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Understanding ‘Once Upon a Blue-Sky Moon’ Poem’s Heartfelt Message

A moon illuminating a dark sky, surrounded by a subtle halo, with silhouettes of tree branches in the foreground, symbolizing hope and remembrance amid grief, reflecting the themes of loss from the poem 'Once Upon a Blue-Sky Moon',: A Poem About Losing a Child to Suicide, My Forever Son
A bright moon shines in a dark sky, symbolizing hope and remembrance amid grief, reflecting the themes of loss in Understanding ‘Once Upon a Blue-Sky Moon’ Poem’s Heartfelt Message, My Forever Son

Understanding ‘Once Upon a Blue-Sky Moon’ Poem’s Heartfelt Message

Key Takeaways

  • Understanding ‘Once Upon a Blue-Sky Moon’ Poem’s Heartfelt Message by Beth Brown deeply explores the grief, regret, and enduring love after losing a child to suicide.
  • The grief poem “Once Upon a Blue-Sky Moon” resonates with shared sorrow and invites readers to find solace in the experience of loss.
  • The poem offers valuable resources for those affected, including support groups and related readings on grief and healing.
  • Key themes include memory, love, yearning, and the hope of reunion despite profound loss.

Summary

Understanding ‘Once Upon a Blue-Sky Moon’ Poem’s Heartfelt Message explores the profound grief and regret of losing a child to suicide through the poem, “Once Upon a Blue-Sky Moon,” by author Beth Brown. Through vivid imagery and heartfelt repetition, the poem captures the enduring love between parent and child, offering solace and hope for reunion. The poem serves as a poignant tribute to Brown’s son, Dylan, and a reminder of the importance of awareness and support for those struggling with mental health.

Introduction

Understanding ‘Once Upon a Blue-Sky Moon’ Poem’s Heartfelt Message captures the deep sorrow and profound emotions that come with the unimaginable loss of a child to suicide. Through the author’s heartfelt personal experience, the poem “Once Upon a Blue-Sky Moon” resonates with a sense of shared grief, offering solace to those who have faced similar heart-wrenching journeys.

The inclusion of related resources for support, such as the Parents of Suicides Online Support Group and the book “Bury My Heart: 19 Poems for Grief and Healing After Losing a Child to Suicide,” provides valuable assistance to those in need. The imagery and recurring themes in the poem, “Once Upon a Blue-Sky Moon,” create a powerful and evocative piece.

“Once Upon a Blue-Sky Moon,” a poem of grief and regret about losing a child to suicide, evokes a deep sense of loss and shadows that linger in the heart. The heartfelt repetition of “If I had only known,” beautifully captures the profound regret and longing for clarity that resonates deeply within us all. The poem beautifully concludes with a tender image of being reunited, evoking the profound joy of soaring together once more.

Close-up of a vibrant red rose with lush green leaves in the background, symbolizing love and remembrance, featured in a heartfelt exploration of grief, My Forever Son: Grief and Healing After Losing a Child to Suicide, "Understanding 'Once Upon a Blue-Moon Sky' Poem's Heartfelt Message
A vibrant pink rose, symbolizing love and remembrance, featured in a heartfelt exploration of grief, My Forever Son: Grief and Healing After Losing a Child to Suicide, “Understanding ‘Once Upon a Blue-Moon Sky’ Poem’s Heartfelt Message

‘Once Upon a Blue-Sky Moon’ Poem Captures the Grief of Losing a Child to Suicide

The poem “Once Upon a Blue-Sky Moon,” by Beth Brown, poignantly expresses the heart-wrenching sorrow of losing a child to suicide, and it finds a place on her blog, My Forever Son. Through her words, she weaves the profound ache of loss with the treasured memories of her beloved son, encapsulating the deep sense of regret experienced by parents left in the aftermath of such an unimaginable tragedy.

The poem’s title, “Once Upon a Blue-Sky Moon” evokes a poignant memory of a mother lovingly decorating her son’s walls with glowing stars, planets, and a moon when he was just five, cherishing a moment of deep connection that would later be profoundly altered by the heartbreaking loss of his life to suicide at age 20.

Through poetry, Brown seeks to bridge the gap with others who have faced similar grief. This heartfelt writing creates a nurturing space for shared emotions and healing, inviting readers to find solace together.

    My Forever Son

    Full Moon framed by trees, My Forever Son, Once Upon a Blue-Sky Moon

    My Forever Son explores the profound grief, hope, and healing that follow the tragedy of losing a child to suicide.

    My Forever Son dovetails the author’s journey of descending into deep grief, searching for hope, and finding healing along the way.

    Table of Contents

    Frequently Asked Questions About “Once Upon a Blue-Sky Moon”: A Heartfelt Poem On Losing My to Suicide

    A bright moon shines through dark, wispy clouds in a night sky, creating a dramatic contrast of light and shadow, reflecting themes of love, loss, and memory, resonant with the heartfelt narrative of 'Once Upon a Blue-Sky Moon', My Forever Son, Understanding "Once Upon a Blue-Sky Moon" Poem's Heartfelt Message
    A poignant depiction of a moon surrounded by clouds, reflecting themes of love, loss, and memory, resonant with the heartfelt narrative of ‘Once Upon a Blue-Sky Moon’, My Forever Son, Understanding “Once Upon a Blue-Sky Moon” Poem’s Heartfelt Message

    Understanding Key Themes and Imagery: “Once Upon a Blue-Sky Moon” Poem

    What does the phrase “Once Upon a Blue-Sky” mean in the poem “Once Upon a Blue-Sky Moon”?

    The poem ‘Once Upon a Blue-Sky Moon’ contains lines expressing a parent’s heartbreak and the suddenness of their child’s death by suicide. The speaker reflects on not knowing the extent of their child’s struggles and the wish that they had been aware. The poem also speaks to the enduring connection between parent and child and the hope of being reunited. The full poem can be found in the post, “Once Upon a Blue-Sky Moon”: A Poem About Losing a Child to Suicide on My Forever Son: Healing After Losing a Child to Suicide blog.

    Here’s another poem from the author about the turbulence of nature and grief:
    Derecho: A Storm Out of Nowhere Grief Poem–“He Left Too Soon” skillfully intertwines the sorrow stemming from the loss of her son to suicide with the tumult wrought by a powerful Derecho storm that occurred on the day of his funeral. Included in her publication, Bury My Heart: 19 Poems for Grief and Healing After Losing a Child to Suicide, the poem that was inspired by the Derecho, “He Left Too Soon,” explores the profound grief and emotional turmoil she experienced. Through her eloquent writing, Brown aspires to offer solace to those enduring similar tragedies, thereby shedding light on the fragility of life and the enduring strength of love amidst sorrow.

    Derecho: A Storm Out of Nowhere Grief Poem–“He Left Too Soon”
    Derecho Strikes the Eastern United States

    What are the themes and context of “Once Upon a Blue-Sky Moon”: A Poem About Losing a Child to Suicide?

    Themes and context

    Memory and Loss: The poem beautifully captures the essence of memories through imagery like the “blue-sky moon.” It evokes a sense of warmth and nostalgia, while also poignantly addressing the profound pain of loss that comes with the trauma of suicide.
    Regret and Yearning: Phrases like “If only I had known” capture the deep sorrow and sense of helplessness that a parent who loses a child to suicide experiences. These words reflect a profound longing for a different outcome, highlighting the emotional weight of wishing circumstances could have been altered.
    Grief and Guilt: The poem explores the complex emotions of grief and guilt that frequently weigh heavily on those who remain after a suicide loss, acknowledging the profound heartache and confusion that accompany such a tragedy.
    Love and Healing: The poem gently wraps its readers in a warm embrace of enduring love, offering a heartfelt promise that connections can transcend even the boundaries of death, providing solace and hope.

    Find another poem by the author about love and healing here:
    Holding True to My Son’s Narrative: “Shaped by Love” Poem Analysis offers a poignant exploration of a mother coping with the unimaginable loss of her only child to suicide. The author, Beth Brown, poses poetic reflections on grief after losing her son to suicide, examining the lasting effects of this tragedy in her own narrative. She highlights the connection between her immense love and devastating grief in the poem, “Shaped by Love and This Grief Come to Stay,” ultimately coming to understand and affirm that her love and her grief for her son are part of the same narrative that cannot be disentangled. To relinquish her grief would be to relinquish her love, creating an inseparable bond that defines her existence.

    Holding True to My Son’s Narrative: “Shaped by Love” Poem Analysis
    White and pink peony, My Forever Son, Suicide Grief: Prolonged Grief Disorder? and Living Backwards After Suicide Loss: Would've, Could've, Should've, and If Earth Were Sky (And Sky Above)

    What are the key themes and imagery?

    Key themes and imagery

    Bright memory versus dark loss: The imagery of the “blue-sky moon” brings forth a bittersweet recollection of joy and innocence, creating a poignant contrast with the deep pain of loss.
    Heartbreaking regret: The phrase “If I had only known” resonates deeply, reflecting the profound sorrow and longing of the parent for a different outcome. This repetition serves as a poignant reminder of their heartfelt wish to have changed the circumstances.
    Unreachable distance: Imagery of ships adrift against the vast, starry night sky beautifully encapsulates the profound sense of infinite distance that emerges from loss, evoking deep feelings of longing and heartache.
    Enduring love and hope for reunion: The poem beautifully concludes with a touching vision of reunion, serving as a poignant reminder of the unwavering love that persists for the child, even amidst the heartache of tragedy.

    Read another poem by the author using celestial imagery here:
    “Falling Stars in a Moonless Sky”: Poem on Child Loss is a heartfelt piece on losing a child to suicide that explores the profound grief and longing experienced after such a tragic loss. The author, Beth Brown, shares her personal journey of navigating grief and finding healing through poetry and gardening. The poem, along with related resources and the author’s book, aims to provide solace and support to those affected by similar tragedies.

    “Falling Stars in a Moonless Sky”: Poem on Child Loss
    Hubble Sees the Force Awakening in a Newborn Star


    Why can you see the moon in a blue sky?


    You can see the Moon in a blue sky because 
    moonlight is simply reflected sunlight, and the Moon is often visible during the day as it continues its orbit around Earth. The sky appears blue due to a phenomenon called Rayleigh scattering, which has no effect on the Moon’s visibility. The term “blue moon” is entirely unrelated to its color.

    Explore another poem by the author about nature and its connection to grief and healing here:
    “Tillers of the Earth and Tenders of the Soil”: A Poem of Love and Loss is a heartfelt reflection on the themes of love and loss, born from the deep and painful grief of the author following the heartbreaking suicide of her son. This poignant poem illuminates the cyclical nature of life and death, capturing the raw emotions of the author through the striking imagery of the natural world. Beth Brown generously shares her journey of healing, illustrating how writing, music, and connections with others who have faced similar heartaches can provide solace and understanding in the midst of such devastating loss.

    “Tillers of the Earth and Tenders of the Soil”: A Poem of Love and Loss
    Toddler girl dressed in Easter bonnet and Pink Frilly Dress Awestruck by Daffodils in Yellow, My Forever Son, Tillers of the Earth and Tenders of the Soil

    Is “Once Upon a Blue-Sky Moon” an astronomical term?

    While “blue-sky moon” is not a formal astronomical term, it 
    most likely refers to the moon’s visibility during daylight hours when the sky is blue. The visibility of the moon in the day is not rare, and it occurs for about half of the lunar cycle. 
    The phrase can be understood by breaking it down into its two components:
    Blue sky: The daytime sky appears blue due to Rayleigh scattering, a process where Earth’s atmosphere scatters the sun’s blue light more effectively than red light.
    Moon: The moon is visible during the day because its surface reflects sunlight, making it bright enough to be seen against the blue backdrop of the sky. It is not transparent; rather, the dark, unlit portion of the moon is simply overwhelmed by the scattered blue light from the sky. 

    “Blue moon” vs. “blue-sky moon”
    A “blue moon” is an entirely different phenomenon and does not describe the moon’s appearance in a blue sky. The term “blue moon” refers to an event in the lunar calendar and can have two meanings: 
    Monthly blue moon: The second full moon to occur within a single calendar month. This is the more common, modern definition.
    Seasonal blue moon: The third full moon in an astronomical season that contains four full moons. This is the older, more traditional definition. 

    Explore another poem by the author where nature and grief collide:
    Haunted by Guilt in Grief Poem: “Still from Sky I’m Falling”     offers a personal exploration of grief, guilt, and regret after losing a child to suicide, a tragedy felt by many parents and caregivers. This collection includes the featured poem and other works that explore loss and healing, providing insights into the mourning process. It also offers valuable resources for support, guiding readers through dark moments while fostering community. The poem, “Still from Sky I’m Falling,” anchors the collection, reflecting the emotions that arise during such times and inviting readers to connect with their own grief experiences.

    Haunted by Guilt in Grief Poem: “Still from Sky I’m Falling”

    Is “Once Upon a Blue-Sky Moon” a standard poetic phrase?


    “Once Upon a Blue-sky moon” is not a standard poetic phrase, but the combination of its images with the phrase “my forever son” evokes a powerful sense of mourning and eternal connection. It suggests a love that is constant, even after death, just as the moon exists even during the day, hidden within the blue sky.

    Explore the profound grief of losing a child in another poem by the author using shipwreck imagery:
    The Emotional Depth of “Beat Still My Heart”: A Powerful Elegy features the grief poem, “Beat Still My Heart,”a powerful elegy that uses shipwreck imagery to convey the grief of losing a child to suicide. The grief poem, written by Beth Brown, explores the profound sorrow and despair of such a loss, weaving together personal experiences with universal themes of love, loss, and remembrance. The poem is followed by a narrative that delves into the author’s journey of navigating grief and finding healing after the tragedy.


    The Emotional Depth of “Beat Still My Heart”: A Powerful Elegy

    A close-up view of a full moon rising above treetops at dusk, with a soft glow illuminating the surrounding foliage, evoking feelings of grief an
    A luminous moon shining through darkened trees, evoking feelings of grief and remembrance as reflected in the poem ‘Once Upon a Blue-Sky Moon’, My Forever Son, Understanding “Once Upon a Blue-Sky Moon” Poem’s Heartfelt Message

    Poem: “Once Upon a Blue-Sky Moon” 

    Once Upon a Blue-Sky Moon 

    Once upon a blue-sky moon,
    We sailed our ships in your bedroom,
    With stars for light, we fled the dark
    But the lightening flashed, 
    And the blue sky arced.

    You tucked away your childhood dreams
    On wings that soared beyond infinity,
    Your love in me and me in you,
    But out of reach, beyond what I could do.

    I launched your dreams,
    You took great flight
    On wings alone you soared too high,
    But you found ways to onward flee
    To galaxies beyond my means.

    I watched you drift through hazy sky,
    And chalked it up to a teenage angst,
    But oh my son, if I’d only known
    I’d have reached right in to your dark night’s soul--

     I would have held on,
     I would have clutched you,
     I would have never let you go

     But you told me 
    “Mom I love you”
     Oh my child, if I’d only known.

    So I kissed you and I held you,
    And I said goodnight,
    Not knowing, blue-star moon,
    I would lose you that night.

    You lived, you breathed, alive in pain
    Through storm-dark nights and cloudy haze,
    But I didn’t know what I couldn’t see,
    The damage done beyond my means.

    My sky is dark, my nights deep blue
    My winter’s come, my star’s with you,
    Without you here, I cannot fly
    My wings you clipped 
    That starless night.

    And I live on and onward flee
    Towards you my son and to infinity,
    Where dreams come true and you live on,
    And we fly again around planets and sun.

    With stars that glow against the moon,
    Your love in me and me in you.

    I will hold you, 
    You will clutch me,
    We will never let go,

    And you’ll tell me, 
    “Mom, I love you”
    And tears from earth will overflow,
    And I’ll know then, blue sky-moon,
    To never ever let you go.

    © Beth Brown, 2021, "Once Upon a Blue-Sky Moon" 
     All rights reserved
      
    Healing Through Poetry: Grieving a Child's Loss
    • The Emotional Depth of “Beat Still My Heart”: A Powerful Elegy delves into the intense emotional journey of losing a child to suicide, providing a heartfelt reflection through poetry and storytelling. This poignant exploration captures the profound sorrow and despair that such a loss brings, weaving together personal experiences with universal themes of love, loss, and remembrance. Set in a catastrophic storm, The Emotional Depth of “Beat Still My Heart:” A Powerful Elegy uses shipwreck imagery to convey the profound grief of losing a child to suicide.
    • Derecho: A Storm Out of Nowhere – Grief Poem “He Left Too Soon” skillfully intertwines the sorrow stemming from the loss of her son to suicide with the tumult wrought by a powerful Derecho storm that occurred on the day of his funeral. Included in her publication, Bury My Heart: 19 Poems for Grief and Healing After Losing a Child to Suicide, the poem that was inspired by the Derecho, “He Left Too Soon,” explores the profound grief and emotional turmoil she experienced. Through her eloquent writing, Brown aspires to offer solace to those enduring similar tragedies, thereby shedding light on the fragility of life and the enduring strength of love amidst sorrow.
    • If Only a Mother’s Love Could Have Saved You: A Poem on Grieving a Child’s Suicide is a power that explores the profound grief of losing a child to suicide. It delves into themes of guilt, love, and the struggle to find healing. Through vivid imagery and metaphorical language, the author captures the complexities of sorrow and longing, offering a poignant reflection on the enduring power of love amidst tragedy.
    • He Left Too Soon Poem: A Mother’s Deep Sorrow  is a poem about the profound sorrow and anguish of losing a child to suicide. The author, Beth Brown, shares her personal experience of grief and healing after losing her son, Dylan, to suicide. Through her writing, she explores the complexities of loss, remembrance, and love, offering solace to others who have experienced similar tragedies.
    • Haunted by Guilt in Grief: “Still From Sky I’m Falling” Beth Brown, a mother who lost her son to suicide and author of My Forever Son: Healing After Losing a Child to Suicide, shares her journey of healing through poetry. Her poem “Still from Sky I’m Falling” explores the guilt and grief she experienced, using the image of a falling bird to symbolize the loss of innocence and the struggle with self-blame. Brown emphasizes the importance of self-forgiveness and acknowledges her fallibility as a mother, ultimately finding solace in writing and sharing her experiences with others.

    Beth Brown, Author

    A close-up portrait of a smiling woman with shoulder-length brown hair, wearing a light blue denim shirt, set against a blurred outdoor background.
    Beth Brown, author and educator, sharing her journey of healing through poetry after the loss of her son

    About the Author

    Beth Brown is a writer, educator, and bereaved mother who shares her journey of healing after losing her only son, Dylan, to suicide. Through poetry, essays, and her blog My Forever Son, Beth offers comfort and hope to others navigating grief, honoring the enduring bond between parent and child and celebrating the small joys that illuminate the path toward healing.

    Meet the Author: Writing Through the Abyss

    by Beth Brown

    There are places that cannot be mapped, only entered—terrains of loss where language falters and the heart, stripped of its certainties, must learn to speak again. I am Beth Brown, a mother whose son, Dylan, died by suicide at twenty. My life, once measured by the ordinary rhythms of teaching literature and nurturing a child, was pierced in two: before and after. In the aftermath, I found myself wandering a wilderness where time bent, memory ached, and the world’s colors dimmed to the hush of grief.

    On baby’s breath and angel wings,
    You bring me love yet still,
    — “On Baby’s Breath and Angel Wings”

    I did not choose to become a chronicler of sorrow, but grief, relentless and unbidden, pressed its ink into my hands. I wrote because I could not bear the silence. I wrote because the ache demanded witness. In poetry, I found a way to hold both the weight of absence and the persistence of love—a language for the unspeakable, a vessel for memory, a place where my son’s name could still be spoken.

    He left too soon,
    Lifting life from June,
    Casting torrents of rain.
    — “He Left Too Soon”

    There are nights when the world tilts, and I am returned to the moment of loss, the fracture that remade me. Yet even in the deepest dark, I have learned to listen for the faint music of hope, the pulse of love that endures beyond death.

    Beat still my heart,
    Beat still my mind,
    Weary though thou art,
    Carry his love along with thine,
    Though heavy on thy shoulders
    Crost fields throughout all time.
    — “Beat Still My Heart”

    My poems are not answers. They are offerings—fragments of a life lived in the shadow of absence, pieced together with longing and the fierce, unyielding devotion of a mother’s heart. They are the record of a journey through the labyrinth of grief, where each turn reveals both the ache of what is lost and the quiet radiance of what remains.

    My child sleeps in a cradle of stars,
    Gently rocked by the moon
    Lullabies in his heart,
    Heavens in galaxies swirl round to the sound
    Of a mother and child’s love beating on.

    Meteor showers, on the darkest of nights,
    Bring comfort and joy to my child’s delight,
    Aurora Borealis tints sky blue and green,
    Where my child remembers his mother in dreams.

    –“Falling Stars in a Moonless Sky”

    There are questions that haunt the bereaved: Could I have known? Could I have saved you? The mind circles these unanswerable riddles, but the heart, battered and tender, learns to rest in the mystery.

    I’d have reached right in to your dark night’s soul—
    I would have held on, I would have clutched you,
    I would have never let you go
    But you told me “Mom I love you”
    Oh my child, if I’d only known.
    — “Once Upon a Blue-Sky Moon”

    In the landscape of loss, I have discovered that love is not diminished by death. It is transformed—becoming both ache and solace, shadow and light, the filament that binds the living to the lost.

    Body, mind, soul, rough and ragged,
    Weeping tears falling still throughout time,
    Carrying weight of mourning and grieving
    Falling broken when thou wert mine.
    — “Beat Still My Heart”

    I write for those who walk this wilderness with me—for the mothers and fathers, siblings and friends, whose lives have been marked by the unthinkable. My hope is that in these poems, you will find not only the echo of your own sorrow, but also the quiet assurance that you are not alone.

    Starlight for a mobile twinkling ‘ere so bright,
    To remember his mother that darkest of nights,
    When slipped he from her grasp and fell through this earth,
    Tumbling still planets, sun, folding time in rebirth.
    — “Falling Stars in a Moonless Sky”

    That we might understand we cannot separate mental illness from physical illness and that try as we might, we cannot see inside another’s pain.

    –“Ode to Suicide: That We Might Understand”

    And how my heart keeps on beating
    Is a mystery to all,
    For without you beside me
    Through life’s depth I crawl    .

    I live now life backwards
    My heart beating in time,
    To the life that we lived
    When you, child, were mine.

    Try as I might
    I can’t seem to live,
    For my dreams all belonged,
    To your future forward lived.

    —“Bury My Heart”

    If you have come here searching for words to companion your grief, I welcome you. My poetry is not a map, but a lantern—casting light on the path we walk, together and alone, toward a horizon where love, undiminished, endures.

    But boughs break and love falls through the cracks in the earth,
    And the centre can’t hold when orbits, slung far, break their girth,
    Gravitational interference, passing stars in the night,
    Jetting orbs, falling stars in a moonless sky.
    — “Falling Stars in a Moonless Sky”

    Grief is wild—untamed, unending, and full of shadows. Yet within its depths, I have found moments of light: a memory, a poem, the gentle rustle of leaves, the warmth of a cup of tea. My words are both ache and love, a testament that even in the deepest sorrow, we can find meaning, connection, and—sometimes—hope. Through poetry, I reach for my son and for all who walk this path. If you find yourself here, know that you are not alone, and that love—like poetry—endures.

    If you wish to read more, my collection, Bury My Heart: 19 Poems for Grief and Healing After Losing a Child to Suicide is available on Amazon Kindle. and many other reflections await you at myforeverson.com.

    Bury My Heart

    Bury My Heart: 19 Poems for Grief and Healing After Losing a Child to Suicide
    Link to Book
    A beautifully abstract representation of the cosmos, featuring a dark blue background sprinkled with colorful stars and nebulous formations, evoking a sense of wonder and vastness, "Once Upon a Blue-Sky Moon" : A Poem About Losing My Son to Suicide, My Forever Son
    A cosmic night sky filled with stars and vibrant colors, evoking themes of loss and remembrance, Once Upon a Blue-Sky Moon,’ : A Poem About Losing My Son to Suicide, My Forever Son

    Professional Resources

    Online Directory for Coping with Grief, Trauma, and Distress

    After A Suicide Resource Directory: Coping with Grief, Trauma, and Distress
    http://www.personalgriefcoach.net
    This online directory links people who are grieving after a suicide death to resources and information.

    Alliance of Hope for Suicide Survivors
    http://www.allianceofhope.org
    This organization for survivors of suicide loss provides information sheets, a blog, and a community forum through which survivors can share with each other.

    Friends for Survival
    http://www.friendsforsurvival.org
    This organization is for suicide loss survivors and professionals who work with them. It produces a monthly newsletter and runs the Suicide Loss Helpline (1-800-646-7322). It also published Pathways to Purpose and Hope, a guide to building a community-based suicide survivor support program.

    HEARTBEAT: Grief Support Following Suicide
    http://heartbeatsurvivorsaftersuicide.org
    This organization has chapters providing support groups for survivors of suicide loss in Colorado and some other states. Its website provides information sheets for survivors and a leader’s guide on how to start a new chapter of HEARTBEAT.

    Resources and Support Groups

    Parents of Suicides and Friends & Families of Suicides (POS-FFOS)
    http://www.pos-ffos.com
    This website provides a public message board called Suicide Grief Support Forum, a listserv for parents, a separate listserv for others, and an online chat room for survivors of suicide loss.

    Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS)
    https://www.taps.org/suicide
    This organization provides resources and programs for people grieving the loss of a loved one who died while serving in the U.S. armed forces or as a result of their service. It has special resources and programs for suicide loss survivors.

    United Survivors
    https://unitesurvivors.org/
    This organization is a place where people who have experienced suicide loss, suicide attempts, and suicidal thoughts and feelings, and their friends and families, can connect to use their lived experience to advocate for policy, systems, and cultural change.

    Professional Organizations

    American Association of Suicidology
    suicidology.org • (202) 237-2280
    Promotes public awareness, education and training for professionals, and sponsors an annual Healing After Suicide conference for suicide loss survivors. In addition to the conference, they offer a coping with suicide grief handbook by Jeffrey Jackson. This booklet is also available in Spanish.

    The Compassionate Friends
    compassionatefriends.org • (877) 969-0010
    Offers resources for families after the death of a child. They sponsor support groups, newsletters and online support groups throughout the country, as well as an annual national conference for bereaved families.

    The Dougy Center
    The National Center for Grieving Children & Families
    dougy.org • (503) 775-5683
    Publishes extensive resources for helping children and teens who are grieving a death including death by suicide. Resources include the “Children, Teens and Suicide Loss” booklet created in partnership with AFSP. This booklet is also available in Spanish.

    Link’s National Resource Center for Suicide Prevention and Aftercare
    thelink.org/nrc-for-suicide-prevention-aftercar • 404-256-2919
    Dedicated to reaching out to those whose lives have been impacted by suicide and connecting them to available resources.

    Tragedy Assistance Programs for Survivors (TAPS)
    taps.org/suicide • (800) 959-TAPS (8277)
    Provides comfort, care and resources to all those grieving the death of a military loved one through a national peer support network and connection to grief resources, all at no cost to surviving families and loved ones.

    LOSS
    losscs.org
    Offers support groups, remembrance events, companioning, suicide postvention and prevention education, and training to other communities interested in developing or enhancing their suicide postvention and prevention efforts.

    Online resources

    Alliance of Hope
    allianceofhope.org
    Provides a 24/7 online forum for suicide loss survivors.

    Help Guide
    helpguide.org
    Provides resources and tips for how to navigate the loss of someone to suicide.

    Parents of Suicides (POS) – Friends and Families of Suicides (FFOS)
    pos-ffos.com
    An internet community to connect parents, friends, and family that have lost someone to suicide.

    SAVE: Suicide Awareness Voices of Education
    save.org/programs/suicide-loss-support • (952) 946-7998
    Hosts resources for suicide loss survivor including a support group database, newsletter, survivor conference and the Named Memorial Program, which offers a special way to honor your loved one.

    Siblings Survivors of Suicide Loss
    siblingsurvivors.com
    Provides resources and a platform to connect with others that have lost a sibling to suicide.

    Finding professional care and support

    Find a mental health provider

    Find a provider for prolonged grief

    Find additional resources for marginalized communities

    Crisis Services

    988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
    988lifeline.org
    Call or text 988 (press 1 for Veterans, 2 for Spanish, 3 for LGBTQ+ youth and young adults) or chat 988lifeline.org
    A 24-hour, toll-free suicide prevention service available to anyone in suicidal crisis. You will be routed to the closest possible crisis center in your area. With crisis centers across the country, their mission is to provide immediate assistance to anyone seeking mental health services. Call for yourself, or someone you care about. Your call is free and confidential.

    Crisis Text Line
    crisistextline.org
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    The Story of My Forever Son

    A vibrant red rose in full bloom surrounded by green leaves, symbolizing beauty and remembrance, My Forever Son, The Backstory to My Forever Son: A Mother's Grief
    A vibrant red rose blooming amidst green leaves, symbolizing love and remembrance, My Forever Son, What Happened? The Backstory to My Forever Son: A Mother’s Grief

    What Happened? The Backstory to My Forever Son: A Mother’s Grief

    I started this blog, My Forever Son: Healing After Losing a Child to Suicide in 2015, three years into my journey of grief. You can read more about what happened here: The Backstory to My Forever Son: A Mother’s Grief recounts the author’s harrowing experience of losing her son to suicide. Her story highlights her grief, guilt, and the healing power of writing, especially through works like the “If Earth Were Sky (And Sky Above)” poem: reflections on love and loss. The blog “My Forever Son” came about as a way for the author to work through this devastating grief that follows the loss of a child to suicide. My Forever Son blog serves as a platform for sharing experiences and finding healing and solace in community.

    A close-up of peach-colored flowers surrounded by vibrant green leaves, showcasing nature's beauty.
    Delicate coral flowers surrounded by lush green leaves, symbolizing the beauty and resilience of nature amidst grief, My Forever Son, Find Hope Here: Poetic Reflections on Grief and Healing

    Find Hope Here: Poetic Reflections on Grief and Healing

    Find Hope Here: Poetic Reflections on Grief and Healing offers a heartfelt collection of poems that deeply resonate with the profound sorrow of parents who have experienced the unimaginable pain of losing a child to suicide. These poignant verses navigate the intense emotions of this tragic loss, beautifully capturing the stages of grief while gently guiding readers towards hope and healing on their journey through grief.

    A large magnolia tree in full bloom with pink flowers, surrounded by a grassy area covered in fallen petals, A majestic magnolia tree in full bloom, , My Forever Son, The Magnolia Tree: A Symbol of Grief and Resilience,
    A majestic magnolia tree in full bloom, symbolizing resilience and beauty amidst grief, The Magnolia Tree: A Symbol of Grief and Resilience, My Forever Son

    The Magnolia Tree: A Symbol of Grief and Resilience

    The Magnolia Tree: A Symbol of Grief and Resilience, explores the author’s journey of grief through the metaphor of a Magnolia tree’s cyclical seasons. The author uses photography to illustrate the parallels between nature’s cycles and the seasons of grief, finding hope and healing in writing, gardening, and nature’s resilience. The Magnolia tree’s resilience symbolizes renewal and the possibility of finding joy again despite profound heartbreak. After reflections on nature’s resilience, the author reflects on grief and healing (echoes of joy and shadows of loss) after losing her son to suicide.

    Close-up portrait of a woman with short hair, looking contemplative and introspective, with soft lighting highlighting her facial features capturing the depth of emotion and resilience in the journey of grief and healing, Navigating Grief After Losing a Child to Suicide: Essential Resources, My Forever Son
    A reflective moment capturing the depth of emotion and resilience in the journey of grief and healing, Navigating Grief After Losing a Child to Suicide: Essential Resources, My Forever Son

    Navigating Grief After Losing a Child to Suicide: Essential Resources

    Navigating Grief After Losing a Child to Suicide: Essential Resources offers an extensive collection of resources aimed at helping parents understand the complexities of suicide to help with their profound grief. This invaluable guide not only provides insights but also connects parents with supportive communities, fostering a sense of belonging and emphasizing gentle pathways to hope and healing during such a heartbreaking time.

    A woman with a pained expression rests her head in her hands, conveying deep emotional distress capturing the profound emotions associated with loss and healing, Navigating Guilt in Grief: A Parent's Guide, My Forever Son
    A woman reflecting on her grief, capturing the profound emotions associated with loss and healing, Navigating Guilt in Grief: A Parent’s Guide, My Forever Son

    Navigating Guilt in Grief: A Parent’s Guide

    Navigating Guilt in Grief: A Parent’s Guide offers a gentle and understanding perspective on the complex emotions that emerge after the devastating loss of a loved one through suicide, particularly from the vantage point of parents.This guide thoughtfully addresses the overwhelming and often contradictory feelings of grief, guilt, and sorrow that can envelop parents navigating such profound heartache.

    A close-up of a blooming orange rose, surrounded by green leaves, with water droplets on the petals, symbolizing love and remembrance, Healing After Losing a Child to Suicide: A Guide for Parents, My Forever Son
    A delicate orange rose embodying beauty and resilience, symbolizing love and remembrance, Healing After Losing a Child to Suicide: A Guide for Parents, My Forever Son

    Healing After Losing a Child to Suicide: A Guide for Parents

    Healing After Losing a Child to Suicide: A Guide for Parents gently supports parents navigating the profound sorrow of losing a child to suicide. This heartfelt article acknowledges the intense grief that such a tragedy brings and offers compassionate guidance on finding a way forward. The healing strategies shared emphasize self-care and the importance of seeking professional help, while inviting parents to connect with others who understand their pain.

    Close-up of coral pink flowers with delicate petals and green leaves, showcasing nature's beauty, symbolizing love and remembrance, Carrying Ache and Love: Healing Longterm Grief in Suicide Loss, My Forever Son
    A vibrant display of peach-colored flowers, symbolizing love and remembrance, Carrying Ache and Love: Healing Longterm Grief in Suicide Loss, My Forever Son

    Carrying Ache and Love: Healing Longterm Grief in Suicide Loss

    I have shared my grief journey on this blog, My Forever Son, reflecting on those painful early years and sharing glimmers of hope along the way. Through sleepless nights and tears, I found that my deep love for my son sustains me through his absence.

    Carrying both ache and love after losing my son to suicide has been the crux of my grief journey these past 12 years. I share insights into healing from deep grief in the article, Carrying Ache and Love: Healing Longterm Grief in Suicide Loss, where ache for his absence and love for my son walk together in my heart. Holding hands, one is never without the other, but ache and love have carried me—and carry me still. 

    Scenic view of a river flowing through a forested area with mountains in the background, under a clear blue sky, symbolizing peace and reflection in the journey of grief, When Love Isn't Enough:
    A serene landscape featuring a calm river surrounded by lush green trees and majestic mountains, symbolizing peace and reflection in the journey of grief, When Love Isn’t Enough: “Ode to Suicide: That We Might Understand,” My Forever Son

    When Love Isn’t Enough: “Ode to Suicide: That We Might Understand”

    When Love Isn’t Enough: “Ode to Suicide: That We Might Understand,”explores the complexities of suicide and includes a compassionate treatise written by the author, “Ode to Suicide: That We Might Understand,” challenging the notion that it is a choice. The treatise, “Ode to Suicide: That We Might Understand,” emphasizes the inevitability of death, regardless of the cause, and the limitations of love in preventing it. The author of the treatise “Ode to Suicide: That We Might Understand” and this article, “When Love Isn’t Enough,” Beth Brown shares her personal journey of grief after losing her son to suicide, finding solace in writing and nature photography.

    Meet Dylan, My Forever Son

    A young man with long hair, wearing a black 'Ibanez' graphic t-shirt, sitting on a staircase and smiling, My Forever Son, Twenty Years of Love: Dylan
    A joyful moment captured of Dylan, radiating happiness while seated outdoors, My Forever Son, Twenty Years of Love: Dylan

    Twenty Years of Love: Dylan

    “Twenty Years of Love: Dylan” offers a poignant exploration of grief and loss, weaving together cherished memories and reflections on Dylan’s life. The emotional resonance of this piece is deeply felt, beautifully portraying both the love and sorrow that the author carries in their heart. The thoughtful inclusion of links to further readings about Dylan and resources for support is a compassionate touch that adds immense value to those who may be navigating similar journeys.

    A pathway lined with greenery and scattered fallen leaves, creating a tranquil and reflective atmosphere, symbolizing the journey of grief and remembrance, Walking through Shadows: Surviving the Unthinkable Loss of a Child to Suicide, My Forever Son
    A serene pathway lined with fallen leaves, symbolizing the journey of grief and remembrance, Walking through Shadows: Surviving the Unthinkable Loss of a Child to Suicide, My Forever Son

    Walking Through Shadows: Surviving the Unthinkable Loss of a Child to Suicide

    Walking through Shadows: Surviving the Unthinkable Loss of a Child to Suicide offers a deeply moving and heartfelt narrative that illuminates the unimaginable pain of losing a child to suicide. The personal stories shared create a sincere and unfiltered glimpse into the heavy journey of grief and the gradual path toward healing. Through poignant reflections and a poetic exploration on grief, the author navigates the chaotic emotions that accompany such a catastrophic event, revealing both the struggles and the moments of unexpected solace that can emerge even in the darkest times.

    A close-up image of a lion statue sitting on a stone surface, surrounded by red fallen leaves, symbolizing strength and remembrance in the context of cherished memories, I Want It All Back: Remembering Dylan, My Forever Son
    A serene lion statue surrounded by fallen leaves, symbolizing strength and remembrance in the context of cherished memories, My Forever Son, I Want It All Back: Remembering Dylan, My Forever Son

    I Want It All Back: Remembering Dylan, My Forever Son

    I Want It All Back: Remembering Dylan, My Forever Son lovingly encapsulates the profound heartache and cherished memories tied to the author’s beloved son, Dylan. Through heartfelt imagery and poignant personal stories, it invites readers to share in an emotional journey that resonates deeply, fostering a compassionate understanding of loss and love.

    Vibrant deep-red autumn leaves showcasing shades of red and green, symbolizing the beauty of change and memory, My Forever Son
    Vibrant autumn leaves showcasing shades of red and green, symbolizing the beauty of change and memory, My Forever Son, I Want to Believe: Searching for Hope After Losing My Son to Suicide

    I Want to Believe: Searching for Hope After Losing My Son to Suicide

    I Want to Believe: Searching for Hope After Losing My Son to Suicide is a heartfelt collection of personal reflections and cherished memories that navigates the profound journey of grief and hope following the heartbreaking loss of a son to suicide. The rawness of the emotions is deeply felt, drawing readers into a shared space of empathy. Through vivid descriptions and nostalgic elements, the work evokes a sense of connection and understanding, while the stunning images inspire hope and healing amidst the sorrow.

    A black and white photo of a woman, a mother, sitting on the floor, tenderly holding and smiling at a young child dressed in striped overalls. A birthday cake with a candle sits in front of them, decorated with the name 'Dylan', My Forever Son, Dylan: Forever Loved and Remembered
    A tender moment between a mother and her joyful child, celebrating cherished memories of Dylan’s early years, My Forever Son, Dylan: Forever Loved and Remembered in Our Hearts

    Dylan: Forever Loved and Remembered in Our Hearts

    Dylan: Forever Loved and Remembered in Our Hearts invites readers into the heart/h-wrenching yet beautifully profound journey of a mother’s grief after the devastating loss of her beloved 20-year-old son, Dylan, who tragically died by suicide. Through a heartfelt collection of original poems and personal reflections, she courageously shares the painful complexities of her sorrow, the small moments of hope that emerged, and her ongoing path toward healing.

    Heartfelt Stories and Poems of Love and Loss

    A single red rose resting on a bed of white flowers, symbolizing love and remembrance, symbolizing love and remembrance, “On Baby’s Breath and Angel Wings” Poem: Grieving a Child’s Suicide
    A vibrant red rose resting on delicate white flowers of Baby’s Breath, symbolizing love and remembrance, “On Baby’s Breath and Angel Wings” Poem: Grieving a Child’s Suicide

    “On Baby’s Breath and Angel Wings” Poem: Grieving a Child’s Suicide

    “On Baby’s Breath and Angel Wings” Poem: Grieving a Child’s Suicide delves into the deep, heart-wrenching sorrow of losing a child to suicide. This poignant piece not only articulates the immense pain of such a loss but also provides vital resources to navigate the challenging journey of grief. With tender personal reflections and thoughtful coping strategies, the post and poem, “On Baby’s Breath and Angel Wings” serves as a compassionate companion for those who are enduring similar heartaches. 

    A family gathering at a beautifully set table, featuring candles and a vase of pink roses, reflecting moments of love, loss, and healing, My Forever Son, A Grandmother’s Love Held Together the Family Table

    A Grandmother’s Love Held Together the Family Table

    A Grandmother’s Love Held Together the Family Table chronicles a family’s journey through the loss of their beloved son, Dylan. This tragedy alters their connections, turning a joyful gathering space into one of reflection. The narrative captures the struggle between despair and acceptance, underscoring love’s enduring power amidst heartache. In honoring Dylan’s memory, they find unexpected joy in their grief, illustrating the resilience of the human spirit in the face of loss.

    A close-up of a golden puppy with soft fur and expressive eyes, sitting on a bed of pine needles, wearing a blue collar and leash, Grandparents' Double Grief: Losing a Grandchild to Suicide
    A fluffy puppy sitting outdoors, embodying innocence and companionship, My Forever Son, Grandparents’ Double Grief: Losing a Grandchild to Suicide

    Grandparents’ Double Grief: Losing a Grandchild to Suicide

    Grandparents’ Double Grief: Losing a Grandchild to Suicide gently delves into the profound and heart-wrenching sorrow experienced by grandparents who endure the unimaginable loss of their grandchild. This painful journey envelops them in a dual mourning, as they grieve not only the precious life that is gone but also the shattered dreams and cherished memories that will sorrowfully remain unrealized for their own child, the grieving parent.

    A mother sitting beside her son in a hospital bed, expressing concern and sadness as he sleeps, and embodying the pain and hope intertwined with the journey of healing and survival, My Forever Son
    A mother watches over her son in a hospital bed, embodying the pain and hope intertwined with the journey of healing and survival, My Forever Son, Memorial Day: A Mother’s Reflection on Loss, Love, and Unbearable Tragedy

    Memorial Day: A Mother’s Reflection on Loss, Love, and Unbearable Tragedy

    Memorial Day: A Mother’s Reflection on Loss, Love, and Unbearable Tragedy beautifully captures the deep sorrow and unwavering love a mother feels for her son. The author bravely shares her heartfelt journey, navigating the immense pain and heartbreak tied to her son’s fourth suicide attempt on Memorial Day. Through her poignant narrative, she reveals the complex layers of a mother’s grief, intricately woven with fleeting moments of hope that resonate powerfully with anyone who is facing loss.

    Close-up of a soft white peony flower with delicate pink accents, symbolizing beauty and remembrance, My Forever Son, “Shaped by Love and This Grief Come to Stay" A Poem on Suicide Loss
    A close-up of a delicate white flower with soft pink accents, symbolizing beauty and remembrance, My Forever Son, “Shaped by Love and This Grief Come to Stay” A Poem on Suicide Loss

    “Shaped by Love and This Grief Come to Stay”: A Poem on Suicide Loss

    “Shaped by Love and This Grief Come to Stay” A Poem on Suicide Loss explores the profound sorrow a parent endures after losing a child to suicide. It addresses themes of grief and guilt, highlighting the heavy shadow such a tragedy casts on life. This poignant narrative captures a parent’s transformative journey in the wake of their child’s absence, revealing emotions of shame while confronting societal stigma surrounding suicide. With compassion and insight, the poem resonates with anyone who has faced similar heart-wrenching experiences.

    A vibrant yellow rose symbolizing love and remembrance, My Forever Son, 11 Years After Suicide Loss: I Still Want to Believe
    A vibrant yellow rose symbolizing love and remembrance, My Forever Son, 11 Years After Suicide Loss: I Still Want to Believe

    11 Years After Suicide Loss: I Still Want to Believe

    11 Years After Suicide Loss: I Still Want to Believe powerfully conveys the depths of my unyielding grief and a relentless yearning for my beloved son, Dylan, whose vibrant spirit was tragically stolen by suicide eleven heart-wrenching years ago at merely twenty. As my only child, his absence has carved an immense void in my soul, reshaping every facet of my life while perpetually stirring the cherished memories of the beautiful moments we once savored together.

    Explore Poignant Poems on Love and Loss

    Explore Poems of Love and Loss

    poems of love and loss

    “Travel On My Brave Soldier”: A Poem of Hope

    “Travel On My Brave Soldier”: A Poem of Hope Summary “Travel On My Brave Soldier”: A Poem of Hope addresses grieving parents who have suffered the unimaginable loss of a child to suicide. It underscores the profound importance of honoring their child’s memory through meaningful rituals, sharing heartfelt stories, and engaging in advocacy events that…

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    For Parents

    Finding Beauty in Loss: Reflections on Grief and Healing

    Finding Beauty in Loss: Reflections on Grief and Healing Key Takeaways Summary Finding Beauty in Loss: Reflections on Grief and Healing shares author Beth Brown’s journey of grief and healing after losing her son, Dylan, to suicide. Through poetry and nature photography, she finds solace and a way to express her overwhelming emotions after suicide loss.…

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    Where Dreams Come True and You Live On: “Once Upon a Blue-Sky Moon”

    Once Upon a Blue-Sky Moon

    And I live on and onward flee,
    Towards you my son and to infinity,
    Where dreams come true and you live on,
    And we fly again around planets and sun    .

    Beth Brown, 'Once Upon a Blue-Sky Moon' (excerpt)
    A young child bites into a red apple while standing in an orchard, surrounded by green grass and trees.
    A childhood memory of joy and innocence, capturing a moment of savoring an apple in nature, My Forever Son, Understanding “Once Upon a Blue-Sky Moon” Poem’s Heartfelt Message

    Love (and Hope) Live On

    I will see you again Dylan.

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    Close-up of pink azalea flowers with delicate petals and prominent stamens, My Forever Son
    Blooming pink azalea flowers representing love and remembrance, My Forever Son, Embracing Grief: A Poetic Journey of Love

    Embracing Grief: A Poetic Journey of Love

    Have you ever considered how your story might connect with others? We encourage you to share how you have embraced your grief and how it reflects the deep love you have for your child. Your experience can powerfully show how love and loss are connected, inspiring others on their journeys.

    • Reflect on your experiences: How have you embraced your grief? How does your grief reflect the deep love you have for your child?

    Sharing your story can be a meaningful step in your healing journey. Reach out, and let’s transform your grief into a narrative that inspires and uplifts.

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    Home » Finding Beauty in Loss: Poetic Reflections » Understanding ‘Once Upon a Blue-Sky Moon’ Poem’s Heartfelt Message

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    By Beth Brown

    Musician. Writer. Literary Connoisseur. Always writing, scribbling poetry, turning feelings into words. "Break my heart even further" can't ever be done, for I lost my heart the night I lost my son. Come find me writing at My Forever Son: Grief, Hope, and Healing After Losing My Son to Suicide.

    At the whim of Most Beloved Cat, I write as she tattles on the garden cats. Find Most Beloved Cat sharing her stories at Gardens at Effingham: Where Cats Tell the Tales

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