I’ve thought about writing this post for some time, but just could never “find time” to sit down and do it. Perhaps it wasn’t not having time (for we are trying to shelter in), but more of a dread. If I write about it, it seems to feel more real — its not that I’m in denial. I know we are in a weird season….
1. Did you see it coming? This question is irrelevant. There are times when a person takes their life and everyone is shocked; there are other instances where loved ones knew and were doing everything they knew to do in order to prevent it but the person still suicided. Asking this question only adds to the guilt survivors already feel. It is not helpful in…
In light of the recent tragedies in my hometown, I wrote this article for the local newspaper. I am not sure if it was ever published, so I thought I’d share it on my website. Individuals who have lost a loved one to suicide are at an increased risk of suicide themselves. One study reports that people bereaved by suicide (Survivors of Suicide, aka SOS) within…
Why? This is the million dollar question. If I could answer this questions, I would be a very rich woman because it is the question we all ask…and rarely get answers. The past two years walking alongside my stepdad, Hershell, as he waited for a liver transplant has led to this question multiple times. Why? Why won’t the doctors give him a transplant? What do…
I haven’t written much this year because…well, I could give you a litany of excuses, but mainly because I have been emotionally spent. This year I said goodbye to my grandmother and to Michael’s mom (my first mother-in-law). In addition to those losses, my stepdad is battling a rare form of cirrhosis and his health has declined rapidly. We’ve had many ups and downs on…
Three days ago, I sat with my grandmother who was struggling to find peace. She wanted to talk but couldn’t. I tried singing with her, and she’d say, “Let me sing. Let me sing.” She then quickly got frustrated because her mouth would not cooperate. She was getting restless when I said, “Grandma, this Sunday is Easter. Let’s read the Easter story.” I then picked…