What is Reels of Hope Suicide Loss Survivors Foundation?
During the meet and greet event, someone asked me about the Reels of Hope Suicide Loss Survivors Foundation. I felt it was important to provide a clear explanation of what the foundation is all about. To fully explain, I need to share my own experience with loss, but I'll try to keep it brief and meaningful.
The Reels of Hope Suicide Loss Survivors Foundation is both an idea and a philosophy. In this context, philosophy refers to a love of wisdom and self-reflection in pursuit of inner truth. Reels of Hope is the result of deep self-reflection on the pain and suffering caused by suicide loss, recognizing that hope is a powerful force that can lead to transformation and, eventually, forgiveness, starting a long healing journey. However, the question remains: Can we ever fully heal?
My Story
It is difficult to say this, but without the experience of the loss I endured, I would not be the person I am today. My life would have taken a different path, and I wouldn't be here writing or having started this foundation. It has been 30 years since my dad passed away. I remember it vividly, and it never goes away. I was in the second semester of my junior year, and it was February of 1995. The day was warm, one of those 70-degree days toward the end of February.
My dad had asked me to come home from school right away and promised to give me some gas money. I agreed, because what teenage mind would give up gas money? It was early afternoon when I returned home. I will never forget the quietness in the house and then finding him. The impact of that day had a lingering effect on my life, as it did on the entire family. It gave way to rapid, stressful changes that had a ripple effect like a pebble hitting a still pond. The loss echoes as the rings of the ripple spread out over the pond.
To cope with the loss, I began driving to the mountains with my fly rod and tackle box, visiting places like the South Platte River. I had always gone to the South Platte since it was my teenage playground. It was here that the idea for Reels of Hope began. In the hills and in the river, I felt a sense of peace and grounding. On the water, no one could judge me; I could silence the arguments in my mind and focus on the beauty and rhythm of life.
What is the Reels of Hope Suicide Loss Survivors Foundation?
Reels of Hope SLSF embodies an idea and philosophy. While most people seek happiness, I seek peace - peaceful waters, to be exact. It’s akin to the biblical account of the disciples on the sea of Galilee. When a storm arose, they panicked and called for help. Jesus reassured them to have faith, and he calmed the storm and the waters, bringing peace to the disciples.
The foundation's goal is to support those of us who have suffered the devastating impact of suicide loss. It aims to create a supportive community for us, to bring us together, and to overcome the barriers hindering our grief process. While traditional therapy has its place, our pursuit is peace through individual and collective experiences in nature. I truly believe that as a community, we can navigate the complexities of grief and start the healing process.
Do we ever fully heal? It might not be a complete recovery, but if we can acknowledge the loss and the missing piece of ourselves, we can find reconciliation, and forgiveness, and ultimately be at peace with that part that was lost.
