So for the last month, I have passed by this “heart” on the sidewalk when I run. Because I am not tied to anything electronic when I run, I have not had the phone to take a picture of it. But today walking the dog, I had it.
It looks like the heart was turned upside down and drained. That is so precisely how I feel some days. I think recent loss of a 15-year-old girl at James River High who died by suicide has left me feeling helpless and defeated. Which means tomorrow I will wake up to fight harder. You can count on it.
I am an emotionally naked TEDx speaker, and author of the Book, Diary of a Broken Mind. I raised two boys, Richard and Charles, and lost my youngest son, Charles to substance use disorder and suicide June 5, 2015. I help people foster a culture of connection to prevent suicide, reduce substance misuse and find life after loss. My motivational, training and workshop topics include suicide prevention, addiction, mental illness, and grief.
As talented and funny as Charles was, letting other people know they matter was his greatest gift. And now the legacy I try and carry forward in my son's memory.
Professional Speaker Website. Trained in ASIST and trainer for the evidence-based 4-hour training for everyone called safeTALK.
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One thought on “Drained heart – #griefheart number 183”
Dear Anne,
You are doing so much to get the sad topic of suicide discussed. Sometimes my heart also feels drained as I deal with a daily struggle to help my alcoholic mentally ill son. I am grateful that he is alive after several suicide attempts. His getting a DUI has forced him to attend daily AA meetings. But because my husband (his father) died by suicide, it is always a strong possibility for him. It is so difficult to help, but not enable. My heart and brain are in constant conflict with this issue.
Ann
Dear Anne,
You are doing so much to get the sad topic of suicide discussed. Sometimes my heart also feels drained as I deal with a daily struggle to help my alcoholic mentally ill son. I am grateful that he is alive after several suicide attempts. His getting a DUI has forced him to attend daily AA meetings. But because my husband (his father) died by suicide, it is always a strong possibility for him. It is so difficult to help, but not enable. My heart and brain are in constant conflict with this issue.
Ann