Chronic Illness · Communicating · Family · Health and Wellbeing · Medical · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health · Mental Illness · Moving Forward · Self-Care · Survivor · Trauma

Happy Birthday Daddy 1940-1992

The morning after you killed yourself, we went to secure the house. I knew immediately you suffered slowly. Among the papers, trash, and clothes  and I found your lockbox. The divorce paperwork to my mother, every card I gave you as a child. I found the pad you were writing on. Your Bible on the coffee table, dried tears as you were reading Job in the Bible.

The note had 11:30 a.m. written in the corner. I could see you called your best friend and the phone number to a suicide line. There were words and a drawing that made no sense. Granny paralyzed, crying, asking why. The house ransacked, nothing anything made sense to her.

Dirty dishes piled high, nothing in the refrigerator, how did you live like this, how long? You phoned me several times in the months before your death. Delusional and highly paranoid each time. Someone was tapping your phone, they were trying to get you and the rest I could not understand, you were already gone. As much as I hated you, I cried, begged you not to kill yourself, trying to reason with him that Granny would never be the same. I paid your bills for months. You weren’t in touch with reality.

The outcome will not change if determined. I knew you would take your life and told no-one. I’ve wondered what went through your mind in the hours doodling to writing the note, then killing yourself. I received the call at 10:00 p.m., Gramps said your dad has done away with himself. I called right back to see if you were dead or going to the hospital.

The boxes of cassettes next to your bed, taking months to listen to. You were mentally ill, not under the care of a Psychiatrist, no medications. Your temper went 1-10 in seconds, obnoxious, loud, racist, screaming, out of control.

 

 

You had hit the bottom and I didn’t know because we were estranged,

I’ve experienced being suicidal more than once, God and my husband saved me. If you are thinking about suiside, call your Psychiatrist right away or go to closet hospital, be open with your doctor and follow all medications instructions, these actions may save your life. I’ve stayed in Psychistratic Hospitals multiple times, I had 21 ECT Treatments, and I feel no shame. My mental heath is critical to living a balanced life.

I think of you one day a year.

Melinda

Reposted

Celebrate Life · Communicating · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health

Mark the anniversary of the 988 Lifeline by taking action today!

Action is needed!

Melnda,  

Three years ago, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline launched to connect people in emotional distress with trained crisis counselors – 24/7, free, and confidential. Since then, 988 has fielded about 16.5 million calls, texts, and chats from people needing urgent support. But a crisis resource like 988 is only as strong as the resources we give to it. Congress must continue to invest in 988 to ensure it’s there when people need it most. That means more capacity at local crisis centers, more training for staff, and more availability of follow-up services that can save lives. Take 2 minutes today to urge your members of Congress to support robust federal funding for 988.
Take Action
Together, we can protect and strengthen this vital service. According to today’s new poll from NAMI and Ipsos, 86% of Americans believe that funding 988 should be a priority for Congress. Let’s make sure we tell Congress how much we care about continuing to build and improve 988 and crisis services. Read more about the poll here.

Melinda

Reference:

 nami.org
Celebrate Life · Communicating · Fun · Health and Wellbeing · History · Men & Womens Health

Daily Writing Prompt

Daily writing prompt
If you could host a dinner and anyone you invite was sure to come, who would you invite?

My dinner party would be non-traditional in that each guest is deceased. First it would be multiple parties to talk with everyone I have questions for. The first party would include Jesus, The Virgin Mother, Peter, and Moses. Each shaped my would profoundly and I would love to expaned on certain topics I’m not clear on. I believe Jesus has the ability to see present day but not so much the others. I would love to hear Jesus take on the world today and his new rally cry to Christains. Since the Bible is the foundation of the Christain religion, Jesus might not have anything else to add.

Melinda

Looking for the Light

Celebrate Life · Communicating · Family · Fun · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health

Daily Writing Prompt

Daily writing prompt
What’s your definition of romantic?

It’s hard to define romantic because romance is different to everyone. Romance has to be pure without an agenda or expecting something in return. The action makes you happy as well, meaning that you are happy because they are happy. Romance doesn’t have a price tag or have to be a big deal, a hug or helping to fold clothes works great for me.

Melinda

Looking for the Light

Celebrate Life · Communicating · Fun · Men & Womens Health

Daily Writing Prompt

Daily writing prompt
How do you express your gratitude?

Gratitude is easy to express, from saying thank you, giving hugs, letting people know you appreciate them or sending a card or text. I’m a card person myself, it feels extra special to me.

Melinda

Looking for the Light

Celebrate Life · Communicating · Health and Wellbeing · Medical · Men & Womens Health

July Awareness Months

Summer is picking up speed and July brings us new awareness. If you want to see the complete list that included awareness days, click HERE.

Disability Pride Month

Minority Mental Health Awareness Month

National Cleft & Craniofacial Awareness & Prevention Month

Plastic Free July

Sarcoma and Bone Cancer Awareness Month

UV Safety Awareness Month

Wild About Wildlife Month

Take good care.

Melinda

Reference:

https://www.goodgoodgood.co/articles/july-awareness-days-months

Communicating · Health and Wellbeing · Medical · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health · Mental Illness

Would You Recognize The Signs That Someone May Be Contemplating Suicide?

Years ago my father’s roommate committed suicide in his bedroom. The signs were clear but my father had no idea. The roommate woke up one morning and mowed the yard, cleaned the house, he returned everything he had borrowed including money owed. He then went to his bedroom and didn’t come out for hours. For reasons unknown to me my father went to check on his gun and it was missing. He knocked on the door repeatedly with no answer. Growing concerned he called the police, the moment the police breached the door the gun went off.

Being familiar with the signs that someone may be in a mental health crisis may save their life, the key is understanding the signs and knowing how to approach the conversations. This is not an easy task and often you will not be let in. That should not stop us from trying. This is a very fragile time and it takes great empathy, patience, and understanding to help someone in crisis. This is not a short-term, wham-bang fix and doesn’t involve your ego.

These are warning signs shared by The National Institute of  Mental Health.

 

Presents behaviors and feelings that may be warnings signs that someone is thinking about suicide. Points to www.nimh.nih.gov/suicideprevention.

 

In the post How To Start A Conversation About Suicide, Jeremy Forbes has done a great job in his TED Talk video, check it out.

I hope you or someone you care about doesn’t ever reach the point of planning suicide, please reach out or be the person who tries hard to help.

Melinda

Celebrate Life · Communicating · Family · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health

Daily Writing Prompt

Daily writing prompt
List the people you admire and look to for advice…

My Grandparents had learned so much in their lifespan, and I always sought their advice. My husband is my trusted partner for advice for close to 23 years, and the only person I’ve turned to since my Grandparents died.

Have a great day.

Melinda

Looking for the Light

Celebrate Life · Chronic Illness · Communicating · Health and Wellbeing · Medical · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health

May Awareness Month

May is packed with awareness topics and there are too many to list, you can find the entire list HERE.

ALS Awareness Month

American Stroke Awareness Month

Arthritis Awareness Month

Bladder Cancer Awareness Month

Borderline Personality Disorder Awareness Month

Brain Cancer Awareness Month

Fibromyalgia Awareness Month

Gardening for Wildlife Month

Lyme Disease Awareness Month

Melinda

Looking for the Light 

Reference:

https://www.goodgoodgood.co/articles/may-awareness-days-months

Celebrate Life · Communicating · Family · Health and Wellbeing · Internet Good/Bad · Mental Health

What I’ve Learned In 61 Years Part 10

Fewer and fewer companies follow through on their commitments. We had a new grill delivered today and it required two people to haul away the old grill. They only sent one person and my husband had to lift the heavy old grill to the front of the house. I can be a hard ass but if you commit then follow through.

There is no reason for children to have a phone at school. They are a distraction to listening in class. Parents do not need to call to chit-chat or ask questions during school hours. If it’s something pressing, call the Principle. Some will say they need them in case of a school shooting, BS. The kids need to focus on the teacher and the directions given to them from the Safety Plan.

Give kids wings, they will build confidence by making their own choices.

These were heartbreaking news stories. Recently three small children were out after dark, I mean late night. All three didn’t go to the crosswalk and all were hit by cars. None lived. This a lesson for parents, young children do not need to be out alone after dark.

If you notice a different behavior in your kids, watch closely. Has their language changed? or running with a different crowd? Talking about dark subjects? This is a good time to check out their social media accounts and the people they follow. Many times the police have found that social media accounts have clues or even threats. This may give you a better idea of what is happening in their life. Help your child before they ruin their life and the lives of others. Most importantly keep all guns in the house with a safely lock on them and locked in a safe your kids do not know the combination to.

When you call a company ask and write their name down. Over the last month, my husband has been dealing with our new medical insurance company who’s giving a different wrong answer every time he calls. It makes it harder to bump up the call and share who you’ve talked to if you don’t have names. Today he was told that the system was broken. I’m sure that is not what she meant.

Melinda

Looking for the Light