Category: #griefheart

These are the #griefheart pictures representing my grief journey

Sweet Memory heart — #griefheart number 187

Sweet memory heart
Cookie dough heart

What did Charles like better than cookies? Cookie dough! He also loved to break the eggs. He didn’t always have the patience to do the whole cookie baking deal but he would appear out of nowhere for the egg breaking and decorating.

And he was the messiest decorator ever. His cookies were the ugly stepchildren of the batch, making them all that more special. Thank you Alex for sending this holiday cookie. It inspired a sweet memory.

What is the #griefheart project?

I explain my #griefheart project here.

See all #griefhearts so far on pinterest or on this blog by #griefheart … Read more...

Madalene’s heart — #griefheart number 186

When I started this project, my friend Bonnie sent me this link to Madalene’s Monday Hearts. I admired how artistic hers were. Downright stunning. Well, 7 months later, she found me and my #griefheart project and sent me this book full of stunning, artistic hearts. Her story below as well as her thoughtful words of wisdom.

“My hearts actually started as a little tradition I would do for my love on Monday mornings so she would walk out the door and see a little heart on her doorstep. Thus the name Monday hearts for Madalene.

When she got sick … Read more...

Lickinghole Creek heart — #griefheart number 185

My book club took a tour that started at Licking Hole Creek Brewery in Goochland, Va. This symbol is their logo. When you arrive, you’re not real sure it’s an establishment and there is precious little indoor seating. Virginia has so many little surprises tucked away in unusual places. It was fun to spend time with girlfriends on a cold, windy but beautiful day.

My grieving heart needed that going into the holiday season. Missing my son so much. Since I don’t drink beer or any alcohol really, I played designated driver.

licking-hole

What is the #griefheart project?

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Horse’s heart — #griefheart number 184

HThis one from Alex, one of the dedicated committee members of the social media suicide prevention program for teens and young adults that will launch in February.

She was in the group at the YMCA when I presented to their Leader’s Club. She’s been so dedicated to the cause of suicide prevention. It is so nice since Charles died to be around young people Alex’s age.

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.

Let’s change the world. Subscribe to

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Drained heart – #griefheart number 183

So for the last month, I have passed by this “heart” on the sidewalk when I run. Because I am not tied to anything electronic when I run, I have not had the phone to take a picture of it. But today walking the dog, I had it.

It looks like the heart was turned upside down and drained. That is so precisely how I feel some days. I think recent loss of a 15-year-old girl at James River High who died by suicide has left me feeling helpless and defeated. Which means tomorrow I will wake up to fight … Read more...

Turkey Trot heart – #griefheart number 182

Turkey trot heart
Turkey trot heart

This heart in honor of Logan Neale who died in a truck crash of unknown cause and suffered from depression and an eating disorder. This year’s Bill Carfrey Turkey Trot on November 19, 2016 in the Woodlake neighborhood in Midlothian, VA is in his honor of Logan’s memory and his love of running. Proceeds go to Beacon Tree Foundation, advocates for youth mental health.

Logan kept his running shoes as trophies and he bought his shoes at Lucky Road in Midlothian. His grieving mom made this heart and sent it to me.

What is the #griefheart

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Veteran’s Day heart – #griefheart number 181

Transitioning to life after service is difficult and PTSD, depression, addiction, anxiety and other mental illnesses plague our troops and veterans.

On this Veteran’s day, we honor those who have fought for our country. And remember those we lost in battle as well as those we lost to internal battles known as suicide.

Thank you Charles Davis for this photograph of your purple heart from injury sustained July 26, 2011. We are happy you are with us today to celebrate your service to our country.

What is the #griefheart project?

I explain my #griefheart project here.

See all #griefhearts… Read more...

Following my heart – #griefheart number 180

Since Charles’ death by suicide, I’ve not been the same. As a result, I am following a new path–one carved by my heart.

Deep breath. I can do this. Yes I can.

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

You are great parents

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Lucky hearts – #griefheart number 179

Lucky because I was fortunate enough to have a child as funny and spectacular as Charles who is still inspiring me even after his death.

Lucky enough to be able to answer the ‘why’ as it relates to his suicide because he left me the gift of his lyrics.

Lucky enough to have the support of so many in this journey.

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

Suicide is not an

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Colorful heart – #griefheart number 178

Charles always had a lively and colorful personality. He could make anyone laugh. I think that’s why so many couldn’t believe he suffered from depression. He didn’t get the chance to understand that it could be treated or that the world was not a better place without him in it.

This one from Margaret via Beka. Thank you!

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

9 Things I no longer tolerate since my

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Banana heart – #griefheart number 177

Jill sent me this one and immediately it reminded me of this picture of Charles. My lively comedian. Still shocks me that such a happy, social child suffered from depression and died by suicide.

He had so much potential, so much talent and most importantly he made others feel like they mattered. No one did that like Charles. He made me feel like I mattered as a mother.

charles-banana

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 

… Read more...

Worn out heart – #griefheart number 176

leaf-heart2

Grief can wear you out. There are some days it just uses up everything you have and it drains you of color. It’s during those times you have to remember that there are days your heart is bursting and you feel light as a feather.

This one from a new friend, Elizabeth. I met her on the Out of the Darkness walk for suicide prevention and she works for the organization. We outfitted her with a t-shirt and adopted her right away on Team Charles.

What is the #griefheart project?

I explain my #griefheart project here.

See all #… Read more...

Pumpkin heart – #griefheart number 175

I had planned to carve a heart and do a candle and take a picture at night. That’s sort of the “honor someone that died by suicide” tradition. I just did not have it in me tonight.

Halloween was Charles’ single most favorite day of the year. He loved the dressing up, the candy, the excitement. At 19, Charles went trick or treating. No one would go with him but he didn’t care.  I believe he loved it more than his birthday if that is possible.

It was a hard day butI enjoyed seeing all the kids in the neighborhood … Read more...

Painful love – #griefheart number 174

Leigh Morgan Rogers and I grew up together in NC. She has been a huge supporter of my mission here and I so appreciate that. I love how all of you have started to participate in this project.

“Hello, Anne Moss – My husband and I just got back from a trip to Arizona to celebrate our anniversary….I spotted this Prickly Pear and immediately thought of you.  It reminded me of how love is the most beautiful thing here on this earth, but it’s also risky.  You become vulnerable to pain. 

I’ve not experienced the pain you have, but I … Read more...

Heart of tissue – #griefheart number 173

My friend Bethany sent me this and said, “Teddy was tearing up paper randomly and I looked down and found one that looked like a heart.”

Bethany is a nanny for Teddy and it so happens she is currently grieving the loss of a boyfriend who died of an overdose. My son Charles died by suicide. She and I are both well acquainted with those heavy waves of despair that come with having loved someone and lost them.

Neither of us is a stranger to tissues.

What is the #griefheart project?

I explain my #griefheart project here.

See all #… Read more...