I could never survive that

Surviving in memory of Charles Aubrey Rogers, 20, who died by suicide. Two years old in this picture.

Grief sits on your heart

settles in your limbs

roars in your ears

and takes you to your knees.

You can’t imagine surviving

or moving forward again

how does anyone do this?

live without their child?

One hour at a time

then one day at a time

then one week at a time

then each month after that.

You step forward and then back

ride a journey of uncertainty

until you learn to live with grief

and your melancholy days.

Let loved ones hold you up

connect with others who’ve gone before you

tell yourself you will survive

so your child’s legacy does the same.

Published by

AnneMoss Rogers

AnneMoss Rogers is a mental health speaker and suicide education trainer and consultant. She is author of the Book, Diary of a Broken Mind and co-author of Emotionally Naked: A Teacher's Guide to Preventing Suicide and Recognizing Students at Risk with Kim O'Brien PhD, LICSW. She raised two boys, and lost her younger son, Charles, to addiction and suicide on June 5, 2015. She combines lessons learned from her experience with proven strategies to help organizations build a wellness culture that drives results and saves lives. She speaks at conferences as a keynote, at workplaces,and at K-12 schools and universities.

6 thoughts on “I could never survive that”

  1. Oh my goodness. Toddler Charles was so beautiful. Thank you for sharing him with us. He was very special; gifted in many ways.

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