Category: #griefheart

These are the #griefheart pictures representing my grief journey

Hugs and kisses heart – #griefheart 144

Charles was my affectionate child. He wanted to sit in my lap as a toddler, he wanted hugs and a kiss good night. He craved and thrived on affection. That is a mother’s dream! Charles was always the one that made a home made card and did sweet special things like ask me out to lunch and feel badly for me when I was hurt or ill. Boy do I miss that!

What is the #griefheart project?

I explain my #griefheart project here.

See all #griefhearts so far on pinterest or on this blog by #griefheart category.

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SpeakUp heart – #griefheart number 143

SpeakUp heart
SpeakUp heart

The SpeakUp5k is an event intended to inspire conversation about mental illness. I went alone and right before it started, a young lady named Bethany came up and introduced herself and we ran together. She knew Charles and she was also friends Cal Riley who died by suicide almost 2 years to the day before Charles.

I had been having a very difficult day up until then and I wondered if I would be crying during the whole race but meeting Bethany brightened me up. We both believe our guardian angels brought us together.

Thank you Jenny Derr, mother of Billy Derr, who made this … Read more...

Hole in my heart – #griefheart number 142

This “hole in my heart” from Ellen who lost her son from an overdose and as a result she and her husband have become advocates and facilitate peer support and outreach to those who have lost a loved one to an overdose.

This is not just suicide awareness month but recovery month as well. This #griefheart in honor of all the moms and dads that have suffered loss from the overdose.

What is the #griefheart project?

I explain my #griefheart project here.

See all #griefhearts so far on pinterest or on this blog by #griefheart category.

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Empty heart – #griefheart number 141

Somedays you feel like an empty shell–the grief so heavy your heart hurts. I miss my boy every day. And some days it’s so much harder. Today was one of those days.

I loved how Charles would ask me to lunch, give me hugs and come seek me out to talk to me. He’d remind Richard to get me a birthday card and Charles would always draw one especially for me. It was always hilarious. I ache I miss that so much because no one else really invests himself like he did to let another person know they matter. There … Read more...

Comforting heart – #griefheart number 140

kitty-cat-heart

This one came from Trinidad and Tobago from my friend Virginia. Kitty cats are soft and cuddly. And comforting. Charles found comfort in animals. His preference might have been dogs but he loved all animals as long as they had fur. They loved him.

He’d walk in as a stranger and if that household had an animal, it would take to Charles immediately.

We are finding hearts in the darndest of places. The last place I expected to see a heart was underneath a kitty cat’s furry jaw.

What is the #griefheart project?

I explain my #griefheart project here.

See … Read more...

Suicide awareness heart – #griefheart number 139

September is suicide awareness month. Tomorrow, 117 people will die by suicide. Moms, dads, brothers or sisters will walk into a room and realize their worst nightmare. Survivors of suicide loss will grieve and wonder why.

Many of these deaths are preventable. If only we talked about the signs, had open conversation, many of these people would reach out for help. Or we would recognize when they are in trouble and have the guts to simply ask. But we stigmatize mental illness and addiction, the two leading causes of death by suicide. You can change that. By talking.… Read more...

Family tree heart – #griefheart number 138

When my son died by suicide, I did not erase him from my family tree. So I started a new tradition that allows us to grieve the loss of a loved one that died by suicide. To honor their struggles. Without shame. That’s what the #griefheart project is all about. Charles will always have a place in my heart. And how cool is that little heart inside the leaf?

This one found by Maura Varley Twyman and shared with me by Kathi Genett here in Richmond. Kathi made the Pizza party heart found here for Charles death anniversary. I love … Read more...

Mark’s heart – #griefheart number 137

Mark Edmund Moore made this for his mother on Mother’s Day. It represents love for his mother. And love for chocolate. Mark was born January 10, 1991 and died April 28, 2013 from bacterial endocarditis which is an infection causing congestive heart failure.

Mark had been in recovery for 9 months from a heroin addiction. Those with a substance abuse disorder or recovering from one don’t always die from overdose. It can be hepatitis from needles, accidents, suicide and more. The illness can put them at risk for a multitude of other illnesses later on.

This heart in honor of … Read more...

Love notes in the sky – #griefheart 136

I read in Charles’ music, how much he wanted to be in the clouds. They represented peace and relief from his pain. They do for me, too. Always have. I think of these as love notes in the sky from my child that died by suicide.

This one from Amy. I love it because there is all that Carolina blue contrasting with the snow white clouds.

What is the #griefheart project?

I explain my #griefheart project here.

See all #griefhearts so far on pinterest or on this blog by #griefheart category.

Get updates to this project by subscribing

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Carb heart – #griefheart number 135

Charles loved his carbs. Bagel bites, pizza, cheese sandwiches, rolls, cereal, pop tarts. Vegetables? Rarely. Fruit? Sure if I cut it up and put it in front of him. His diet drove me bananas!

This one was sent to me by Carole Goforth. I got all of y’all seeing hearts everywhere. Suicide awareness lives in hearts found everywhere. Even burger buns.

What is the #griefheart project?

I explain my #griefheart project here.

See all #griefhearts so far on pinterest or on this blog by #griefheart category.

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Would I do it all

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Dreamcatcher heart – #griefheart number 134

annemoss.jpeg

“My brother Jefferson Joseph Blanton-Harris (“Joey”) was 25 years old when he died by suicide on 5/20/13. He is my little “bwudder,” and always will be. I chose the blue color buttons in this photo because he has the most beautiful, striking blue eyes.

He has 7 older sisters, all with brown eyes, so his eyes really stand out. I chose the dream-catcher because I have several times seen him in my dreams. I use the present tense when speaking of him, for I believe in his true presence in my dream-state, not “just dreams.” I believe he lives forever, … Read more...

Overdose Awareness Day heart – #griefheart number 133

Overdose awareness day heart
Overdose awareness day heart

From top right and around: Chaney Corley, died by suicide from overdose; Joshua Hasnas, overdose (possible suicide), Billy Derr, overdose; John Henry Watkins, overdose; Marshall Colglazier, overdose; Dawson Pettit, overdose; Josh Kaski, overdose. Center: My first cousin’s second-born, Reece Haigh, overdose.

This is what drug overdose looks like. And it’s often not what people expect. Drug addiction cuts across all racial lines and socioeconomic groups as does mental illness. I know all these parents. There are countless others I don’t know but my heart goes out to all of you.

Today’s #griefheart is in memory and … Read more...

National Grief Awareness Day heart – #griefheart number 132

NGAD

Today, August 30th, is National Grief Awareness Day. The day we celebrate not “getting over it.” The day we recognize that grief is a process we have to honor. That we cannot tuck it away or stuff it. We go through grief because we loved someone and we had the honor of having love in our lives.

The hardest part of the grief process is learning to live without the one I lost. May all the hurt from the loss of my son by suicide one day turn into sweet memories. I just have to have faith it will happen … Read more...

Yogi heart – #griefheart number 131

I went to yoga Saturday with some friends. My friend Sophia was teaching. After, we took a picture with everyone making hearts with their arms in honor of Charles. I think the light glowing through the windows is a nice touch that we didn’t plan.

What is the #griefheart project?

I explain my #griefheart project here.

See all #griefhearts so far on pinterest or on this blog by #griefheart category.

Get updates to this project by subscribing

From where I do I draw my strength?

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Right hand heart – #griefheart number 130

This picture of Mike Stewart’s hand reminds me of a real beating heart. Am I crazy? Do you see the yellow halo over the R?

From Mike: “My right hand man at FFS* Charles Rogers now my right hand man for life. Miss you and love you bro.”

What is the #griefheart project?

I explain my #griefheart project here.

See all #griefhearts so far on pinterest or on this blog by #griefheart category.

*Family Foundation School

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Video: Forgive me momma – by Charles Aubrey Rogers

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