Support for a Family After Tragic Loss

Of all the things I imagined in life, I can unequivocally say, what happened this past Wednesday was something I never thought was remotely possible. My family and I lost my younger sister when she decided to take her own life.

To say this has rocked my family to its core is the understatement of my life. I still can’t believe she is gone. Our world is shattered beyond repair and a piece of us died the night she made this unthinkable decision.

As a family, we all knew my sister battled depression for as far back as I can remember. However, none of us knew the depths of what she was dealing with because she simply didn’t tell us. There were no signs, there were no warnings, but now she is gone. My sister and I didn’t always see eye to eye over her 39 years, but regardless, she was my little sister and I loved her more than anything. I would have done anything to prevent this had she told me, but that’s the challenge with mental illness; very often it’s dealt with internally unbeknownst to loved ones until it’s too late.

So here I sit, starting a GoFundMe because my nephews, the younger who turns 4 in a few days, and his 7-year-old brother have a long road ahead of them. I’m still in utter shock that this is our reality and that my sweet, innocent nephews will grow up without their mother.

As a family, we are going to do anything in our power to ensure they are loved and cared for, and to make sure they understand that their mother loved them more than anything. I loved my sister and to honor her I am going to help provide love and support for my nephews for the rest of my life, as is my entire family. While we embark on this unthinkable journey none of us ever expected, I am trying to give my brother-in-law and my nephews one less thing to worry about since my sister and brother-in-law were a two-income family. She had no will in place, no financial backstop, and now my brother-in-law is a single parent with a mountain to climb. Any help we can give him is what my family intends to do. However, if you read this and don’t want to donate or don’t feel comfortable, I understand, but if nothing else, please read this message and think about loved ones in your life that are battling with mental illness. I urge you to do more, ask more questions, and do your best to make them feel loved. I know I could have done more and will live with that regret forever. I can also tell you from personal experience, the natural thought is, “they wouldn’t hurt themselves, they have too much to live for,” until they do.