I have received hundreds of social media posts along with countless direct messages and emails. I appreciate all your involvement and I try really hard to stay engaged and comment when helpful or relevant.
One of the themes that are beginning to shine through and, as a dear friend in Newfoundland (I was privileged to visit there last week) also reminded me, is that we are all looking for answers (myself included).
Why did my loved one get lost to addiction or mental health challenges?
Why did they have to be taken from our family all too soon?
And, the "big question", what in the world do I do now?
Of course you want answers!
These are life altering questions and the answers can seem elusive. I too wish I had some clear answers on questions like these. However, I have come to learn that our job is to be open to learning, growing and, where we can, assisting others who could use any experience we may have had that could help them, especially if their journey is newer than our own.
In the meantime, do what you can to take care of yourself and I know the hard questions will start revealing some answers in time. I hope you can be patient with yourself as you allow them to come to you as praying, having faith and waiting for answers are all things we do in our time, the answers will come in an appointed time.
Remember we are NOT in the process of getting over it, we are on a journey toward learning to live with it.
