MyBrokenHeartArt.com paired again with the Bergamot Institute for a great day of art making and remembrance.  The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention hosted a walk on ASU's campus.  The event was a success and we enjoyed hosting more college-aged participants.  It was a very different event than the Phoenix Walk Out of Darkness.  The younger kids in December were much more open about their losses whereas the college-aged artists did not say much about their losses.  I hope that these walks and public education make people feel more comfortable to talk about our losses to suicide.

"My sister had a bass clef on her wrist. I was going to get a treble. She'd always tell me she was cooler for playing tuba than I was for singing.

After she died, I wanted her to know...somehow....that I could never forget her or our little moments like that. So I got the bass clef (like she told me I should) and I put the words to Jimmy Eat World's "hear you me" around it.

"On sleepless roads the sleepless go"

May angels lead you in, Rhianon."

The Bergamot Institute and MyBrokenHeartArt.com had a booth at the Phoenix Walk Out of Darkness hosted by the American Foundation to Prevent Suicide.  It was a beautiful day full of a lot of people creating art.  It was truly humbling to be able to create a safe space for self-expression, grieving and celebration.  Thank you to all who came out and made it a memorable day!

"My heart is this rose.  There is a missing petal...my mom.  She died at age 42.  But my flower will soon grow a new petal.  Someone new will be in my life and help me water my flower."

Made from years of credit cards shredded to bits. Living cash only for three years brings and different level of freedom, self-respect and self-responsibility.

My tough guy, 22 year old nephew created a very sweet tribute to his Aunt Lynn.  She was the touchstone of my childhood and I was really touched that Joe decided to do such a memorial for her.

“This tattoo is dedicated to my Aunt Lynn who lost her battle with breast cancer. Growing up it was never a dull moment around Lynn.  She always did or said something to make others laugh.  I never really got to see her in her last moments but in a way I’m okay with that. I would rather have the last image in my heart be her laughing and having a good time than to be in pain and suffering….REST IN PEACE AUNT LYNN.”

MyBrokenHeartArt.com and The Bergamot Institute did a group art project at a Phoenix Survivor of Suicide Meeting.  The participants choose the colors of their boards as well as the type of paint, chalk or pencils that they wanted to use.  It was a privilege to watch a group that had suffered such great loss express their emotions in a different way.  The group usually talks and they felt it was a great change of pace to express their loss in a more introspective way.  We went around the room and everyone had a chance to explain what their piece meant to them.  It was really touching.

What do you do with the clothes a loved one leaves behind? My mom got all the shirts that were my dad’s favorites or had some special meaning to us and made two quilts.  I’m sure it was her way of having a piece of him around forever as opposed to “throwing part of him out”. I can imagine it was a bitter sweet labor of love but something not only for her, but for me and my brother at the house we all share in Colorado. She also made each of us a pillow case from tshirts that were his with meaning to us individually. We have those at our respective homes.

This is my interpretation of faith and hope. Times get dark but if you just hold on, the light will break through the dark.