S.P.E.A.K.
This past Saturday I participated in an event near and dear to my heart. The Youth Commission in my city hosts a S.P.E.A.K. (Suicide Prevention Education Awareness and Knowledge) week each year and one of the events is a 5K walk, which was Saturday. Having been touched–and devastated–by suicide with a friend several years ago and again with my step-daughter almost nine years ago, the number of people who showed up to band together and walk for this cause made my heart swell with a kinship to others who have had to endure such a traumatic event in their lives.
Suicide leaves those left behind in its wake with so many questions. Did I fail? Was it my fault? Should I have seen it coming? Could I have seen it coming? Could I have done something to stop it?
It also leaves us with so many “What if’s.” What if I would only have answered that one phone call. What if I would have followed my gut and made that one last follow-up visit to check in. What if I did/said something that triggered it. What if s/he had wanted to open up to me and I wasn’t emotionally available. What if…
The fact is that all the questions and the what if’s will not bring someone back. The day I was finally able to release all of those questions to God, the healing was able to truly begin. And it was important to me to know that healing does not mean forgetting. To me, healing is the ability to be able to let the guilt go and use the experience to help others. To bring awareness to a tragedy that brings so many people to their knees.
And it was when I was on my knees with grief that I was able to find God. Right beside me, holding me up from falling onto my behind.
Our guardian angel, shining bright.
Letting those balloons fly high into the sky, each with the name of a loved one written on it, watching until they were no more, was beautiful and symbolic to letting our loved ones fly to the heavens. As the balloons disappeared from sight, we knew they were still there. Just as our loved ones disappeared from our sight, we know they are still there. And I found such comfort in that.
Peace.
That sounds like a great event. We all need to be made more aware of the issues around suicide and the survivors need support. Thanks for sharing your pictures.
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I agree, Elizabeth. Thank you for sharing.
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Thank goodness the stigma around suicide has changed. It is no longer a deep, dark family shame that is hushed up, never to see the light of day. My great aunt lost four of her children and husband to suicide and no one in the family would talk about it. It’s wonderful to see a group that openly supports those who need to share. Kudos to S.P.E.A.K.
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Oh boy! That’s a heavy burden for your great aunt to carry alone. It’s tough to see so many kids end their lives this way. My kids, both young adults, have already been exposed to the pain from people their age who’ve taken their own lives.
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We, too, have been touched by suicide. And as I work with Veterans and hear their stories, and read the statistics with regards to suicide, it is staggering to see how long it’s taken for the stigma to change. It is immeasurable pain, confusion, grief and the ever questioning of one’s self when it happens around us. So glad you found some help, support and light in your heart.
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Thank you Dean.
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Thank you for having the courage and heart to Speak out and give a resource. My heart goes to you.
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Thank you. 🙂
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What a wonderful event! I have never head of SPEAK before, but I will keep an eye out for them now. How sweet of you to participate! 🙂
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Thank you Rachel. It’s important to me to get gain awareness to such an unfortunate experience.
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