Friday, January 19, 2024

SUICIDE SORROWS ARE EPIDEMIC

A veil of sadness, loss of purpose and loss of self-worth have descended upon the world. This is causing a rise in severe depression resulting in suicide especially in young people. In the United States the chief cause of death in 10 to 14 year olds is suicide. This is shocking and alarming. Kids whose lives have barely started, are giving up on life.

I noticed I had numerous readers from Singapore. I do not know any readers identity, but this program allows me to see the number of readers from different countries around the world. I was curious to learn why my blog would have so much appeal in Singapore. I learned that suicide is also very prevalent in Singapore, particularly in ages 15 to 39.  Astounding, as well, that persons about to embark on life or in the prime of life are killing themselves. The rate of suicide is up 24% since WWII according to author and Pastor Max Lucado in a recent podcast interview.

I believe these deaths bring unique and added sorrows for the parents in any culture who lose a child through suicide. First of all, why, why, why did this happen? I partly understand the disbelief and confusion that surrounds the parents of children who commit suicide. My son made three suicide attempts with his prescription medications for attention deficit disorder and depression.

We blame ourselves. How Did this happen? How could I not see it? I should have known. What did I do wrong? Why didn't he/she come to me for help? Did anybody know? Are they sure it was suicide? These questions race around parents' heads endlessly. They beg for answers.

If that isn't bad enough, people, even family members, tend not to be as empathetic toward child suicides as for kids dying from accidents, foul play or disease. Almost like they are thinking, "Well, the kid had problems. This is no surprise." It's called disenfranchised grief. So feeling this is not in any parents' imaginations.

Where to start? What to do? Who can help me? I know I need help, but where should I go? The best thing to do is find a grief therapist. One who has experience with suicide deaths. Ask your personal physician for a reference. Call the social work department of your nearest large hospital. Go online. So much medical care today is virtual. Also, if you have other children, they should be in therapy. They may act as if they are all right, but believe me, they are not. 

Then look for a parents' bereavement support group for parents who have lost a child to suicide. Go online to find a group nearest to you. It may mean you will have to try more than one group until one "fits" If lacking the stamina, mental clarity or ability to search out any of the above, ask a trusted relative or friend to help you. Even take you or accompany you if you are a single parent.

Strange as this may sound, medical examiners' offices often have support groups and lists of accredited  therapists. Just call and ask if they can help or know someone or a group that can help. Please do these two things--therapy and support. Sitting alone at home is not going to get you  through this. The grief journey, difficult as it is, is a pro-active process. 

Lack of energy, fatigue and forgetfulness are all a part of grief. Don't be hard on yourself, if these symptoms are problematic. Whether you choose to take medications for anxiety, depression or sleep is a conversation you need to have with your physician and therapist.

Your child's suicide was symptomatic of the fractured world we live in. School bullying, fears of being shot in school, harmful types of social media, gender confusion, violent lyrics of some musical entertainment, violent video games and over-sexualized TV and streaming. All these portray a harmful and confusing world that is unachievable. Fiction is presented as reality.  

Kids today live much of their lives online. It seems to make them ill equipped to want to talk to each other. Know how to relate to each other and to you face to face. The real world is colliding with the online world with very bad results, especially depression and alienation from home and family. There are dark forces online luring kids into a dangerous and disenfranchising cult like worlds. Some groups try to take the place of family. They, promote running away and leaving school for a life of drugs and crime. There are all kinds of predators misrepresenting themselves online.

Unfortunately, few grounding foundations remain for kids to rely on, or feel self esteem, or see a possible role in the world for themselves. And finally, to avoid danger and indoctrination. There seems to be no good or evil. anymore. No right or wrong in this world of relativism. Religious studies and church attendance have plummeted. The Ten Commandments are scorned along with the "golden rule"and the patriotism. Kids can have so many activities, there is never time for family dinners. Love of family, the Pledge of Allegiance, the National anthem, pride in school achievement, love of family values, love of country and love of God or a Higher Power are scoffed at and derided in this "modern" age. There are dangerous indoctrinations taking place at all levels of education. Anxiety lurks with news of wars and terrorism. Children hear much more hatred and fear than kindness and hope through harmful ideologies.

Adult children can have addictions, debt, marriage and relationship troubles and employment difficulties.  Because they are adults, it is difficult for parents to intervene, to get information, to give advice or insist on any relevant treatment. Parents cannot control the actions of an adult child.

I say all this because many parents are blaming themselves for their children's suicides, when they were not to blame at all.You and your child have been facing insurmountable goals in an increasingly hostile world. Any child can fall prey to negative forces. Raising kids during this period in history has become a Herculean task. Trying to guide an adult child can be just as challenging.

Parents, be good to yourselves. Take care of yourselves physically and emotionally. Though this may seem like a great effort, it is a place to start. You will hear words such as closure, moving on and getting over it. These are not applicable to losing a child which is like a book with unfinished chapters and unanswered questions. 

Couples be kind to each other. Women and men grieve differently. Women grieve more outwardly. While men seem to hold things in. Men think they must support their wives or female partners. Women think their male partners are not grieving. While men may feel their wives or partners are overly emotional. This places a great stress on a relationship and is a good reason to be in therapy. The rate of divorce and separation after the death of a child is high. Don't let this happen to you. You need each other now more than ever

Make sure your other children are in positive environments that align with your values. Limit their screen time on all devices. Use as many parental controls as are available. Get involved in suicide prevention efforts. Helping others will help you.

You cannot change what has happened. You must eventually accept you have been dealt a very heavy blow hard to  get out from under. A hole will always remain in your heart. Questions in your mind. Helping other parents to not experience what you have, will help you move forward. Forward to pray, to hope, to ask your child to help you and to watch over you.  To memorialize your child's life in a manner of your choosing. 

There is a choice when your child dies. To let it destroy you or to go on for yourself and for who and what remain in your life. You can still have a productive life. Not the same life, but a life where you can extend a hand to others and find unexpected strength.

To quote Max Lucado, "Rather than despair, do the next decent thing." And, "God never gives up on you."

"But I am in pain and despair. Lift me up, O God, and save me!   Psalm 69 :29

If you or someone you know has thoughts of harming or killing themselves call 988 or 911 immediately in the United States.

In Singapore, call 24/7 Hotline at 1767 or 955 for someone in immediate danger.


I apologize to my faithful readers for not being there for you for an extended period of time. I have been in much physical pain from medical complications following my back surgery. You are always on my mind and with me. Please pray for me that my pain will be relieved and I will pray for you as always.

Love, Rosemarie 


 


Monday, December 25, 2023

CHRISTMAS, REGRETS AND IF ONLY'S

Whenever I watch a crime show on TV, I think of my son. I told him not to go see this young woman he had been dating. I felt his life was in danger. But, he did not listen and went. He was shot and killed. No one was ever charged due to her father's political influence, a corrupt county solicitor and corrupt medical examiner.

So when I see these shows and the efforts some families have gone to for twenty to thirty years, I always question myself. I guess this one show seemed especially painful due to Christmas being here and having just been to the cemetery. 

I told my husband how I was feeling. Chris's death was ruled a suicide. I never believed it, but those in my support circle, family and friends did. My husband was too ill for us to form a plan of action. He died six weeks after Chris. His death was a blessing. He was a very good man and never deserved to suffer as he did. Before Chis's viewing started, I sat down by his coffin. I placed my hands over his. I told Chris, "Chris your job now is to bring Dad home to  heaven." Chris must have heard me because six weeks later, my late husband passed in his sleep.

I told my husband last night, that I could not stand going through a trial. Listening to the defense tell lies about Chris. A good kid who never had so much as a traffic ticket. Nor, could I bear to see any photos of his death scene. Plus, I was very fearful of the young woman's father. He is not a good man. He was formerly president of America's miners' union. A very tough and crime ridden outfit. 

And at the time of Chris's death, he was mayor of a nearby large city. Powerful enough to keep all mention of my son's death out of the media. Powerful enough so when his daughter was fired from her job because of her relationship with Chris, he got her a teaching position with the school district in his city. I was both shocked and amazed by this. No other person with her record would ever have been given this second chance. She was not even state certified to teach in elementary education. Well, as is said, "It's not what you know. It's who you know."

I went on with my husband, "Maybe I should have fought harder. Maybe I shouldn't have let my fear stop me. His advice, "Don't torture yourself with if only's. You can't change what happened. It was not your fault. Don't go on with if only's, you cannot change things now or probably even then."

He is right, of course. I was so spent. So grief stricken. My late husband had been seriously ill for 10 years. In a nursing home for almost three years. I had recently finished chemo for breast cancer and very radical surgery. The two deaths and cancer treatment had all happened in 21 months time. I had nothing left emotionally and physically. I tried three different lawyers. None of whom were optimistic and advised me not to try and pursue getting justice for my son. Easy for them to say. Very hard for me to bear. A very bitter pill to swallow.

What got me through this was my faith in God and Divine Justice. Maybe I could not get earthly justice for Chris, but Divine Justice reigns above all. As a friend tells me often, "God sees everything." It is good for us to believe and remember this.

I am sure all of you reading this have your own sets of "if only's." Hard not to when losing a child. They remain as either small to large scabs in our hearts. Sometimes they bleed. Sometimes they are quiet. But always there. 

Wounds of the heart that implant on our memories and emotions. Ask God or your Higher Power to help you cope. Help you accept. And even help you forgive. Do not let regrets destroy your life. Search and pray for a way you can help other parents. Or find a way to prevent similar deaths. Far better than letting negative thoughts swirl in our mind and consume our beings. We can pray to our children and ask them what to do.

God has let us survive our children. We must find his purpose in doing so. We can't go wrong if we fulfill God's will. I hope this holiday season, no matter which you celebrate, will bring some peace, some resolve and some purpose to all of us. God is always there. 

"But I am in pain and despair; lift me up, O God, and save me!"   Psalm 69: 29


Monday, September 18, 2023

LOST CHILDREN OF MAUI AND GOLD STAR FAMILIES

There is a unique terrible pain when children die  tragically without the parent being with them. This is what happened in Maui and Afghanistan. I was not with my son either when he was killed.

It is very difficult thinking,"I was not there to protect my child. How did he/she die? Did he/she suffer much?What were his/her final moments like?  Did he/she she cry for me? Did he/she think of God? Was he/she gone in an instant and not suffer?" 

On top of all of the above, we are aware of the incompetency, lack of accountability, lack of information, and finally the feelings that we are not being told the truth. My son was shot over the breakup with a young woman who had strong political connections. Her father was the Mayor of the adjoining large city. She lied. Evidence was taken and destroyed. The police, medical examiner and county solicitor were compromised.  They fought me every step of the way just to get the police report and autopsy report.

A former FBI agent who investigated my son's case for me, said as long as the young women and officials continued to lie, along with the lack of physical evidence, it would be impossible to get justice. I wrestled with this with much anguish. I still have doubts that I should have fought harder. But I have come to rely on Divine Justice for the grave misdeeds of others.

But I was one. You are many. If you unite on each of your separate causes, I believe you can succeed. Plus the whole country is watching and behind you. Even the whole world. Most people have an innate sense of fairness. They do not like what has happened to your children and how you have been treated as their parents. More people than you will ever know are behind you. Are praying for you. Keep pressure on the authorities and on the publicity. Get websites. Start a blog. Say what you need. Say who is not helping or is unresponsive. 

You have been strong, though, I know you each have personal moments of grief and despair when alone and during the night. Do not give up. Justice comes to those who wait. And remember, Divine Justice is far harsher than anything man can impose. Say to your child, "May you rest in God's hands until we meet again."

Martin Luther King said, "No lie lives forever." Hold onto that. I know many thoughts keep swirling in your mind. You can try this. Write down each concern, fear, doubt, anger on an individual slip of paper.  Put them in a box of your choosing. Place the box in a safe, private place. When your mind becomes tortured with every doubt and fear, calm yourself. Say, "All is safe in my box. All will be answered, not in this moment, but in due time." Hang onto hope to believe in your cause as you push others to account to you. God bless.

"I prayed to the Lord and He answered me; He freed me from all my fears."

"The oppressed look to Him and are glad; they will never be disappointed."

"The helpless call to Him and He answers; He saves them from all their troubles."

"His angels guard those who honor the Lord and rescues them from danger."  Psalm 34  4-7

Praying for you to have, strength, peace and success in your missions,                                                           

Love, Rosemarie

www.rosemariekauppauthor.com





Wednesday, August 16, 2023

EXHAUSTION

Losing a child brings an overwhelming fatigue---exhaustion. Plus, inability to concentrate, memory problems and feelings of despair. All of which make our exhaustion worse. Every simple task is like climbing a mountain. Even getting enough energy to get out of bed or up from a chair seems impossible. How can we possibly move and break this spell of inertia. We know we should be doing at least the everyday things, but how? 

Knowing and doing are two different things. Yet, we must venture out of our protective shells to interact with society again, pay bills, wash clothes, take a shower, care for living kids,  prepare meals, walk the dog, interact with your spouse or significant other, and eventually go back to work. Accept and get help where and when you can. Start with something simple like brushing your teeth. See if you can keep going or must go back to the couch or bed. That's all right. You made a start.

Next time, eat something. Something  easy to prepare and soft to eat. Or have a nutritional supplement to drink or pudding. If you can manage it, a nutritional snack bar. Accept offers of people to make food for you and your family. Keep juice, water or herbal tea by your bed or chair. If you don't have these foods you can eat ask someone to get them for you at the store.

I suggest seeing your primary care doctor to make sure nothing untoward is going on physically. That the stress of losing your child has not caused old problems to worsen or new ones to surface. This may mean some tests or a referral to a specialist. It is important to take care of yourself even though you would rather just give up. We cannot and should not choose our time, so make sure you do not compound your problems.

When I saw my primary care doctor, I shared with him that I was seeing a psychologist weekly. He said he did not care how I got there weekly, even if I had to crawl, but he wanted me in that psychologist's office every week. I assured him I would go and work with the psychologist. I also joined a bereavement support group run by a nun with a degree in pastoral care. The group was excellent. There were two other sets of parents who had lost teen-aged children. It was very helpful to talk with other parents going through the same thing. In fact, Sister said it was very necessary to help process my own loss.

About support groups. I would say go to one run by a professional trained in grief and loss. There are many groups run by well intentioned lay people that may or may not be helpful. If such a group is helping you, fine. If not, see if you can find a professionally run group by calling your local hospital social services office, community outreach office. Search on the internet for grief support groups in general, or drug overdoses, or suicide near you. Put in a zip code. If you can, get a recommendation that the proposed group is well run and helpful. If this is too much for you, ask a family member to make the calls or search for you. 

I would highly recommend if you have your living children, get them in grief support. Many hospitals offer such groups for children and adolescents. Kids may not really tell you how they are feeling because they don't want to upset you. They are more likely to open up in a group with a social worker or psychologist who is a stranger. It is always good to set up a "spy system" with a trusted adult relative or adult friend who you child is comfortable talking to. They can have a conversation with your child, then report back to you anything which is worrisome or what may be going on with your kid as far as problems or grieving.

This counseling is very important even if your child was not close to their deceased sibling or they did not get along. In fact it may be even more important in such a case. Medical examiner's offices also offer professional counseling for family members who have lost a child as a result of a crime. You might want to check this out if you have been affected by this type of loss of your child.

I have been setting one task a day to get done besides my personal care---a phone call or appointment I need to make, organizing a drawer, writing some especially in a journal, taking a short walk, doing some exercises even if you only get up once an hour to walk for five minutes, make a simple recipe---a favorite of yours or your family's, Read, pray, meditate for several minutes. Don't make it complicated, too large, or too time consuming. Start out small. Staying there is okay as long as we keep doing something each day. Now is not the time to organize every closet in the house. Don't even try it and don't feel guilty about it.

Start out small and gradually more energy will return. This helps memory and concentration improve as well. Remember, "Rome wasn't built in a day." Grief recovery requires the same approach. I know it is hard, but hang in there. Better days will come.

"I was afraid He had driven me out of His presence. But He heard my cry, when I called to Him for help."   Psalm 31: 22


Love , peace, strength for you all,

Rosemarie

If you have any thoughts of harming yourself, call 988 or 911 for help immediately!



Monday, May 22, 2023

COURAGE

It takes courage for us as parents to go on with our lives after losing our children. What is courage?Courage is strength and fortitude. It takes faith and trust in God or your Higher Power to find courage during the most terrible times in our lives. 

It takes courage and faith to realize that whatever trials or tragedies that brought about our children's deaths are now over. It takes prayer and faith to accept that our children are at peace. They are no longer suffering. They are safe. It takes courage to accept this. Of course, we would much rather have our children physically with us. But that was not meant to be for reasons we do not understand. We must seek faith, strength and understanding to get from feelings of desperation to an acceptance of this terrible loss which has happened.

Acceptance and courage do not happen overnight. It takes time and going through a gradual process. Even if your mind is so scattered and distracted, say to yourself each day, "I will find the strength and fortitude to go on. I will find the courage I need. My child is safe and at peace." Gradually we find that our lives improves somewhat. And keeps improving bit by bit.

In the beginning we find ourselves thinking, "My life is over." It is not. The death of our children is an event we never "get over." There will always be a hole in our hearts for our missing children. But, our hearts will also always be filled with love for our missing children. Gradually the hole becomes a bearable ache. Like the lessening of physical pain.

What may seem impossible today, may seem possible tomorrow or many days from now. Strength and fortitude will come. We can find the courage to go on after this terrible blow. We must set our minds to this. We must ask God or our Higher Power for the courage we will need. It will come. We can come out of the imprisonment of our desperate shell to new lives. Not one we planned, but one that has learned to survive and move forward from a terrible blow.

                                    "....The human heart and mind are a mystery."  Psalm: 64: 6

With encouragement, prayer and love to you,

Rosemarie

website: www.rosemariekauppauthor.com

         If you have thoughts of harming or killing yourself, please call 988 or 911 immediately for help.


Friday, May 12, 2023

STRUGGLING ON MOTHER'S DAY

On top of Mother's Day looming, lately, I have been having a hard time. Tomorrow will be three months since my back surgery. It seems I have been dealing with some serious kind of pain or another for the last three months. Mental and physical exhaustion and grief are not a good combination. A vicious circle most of us have experienced.

Again I asked God, "Have I not suffered enough? "I keep picturing the images of Christ in the light and our meditation circle holding each other up. But, I still don't like this nagging feeling of wanting to give up. Not wanting to get out of bed or wanting to hide in the closet. And Sunday is Mother's Day. I think I will read some healing prayers and Psalms. Maybe listen to some guitar music. Look at photos.

Never an easy day for those who have lost our children. Not sure if I want to go to the cemetery. For those mother's who have living children,  you don't want to spoil the day for your other kids with gloom for the one who is missing. You are pulled in two directions. I suggest a smaller, quieter, shorter event. Going to religious services. A nice walk where there is water or gardens. A toast to your missing son or daughter at dinner. Whatever your choice, please do not choose being alone. If you have no immediate family, make plans with a friend or another relative.

I am fortunate that two of my stepchildren and one step-grandchild have taken to me as "Mom" and "Grandma." It has truly touched my heart. I have to repeat my own advice to myself, "Remember who and what we have left in our lives." Yet, sitting here, I am overwhelmed by all the mothers and fathers who have lost children recently to violence and drugs. I remember the words of my aunt, "Why does life have to be so hard?"

I know there is no such thing as an easy life, but more and more I am asking God if He could just ease off a little bit? I lost a child and even a husband. I paid my dues. Maybe You have me confused with someone else. Check your Big Book, God. Might be someone with the same name. Not that I am wishing ill on anyone else. I just want a break from pain rotating from one spot to another and the grace to get through Mother's Day. Feel free to borrow my informal prayer.

Having my new husband has kept me going. I do not want him to be alone. Before my surgery, I even asked my daughter-in-law (his daughter) to promise me if anything happened, she and her one brother would take care of "Pop." I added I never wanted him to be alone. He means so much to me. I suppose with my blessings, I have to accept my struggles. 

And so it is. Take an inventory of your blessings this Mother's Day. A spouse, significant other, living children and grandchildren, reasonably good health, friends, food, an affectionate pet, a garden, a talent, a home, a livelihood, a business, a car or freedom from financial worries. There are millions of people around the world who have none of this. 

Neither our blessings or their troubles can bring back our deceased children. But we must go with what we've got. It's called "acceptance." Hard as it may be to achieve inch by inch. The one thing we can never do, is go back. So we must push, and I mean push, forward.

May we all receive the support and graces we need on this Mother's Day.

                     "But I am in pain and despair; Lift me up, O God, and save me!"  Psalm 69: 29

With love, deep thoughts and prayer,

Rosemarie

           If you have any thoughts of harming or killing yourself, please call 988 or 911 immediately.



Monday, May 8, 2023

LONELINESS AFTER LOSING A CHILD

Loneliness is defined as feeling alone, miserable or isolated. These feelings take on a new dimension after losing a child. First, there is the permanence of losing our children. We know they are not coming back. Then all sorts of "never agains" can come flooding into our minds.

One of my firsts was knowing I would never hear my son, Chris, play the guitar again. When he was home, he was always strumming on his guitar. Playing this or that. Asking me which chords sounded better. When he died, I could not listen to any music in the house for over a year.

So many other familiar things were gone as well. His greetings: "Hi, Mom." His calling on the phone and saying, "Hi Mom, this is Chris." It always amused me because he was my only child so if he said, "Hi, Mom," who else would it be?

The familiar footsteps coming up the stairs if he was late coming home. My dog Amber and I always took that for granted. But after a friend of Chris' visited, Amber switched to the corner of the bed where she could watch the stairs. She remained on that corner every night until the day she died seven years later. I supposed she missed him saying,"Amber, you are the little sister I never had."

If I was laying down in the afternoon, Amber was on the bed with me. If Chris would come home, he would sit on the bed and pet her and talk to her. Sitting between us, Amber always gave this huge happy sounding yawn. That stopped after Chris was gone. She never did it again.

I miss the constant interruptions of his asking me how to set the washer to launder this or that particular item of clothing. I miss going to the diner with him for breakfast or lunch. Meals out became solo. I miss his wonderful sense of humor. His great laugh. His sensitivity. His keen perception. I miss his funny stories. I miss his hilarious imitations of different people. I miss having his friends around. I miss our closeness. I miss our heart to heart talks. I miss his love and affection. I miss him helping me.

I miss who he would have become. He had just finished a trade course and training in printing. Would he have continued to pursue this? Would he have married? Had kids? Started his own business? With his life cut short, I will never know. Yes, the terrible, surprising and unexpected are what happen when we are hoping for other plans. 

The everyday losses and the possible future losses bring a permanent kind of loneliness. Yes, a loneliness that can isolate us in our thoughts, regrets and what if's. Right onto the path of misery. Can we turn this picture over to memories and happy moments instead of the permanence of loss? Yes, it's a heavy lift. But let's imagine we are all doing this together with our fondest memories. And our faith in being reunited with our children in God's good time.

Seek help. Get help. Give help. Despite our loneliness, we are not alone. There are far too many bereaved parents like us. We must sit quietly and tap into each other's pain, strength and determination to move forward bit by bit. Picture a large circle of parents of all ages. We are holding hands and looking skyward on a warm, sunny day. Hoping to move along on this slow journey. But, move along we can.

We will remember the good we had and who and what remain in our lives and our angel children.

    "Trust in God at all times, my people. Tell Him all your troubles, for He is our refuge."  Psalm 62: 8

My love, thoughts and prayers for you all,

Rosemarie

      If you have thoughts of harming yourself or ending your life, call 988 or 911 immediately for help.