When I saw this at the Overnight Walk in Washington DC it was like it was made for this project. The luminaries are all about honoring the life and struggles of those who have died by suicide and they are made by those who do this 16 mile trek overnight through the city. This particular arrangement was displayed on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial.
There were thousands of bags and I did find the luminaries we decorated in Charles’ memory. Guess where? Not in the heart but at the top on stage. Exactly where I expected to find his luminary bags. I walked right up to them, expecting to find them there.
The kid who had his audience in his hands, who won awards in Utah for stand up monologue and character actor for the state. The one who was working on his album when he died. My performer.
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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