Gratitude is powerful magic. It is a perception shifter. It can make a huge difference between misery and joy. When I view the world through
Tag: suicide
Instructions For A Tragedy
Today marks the 8-year anniversary of my son’s suicide. Julian was 20 years young when he died. This story is dedicated to him, and everyone
I Remember You
I don’t remember what your favorite color was. I don’t know that I ever knew. But I do remember the day we shared raspberry popsicles that
‘Tis The Season
I’ve come to call it “The Season.” Late spring. Almost everything has bloomed here in Northern California by now, and Mt. Diablo – when we’re
The Write Way
There’s a wrong way and there’s The Write Way. The wrong way is to not do it at all, to allow the Inner Critic to silence your
The Train Of Thoughts
At the time, my life was a train wreck. I was in the throes of wrestling with the grief of my son’s suicide, questioning my
An (Un)Easy Solution
I remember the call from my son’s therapist. Julian had recently turned 19, and had been in residential psychiatric treatment for a month. His therapist
Let’s Say…
PART I Say you chose another mother, Say the stars did not align, Say the sperm missed that damn egg, And the miracle never happened.
Pay Attention
I awoke from a dream recently. This is significant because I rarely recall the content of my dreams, or even that I dreamed. This has
Coming Of Age
AUTHOR’S NOTE: When a child with mental illness comes of age, from a parent’s point of view, all bets are off. If your now “adult”
What To Do When A Friend Says, “I Want To Kill Myself”
Today is World Suicide Prevention Day. For those of us who have lost a loved one to suicide, this is a bittersweet day. Bitter because
There But For The Grace Of God
[Author’s Note: At my son’s memorial service, his friend Nadine (not her real name) told the story of how Julian once took a homeless man
"A NEW NORMAL" by Celenia Delsol (c) 2022 