Originally written for writing your grief course done by Refugeingrief in September 2022
Well this is an easy one the people I have met at friends for survival which offers support to those impacted by suicide loss. I am fortunate it is a local organization based in Sacramento. I have been able to attend in person support group meetings; as well as zoom meetings that they have started since the pandemic.
Friends for survival was founded in 1982 by two mothers Chris Moon and Marilyn Koenig who both experienced the suicide death of teenage sons. Marilyn doesn’t know it but she is my guiding star. I deeply admire how she has been able to turn her emotional pain into something that has brought about healing and comfort to those of us who have greatly impacted by suicide. I hope I can do the same in my own way . Shedding light on the realities of navigating life after suicide. She is also a good role model for what a healthy, compassionate and caring grandmother would look like. My dad’s mother Lena is anything but that. I have great empathy for my dad being raised by such unhealthy and frankly uncaring people. I do not want to model myself like either of them. And would want nothing to do with them. Although my dad’s parents are still living. So Marilyn has become a role model for how I would like to treat people even in the face of great emotional pain
Christinesjourney8 ~ Instagram blog 