Ooof heart-hurt and empathy, and BIG hugs, Janine. Bearing witness to ALL you've been through and how you've navigated the journey. RESPECT. Thank you for offering your thoughts and wisdom and tips. Your empathy is inspiring. I hope others read this article and see how they're not alone on their journey. We're altogether, connected on this path. HUG
Janine. Idk how you do it but EVERY TIME you reach the deepest depths of my soul. You do such a beautiful job at articulating what living lives like we have, feels.
Thank you for sharing these moments as I know they are hard.
I appreciate that my words resonate, Taylor. We have a unique perspective. Time doesn't heal grief but it gives us different perspectives on how to live alongside it.
So well written…what tough losses and experiences. Thanks for sharing the lessons you gleaned from painful times like these. Having walked with parents and loved ones through cancer while coping with our own significant conditions, I could relate to some degree. Learning to take care of ourselves is essential. Blessings on you as you continue adapting.
Thank you, Susan. Caring for ourselves no matter what the circumstances always feels so hard but it makes the journey easier. It continues to be a practice.
My son took his life in 2021, after a long struggle with recurring depressive episodes. It may have been bipolar 2, never diagnosed. I tried so hard to keep him in this world. Like you, I am only just beginning to recognise the toll his illness took on me. Self-care, I now understand, is definitely the way to live my life after this loss. And also, for me, writing about the complexity of supporting an ill child and the feelings of ‘failure’ when they die, is a necessary part of this grieving process. Thank you for sharing your story. Sending love 🤗
Ooof heart-hurt and empathy, and BIG hugs, Janine. Bearing witness to ALL you've been through and how you've navigated the journey. RESPECT. Thank you for offering your thoughts and wisdom and tips. Your empathy is inspiring. I hope others read this article and see how they're not alone on their journey. We're altogether, connected on this path. HUG
❤️ thank you. Knowing we’re not alone is a positive tip to remember as well❤️
Janine. Idk how you do it but EVERY TIME you reach the deepest depths of my soul. You do such a beautiful job at articulating what living lives like we have, feels.
Thank you for sharing these moments as I know they are hard.
I appreciate that my words resonate, Taylor. We have a unique perspective. Time doesn't heal grief but it gives us different perspectives on how to live alongside it.
Sending ❤️
So well written…what tough losses and experiences. Thanks for sharing the lessons you gleaned from painful times like these. Having walked with parents and loved ones through cancer while coping with our own significant conditions, I could relate to some degree. Learning to take care of ourselves is essential. Blessings on you as you continue adapting.
Thank you, Susan. Caring for ourselves no matter what the circumstances always feels so hard but it makes the journey easier. It continues to be a practice.
I agree. It’s vital.
My son took his life in 2021, after a long struggle with recurring depressive episodes. It may have been bipolar 2, never diagnosed. I tried so hard to keep him in this world. Like you, I am only just beginning to recognise the toll his illness took on me. Self-care, I now understand, is definitely the way to live my life after this loss. And also, for me, writing about the complexity of supporting an ill child and the feelings of ‘failure’ when they die, is a necessary part of this grieving process. Thank you for sharing your story. Sending love 🤗
Esther, holding you in my heart as you walk this journey of loss. I can feel your emotion and so understand that need to keep your son here.
I couldn’t fathom not being able to save my son or even thinking that he could die. I thought my love should have been enough to keep him here.
But that wasn’t his journey and so much of my healing came from loving him and accepting his journey just as it is.
I hope that we can all get to know our beautiful children in this space.
Much love ❤️
Thank you so much for your beautiful response, and for subscribing to my writing. Makes it feel all the more meaningful 💪