Wow!

kacarter1017 · July 2011

Wasn't sure where to put this... just got back from our week at a resort in northern MN...a place we have been going for 14 years. As my children got older, they each got to bring a friend with. My son brought the same friend for 6 or 7 years; Nate added so much to our week! Wonderful smile, great helper, terrific attitude. March 1, at the age of 15, he committed suicide. I can't begin to explain what the last 4 months have been like. This was my son's best friend- in fact they saw each other as brothers.

We knew this vacation would be different without Nate, but we also knew we still wanted to go...we NEEDED to go. Several other families are "veterans" of the same week at this resort. I consider them friends. It was with a heavy heart that I told them what happened to Nate. There were tears and hugs. There was a lot of wonderful reminiscing done this last week with these friends. It was SO healing!

I've lost 40+ pounds since we were there last year; many of these friends are also exercise believers (which I"ve always been) and were very supportive of my increased exercise plan. They knew that Nate had come with me on many bike rides on the trail and on the days I rode, at least one of them rode with me. Again, some tears, some laughs, and some healing. These guys are in super shape, so I'm sure they didn't get quite the workout they would have typically got and this fact made it that much more touching.

Through the pain of these last 4 months, I've witnessed so many examples of the power of the innate goodness of people. But none were more powerful than those of this last week. We brought Nate's family up for a few days so they could see where Nate's favorite place on earth was. The veterans of last week made sure they felt welcome, told his family how much Nate meant to them. I think this helped them heal as well. Many coincidences occurred this last week; I know Nate was with us helping us through the week.

So, this is a success story...not so much about weight loss, but about getting healthier and healing just a little bit more.

Papillon22 · July 2011

I'm very sorry for your loss. I lost a classmate to suicide a couple of months ago, and it's very difficult to deal with.

Good job on giving yourself and others the space and time to heal.

descooley · July 2011

So sorry for your loss, I am glad you were able to share the time with people who also knew and cared about Nate. I hope your Son continues to heal along with the rest of your family. Thinking of you all today.

sche1amy · July 2011

I am very sorry for your loss. I hope you had a great vacation here in Mn. I bet Nate was there in spirit watching over all of you and smiling.

lnadeau66 · July 2011

So sorry for your loss, so happy for a successful healing week, and thanks for the good cry

dogwhisperette · July 2011

Wow! Thank you for sharing such a personal story. It truly brought tears to my eyes. I can only imagine the pain this brings you. Being a mom of an 18 year old son only makes me appreciate this story all the more. It sounds like you are taking healthy steps towards dealing with such a deep lost.
Your story has touched me. Please feel free to add me as a pal. Its important for me to surround myself with positive people and you are cerainly one.
all the best in your journey.
Dana

Wow!

Replies

Categories