No one wants to truly imagine what it’s like to lose a child to suicide. Or lose a child at all.
I remember there was a moment when Charles was alive when I wondered what my life would be like without him. I just could not imagine. But I was trying because I was worried that he might die.
Can you prepare yourself for that?
The answer is no.
I don’t want you to imagine if you’ve not been through this. I’m going to bet the other parents who have suffered this loss don’t want you too, either. There’s no way you could anyway.
No. Way. Ever.
The purpose of what I do is not to make you imagine my grief. What I do want is for people to know the signs of suicide. To be there for someone else.
I want it to become mainstream conversation. For it to be a topic that is less taboo than it is now. If it’s less taboo, those suffering might be more apt to ask for help.
Bottom line? If you feel uncomfortable, then you need to ask questions. You need to stop and listen. That uncomfortable feeling is telling you not to walk away.
So resist the urge. Because some of the best opportunities for personal growth happen outside your comfort zone.
You are doing good work.
In 5 years no one has EVER asked me what it’s like, or how I cope.
You know what? No one is asking how the kids cope? I can write about that Gray. It’s a good topic. Unless you want to do the honors. I get asked simply because I have this blog. But there are still a few that have never asked that. People I would have expected to.