Offering hope, comfort and support for survivors of suicide loss.
So often we are told, "It is time to get over it and move on" after the loss of a loved one to suicide. It fascinates me that we have this notion that in order to move forward, we have to "get over" the person that we have lost. Getting over someone that you have loved is simply not possible. The grieving process isn't about moving on; it's about moving forward WITH the person that you lost.
One busy morning I was crabby and short fused as I ...
Today we're honored to share a reflection from guest author Deborah Greene, who also lost her father to suicide. She writes here about the toughest journey she's had to navigate in life.
The Grief Backpack
It’s been just over two years since my father’s suicide. Some days it feels as if it was just yesterday that I was standing in Whole Foods and got the call. Still on other days, it feels as if a whole lifetime has passed. I know that I have ...
I remember my toughest challenge was getting through the day after the tragic loss of my dad. After maxing out my paid time off to go back to Colorado to make funeral arrangements, I came home to the standard three days of bereavement time. I still cringe when I hear that this remains the norm. How is someone expected to grieve in three days time? This only contributes to the isolating feeling one experiences in the aftermath of a tragic loss ...
Guest writer, Kimberly Starr, reminds us of the unexpected surprises that we encounter after the loss of a loved one. It is often the unexpected that knocks us off our feet. In my own experience I have found that it is about embracing these little surprises. They are reminders of the time spent with the person we lost. May we always receive these little reminders, and take a minute to acknowledge the memories we made with our loved ...
I have struggled with this idea of being complete. It all began with the infamous quote from Jerry Macguire, "You complete me." After losing my dad to suicide I began to wonder if we have to be complete? Does having an empty place in your heart make you incomplete? Or does it simply mean that you have suffered a great loss; a loss so great that it took a piece of your heart along with it. Part of the grief process is learning to live without the ...
