Category Archives: parents

Will it get better?

Posted on January 17, 2019 by annwae

I often get emails from desperate parents who have lost their child to suicide recently, and the first thing they ask is ‘Will it get better?’ In the early weeks and months this is all you really want to hear. … Continue reading →

Posted in bereavement, Grief, Healing, Loss, parents, suicide | 4 Comments

Happy Birthday

Posted on December 22, 2018 by annwae

Dear Toby, This year you would be 31 in earth years, born 22nd December 1987 in the early hours of the morning in Good Samaritan hospital in Phoenix, Arizona. You were due on the 29th but came a week early … Continue reading →

Posted in bereavement, Christmas, guilt, Loss, parents, suicide | 10 Comments

Dear Toby

Posted on December 22, 2017 by annwae

Dear Toby, It is your 30th birthday today, it is always a bit confusing on birthdays – should I celebrate or cry all day? I still think of you as my little boy, I lost you when you were 23, … Continue reading →

Posted in bereavement, gratitude, Grief, guilt, Healing, Loss, parents, suicide | 12 Comments

That time of year again

Posted on December 19, 2017 by annwae

Well it’s that time of year again and I usually just regurgitate my blog about how to survive Christmas after the loss of a loved one, but it doesn’t feel appropriate anymore. A better blog would be how to survive … Continue reading →

Posted in bereavement, Christmas, Grief, Healing, Loss, parents, suicide | 8 Comments

A bright shining star

Posted on September 7, 2014 by annwae

So I have had a bit of ‘writer’s block’ this summer, and haven’t written much at all. I was prompted to write something when Robin Williams died and this week I have been touched by the story of a grieving … Continue reading →

Posted in bereavement, Grief, guilt, Healing, Loss, parents, suicide | 2 Comments

Mother’s Day takes on a new significance after the loss of a child

Posted on March 30, 2014 by annwae

After the loss of a child it can be difficult to get through all the special days; birthdays, anniversaries, Christmas. But Mother’s Day is especially difficult. We are surrounded by fluffy images of Mums and children and all our friends … Continue reading →

Posted in Grief, Loss, parents, Uncategorized | 6 Comments

Will I ever get over the guilt?

Posted on February 4, 2014 by annwae

‘GUILT. Guilt comes from a mistaken belief that we could have, or should have, prevented the death from happening, or from regret over irreconciled aspects of the relationship. In truth, we all do the best we can given our human … Continue reading →

Posted in bereavement, Grief, guilt, Healing, Loss, parents, suicide | 80 Comments

Awakening from a coma

Posted on July 28, 2013 by annwae

It’s been just over two years since I encountered the life shattering tragedy of losing my son Toby to suicide. I have spoken before about the trauma being like a brain injury, everything I knew, believed in and valued was … Continue reading →

Posted in bereavement, gratitude, Grief, Healing, Loss, parents, suicide | 22 Comments

I hope you had the time of your life

Posted on April 7, 2013 by annwae

I remember distinctly the first time I heard this song. I was watching a documentary on BBC2 about a family who had a son who was autistic. He got so distressed by eveyday life, they had moved to some remote … Continue reading →

Posted in bereavement, Grief, Healing, Loss, parents, suicide, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

If only we could bottle memories

Posted on December 30, 2012 by annwae

I wonder if in these futuristic times in which we live, we will ever be able to store up feelings and memories and then re-experience them in virtual reality. One of the recurring statements I hear from people who have lost … Continue reading →

Posted in bereavement, Grief, Loss, parents, suicide, Uncategorized | 3 Comments