This one was hiding in my friend Jenny’s dishwasher. Emptying the dishwasher was the first chore I ever texted to either of my kids. Back when all the moms and dads were complaining about their kids texting instead of calling, when text messaging was new, I was sending chore lists to my kids because they got done!
Well, in Charles’ case, almost done. He’d always leave a couple of things in the top rack and some rogue glass in the bottom rack. Like he was just done with it and had to go. It was hard enough to get Charles to a chore of any kind so I didn’t get overly picky. In fact, I found it really funny and would always check behind him to see what dish was sentenced to solitary confinement. When you lose someone you love, you miss that stupid stuff–the stuff that was their signature.
I am an emotionally naked TEDx speaker, and author of the Book, Diary of a Broken Mind and co-author with Kim O'Brien PhD, LICSW of Emotionally Naked: A Teacher's Guide to Preventing Suicide and Recognizing Students at Risk. I raised two boys, Richard and Charles, and lost my younger son, Charles to substance use disorder and suicide on 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, coping strategies/resilience, 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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2 thoughts on “Dishwasher heart— #griefheart number 216”
My favorite picture of Tyler is one where he’s cooking & has a big glob of whipping cream on his nose!💜
“When you lose someone you love, you miss that stupid stuff–the stuff that was their signature”
Oh Anne Moss, this is so very true. The only videos I have of Daniel is him doing stupid stuff. But, those are so very precious to me and I am grateful for them.
My favorite picture of Tyler is one where he’s cooking & has a big glob of whipping cream on his nose!💜
“When you lose someone you love, you miss that stupid stuff–the stuff that was their signature”
Oh Anne Moss, this is so very true. The only videos I have of Daniel is him doing stupid stuff. But, those are so very precious to me and I am grateful for them.