Suicide Zen Forgiveness

Since June 2018, I’ve dedicated myself to ending the silence, stigma, and shame surrounding suicide, ideation, and mental health. At 16, I lost a dear friend, Andrea, to suicide—an experience I never expected would shape my entire life. #BestWorstGift. That moment became the seed for a journey of understanding pain, survival, and resilience. On this journey, I’ve learned that sharing your story is a powerful way to lighten the load. It's a path many of us walk alone, but in truth, we’re rarely alone in the experience. Whether you’ve lost someone to suicide, struggled with mental health, or felt that crushing weight of hopelessness, there’s something in these stories that will resonate with you. This space is for those who’ve been left behind, those who’ve come close to the edge, and those who are still fighting. The conversations here cover everything from mental health challenges to survival, from depression and anxiety to the raw reality of living through loss. And, every story shared brings us one step closer to breaking down the walls of silence. I’m forever grateful to Andrea for showing me the truth of what it means to be left behind. No matter how many times I came close to “the end,” I couldn’t bring myself to put those around me in the same place I’ve been since I was 16. That, in all its painful clarity, is the gift she left me. A gift that took me years to recognize as a blessing. Now, at 69, I carry that gift with me—still living, still speaking, and still fighting for hope. Every day is a choice, and I choose life. #ChooseLife #KeepBreathing #GratitudeAttitude #stepup2listen