a new place that would better fulfil its needs so that it could live and bloom.
The Christmas cactus can not see, but still it sends out roots and reaches out when it is in need. Like the Christmas cactus, we too must reach out whenever we are in need or blinded by dark situations. We must hope and have faith in the universe that created us.
Since the publication of my story in March I can not believe how far I have been able to reach, and all of this has stemmed from a 13 year old girl who never gave up HOPE!
May you always carry hope in your heart,
Love,
Zoe
Zoe Patterson: Fighting back 
Zoe, you are my inspiration. Here in the Philippines things were not good for me when I was 13.
LikeLike
Hi Abigail, I am sorry to hear that things were not good for you when you were 13. I hope things are better for you now. Zoe
LikeLike
I love the story of the Christmas cactus, Zoe, and I’m incredibly impressed by the fact that, throughout the horrific experiences of your childhood, you never entirely gave up hope. Now you’re sharing the hope that has finally flowered for you with people all over the world. That’s more than most of us achieve during a lifetime.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Jane, I couldn’t have done it without you : )
LikeLike
Greetings from Finland,
I am saddened and sorry about your past. It gives me goosebumps to even try to understand how brave and strong you have been in your entire life, I truly think you have a rare, strong and beautiful soul. Keep up the good work. I think you write really well!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Mika,
I was just this moment having a moment of doubt about the future and your message came through! I hope all is well with you and thank you for taking the time to write. I feel better now : )
Zoe
LikeLike