This past week marked seven years since my dad took his life. It also feels the furthest progressed in my grief journey because it has reached the point where I'm sure friends and family wonder if it's too far along to say something anymore - myself included. How long do we go on speaking about THAT day, specifically? Are we supposed to? Is it awkward? Is it more awkward not to? We all know it's there. In the back of my mind, I made sure that on ...
The Grief Backpack
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 ...
Diary of a Suicide Survivor
This week marks my sixth year as a survivor of my father’s suicide. On the day, I faced a heavy schedule of work meetings, which didn’t leave much time for doing something specific or dedicated. However, I did go back and read all of the posts I’ve shared on my dad’s death day with the intention of observing how my grief has evolved. I found the process interesting and thought I would outline my diary of survivorship six years in with excerpts ...
Reflecting on Five Years without my Dad
Five years have passed since losing my dad to suicide. It is often hard to believe that so much time has passed, while other times it feels like just yesterday. My dad's death has been the most life changing experience thus far. It introduced me to a new level of pain; a level that I never knew existed. The year of firsts, as we survivors of a suicide loss call it, was a difficult one. Not because of his death, but because of my inability ...
Celebrating after Suicide
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 ...