November 17th
Dear readers,
November 17th, 2012 is a day I will never forget. It was International Survivor's of Suicide Day and it was also my friend's birthday. It would had been his 25th birthday. I spent the day with his sister, brother-in-law, and our friend, Rachel. We started the day in Salt Lake City and made our way to the International Survivor of Suicide Day Conference the American Foundation of Suicide Prevention (AFSP) held.
I could tell it was going to be an emotional day, hard day. However, something I really learned the last few months - even when you're emotional, if you are with other people who have gone through similar experiences, you are able to bare the pain a little more. We each strengthen each other when we come together. That is what we did November 17th.
After the video we watch, we had a question and answer time. It was amazing to hear the questions that were asked and receive answers when dealing with suicide we often don't have answers. There were posters all around the room with quotes and ideas that uplifted you.
I was blessed to meet Taryn Aiken who is the Chair of the AFSP chapter in Utah. It was an honor and privileged to meet her. She has quit her job and is now in school to focus solely on the Utah chapter and to continue fighting for suicide prevention. She is a hero in my eyes - she lost her father about ten years ago I believe. She is an amazing woman - someone I would want to be like very much so.
Then after the meeting we all talked with other people, looked around the room and read the signs. Then went our way to celebrate the day our brother and friend was born into this world. Of course we went over to the Texas Roadhouse! We all ate just like Nathan - which means we stuffed our faces! It was a really good moment to remember the life Nathan led and those moments that made us laugh forever (and still do). We were there for about two hours just talking, reminiscing of the past, and what the future holds for us.
His sister and brother-in-law left. Me and Rachel made our way back to our homes. Later than evening Rachel and I got together and celebrated our friend's birthday. She made his favorite cake shaped into a hostess cupcake. We both knew he would love it! Maybe he was there celebrating with us. We had a few of our other friends there with us. We then lit 25 baby candles for his 25th birthday and we let it go into the water. Then we sat there and remembered our friend, who we lost so young. We talked of our memories, our laughter, and the friend he was to us.
November 17th, 2012 is a day I will never forget. From now on November 17th is a day I will always remember the life and joy of my friend. May we each be a friend to one another and through these friendships may we strengthen and uplift one another.
Love,
Megan
November 17th, 2012 is a day I will never forget. It was International Survivor's of Suicide Day and it was also my friend's birthday. It would had been his 25th birthday. I spent the day with his sister, brother-in-law, and our friend, Rachel. We started the day in Salt Lake City and made our way to the International Survivor of Suicide Day Conference the American Foundation of Suicide Prevention (AFSP) held.
I could tell it was going to be an emotional day, hard day. However, something I really learned the last few months - even when you're emotional, if you are with other people who have gone through similar experiences, you are able to bare the pain a little more. We each strengthen each other when we come together. That is what we did November 17th.
As I sat there in the room, I could tell the pain and struggles were going through. Their eyes and tears told their story. We watched a group discussion that was previous recorded of questions and answers one may be dealing with. We are strengthened by others when they share their experience - and this is what the group discussion offered for all of us.
After the video we watch, we had a question and answer time. It was amazing to hear the questions that were asked and receive answers when dealing with suicide we often don't have answers. There were posters all around the room with quotes and ideas that uplifted you.
I was blessed to meet Taryn Aiken who is the Chair of the AFSP chapter in Utah. It was an honor and privileged to meet her. She has quit her job and is now in school to focus solely on the Utah chapter and to continue fighting for suicide prevention. She is a hero in my eyes - she lost her father about ten years ago I believe. She is an amazing woman - someone I would want to be like very much so.
Then after the meeting we all talked with other people, looked around the room and read the signs. Then went our way to celebrate the day our brother and friend was born into this world. Of course we went over to the Texas Roadhouse! We all ate just like Nathan - which means we stuffed our faces! It was a really good moment to remember the life Nathan led and those moments that made us laugh forever (and still do). We were there for about two hours just talking, reminiscing of the past, and what the future holds for us.
His sister and brother-in-law left. Me and Rachel made our way back to our homes. Later than evening Rachel and I got together and celebrated our friend's birthday. She made his favorite cake shaped into a hostess cupcake. We both knew he would love it! Maybe he was there celebrating with us. We had a few of our other friends there with us. We then lit 25 baby candles for his 25th birthday and we let it go into the water. Then we sat there and remembered our friend, who we lost so young. We talked of our memories, our laughter, and the friend he was to us.
November 17th, 2012 is a day I will never forget. From now on November 17th is a day I will always remember the life and joy of my friend. May we each be a friend to one another and through these friendships may we strengthen and uplift one another.
Love,
Megan
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