After my brother Danny committed suicide, my family kept it quiet. This was ten years ago and it still haunts me. We said he died from the bottle, which was a major part of it. Your writing and your amazing book show me that I am not alone. And the purpose of my writing is for others to feel a similar sense of belonging, of being seen, felt and heard. Thanks, Meg! I sure hope I get to meet you someday!
I hope I get to meet you, too, Nancy. Sorry that we are in the same club but it’s nice knowing that you are out there and we can lean on each other. 🎈💕
I want to write down so many of your sentences to hold them close to my heart. You showed us so many facets of Nancy and Danny and by doing that, you provided a tapestry and a substantial counterweight to the cause of their deaths. Suicide can rob a person of those facets and their humanity, reducing them to an act. It takes bravery storytelling to breathe well deserved color and dimension back into their picture. Thank you for bringing Nancy’s and Danny’s vibrant colors into the picture.
I adore your writing, Meg! It’s so powerful, the real rubber that’s meeting the real shit. Our teens our FAMILIES & their mental health. Whether it’s a psychotic break or a balloon…the cries of alarm, May inklings, meltdowns & even the quiet periods have us NOT relaxing. Happy Mother’s Day weekend!
I’m so sorry I missed you in Waukesha. I will catch up with you though. Let’s just hug all the kids & everyone we can this week. No matter what, it all goes too fast. God bless all here.
"This what writers to. We try to make sense of the world by describing what we see and how we feel. If the unexamined life is not worth living, doesn’t it follow that the unexamined death would also be rendered meaningless?"
Meg, you state so well what it is we are doing in writing about our deceased loved ones and why.
It feels like synchronicity that here is the third place in the last few days where I've come across the Socrates maxim on the unexamined life--first in a Ted Gioia post, then in a CAC/Richard Rohr podcast on the Enneagram, and now here, in your latest insightful essay. Thank you, my friend. And Happy Mother's Day!
Thanks for bringing this to my attention Meg. Jim and Marybeth are two of the most wonderful people that I have known in my life. I was not aware of this book but instantly bought it. My heart goes out to them and as always, I ask myself why do bad things happen to such good people? It has been years since they moved away but I’ve never forgotten how much fun I had with them. Meg, what are the correct words to say to this couple who have experienced such a loss?
What a great question, Gabs. I think people just want to know that others are thinking of them and are sorry for their loss. I keep thinking of our old St. Francis days and all those big, fun families. Lots of joy, but some tragedies, too. I’ve learned how important it is for all of us to make space for all of the above. Your family has always done that with so much grace, warmth and generosity. 💕
After my brother Danny committed suicide, my family kept it quiet. This was ten years ago and it still haunts me. We said he died from the bottle, which was a major part of it. Your writing and your amazing book show me that I am not alone. And the purpose of my writing is for others to feel a similar sense of belonging, of being seen, felt and heard. Thanks, Meg! I sure hope I get to meet you someday!
I hope I get to meet you, too, Nancy. Sorry that we are in the same club but it’s nice knowing that you are out there and we can lean on each other. 🎈💕
I want to write down so many of your sentences to hold them close to my heart. You showed us so many facets of Nancy and Danny and by doing that, you provided a tapestry and a substantial counterweight to the cause of their deaths. Suicide can rob a person of those facets and their humanity, reducing them to an act. It takes bravery storytelling to breathe well deserved color and dimension back into their picture. Thank you for bringing Nancy’s and Danny’s vibrant colors into the picture.
Susan, you inspire me in so many ways. Our friendship may have been bonded by sorrow but it brings me great joy. One of life’s many paradoxes. 👯♀️💕🎈
Happy Mother’s Day all.
I adore your writing, Meg! It’s so powerful, the real rubber that’s meeting the real shit. Our teens our FAMILIES & their mental health. Whether it’s a psychotic break or a balloon…the cries of alarm, May inklings, meltdowns & even the quiet periods have us NOT relaxing. Happy Mother’s Day weekend!
I’m so sorry I missed you in Waukesha. I will catch up with you though. Let’s just hug all the kids & everyone we can this week. No matter what, it all goes too fast. God bless all here.
Thank you Pegs! Love this: let’s just hug all the kids and everyone we can this week. 🎈💕
When something like the balloon getting loose happened to my grandaughter she said "I'm sad, but I'll get over it." Wise words from a then 4 year old.
Hilarious! I need to be more like your granddaughter
Magnificent is the world that tries so hard to capture what you’ve written here. But of course it only grasps a portion of what I mean….
Oh, you clever girl. Thank you 😘🎈💕
Oh Meg, this is so beautiful, thank you.
"This what writers to. We try to make sense of the world by describing what we see and how we feel. If the unexamined life is not worth living, doesn’t it follow that the unexamined death would also be rendered meaningless?"
Meg, you state so well what it is we are doing in writing about our deceased loved ones and why.
It feels like synchronicity that here is the third place in the last few days where I've come across the Socrates maxim on the unexamined life--first in a Ted Gioia post, then in a CAC/Richard Rohr podcast on the Enneagram, and now here, in your latest insightful essay. Thank you, my friend. And Happy Mother's Day!
I adore your writing, Meg! It’s so owerful,
Thanks for bringing this to my attention Meg. Jim and Marybeth are two of the most wonderful people that I have known in my life. I was not aware of this book but instantly bought it. My heart goes out to them and as always, I ask myself why do bad things happen to such good people? It has been years since they moved away but I’ve never forgotten how much fun I had with them. Meg, what are the correct words to say to this couple who have experienced such a loss?
What a great question, Gabs. I think people just want to know that others are thinking of them and are sorry for their loss. I keep thinking of our old St. Francis days and all those big, fun families. Lots of joy, but some tragedies, too. I’ve learned how important it is for all of us to make space for all of the above. Your family has always done that with so much grace, warmth and generosity. 💕