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Tag: #griefheart in memory

Samuel Spott’s heart— #griefheart number 272

by Donnia Spott

Billy and I are in our second year since our son, Sammy Spott, died by suicide. Like last Christmas, we chose to have an early and small gathering with our other two children and then left town.

Last year, we hiked and camped in the Grayson Highlands and barely saw another soul on Christmas Day. Today, we hiked again, to the Sand Cave and White Rocks in Ewing, VA. I saw so many heart shaped rocks on the trail and left them all where they lay.

Even before reading your posts, and before Sammy died, I … Read more...

Billy Derr’s meatlover heart—#griefheart number 255

Billy Derr’s Meatlover’s heart

From Anne Moss: This #griefheart in memory of Billy Derr. Billy died from an overdose caused by substance use disorder. Jenny didn’t just make pizza. She made memories. 

From Jenny Derr: We made homemade pizza tonight.

Which we made the last weekend Billy was home.  💙 Missing him a lot.

This one is a meatlover’s pizza.

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.

Billy Derr’s Story
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Paredes’ chipped heart— #griefheart number 252

From Joanna, Joel’s mom– We had a little picnic this weekend with someone that was a very important part of my beloved son Joel’s life.

His uncle on his father’s side was like a father to him. His wife also created many wonderful memories with Joel and took him for picnics and outings all the time.

Joel enjoyed ketchup chips and look what we found in the bag.

We live in Toronto. Joel, Jan 04, 1996 – Dec 10, 2015, went to Richview Collegiate Institute.

What is the #griefheart project?

I explain my #griefheart project here.

See all #… Read more...

Daniel Kyre’s heart— #griefheart number 249

Daniel Kyre
Daniel Kyre’s heart

From Anne Moss: David Kyre, Daniel’s dad, sent me this picture of hamburgers and melted cheese in the shape of hearts– a #griefheart to honor his son who died by suicide. Daniel’s birthday is July 6.  An incredibly talented musician, Daniel was on his way to fame and fortune.

David Kyre: “I hadn’t planned on putting thick slices of cheese on these burgers because I bought the cheese as a snack for low carb diet to pinch and eat. My wife thought that’s why I got them so I broke them up and placed them on the patties. … Read more...

Giannini’s heart— #griefheart number 244

Giannini’s heart

Diane lost her son to suicide on March 29, 2017 and this #griefheart is in honor of Joshua’s struggle with addiction and depression, like my son Charles. At this writing, she is struggling with those initial stages of grief–fog, shock, and disbelief. I remember this stage. I was so confused and being able to follow more than two steps was a challenge.

Joshua Giannini left his mother some heartfelt goodbye videos she shared with us. Diane’s comment below.

“Wow…. went to the site where my son passed and found this rock. A broken heart – a part of … Read more...

Organ donor heart— #griefheart number 219

One of the mom’s who is part of the village here, sent me this. This was given to her family by Midwest Transplant. Her son’s organs gave life to so many others. A blessing in the loss.

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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Not my child

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Graveside heart — #griefheart number 211

Graveside heart

Angie just recently lost her son. Another loving soul became a victim of this opiate epidemic. Another mom joined the club no one wants to be in. She was visiting Michael’s grave and someone had left this. Such a sweet gesture. At first I thought it was a potato! On closer inspection I saw it was a rock. It’s been just 6 weeks for Angie, Michael’s mom.

I have to confess, I don’t feel like a rock today myself.

What is the #griefheart project?

I explain my #griefheart project here.

See all #griefhearts so far on pinterest … Read more...

Christian’s heart — #griefheart number 203

Christian’s heart

From Anne Moss: This from a 15-year-old in Germany who lost two friends this year. While searching online for information on her friend Charles, a young man who died of heart failure, she found this blog. She read about the #griefheart project and  submitted this for her other friend, Christian, who died by suicide. 

From Jule: “This is a #griefheart for my long-time school friend Christian (August 13, 2000 – November 1, 2016) who unexpectedly ended his own life this Halloween night at the age of 16.

In the picture is a matching bracelet we bought seemingly an eternity ago when … Read more...

Christopher’s Angel heart — #griefheart number 196

Christopher’s heart

This #griefheart is in memory of Christopher Sims who died by suicide February 9, 2014 when he was only 14. He was a student at Godwin Mills High in Henrico, Virginia.

Christopher was a twin and his mother sent me this picture to use for this project. His twin brother Alexander turned tragedy into hope by starting a project called Christopher’s Angels in his brother’s memory. So it’s only fitting that we see a heart in the clouds in the sky at his school.

What is the #griefheart project?

I explain my #griefheart project here.

See all #griefhearts so far … Read more...

John Terrell’s heart – #griefheart 164

John Terrell's Heart
John Terrell’s Heart

“My job as an artist is to express feeling within a pattern, large or small.” —John Terrell

This #griefheart is original art by John Terrell who suffered from bipolar disorder and died by suicide. It was shared by his family for this project to honor his memory and his art.

A “Retrospective of John’s Art” will be at Artspace Gallery in Richmond, October 28 – November 20, 2016. Proceeds will go to NAMI, Full Circle Counseling Services, and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention for whom his father Buddy is hosting the International Suicide Survival Day event.

What

… Read more...

Living the dream heart – #griefheart number 155

My friend Shirley sent me this heart. Living the Dream Foundation an organization started in Culpepper, VA. The foundation and this #griefheart is in memory of Ben Long who suffered from depression and addiction and died by suicide like my son, Charles.

The Foundation works to increase community awareness and education about substance abuse, depression and suicide; provide information on available resources for those in need of services; and raise funds to support local prevention programs.

What is the #griefheart project?

I explain my #griefheart project here.

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

Logan’s heart – #griefheart number 153

logan-neale

This heart is in special remembrance of Logan Neale, a 19-year-old from Midlothian, Virginia who died in a truck crash. Logan was an avid runner who discovered that athletics could help him cope with his anxiety and depression. Logan also struggled with an eating disorder and suicidal ideation.

Like many with depression, Logan was empathetic about others suffering from mental illness and he believed in breaking the stigma that kept people from seeking the care and support they needed.  Like Charles, Logan attended Wasatch Academy in Utah. His mother retrieved this heart from the tree where he died.

The 2016 … Read more...

Love and friendship – #griefheart number 145

From Kelly Greer about her granddaughter’s friend, Paris.

“Our granddaughter’s childhood friend took her own life this Spring (2016). She was only 14 years old. Those girls were inseparable. This is handprint art they made with a print from each of their hands. Her name was Paris. She was beautiful and we miss her.”

This is what the #griefheart project is all about. Being able to honor and share memories of those we miss who have died by suicide.

What is the #griefheart project?

I explain my #griefheart project here.

See all #griefhearts so far on pinterest or on … 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...

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...