Dear Community,

When someone dies by suicide, we often focus our thoughts on how they died. But the way they died doesn’t define their life. Focus on how they lived!

On Monday I answered a call and heard wracking sobs. Shock blocked her words. Despair immobilized. Another person gone. Someone overwhelmed. Now dead by suicide.

I listened. Reflected what I heard. Stayed in the moment. Soon she calmed enough to breathe with me. In through the nose. Count. Release out. Count.

Breathing together we connected heart to heart.

Soon my caller’s stress calmed. She began realizing this death was out of her hands.

As our call ended, I said,

“Please focus on how they LIVED instead of how they died.”

Have you or someone you know been bereaved by a suicide death? Do you live in the Portland, OR area?

Join us

Suicide Survivors Group

Monday, March 18th

7:00 – 9:00 pm

Peace House, 2116 NE 18th Ave, Portland 97212

If you’re unable to attend or live outside the area, REPLY to this email. Send me your name and the name of the person who died. I’ll write them on a slip of paper and place it next to my grieving Buddha, Dragon of Grief, and Dispel the Darkness Candle.

Please, forward this email to a friend who needs it.

Love all around, above, below, to the left and to the right, before you and behind you,

Georgena