Offering hope, comfort and support for survivors of suicide loss.
Why is grief viewed as a weakness in our society? If we continue to grieve for longer than a couple months people question, "Are you doing ok?" If we take the time to look at grief, we will find that it isn't much different than love. Expecting someone to stop grieving is like asking them to no longer love the person they lost. We will always love the person we lost; therefore, we will always grieve. And that is ok. Of course, the intensity ...
New Years after losing a loved one to suicide can be difficult for survivors. New Years is supposed to be a time of happiness and hope. Year after year I listen to people as they talk about what they plan to do to make this year better than the last. The gym is filled with new faces, as people pour in, promising to live a healthier lifestyle. New goals are set, projects are planned, and promises are made. When I think about it, New Years ...
Fear has new meaning after losing a loved one to suicide. The first year without my dad was one of the most difficult. At first, I thought it was because he left this world in such a violent manner. Yet, as I look back I realize that my pain was enhanced by the energy I put into running from my pain. The guilt, the fear, the sadness, the pain; it was all too much. I believed that if I ran fast enough, the pain would eventually diminish. ...
As survivors, I think we often underestimate our own strength. We fail to acknowledge our strength after loss. We are told by others how strong we are, but deep down inside we feel like we are falling apart. We are critical of ourselves, critical of the way we grieve. We often think we should be further along then we are. We beat ourselves down, overwhelmed with guilt wondering if there is more that we could have done to prevent our loved ...
It's been five years since I lost my dad to suicide. I often think to myself, "how has it been five years?" And that's when it hits me. That gut wrenching knot in my stomach reminding me that my dad took his life. A reminder that he's gone. A reminder that I will never again hear his voice or receive one of his hugs. Those hugs were best. Sometimes while talking to my husband I find myself asking him, "did that really happen?" Because it ...
