I got an amazing Mother’s Day gift today. My daughter Alex, Arthur’s big sister, sent me a beautiful message that she wrote herself talking about the ways that I had influenced her life and how she felt. It moved me to tears and made me feel proud of the way I had raised her.
For all those mothers who have lost children to suicide, or who have children who are struggling with bullying, I want you to know that you are not alone.
Unfortunately there are a great many of us who have been touched with this insidious plague on our society. Whatever else happened, know that you raised your child to the best of your ability and you should be proud of yourself. There is no way to erase the grief; there is no way to make sense of it. There is only moving forward anyway you can.
I am choosing to help others who have experienced this. I am choosing to make a difference. I cannot express how hard it is to make myself understand that, whatever else was going on in Arthur’s mind, he knew I loved him.
I have largely been silent since we began this project but please know that was my way of dealing with it. I have now reached a place where I can talk to others about what happened to me and my family. It is a tragedy. It is unforgivable that people in this world feel that they have the right to have power over others and abuse the humanity of their fellow persons. It is particularly heinous when it is children.
I’m not sure any ONE of us can do anything impactful, but I believe that if we stand together to protect our children, we will be heard. If you have a story you would like to share, please know that we are a safe place for you to do so. It can be anonymous if you choose. Please message the page. We will not publish it. We will simply listen.
We know what you’re going through and on this Mother’s Day I wish you peace, I wish you grace, and I wish you strength. I don’t know you, but we are connected and I send you my love. Happy Mother’s Day.