This summer I’m speaking at two national conferences on finding purpose after loss. They are AFSP Long-Term Survivors of Suicide Loss Summit in Cleveland, Ohio and the Keynote Speaker at the Bereaved Parent USA 25th Conference in St Louis, Missouri.
The subject is finding purpose after loss. And here’s where I need you.
Many of you are giving back in some way or another since the death of your child or loved one to suicide. If you could share those examples, it would really help the audience find theirs. Even if you are a sibling using your grief to drive your purpose, let me know.
I want to show in my presentation a wide range of people doing something to give back to find their healing.
So if you’ve made cupcakes for girl scouts, focus on policy for suicide prevention, visited women in prison with a substance use disorder, run a youth group at church, started a support group, all since the death of your child or loved one to suicide, let me know about it in the comments. And again, siblings and best friends count.
Mothers and fathers, sisters, brothers, uncles, aunts and best friends need some examples to inspire them. Examples of all sizes and shapes no matter how small. This, too, is a way to give back and inspire someone else.
I hope you’ll participate and make my presentation more meaningful.
After my daughter died by suicide, I was suddenly no longer too old to go back to school. I pursued a Masters degree in Social Work and graduated at age 57. My first semester I met a 19 year old international student- she was crying in the library. It was because of the loss of my own daughter at age 17 that I recognized she was suffering. Later she was diagnosed with adjustment disorder. We frequently texted, called, met up for dinner and she acclimated within six months. She needed me at a time when I needed to be needed and we still stay in touch. Too, I find it very satisfying to give and do in my daughter’s memory, especially on anniversary dates. Sometimes I will tell people I’m acting/contributing in memory of my daughter. If they ask, I tell them she died by suicide and how it has become a real problem and tragedy with our youth. Just want to further the suicide discussion – and create more awareness.
I have become a crises text counselor, I have written a story about my husband that was published, and I met Kevin Hines at a seminar in 2018. My husband took his life 5-13-2000. I have made a difference in peoples lives.
Thank you, Christine. So much. Link to a picture of you if you would.
I knew five months after my son died by suicide that I couldn’t continue living in such a state of despair (although I was attending 2-3 grief support groups a week). On Christmas Day, 2015 I decided to pursue volunteering in my community so I had a reason to get out of bed. I explored many opportunities but settled on hospice, my church (2 days a week), serving on the Board where I live, and I started a suicide loss support group in my area (I was driving an hour each way to attend one) under the auspices of Friends for Survival in Sacramento. I struggle on in my own grief and have made new friends who support me. There are so many opportunities—but I had to be intentional about what I would do the rest of my life. My son was my only child, he was 39 when he died, my best friend, my everything. Any good thing I do is in his memory. I’m older, retired and widowed. Blessings to you!!
Thank you. That’s beautiful
Rebecca – my son was my only child as well. Peace to you.
Thank you. That is so beautiful. So sorry you lost your daughter the way I lost my son.
I’m still searching for my purpose, but I will tell you the things I have done in the meantime!
Whitten’s professors started a scholarship fund at JMU in his name, so we promote that as best we can.
On his birthday each year, I send out random act of kindness cards for people to do in his memory. I put a note about Whitten and always include song lyrics, since he loved music.
I keep up with his friends and follow along with their lives, which helps us both maintain a connection to him.
We have a gathering on the day he died at Christmas, so that we are not alone and he is remembered.
I will have a section of my blog devoted to grief.
I love that. Because it illustrates what you are doing in small ways. I used a quote from your article here to a bereavement group. It really illustrated a point that is so crucial for them to understand. Thank you!