I’m always cautious when I write about suicide. It’s not part of my own lived experience and I never, ever want anyone to think that I am trying to represent those for whom it is.
But I know so, so many parents whose children left this life by suicide and don’t want to shy away from the subject just because I need to be careful in addressing it.
Today is World Suicide Prevention Day.
The name, in itself, is fraught with emotion.
Who doesn’t second guess whether they missed a clue that the person they love is so desperate that suicide seems to be the only way out of their pain? I am loathe to add one iota of guilt or doubt on the heart of a grieving parent!
But I think most folks whose loved one completed suicide would join the host of experts and others who say: Pay Attention! Don’t Be Afraid To Ask Hard Questions! Take Comments About Self-Harm Seriously!
It’s absolutely, positively true that some individuals fall quickly and silently down the pit of despair. There are no tell-tale outward signs warn of their intentions.
Many, though, begin the descent in predictable and observable ways.
So today, in honor of those who are missing someone who is no longer here, take a moment to familiarize yourself with these warning signs.
Commit to reach out and to ask hard questions.
Be an encourager and a hope-speaker.
And light a candle.
For the ones who didn’t make it, for the hearts who love them and for the ones who are looking for any sign there is more to this life than pain and darkness.
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thelifeididntchoose 
❤️🩹 thank you…It has been 3 1/2 yrs since #Forever39 left us. It never gets better or easier. Yesterday after running errands, I passed Ryan’s ‘resting place’. I began to sob uncontrollably and I haven’t done that for months. I guess it was indicative of my insides. For the sake of those around me, I keep my thoughts & emotions in check…but they will always be there. I am choosing to be ‘drug free’ (i.e. anti-anxiety & anti-depressants). My world will always be missing the joy of having my son but as a Christian I am finally at peace knowing that God understood his pain that fateful day & did not love him any less. I know I will see him in the next life and I can’t wait for his hugs & smiles…Until then, I will have my scar… it is huge but it will always be there…It is always risky to love so much and so unconditionally…Many thanks to all who bravely & gently broach the subject of suicide❤️🩹
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Thank you for posting today Melanie xxx
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Melanie, thank you so much for recognizing this every year. We lost our 20 year old son, Robert, to suicide 11 years, 3 months, and one day ago. God has healed me bit by bit during these years, but the hurt never goes away. Even though this is not part of your own lived experience, I greatly appreciate your bringing it to the forefront every year. During the early part of my grief journey, I focused so much on the suicide aspect of our loss. I finally reached the point when I needed to shift my focus to the sheer loss of our child. That is when I discovered your blog, among other resources, as well. Your writing has spoken to me so poignantly; it’s so very honest, yet your faith is ever unwavering. So thank you for your faithfulness in writing; I know you help so many! I am deeply sorry that we share this loss of our sons💙💙 I will continue to pray for you.
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