09/03/2026
When September rolls around, it always feels a little heavier for me. I find myself thinking about my dad more than usual because September is National Su***de Prevention Month, and the 29th would have been his birthday. But he stays forever 29.
I made this two-plate photolithograph in 2022 but never shared it here.
When I was young, I was always worried about making sure no one ever forgot about him. He was more than just a statistic. He was my dad, a husband, a brother, a son, and a friend to many. We all love and miss him dearly.
He loved music, especially rock. I’ve been told he could really shred on the guitar! He was also a creative who liked to draw, and he kept a journal, which is something I recently found out. It’s funny to me because I’ve kept a journal my whole life. And journaling was a way I could talk about him and, in a way, talk to him.
I share my experience through the lens of the child I was because I know firsthand that children aren’t too young to understand loss, and they don’t simply “get over it.” They know when someone is gone, and they grow up learning how to carry that loss with them. If sharing my story can help someone better understand the lasting impact of su***de, or remind another grieving child that they aren’t alone, then I think it’s worth it. 🤍
***dePreventionMonth ***deLossSurvivor
