28 Comments
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Sherry McGuinn's avatar

This is so horrible, Denise, and I am so sorry. That poor, sweet soul.

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Denise Shelton's avatar

I can't get used to it, Sherry. It still doesn't seem real. There's a place she wanted us to go to in Ireland. I plan to go later this year and will be sure to put it on the itinerary.

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Wendy Varley's avatar

Reading after Alison Tennent mentioned in her own piece about suicide just now. So sorry for the loss of your wonderful friend.

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Denise Shelton's avatar

Thanks, Wendy. I appreciate it.

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Cherales's avatar

Whilst it doesn't seem appropriate to click a 'like/love' button online, I have done so all the same. Your words are lovely testament to a clearly very well loved and lovely person. x

(I was redirected to your post from https://substack.com/@celticchameleon )

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Denise Shelton's avatar

Thank you, so much. I miss her. Alison is the best.

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Barbara Wayman's avatar

I am so sorry for the loss of your sweet friend. I am just leaving this here in case you find it helpful. It is a small handbook for those who have lost a loved one this way. https://www.crisissupport.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/SOS_handbook.pdf

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Denise Shelton's avatar

Thanks kind, Barbara. Thank you.

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Isabelle's avatar

I’m so sorry 😔such heartbreak. My husband ended his life is a horrifying way 6 months ago.

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Denise Shelton's avatar

I am so very sorry to hear that, Isabelle. I can’t imagine what you are going through.You have my deepest sympathy.

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Jackie G.'s avatar

What a wonderful tribute to a dear friend. I am so very sorry for your loss. May you all find peace.

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Denise Shelton's avatar

Thank you, Jackie. It takes a long time to process and I don’t think we’ll ever truly understand.

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Don Ryan's avatar

I am so sorry Denise. As someone who understands that pain, I feel for you. The end of your story brought me back to Cape May Point, where my siblings and I spent time together to say goodbye to our youngest brother who died by suicide. I’m glad you have your husband and others to continue to walk the path. 💚

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Denise Shelton's avatar

I’m so very sorry about your brother, Don. We all walk it together.

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Linda Trotier Schmeltzer's avatar

So very sorry for the loss of your friend. Suicide is so unimaginable for those left behind.

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Denise Shelton's avatar

Thank you, Linda. It really is.

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Sakari's avatar

I hope I live as vibrant as she did! I’m so sorry for your loss

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Denise Shelton's avatar

Thank you, Sakari. I’m working on a poem now. It’s even harder to write than this was.

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John Dolan's avatar

Such a human story & well told. Thank you. I wish you peace.

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Denise Shelton's avatar

Thank you, John. I appreciate that.

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Beth Lisogorsky's avatar

How horrific. Tragic ends by suicide are always a mystery to us, but putting together pieces like you've done helps to make sense of it all, and that provides some solace. It doesn't bring back a friend, perhaps, but it does bring back pieces of her and help to channel some of the sadness. I'm so sorry :(

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Denise Shelton's avatar

Thank you, Beth. It's a process. The day she died, I had a dress rehearsal for a play I was in. I went. I had to keep moving forward and couldn't stop to grieve properly. I don't think you ever really finish that process, not for someone you love.

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Beth Lisogorsky's avatar

Definitely not. It’s only recently through a lot of writing I’ve done here and analyzing of films and their themes that I think I’ve seen some progress grieving my mom. I don’t cry everytime I’m reminded of her. But I do cry watching tv or films depicting parent loss. It’s a process for sure.

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The Celtic Chameleon's avatar

The question, could I have helped? never quite fades away. What a terrible tragedy, Denise. I'm so sorry.

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Denise Shelton's avatar

Thanks, Alison. It’s hard to fathom someone in so much pain hiding it so well.

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Money Tips Money Hacks's avatar

So sorry for your loss 🙏🏾 Maya seemed like a good human with a great circle of love.

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Denise Shelton's avatar

Yes, she was. Thank you for saying so.

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Marcia Abboud's avatar

Oh, Denise 💔 I'm so sorry for the loss of your dear friend. How tragic. I know the pain of suicide, for the ones left behind. It's something you never really get over. My heart goes out to you and her family. 🤍

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