Thank you so much for this. I have spent 14 years doing volunteer bereavement work for people who have lost their children, their spouses, their parents, their siblings, their pets, or significant relationships.. I started it because in 2004 I lost my 23 year old son to suicide. The grief was almost unbearable, but I survived and experienced what some others have also, which is called Post Traumatic Growth. I tell people (but only when they’re ready to hear it) that from my greatest loss, I got my greatest gifts. Of course, one might think that the gift was my ability to help others. And it indeed was. But what I know now, and did not know then, was that as I was healing others, I was also healing myself. I’m a grandmother now and I’m launching my own solo practice at a time in my life when I thought I would be sitting by the beach! It was actually hard for me to make the decision to move from being a volunteer, which I will continue to do, to starting a practice. But I have done this work for 14 years, at least four hours, a day, six … sometimes seven days a week. I feel that I have honored my sons memory every day, and I hope to continue to do so. Sadly, or perhaps not so sadly, I’m at a place where I’m finally leaving the alcoholic I have been tethered to for decades. That is going to require some income on my part, but it will be doing something I love. So many people are suffering. So many people have new or unresolved traumas. So many people are experiencing losses, and are in great pain and not sure how to cope. What you have done by discussing these topics with your wonderful guests, and by writing about such matters is making people aware that their is hope their future, You touch my heart. Thank you so much for that. PS. I’ve recently bought a bracelet that’s a little silver piece on a black leather band. On it is written, ‘Remember Who the F*** You Are.’ I wear it daily.
Wow, Suzi, what a story! Thank you so much for sharing, and I am so sorry for the loss of your son. May he rest in peace and be with the light!!! I am sending you love
Proud of you, Suzi!!! The positive side of trauma is that survivors can be of tremendous help to others. I lost my own son to suicide in 2012 and, so, can empathize and sympathize. My own experience blasted me into a completely different path from my previous 30+ year as an ophthalmologist... Have been working within cannabis medicine since and 80-90% of the people I see are suffering from PTSD (usually un-diagnosed by mainstream medicine). BTW, also dealt with ending a 40 year marriage to an alcoholic myself... Hard to deal with...
Thanks to Tessa, too, for your voice and the interview with Dr. Straughn! Though, I am an Army vet (1971-1981), she has me beat on experience, expertise, and service...
Wow, Doc, talk about Post Traumatic Growth… you’ve embodied it. I’m so sorry for all your pain, but I thank you for all of your service to others. Sending you lots of love.
Thank you so much for this. I have spent 14 years doing volunteer bereavement work for people who have lost their children, their spouses, their parents, their siblings, their pets, or significant relationships.. I started it because in 2004 I lost my 23 year old son to suicide. The grief was almost unbearable, but I survived and experienced what some others have also, which is called Post Traumatic Growth. I tell people (but only when they’re ready to hear it) that from my greatest loss, I got my greatest gifts. Of course, one might think that the gift was my ability to help others. And it indeed was. But what I know now, and did not know then, was that as I was healing others, I was also healing myself. I’m a grandmother now and I’m launching my own solo practice at a time in my life when I thought I would be sitting by the beach! It was actually hard for me to make the decision to move from being a volunteer, which I will continue to do, to starting a practice. But I have done this work for 14 years, at least four hours, a day, six … sometimes seven days a week. I feel that I have honored my sons memory every day, and I hope to continue to do so. Sadly, or perhaps not so sadly, I’m at a place where I’m finally leaving the alcoholic I have been tethered to for decades. That is going to require some income on my part, but it will be doing something I love. So many people are suffering. So many people have new or unresolved traumas. So many people are experiencing losses, and are in great pain and not sure how to cope. What you have done by discussing these topics with your wonderful guests, and by writing about such matters is making people aware that their is hope their future, You touch my heart. Thank you so much for that. PS. I’ve recently bought a bracelet that’s a little silver piece on a black leather band. On it is written, ‘Remember Who the F*** You Are.’ I wear it daily.
Wow, Suzi, what a story! Thank you so much for sharing, and I am so sorry for the loss of your son. May he rest in peace and be with the light!!! I am sending you love
Thank you, Tessa. Alex is with me every day. He sometimes says to me that I’m in a movie down here, but that he’s HOME. I love that.
Proud of you, Suzi!!! The positive side of trauma is that survivors can be of tremendous help to others. I lost my own son to suicide in 2012 and, so, can empathize and sympathize. My own experience blasted me into a completely different path from my previous 30+ year as an ophthalmologist... Have been working within cannabis medicine since and 80-90% of the people I see are suffering from PTSD (usually un-diagnosed by mainstream medicine). BTW, also dealt with ending a 40 year marriage to an alcoholic myself... Hard to deal with...
Thanks to Tessa, too, for your voice and the interview with Dr. Straughn! Though, I am an Army vet (1971-1981), she has me beat on experience, expertise, and service...
Wow, Doc, talk about Post Traumatic Growth… you’ve embodied it. I’m so sorry for all your pain, but I thank you for all of your service to others. Sending you lots of love.
Back at you, kid! PTG is more like PT Aging in my case... Peace and hope!
Life IS a PTSD event, some folks just get triple helpings...