Offering hope, comfort and support for survivors of suicide loss.
After losing my dad to suicide in 2011, I’ve tried desperately to preserve any and all connections to him – from saving old e-mails to keeping in touch with some of his closest friends. Though he’s gone, these touch points help to keep his presence “alive.”
Recently, I’ve become saddened to learn that two people who had a significant impact on my dad’s life passed away. After feeling down for their families about their losses, I start to think ...
The number of suicides among veterans and active duty military personnel is unfortunately staggering. We know several readers have experienced the loss of a loved one during or after their time of service but have not yet touched on this unique perspective. We are extremely appreciative of guest blogger Katherine, particularly heading into this holiday weekend, for sharing about her beloved boyfriend, Shane, mere weeks into her grief ...
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 ...
After my dad died, I remember wanting nothing more than to be “visited” by him in my dreams. I often heard other survivors talk about wonderful dreams they had experienced – some that helped them find closure or assurance that their loved one was now in a better place. It took quite a long time for me to experience a dream. I can’t remember what that first one was about, exactly, but I think it was something pretty random – like a flicker of ...
There’s no denying we live in a digital world – which can make our lives more efficient and also unnecessarily complicated. The blessing and curse of “smart” technology really hit me after my dad’s death. Weeks before he died, I created an account with Ancestry.com in hopes of piecing together the story of our family’s history. I wanted to learn where in Italy my dad’s grandparents came from and also uncover the many countries my mom’s relatives ...
