I am continuing with the 365 Photos Challenge and I am now on Day 80. This post is a little different from my other posts. It has a special meaning for one of our own.
This photo was taken at a Compassionate Friends candlelight service for my son and many other parent’s losing their child to suicide. It was a special moment.
I am dedicating this post to our Virily member LaJenna. Her sister has lost her son. I know that feeling all too well and my heart goes out to her at this time. If you would like to read her beautiful poem and post, here is the link Death Tears Hopelessness Can Turn Into Hope. I would like to support LaJenna in any way I can. I can listen, I can offer words that helped me when I lost my child, whatever I can do I want her to know I am here for her and her entire family. Helping others brings tremendous healing for yourself. There are never any magic words but to know you have someone who can truly listen non-judgmentally, especially someone who has been in your shoes, can make a huge difference.
You are not alone LaJenna and please tell your sister there are those out there who truly do understand kind of what she is feeling. We can never know exactly how she feels as everyone grieves differently. You have support here when you need it my friend.
I will light a candle for you and your family.
I have no idea how I keep finding things I completely missed!
My love goes out to La Jenna, I know, it is a hurting that just won’t go away, not for a single moment. My only son, whom we love and who in turn loved us, just phoned from the UK where he was working one day, and in stead of exchanging pleasantries and holiday plans, he said that he has joined a new and spiritually elevated group which requires him to “disown” his birth parents and family. He said, that he has received a new name and surname and has no earthly father, mother or sisters and that it would serve no purpose trying to find him since he doesn’t wish to be found. This was a a long while ago. We had a loving and stable family life, no substance or any other kind of abuse etc. Just a regular Christian family with “normal values”. My two daughters who had been contacted by him at the same time, were as speechless as we were and still are. Every hour of every day we are all hopeful of hearing his voice once again and hearing that it was all a bad dream. We have no way of knowing that he is even alive. My wife and I are not young and certainly not at the peak of good health, one would imagine that he would consider the possibility of one of us passing away. This is especially hard for us to understand, since he was always such a loving and kind young man. So, in a way, if only remotely so, we understand your pain La Jenna and pray for you, Andre’ and Daleen Hartslief. PS. Thank you Carol DM for this caring initiative you have taken.
Oh my goodness Andre. My heart just dropped for you. I am so very sorry. You understand a little of what we are going through. I hope one day he will call and return home. There is so much out there in the world that draws in people then they cannot get out. Oh my is all I can say right now, I will keep your entire family in my prayers and hold onto hope. Hope will get us through. You have an advantage (if you want to call it that) that maybe one day you will hear from him. I have to believe that. Again, so very sorry.
Thank you Carol, I believe we were all put on earth help the wretched as there is always someone a little worse off than I. You my dear friend, are living your life purpose fully. X0X
How kind of you to say and I agree not that there is a reason for everything (like a lot of people say), but that we are here to help each other. You have made my day with your words.
My heart goes out for La Jenna too, it’s always hard to lose some one you love this way. There is hope but it’s a hard journey to go through.
Yes indeed, I am helping in the only way I know how.
It’s so good, everyone here is enjoying the success of those who share it with us. And we support others in hard times for them and their family. I’m proud to be a member of this wonderful community of friends.
Absolutely, we are like one big family. She needs lots of support.
What a great post and thing to do for her Carol. : )
Thanks Kim, I had to do something and I am limited.
Very touching post, Carol! It’s nice to see that our community here can be so supportive.
Thank you ellie925 for such nice thoughts. The Virily family is family. We all care about one another, and I am so grateful.
Thank you Ellie, it was all I knew to do for her.
Bittersweet, such a beautiful post on such a sad situation. Thank you for sharing.
Yes indeed Teila. I am trying to support her since I have been there.
What a heartbreak, I’m so sorry that you have experienced that depth of pain and loss.
Thank you, I have written about it some on here.
Dustin was my only child of just 16.
Very touching post….that’s a very nice and supporting thing to do…we’re all here for her!
Thank you Courtney, I did not know what else to do for her. My heart goes out to her and her family.
I feel lucky and grateful to have wonderful friends in Virily! Carol and LaJenna my best friends, I admire you both.
Thank you Albert and I think we both feel the same about you.
Yes Uncle Albert best friends indeed.
Well done! Nice post!
Thank you for visiting Georgi.
i am crying now because this post touched me so much. Truly you are my true friend and sister to me. I thank everyone here at Virily too. God bless you Carol and all that care about me.
Tears are healthy LaJenna. I just wanted to remind you that I am here, as well as others on this site. You are blessed. Hold on, as my Grandmother always told me… This too shall pass. It will never go away but you and your sister will find your way through. It will take time. A lifetime.
I do understand, but when my dad died I felt peace after awhile. Now when I think of my dad I smile. I can understand that losing a sister or brother would take a lifetime of tender care. I want you to know you can talk to me as well about anything.
I understand. It is so different when you lose a child, pain like no other.
A hug for my sister Carol!!