Offering hope, comfort and support for survivors of suicide loss.
In a matter of days, the semicolon tattoo has become an overnight sensation. For those who have not heard of the The Semicolon Movement, it was created on Tumblr "to restore hope and confidence in people who are troubled by addiction, depression, self-harm, and suicide." It is a way to tell the world, "my story isn't finished yet." Since its introduction, many have chosen to permanently place the semicolon tattoo on themselves as an everyday ...
I hate that we have created this notion that grief has a clear beginning and a clear ending. It is an expectation that sets us up for failure. I have spoken with a number of survivors who talk about feeling "stuck" in their grief. They go on to discuss how they still have moments of sadness, moments when they cry, and moments of anger or rage toward the loved one that they lost. Is this grief, absolutely. But, it is also a part of being ...
I think society has led us to believe that crying is a sign of weakness. If we still cry, we must not have moved forward since losing our loved one to suicide. I lost my dad three and a half years ago, almost exactly to the day. I still cry. A song will come on the radio, a memory will surface, a holiday will pass, and I will be reminded that my dad is no longer here. Tears will fall, and sadness will overcome me. Does this mean that I ...
Here in Chicago, we experience a number of dreary days. Especially during the winter months. I wake up thinking, "When will I ever see the sun again?!" The first few months, even years following a loss by suicide can feel like living without sunshine. Every task seems impossible. But just like the Chicago winter, the rain and gloom does pass, and the sun does shine again. ...
Celebrating Father's Day without dad can be difficult for those who have lost a father to suicide. I still feel this sense of sadness when I visit the dreaded card aisle at our local pharmacy. As I pick out the cards for the fathers in my life, I am quickly reminded that there is one card I will not be purchasing. I have found this holiday to be particularly difficult. Not necessarily because my father is not here to celebrate, but because I am ...
