Last night, I gripped my daughter’s hand amidst the blood curdling screams. I couldn’t bring myself to open my eyes for fear that the screams might be hers. In a matter of seconds (that seemed like an eternity), my heartbeat slowed and I gradually opened my eyes to steal a glance at Jorjanne. What I saw delighted my heart! She was grinning from ear to…
Last week, a women in our SOS (Survivors of Suicide) support group shared how she cringes each time she hears someone say, “Oh if that happened, I’d kill myself,” or “I could just shoot myself.” Phrases such as these have become second nature for many and unfortunately, the speaker rarely thinks about the implications of what is being said. Rarely is the speaker actually contemplating…
I spent the last several weeks in Kenya and Tanzania — two countries that are very near and dear to my heart. I thought I’d share a few photos from my hotel room in Tanzania along with thoughts from my journal regarding the view. 6/30/12 Journal Entry I feel like I am dreaming. I look over the balcony and see a young boy sitting on…
Someone recently shared this link with me and I was so moved, that I wanted to share it with you. Lacey Sturm, a singer in the band Flyleaf, talks candidly about her past as an atheist and her plan to complete suicide. There are times when we have no idea that someone we love is contemplating suicide, and there are times when warnings ring out…
Recently, our small town was recently devastated by a murder/suicide. Having grieved numerous deaths by suicide personally, my heart goes out to the family and friends left behind. While I did not know the families involved, my heart hurts for them; I can only imagine the consuming agony they must feel. Surviving Michael’s suicide was gut-wrenching at times, but I cannot begin to fathom the…
Recent reports say that nearly one military personnel dies by suicide daily, marking more suicides than deaths in the war in Afghanistan. Both those who have been deployed and those who serve stateside are at risk. They face tremendous stressors; they often return home unable to find employment or to find relationships severed. Many soldiers refuse to admit their struggles for fear of being dubbed…