Offering hope, comfort and support for survivors of suicide loss.
Recently, a friend posted a shocking status update on Facebook… she checked into an airport hotel with a colleague while on a business trip and when the co-worker got to her room, she found a professional cleaning service inside tidying up the bathroom. She jokingly asked, “what, did someone die in here?” And, to her dismay, the cleaner said “yes” and that “it happens about once a month – mostly suicides.” This left me really unsettled.
My dad ...
This season, I wanted to share some of my favorite holiday memories of my dad. I spend so much time on the blog talking about the way he died and about suicide in general that I’d like to keep this one on a lighter note.
Christmas was all about family to him. When the time came to decorate the tree, he wanted it to be a family affair. He’d put on Christmas songs and bring boxes of unique ornaments down from the attic. He really enjoyed ...
The halo effect of my dad’s suicide was felt again this week - nearly three and a half years later - during a visit to my hometown; it was the first time I made the trek since welcoming my baby daughter. In addition to introducing her to some relatives, we were holding her baptism at my family church. I cushioned our arrival time to allow for a quick visit to the cemetery to “introduce” her to my dad, as well. Leading up to the trip, I envisioned ...
Living in the Midwest, it’s common to succumb to the doldrums of winter. The blistering cold, the mountains of snowfall and the lack of sunshine can all contribute to seasonal blues. For some, seasonal depression, or Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) can hit during the holidays. The time spent either with or without family can influence people significantly. For others, this feeling may come after the bright and happy holiday timeframe, when ...
I follow The Alliance of Hope for Suicide Survivors on Facebook, and read a post last month entitled A Moment in Time: Eulogy for Kathy, my Sweet Sister. The Author, MaryCatherine, asks you to pause and "not to reduce her entire life to that one moment that she made the transition from being alive in this world." This quote resinated with me, as I struggle to ensure that my father is remembered for the man he was, and not the moment that ended ...
