Offering hope, comfort and support for survivors of suicide loss.
Celebrating after suicide is difficult as we are reminded of our devastating loss. We get caught up telling the story of their death, limiting the time we spend talking about and celebrating the life they lived. Anniversaries, holidays, and birthdays become difficult as we are reminded that our loved one will not be present. On my own journey, I have found it easier to celebrate on these days. It reminds me of the life my father lived, and ...
I often write about this notion that grief has a clear beginning and a clear ending. My desire to continue to write about this is driven by the consistent comments I get from other survivors about feeling like they are "not normal" for not moving forward at the pace that their inner circle deems appropriate. My advice? Stop talking to the people that make you feel like you should be further than you are. The energy you waste trying to explain ...
While this quote mentions the loss of a child, I think it applies to anyone who has lost a loved one to suicide. I hate that when I start to talk about my dad, the room often becomes silent. I get those silent grins as people remember that my father died by suicide. Almost four years after losing my dad, I still feel like talking about him brings the mood down in the room. My father died at 62 years old. 62 years of life before his death. I ...
Dealing with guilt after suicide is a topic I often write about on our blog. It is described as the "crippling" emotion; an emotion that leaves a person feeling a sense of remorse. On my own grief journey, I found guilt to be the most difficult emotion to work through. Hence why I write about this topic so frequently. I have not only questioned my own role in my dad's suicide, but also how much control I actually had in preventing this tragic ...
One of the most difficult aspects of the grief journey is learning to live without the person you lost. Unlike an anticipated death, suicide leaves you feeling helpless and alone. The plans you had for the future are crushed in an instant. While the future can be scary on its own, it can be even scarier after a loss by suicide. The world no longer makes sense. I believe that the grief journey is about rediscovering who you are. Who am I if ...
