The Words That Gave Me a Sliver of Hope After My Daughter's Suicide
Editor's Note
If you experience suicidal thoughts or have lost someone to suicide, the following post could be potentially triggering. You can contact the Crisis Text Line by texting “START” to 741741.
When my daughter died by suicide in March of 2016, I never imagined the colors would come back to life again. I never imagined I would ever see or feel joy again. I never thought I would be able to remember her without totally breaking down and crying.
One day, I received a message from someone at my church after mass. She too had lost a child and she offered a statement I didn’t realize would impact me so much at the time. She told me, “There will come a day when you will remember your daughter lived and not just that she died.” I thought to myself, this is not possible, I will always remember that my daughter died!
As I approach the second anniversary of my daughter’s passing, I can say this wonderfully kind woman is right. Not only can I see the colors of the world again, I can feel joy, and I do remember that my girl lived and not just that she is gone.
So to this lovely woman from church, you were right… and I thank you so much for giving me that sliver of hope, even when I couldn’t see it.
Photo via contributor
My name is Angela Drake. I am a mother of 2 girls. Sadly, my oldest daughter Brittany lost a very long battle with depression and died by suicide on March 24, 2016. I will continue to be an advocate for mental health and suicide prevention. My youngest daughter Brianna, “Butchie” and I continue to grieve and lean on each other trying to find our way through this very different world without Brittany.
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