Offering hope, comfort and support for survivors of suicide loss.
Fairly often, I find myself wondering what life would be like if my dad were still alive. It’s hard not to think about what could have been, though I know that’s a slippery slope.
I wonder how my dad would have liked being a grandfather. I wonder what memories would have come with him meeting my daughter for the first time or spending holidays together with a baby.
As I sit in a weekly music class with my daughter, I watch as another child ...
A struggle we all experience in the aftermath of our loved ones' suicide is wondering if we could have done anything differently to change the outcome. What if I would have called my loved one that day? What if I would have stopped by? What if I would have helped them get the assistance they needed? What if, what if, what if?! We have all been there. Some still are, as they try and figure out where it all went wrong. Here is the problem ...
After losing my dad to suicide in 2011, I’ve tried desperately to preserve any and all connections to him – from saving old e-mails to keeping in touch with some of his closest friends. Though he’s gone, these touch points help to keep his presence “alive.”
Recently, I’ve become saddened to learn that two people who had a significant impact on my dad’s life passed away. After feeling down for their families about their losses, I start to think ...
A few weeks back, my sister and her husband had to have a conversation with their daughter that no parent wants to have. The day had come; it was time to tell their oldest daughter how Grandpa really died. With the advent of social media, it has become increasingly difficult to keep information away from our children. While we dread having to tell our children something that might bring them pain, it is better for them to hear it from us, than ...
Despite being such a strong voice in support of those who have lost a loved one to suicide, I found myself silenced in disbelief recently when someone I am very close to made an insulting comment on the topic. To this, day, I am mentally kicking myself for not speaking up, but I was so appalled and confused, I didn’t know what to do in the moment.
It was late at night, with several people sitting around gabbing. I believe the topic shifted to ...
