A Lump In My Throat

Tomorrow's blog post is written by an amazing young woman who I have had the pleasure of knowing for many years. It was through her story that I first became aware of the organization SAVE.org, who's mission is to prevent suicide through public awareness and education, reduce stigma and serve as a resource to those touched by suicide.

For the last few years I have donated pieces of jewelry to help raise funds for SAVE through the Walk To SAVE Lives which takes place in Oswego, NY during September. When Jamie would ask for a donation I would think nothing much of it, make a piece of jewelry and mail it off. 

Then on October 11, 2013 my life was touched by suicide. We received a knock on the door that my neighbor was missing and there was a note. My husband and her son ran out the door to search for her while I sat in my kitchen holding my youngest, Eden, who was 3 months old. My 4 year old, Emily, kept asking what was going on and I said, just pray. After searching around town a while the boys decided to come back to the house. While they were planning their next move my husband looked into her car, it was there that he found her, she was already gone.

My memory of the moments that followed are broken, I can remember holding Eden sobbing on the kitchen floor, I can remember Emily asking what happened and my pathetic attempts to explain it to myself and to her. I remember shouting God no, no, no, and even posting on facebook, which I later removed. I remember standing on my porch as the police, ambulance, and later the coroner came. I remember pleading with God that is wasn't true and I remember holding my daughter's tight as we napped together later that day. I cannot bring myself to part with the gifts she sent when Emily was born, they are in Eden's closet and I smile when I think how happy she was when she found out we were expecting again. 

My world was forever changed that morning, I cannot go back to the days before when suicide had not become a part of my world. Where it was something that happened to other people. Where it was something we didn't talk about. It was on the anniversary of her death that I started thinking more about SAVE.org and the work they do. That I started thinking that something was missing in my business and in my life. It was then that I started thinking about giving back.

I am so happy to share the news that with every Emily and Eden purchase you make a portion of the sale will be donated to SAVE.org! I hope you will visit their website to learn more, thank you.

Shannon

10% of proceeds from each sale are donated to SAVE.org, Suicide Awareness Voices of Education. The mission of SAVE is to prevent suicide through public awareness and education, reduce stigma and serve as a resource to those touched by suicide. Learn more by visiting their website http://www.SAVE.org