Tag: #suicideawareness

Heavy Heart- #griefheart number 15

#griefheart heavy heart

Every limb feels heavy and the heart inside the body that carries them. I didn’t know grief had such a physical effect. Every move feels like I’m trudging through quicksand. One day I will feel lighter and it won’t press on me like it does now. But today, all the why’s about my son’s suicide are stalking me. I keep saying, “I will survive. I will survive.” And I will. I wish I knew how.

To my boy- You are weighing on my heart today Charles. One of those days I can hardly breathe. I’ve been reading your music and … Read more...

Love from Arizona – #griefheart number 14

#griefheart
Love, from Arizona

Charles’ Grandparents, Meemaw and Grandpa, live in Georgia but are currently traveling in Arizona. Myra sent this today. Love to my baby boy, 20, who spent last two birthdays (April 26) with his grandparents. My heart does feel like stone it’s so heavy.

Thanks to the Rogers and Nimocks clan as well as Godfather Gene for your messages. Thanks to cousin Byll for offering to help orchestrate an art show when the #griefheart project is done. And Charles, Party like it’s 1999!

What is the #griefheart project?

I explain my #griefheart project here.

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

Waves of Love – #griefheart number 13

#griefheart thoughtful heart

This heart was sent to me by Debbie Morrison. It appeared on the beach, she took the picture and sent it by text today with the message, “Thinking of you.”

It represents the waves of love and outpouring of support I have gotten since Charles died. Support which has been so important to my aching heart. As such, it had to become part of my #griefheart project as that support is part of my grief journey.

It’s my first heart that is nature made.

Thank you Debbie, Alison, Sophia, Kathleen and Laura. I hope you have a grand time at … Read more...

Proud Heart – #griefheart number 12

#griefheart project
Proud Heart

The first time we did this, I thought it was #iamnotashamed but it’s #imnotashamed. I’m and not I am.

I am sending this to TeamNotAshamed today so it was only fitting to make it today’s #griefheart. Rachel Griffen, a singer songwriter, had an article recently in the Washington Post. And she started the movement asking those with mental illness to speak up. Thank you Rachel.

If moms and dads, aunts and uncles, cousins and friends speak up about those who died by suicide, we could save more lives.

So we have those with mental … Read more...

Heart of steel – #griefheart number 11

#griefheart
Heart of steel

These were Charles’ favorite shoes. Nanny gave them to him. These were the last shoes he was wearing when he died by suicide. So ironic that he’d be wearing “Man of Steel” shoes.

What is the #griefheart project?

I explain my #griefheart project here.

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

Heavenly heart – #griefheart number 9

#griefheart 8 -heavenly heart

For whatever reason I’m wondering about clouds and heavens today. Thinking about Charles running around on them. So thinking about heaven as an 8-year-old might. I think the image is inspired by the Run Free song Charles wrote where he talks about leaving earth.

I wonder if that’s the fantasy many have when contemplating suicide. It has to be better than here where everything hurts so much. He is at peace now. No longer hurting.

Part of that Run Free song.

“I am sick of all the hurt and the burn
Ima runaway runaway and never return.
Never COMIN’ back
Leanin’ on clouds … Read more...

Musical heart – #griefheart number 8

#griefheart Musical heart #8
Musical heart

“I found my place amongst these beats
And my passion with these stanzas.”
–Charles Aubrey Rogers, 1995-2015

This one is inspired by two songs I thought were lost forever. Charles loved his rap music. He was rarely spotted without those earphones around his neck or earbuds in his ears.

The iPod pictured is one we got for him in 8th grade. He loved it. It held tens of thousands of songs. These are what helped him cope and inspired his writing. You might think of rap music as “bad” but I think without it, Charles would have exited a long … Read more...

Family Love – #griefheart number 7

#griefheart and grieving heart
Family Love

For months, I have mourned not having this song, “Family Matters.” Charles wanted to record that rap song and publish it to iTunes through Imperial Alliance Media, but he died before that happened. I believe he wrote this one about 10 months before he died. So I pick up his backpack and turn to a page and there it is! I have been looking and looking. And it was here the whole time. What a gift.

Charles died by suicide June 5, 2015 and I think he wrote it in May of 2014 before he was addicted to anything. And … Read more...

Grateful Heart – #griefheart number 6

Grateful Heart
Grateful Heart

I had wondered at one point, “How do I show grateful heart?”

This group of friends added a bright spot to my life in my darkest hour. And they continue to do so. Before Charles died, they listened. Since his death, they listen.

You should see all the contortions we went through to get this right. We tried all kinds of complex moves. But in the end, simplicity won. This one in particular means a lot to me. The group effort a part of that love. 🙂 See the outtakes below.

There have been other special friends (BFFs) … Read more...

Hurting Heart – #griefheart number 5

hurting-heart #griefheart-5
Hurting heart

Been painful this month. I think because his birthday is April 26. He would have been 21.

What is this all about? I explain my #griefheart project here.

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

Heart full of memories – #griefheart number 4

#griefheart 4
Heart full of memories –both painful and delightful

My heart is full of memories of Charles today. As a baby, toddler, middle schooler, high schooler. Memories both painful and delightful–the roller coaster of grief.

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.

Piece of my heart – #griefheart number 92
… Read more...

Heart on His Sleeve – #griefheart number 3

#griefheart 3 heart on his sleeve
Heart on his sleeve

Charles wore his heart on his sleeve. I’m wearing my heart on my sleeve now. So this is only fitting as to how I feel today.

This heart is made out of his clothing. His skinny, tall sweet-smelling shirts.

One of the hallmarks of depression is how the sufferer absorbs every one else’s problems and makes them his/her own. I see that in Charles’ music. How he talks over and over about people being hungry and the holocaust. He just couldn’t bear all that. This one is for you my love and for all the others people out there … Read more...

Heart Full of Love – #griefheart number 2

#griefheart
Heart full of love

My heart is full today. Full of memories. Full of love for my child that is gone and the one that is here.

What is this all about? I explain my #griefheart project here.

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

Knife to the heart – #griefheart number 1

#griefheart
Knife to the heart – #griefheart number 1

Heart just hurts today. I know it will subside but tears are close to the surface today and it really does feel like a knife to the heart. Love you Charles.

What is this all about? I explain my #griefheart project here.

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

Did my child die because I lacked faith?
… Read more...