We wanted to get away. My fiancée Kyle’s family was embroiled in a mess. His parents had recently separated after having divorced and remarried one time already. Kyle was a bit of a pawn between his parents which was taking its toll on his state of mind. It felt good to be getting away. When we returned, his dad picked … Read More
It was Thursday, August 14th, 2014, and Barry, Shelley, Libby, and I boarded our first of three flights that would take us to Africa. That first flight was from Amarillo to Houston. We would have a small layover there before flying to Washington D. C. to stay the night. The next morning would be the long, long, long flight to … Read More
In 2006 I booked a weekend alone at a resort on the beach in Santa Cruz, California. The entire purpose of the trip was to do something I had been working on for quite some time: forgive my mom. I had spent 15 years being incredibly angry with my mom and I realized my anger was only hurting myself, not … Read More
With Thanksgiving just two weeks away and Christmas around the corner, I wanted to focus on a season that typically is more difficult than other times of the year. I recently ran across a list compiled by What’s Your Grief on how to make it through the holidays after losing a loved one and wanted to share it with you here. A … Read More
Trevor was my first love, my first real boyfriend, the first one that loved me for me no matter my flaws, and I loved him with every part of my being. We started dating when I was 18 and he was 21, we had already known each other for 4 years and somehow it finally clicked that we were … Read More
I am humbled by the incredible response The Gift of Second received this week. After only 4 days live on the internet, we have had more than 450 visitors! It is both tragic that this site needs to exist and, as I have heard from so MANY of you, such a blessing! So, let me say, welcome! The … Read More
Alicia shares her story and how she has found healing along the way after her uncle’s suicide. I was in 7th grade when it happened. I had come home from a school dance and the moment I walked in the door I knew there was something wrong. The air felt dense in every room. My dad called me into the living room and … Read More
Telling your story is scary, overwhelming and tends to flood back the shame and the regret you felt during those specific points of your life. The scale and my driver’s license like to remind me that I’m a grown-up woman, an idea to which I regularly object. With kids, a full time job, a hobby I’m passionate about, a husband, … Read More
There is a quote floating around the Internet that several people have taken credit for originally penning. I have no idea who actually said it, but I can assure you it was not me. After my mom’s suicide, I desired compassion and understanding. I longed for a sense of belonging and community. I wanted to feel some … Read More
To My 10 Year Old Self: I get it. I get the pain and devastation. I understand the betrayal and despair. The sadness and anger are overwhelming. I get it. You are angry, Brandy! So angry! I’ve learned a few things over the past 24 years and one of them is that anger is a secondary emotion. That means that the … Read More