Finding Hope in Nature's Resilience Through Spring Flowers

Close-up of vibrant pink azaleas in full bloom, symbolizing the beauty and hope of spring, My Forever Son, Finding Hope in Nature’s Resilience Through Spring Flowers

Finding Hope in Nature’s Resilience Through Spring Flowers

Summary

In Finding Hope in Nature’s Resilience Through Spring Flowers, the author finds solace and healing in nature’s resilience, particularly during spring, after losing her son to suicide. The cyclical nature of the seasons, with the promise of renewal and rebirth, mirrors the author’s journey through grief and the hope for healing. Through journaling and photography, the author captures the beauty of nature and finds a poetic way to express her sorrow and search for self-forgiveness.

Key Takeaways

Finding Hope in Nature’s Resilience Through Spring Flowers helps heal the pain of losing a child to suicide.
Nature offers solace through its cycles, especially in spring when flowers bloom and symbolize renewal.
Each season tells a story of resilience, reminding us that life continues even in sorrow.
Colorful flowers and their awakening reflect the author’s journey of grief and hope.
The steadfast nature of spring inspires trust and patience amidst life’s challenges.

Introduction

Finding Hope in Nature’s Resilience Through Spring Flowers is deeply moving, capturing the emotional journey of finding hope and healing through nature following the loss of a child to suicide. The heartfelt connection to nature is beautifully expressed, illustrating how the serene beauty of the natural world offers solace and strength during difficult times in grief.

Through vivid imagery and poignant reflections, the narrative of Finding Hope in Nature’s Resilience Through Spring Flowers draws readers into a transformative experience, encouraging them to seek comfort in the rhythms of the seasons and the vitality of life that surrounds us. The photographs complement the written text well, providing visual representations of the healing process, evoking the tranquil magic of sunlit trees, gentle streams, and blooming flowers that symbolize rebirth and renewal in the wake of grief.

A Note from the Author: Each Season in Nature Tells a Story of Hope and Resilience

Healing the deep wound of losing my son to suicide is an ongoing journey in my life, a path marked by both sorrow and moments of unexpected clarity. I find hope in nature’s resilience.

I find color, hope, and peace in nature, where each season tells a story of resilience and renewal. Spring, in particular, brings the reawakening of all the flowers, shrubs, and trees that lay dormant over the long, cold, bitter months of winter, painting the landscape in vibrant hues that echo the joy of new beginnings.

As I walk through my gardens, I am reminded that just like nature, my heart, too, has the capacity to bloom again, shedding layers of grief while embracing the beauty that still exists around me.

Each blooming flower becomes a symbol of love and remembrance, intertwining the memory of my son with the awe-inspiring cycles of life and growth that surround me.

My Forever Son

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.

Vibrant purple flowers symbolize the beauty and resilience of nature in spring, My Forever Son, Finding Hope in Nature’s Resilience Through Spring Flowers

Pink flowers trail over a cream and brown stoneware flower pot resting on bricks, symbolizing hope and resilience, My Forever Son, A Poetic Quest for Healing After Losing My Son

Author’s Note: A Poetic Quest for Healing After Losing My Son

Twelve years ago, I lost my 20-year-old son, Dylan, to suicide, a heartbreaking event that shattered my world and plunged me into a dark period of grief.

During those long months, I found myself grappling with overwhelming emotions and thoughts, questioning everything around me and struggling to make sense of what will never make sense. I entered into a deep grief filled with solitude and despair, a darkness so bleak I questioned ever being able to see light again.

In the beginning, I had no words. No voice. No ability to express the grief I was feeling.

My words were lost in torrents of tears, in stark contrast to the vibrant discussions I used to lead in my college composition and literature classes.

Perhaps it’s important to preface that I was teaching college composition and literature when I lost my son to suicide, a tragedy that shattered all of me. The irony of discussing the complexities of human emotion with my students while grappling with my own profound sorrow was not lost on me.

Each day, I faced the challenge of maintaining my professional facade, all the while battling an internal tempest that seemed insurmountable, wondering how to bridge the chasm between my role as an educator and the personal devastation I was enduring.

Wild purple geraniums surrounded by green leaves in mid-summer, symbolizing hope and a moment of tranquility, My Forever Son, A Poetic Quest for Healing After Losing My Son

My Life Before Losing My Son

Books, lectures, teaching—I once felt empowered by my voice, a resonant tool for sharing ideas and knowledge. It was a time when I believed in the strength of my words and the influence they carried, inspiring others to think deeply and engage in meaningful conversations.

I reveled in the connections I forged through sharing my thoughts, feeling a sense of purpose in my contributions to the world. But when Dylan died by suicide, I felt consumed by my grief. My heart collapsed inward in sharp pain, I retreated from the outside world, and my words eluded me.

Teaching was impossible. Losing Dylan shattered my life, leaving me, on the outside at least, grappling with an overwhelming silence that echoed louder than any lecture or written page.

On the inside, I was screaming sounds I did not recognize as my own.

The Depth of My Loss Brought My Life to a Standstill

The vibrant energy that once fueled my passion for writing vanquished, and I found myself questioning everything without being able to lend voice to the confusion and overwhelming feelings I was moving through in my grief.

All of my life came to a standstill as I entered a place of deep grief. It is only in retrospect and in these twelve years past my son’s suicide that I see how all-consuming my grief was.

Diminishing the confidence that fuels expression, my grief stifled my voice completely. It’s been a difficult battle to reclaim my sense of self amidst such sorrow.

A Poetic Quest for Self-Forgiveness and Healing

Journaling was awkward. I couldn’t put all the pain I was feeling into words that did justice to the enormity of my heartbreak. But I kept writing. Slowly, in keeping a record of my grief, I realized I was creating a poetic journey about losing a child to suicide.

A vibrant red rose blooms amidst lush green leaves, symbolizing hope and renewal in the journey of healing, 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 is a heartfelt collection of poems and reflections by Beth Brown, the compassionate voice behind the My Forever Son blog. This poignant work navigates the deep, overwhelming sorrow that accompanies the tragic loss of a child to suicide. In her writing, Brown bravely shares her personal journey through grief, revealing how the act of writing poetry and connecting with the beauty of nature became vital sources of comfort and healing for her in the midst of such profound pain.

Through the author’s heartfelt verses, she reaches out with warmth and understanding to those who are journeying through their own sorrows. With her enchanting photography of the trees, shrubs, and flowers that grace her gardens throughout the seasons, Brown lovingly shares a beacon of hope, brightly illuminating the shadows cast by grief.

On Finding Hope: Photographing My Gardens Brings Healing

In nature, I find calm in the wake of profound sorrow and healing in the cycling of the seasons. Predictable. Beautiful in the spring, promising renewal after a long winter’s rest. Brilliant hues in the summer months. Autumn bringing trees and shrubs bejeweled in vivid reds, oranges, and reds. And then the stillness and monochromatic sketch of what can be a too long winter’s sleep.

Winter Wonderland: Captivating Photos in My Gardens

Snow covered branches of a saucer cup Magnolia in winter, My Forever Son, Suicide: It Never Lets Go

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Snow-covered branches of a magnolia tree in winter framed by brick wall and snow in the background, My Forever Son, c

A small bird, a junco with a gray topside and a white underside, in a triangle of sunlight across a snow-covered pond, photographed for My Forever Son, An Abrupt Awakening: Foray Into the Holidays 2015 and The Holidays Descend Suicide Never Ends

Glistening Snow reflecting sun's prisms in tree shadows in winter, rose bush with brown leaves of winter in foreground, my forever son, The holidays descend: suicide never ends and Reflections on Grief in Year 6 After Losing My Son to Suicide

Winter Magnolia Tree Shadow in Snow with Brick Wall, My Forever Son, Suicide: It Never Lets Go and The Holidays Descend Suicide Never Ends, Suicide: It Never Lets Go

Winter snow looking out over a low brick wall through a bare tree into the glare of the sun, photographed for My Forever Son, An Abrupt Awakening, Foray into the Holidays and He Left Too Soon, Also A Mother's Reflections after Losing My Son to Suicide

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A red-bellied woodpecker at a bird-feeder in winter with snow on ground, My Forever Son, A Poem About Being Haunted by Guilt After Losing My Son to Suicide: Still From Sky I'm Falling

A Long Winter’s Rest for Trees, Shrubs, and Flowers

This dormant season in winter echoes the hopelessness of my grief: everything feels, looks, seems bleak and forsaken.

This dormant season in winter echoes the hopelessness of my grief: everything feels, looks, seems bleak and forsaken. An empty landscape. Gray skies for months. A blanket of snow in white, though only the stark limbs of trees and shrubs. At times, though, red berries appear on some shrubs, supplying food for birds and wildlife. All this to say I can’t see life against this wintry scene.

But in photographing nature through the seasons, I began to see (again), the brilliance of a long winter’s rest for trees, shrubs, and flowers. To study nature and botany is to realize that what appears lifeless is actually the process of life within all of nature renewing itself. Trusting in what I cannot see brings hope and healing.

Spring Brings Hope: Photographs of My Gardens

Yellow center white petals daffodil cluster in early spring framed by brick wall in background, My Forever Son, Navigating Grief: 5 Years After Losing My Son and Finding Hope, Healing and Resilience in Nature

Creamy White and Yellow Daffodils in Early Spring

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Pink Phlox in Bloom Close Up, Photographed for My Forever Son: Chronicling Grief, Hope, and Healing After Losing My Son to Suicide, Living Backwards Going Forward

Lavender Phlox in Spring, My Forever Son,

Peach flowering quince blossoms in full bloom in spring, My Forever Son, Understanding Grief After Losing a Child to Suicide

Spring Brings Beauty and Hope

Even against the cold remnants of a long winter–scattered clumps of snow, a robin redbreast plumped out to keep itself warm against a late March frost, brown dried leaves with nary a sign of color anywhere, spring breaks through. At first just small bits of color. A hint of purple as crocus push through thawing ground, then the vivid yellows of daffodils leaning towards the sun and the suddenness of blue bells. Rhododendron yawns and stretches its lavender limbs to awaken azalea, still sleepy with snow though greening beneath it all.

What seems forever gone in the gray doldrums of winter arrives with an abundance of joy come spring.

Writing My Way Through Grief to Find Hope and Healing

Snippets of language emerged as poetic reflections

Three years into my grief, I began writing journal entries. Short. A few feelings. About my day and where I was in my grief journey. Then slowly, snippets of language emerged as poetic reflections. Words shaped the deep feelings and emotional longing in my heart, and as I continued writing, I began to find small glimpses of hope in unexpected ways.

Photographing my gardens garnered a way to coalesce all the many feelings and words I’d been unable to express. And the more I photographed through the seasons, the more glimmers of hope I found along the way.

Each poignant poem in Find Hope Here: Poetic Reflections on Grief and Healing is a dedicated blog post in its own right, replete with the inspiration behind the poem.

The poems included in Find Hope Here: Poetic Reflections on Grief and Healing appear below. Each poem is a blog post in its own right, oftentimes replete with the inspiration behind the poem.

Each poem moves the reader through the profound emotions of grief and healing after losing a child.

Many of the poems tell narratives I remember from my son’s childhood. This is significant–reconstructing the narrative of our lives during his growing-up years brings release for all the love and beautiful memories before the trauma of losing him. Writing these poems and narratives, these poetic reflections on love and loss, have helped me learn to carry love and ache together.

Still I write. Still I heal. Still I miss my son.

From Shattered Hearts to Quiet Hope: Poems and Reflections for Parents of Suicide Loss

Find Hope Here: Poetic Reflections on Grief and Healing

If you are reading this, you know the unique and overwhelming grief of losing a child to suicide. This collection is for you—a place to find words and images that honor your pain, offer comfort, and gently invite hope.

Curated by Beth Brown, who lost her only child, her 20-year-old son Dylan, to suicide, these poems and reflections move through the rawness of early trauma, the depths of acute grief, and the slow journey toward healing, even thirteen years later. Each post pairs heartfelt writing with stunning garden photography, inspired by Beth’s own search for solace in nature’s resilience.

Hope can be quiet—listen for it in moments of rest.

You are invited to explore at your own pace. Choose what resonates—whether it’s a poem that mirrors your sorrow, a reflection that offers comfort, or an image that whispers hope. For more resources, stories, and support, visit the My Forever Son blog and discover a community that understands.

Contemplation Prompt:
Pause with a garden image. What does it say to you about survival, growth, or hope?

About the Author, Beth Brown: Writing My Way Through Grief

The love you shared endures beyond loss.

This collection is lovingly curated by Beth Brown, a mother who lost her only child, her 20-year-old son Dylan, to suicide. Over thirteen years, Beth’s journey through the depths of grief has been shaped by poetry, reflection, and the healing presence of her gardens. Through My Forever Son, she shares how nature’s resilience and beauty offer moments of solace and hope, even in the face of unimaginable loss.

Explore These Poems and Reflections at Your Own Pace

You are invited to explore these poems and reflections at your own pace. Each post pairs heartfelt words with stunning garden photography, offering comfort, understanding, and gentle encouragement for wherever you are in your grief. Select what speaks to you—let these pages be a companion on your path toward healing. For more resources, stories, and support, visit the My Forever Son blog and discover a community that understands.

Journaling Prompt:
What memories of your child bring both tears and warmth? Write a few lines, letting your heart speak freely.

You are not alone. Healing is a journey, and hope can bloom—even here.

Message of Hope:
Even in the darkest seasons, a single flower can remind us that beauty and life persist. Let these poems be gentle companions as you move through your grief.

FIND HOPE HERE: POEMS AND POETIC REFLECTIONS ON GRIEF AND HEALING

Poems about Losing a Child to Suicide

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

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“He Left Too Soon” Poem: A Mother’s Deep Sorrow

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

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The Emotional Depth of ‘Beat Still My Heart’: A Powerful Elegy

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If Only a Mother’s Love: A Poem on Loss

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Find Hope Here: Poetic Reflections on Grief and Healing

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“That All of Love Could Sweep Time Back”: Poem on Guilt in Grief

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Derecho: A Storm Out of Nowhere – Grief Poem “He Left Too Soon”

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Tillers of the Earth and Tenders of the Soil: A Poem of Love and Loss

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“If Earth Were Sky (And Sky Above)” Poem: Reflections on Love and Loss

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Holding True to My Son’s Narrative: “Shaped by Love” Poem Analysis

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From journaling to discovering the poetic language that encapsulates my grief, I penned my path to healing, culminating in the creation of my book, Bury My Heart: 19 Poems for Grief and Healing After Losing a Child to Suicide.

The anthology of poems in this book provides a profound and moving examination of grief, intricately intertwining original verses that delve into themes of loss, guilt, hope, self-forgiveness, and the path to healing. Expertly curated, the arrangement of poems invites deep reflection, serving as a treasured companion for those in search of solace and connection during difficult times.

Close-up of vibrant pink roses adorned with water droplets, symbolizing renewal and beauty in nature, My Forever Son, Finding Hope in Nature’s Resilience Through Spring Flowers

My Forever Son: Healing After Losing My Son to Suicide

I want to share a deeply personal story about my son, Dylan, who I lost to suicide on June 25, 2012. He was just 20 years old and my only child. At the time, he was a sophomore in college, studying Digital Media at a prestigious university on a full academic scholarship.

Dylan was an incredible young man—always at the top of his class and navigating that challenging transition from high school to college with such promise and potential. He brought joy and purpose to my life, serving as my reason to rise each morning with hope in my heart.

Over the past 12 years, I have navigated the unique challenges of grief that accompany the loss of a child to suicide. Yet, within that sorrow, I have experience glimpses of hope and healing. My narrative embodies loss and resilience, highlighting the unbreakable bond between a mother and her son.

A vibrant field of purple flowers blooming among green foliage, symbolizing hope and renewal in a serene garden setting, My Forever Son, Find Hope Here: Poetic Reflections on Grief and Healing — A vibrant display of purple flowers, symbolizing hope and renewal in a garden setting, **Find Hope Here: Poetic Reflections on Grief and Healing**, My Forever Son

Find Hope Here: Poetic Reflections on Grief and Healing After Losing a Child

Find Hope Here: Poetic Reflections on Grief and Healing is a poignant collection of poems by Beth Brown that explores the intense pain of losing a child to suicide. Through her personal journey of grief and healing, Brown offers comfort to readers experiencing similar heartaches. This collection not only delves into the complexities of grief with heartfelt verses but also illuminates paths to hope and resilience.

The author’s authentic and vulnerable expressions invite reflection on shared experiences of loss. Ultimately, Find Hope Here: Poetic Reflections on Grief and Healing serves as a touching reminder of love’s enduring strength and the essential nature of healing. Each poem gently guides readers through their grief, providing solace and understanding amidst profound sorrow.

FIND HOPE HERE: POETIC REFLECTIONS. ON GRIEF AND HEALING

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If Only a Mother’s Love: A Poem on Loss

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“Falling Stars in a Moonless Sky”: Poem on Child Loss

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

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Derecho: A Storm Out of Nowhere – Grief Poem “He Left Too Soon”

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“Sorrow Buried in Love”: A Poem for Grieving Parents

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“He Left Too Soon” Poem: A Mother’s Deep Sorrow

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The Emotional Depth of ‘Beat Still My Heart’: A Powerful Elegy

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

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

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“That All of Love Could Sweep Time Back”: Poem on Guilt in Grief

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“If Earth Were Sky (And Sky Above)” Poem: Reflections on Love and Loss

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Tillers of the Earth and Tenders of the Soil: A Poem of Love and Loss

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“I Will Seek Until I Find You” Poem: A Journey Through Grief

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Navigating Grief After Losing a Child to Suicide: Essential Resources

A source of support, Navigating Grief After Losing a Child to Suicide: Essential Resources provides comfort to grieving parents and offers hope for healing. The article discusses the challenges of grief and shares insights into the emotional struggles after such a loss. With helpful advice and personal stories, the article helps parents cope with feelings of anger, confusion, and sadness, guiding them through their grief. Ultimately, it serves as a companion, helping parents build strength and resilience as they learn to live with their grief, one day at a time.

A comforting moment shared between two individuals, symbolizing support and connection in times of grief, My Forever Son, Navigating Guilt in Grief: A Parent’s Guide

Navigating Guilt in Grief: A Parent’s Guide

Navigating Guilt in Grief: A Parent’s Guide explores the complex emotions parents experience after losing a child to suicide, including grief and guilt. Through personal stories and impactful quotes, it provides comfort and validation, reminding parents they are not alone. The guide addresses how societal expectations can intensify these feelings and offers practical advice to help parents connect and understand their emotions as they work through their healing journey.

Close-up of two red rosebuds surrounded by green leaves, symbolizing hope and renewal, symbolize hope and renewal amidst grief, reflecting the journey of healing through nature, Coping with Guilt After Losing a Child to Suicide, My Forever Son — Bright red rosebuds symbolize hope and renewal amidst grief, reflecting the journey of healing through nature, **Coping with Guilt After Losing a Child to Suicide**, My Forever Son

Coping with Guilt After Losing a Child to Suicide

Coping with Guilt After Losing a Child to Suicide offers a compassionate exploration of the emotions parents face after losing a child to suicide. This heartfelt post provides understanding and guidance for grieving families, featuring quotes from mental health professionals and bereaved parents, as well as crucial resources like hotlines and support groups. It emphasizes that losing a child to suicide does not mean you failed as a parent, as mental health issues and risk factors are often beyond your control. Remember, your child’s decision was driven by their own pain, not a desire to hurt you.

Delicate pink and white blossoms symbolize the beauty of spring’s renewal, My Forever Son, Finding Hope in Nature’s Resilience Through Spring’s Flowers

Healing the Deep Wound of Losing a Child

Healing the deep wound of losing my son is an ongoing journey in my life, a path marked by both sorrow and moments of unexpected clarity.

Each Season in Nature Tells a Story of Hope and Resilience

As I walk through my gardens, I am reminded that just like nature, my heart, too, has the capacity to bloom again, shedding layers of grief while embracing the beauty that still exists around me.

Each blooming flower becomes a symbol of love and remembrance, intertwining the memory of my son with the awe-inspiring cycles of life and growth that surround me.

Spring’s Colorful Promise: Hope in Pink, Purple, Yellow, and White

Each year, purple and yellow crocus emerge from their winter’s sleep, breaking through the cold, hard ground, bursts of sunshine after a long, dreary season. Shortly thereafter, the vibrant yellow and snowy white daffodils add their joyful presence to the landscape, their bright hues contrasting deeply against the still-barren backdrop of early spring.

As the days gradually lengthen and temperatures start to rise, showy red tulips open their petals, their stems rising tall and noble, graceful even when cooler temperatures still prevail. All of these colorful flowers, trees, and shrubs opening reflect the resilience and beauty of nature as it awakens from its deep winter’s slumber.

Hope Abounds in Nature’s Resilience

My grief, despair, and hopelessness echo the monochromatic landscape of winter–a bitter mix of gray, black, and white.

But come spring, when the brilliance of sun, blue skies, and flowers seemingly appear against the backdrop of an impossible, immutable winter, hope abounds in nature’s resilience.

A close-up of vibrant purple flowers symbolizing renewal and hope in spring, My Forever Son, Finding Hope in Nature’s Resilience Through Spring Flowers

Spring: A Season of Hope and Nature’s Resilience

My life reflects both the loss and the hope and healing more than a decade of grief have brought. Losing my son to suicide devastated me; finding hope in nature’s beauty, its many changes throughout the seasons and its resilience through even the toughest of winters, brings me renewed hope in the wake of deep grief.

My poems stand in the chasm where I span two worlds: One world is my pre-suicide life, the one that always feels like home; the other world, my life as is, as now, seeking clarity of purpose and finding hope in nature’s resilience, especially through spring flowers.

On Baby's Breath and Angel Wings


On baby's breath and angel wings, 
You bring me love yet still,
In shades of blue where silver spoons
Shine moonbeams in your hair.

Oh lay me down to sleep tonight
In dreams where life goes on,
Where twirling, time and laughter gaze, adoringly in love.

Glitter falls from a sun that shines
Too bright in its own halo,
Where hallowed wings and angels sing
Dark comes at night to clothe.

In shadows hushed and moods downcast
Despair lives in the music you love,
Rhythms that cut and carve deep grooves
Trample hope and dreams from above.

Down, down, down you faster fall
Than I can spread my wings, 
To catch you, hold you, love you back
To perch where you can sing.


© Beth Brown, 2024
On Baby's Breath and Angel Wings

Blooming pink flowers symbolize hope and renewal in spring, reflecting nature’s resilience, Finding Hope in Nature’s Resilience Through Spring Flowers, My Forever Son

Signs of Spring: A Renewed Hope as Nature Awakens

Cusp of Spring Brings Birds

Beautiful sunshine, blue skies, longer days with light trailing into evenings. Cusp of spring. Not yet in bloom, not yet risen, though felt in more ways than this end of winter can hold.

Robins, as of yesterday, have returned. Three robins busy themselves in the neighbor’s yard.
A pair of Mockingbirds have returned, and they are busy gathering bits of what’s needed to prepare a proper nest for their young.
The red-bellied woodpecker frequents the bird-feeder, and the many house sparrows flit about in anticipation of warmer days.
The finch feeder needs constant filling now, and while the small brown finches have not yet begun to molt into their bright yellow summer selves, they are bulking up for mating season.

Soon, the charming little finches, once again adorned in their vibrant summer yellow attire, will commence their lively disputes, flitting here and there in a bid to captivate the females and secure their mates.

Close-up of pink and white flowering quince buds amidst green leaves, symbolizing spring and renewal, My Forever Son, Finding Hope in Nature's Resilience

Close-up of pink and white flowering buds hanging from a tree branch, surrounded by green leaves, symbolizing spring and renewal, My Forever Son, Finding Hope in Nature's Resilience

Close-up of vibrant pink blossoms on a tree, symbolizing spring and renewal, My Forever Son, Finding Hope in Nature's Resilience

A vibrant pink flowering tree against a wooden fence, surrounded by green foliage, symbolizing the beauty of spring and renewal in nature, My Forever Son, Finding Hope in Nature's Resilience

Close-up of small white flowers with pink accents, surrounded by green leaves, My Forever Son, Finding Hope in Nature's Resilience

Close-up of a blooming yellow forsythia bush, showcasing vibrant yellow flowers against a backdrop of green leaves, My Forever Son, Finding Hope in Nature's Resilience

Close-up of blooming peach flowering quince branches with vibrant blooms and fresh green leaves, set against a softly blurred background, My Forever Son, Finding Hope in Nature's Resilience

Close-up of peach flowering quince blossoms surrounded by green leaves, symbolizing spring's renewal and beauty, My Forever Son, Finding Hope in Nature's Resilience

Close-up of a flowering quince branch with pink blossoms and green leaves in a garden setting, My Forever Son, Finding Hope in Nature's Resilience

Close-up of white flowers with delicate petals and green leaves, symbolizing renewal and hope in nature, My Forever Son, Finding Hope in Nature's Resilience

Close-up view of flowering dogwood tree branches with pale green blossoms against a clear blue sky, My Forever Son, Finding Hope in Nature's Resilience

A dogwood tree in bloom with vibrant yellow flowers against a clear blue sky, symbolizing the arrival of spring and new beginnings, My Forever Son, Finding Hope in Nature's Resilience

Sunshine Brings Daffodils

Tips of green sprout up along the garden wall, a sign of hope as these green tips of what will become daffodils follow the layout of the rose garden. The roses will not rise from their sleepy slumber until May, and their harsh, empty canes stand empty, juxtaposed against the brilliant green tips of daffodils planted in and around the barren rose bushes.

Cluster of 5 white daffodils with deep yellow centers in early spring, My Forever Son, Finding Hope, Healing, and Resilience in Nature — White and Yellow Daffodils in Early Spring, My Forever Son

Yellow and White daffodils close up, deep yellow orange centers and white petals, My Forever Son, Finding Hope, Healing, and Resilience in Nature — White and Yellow Daffodils in Early Spring, My Forever Son

Daffodils Awash in Colors: Nature’s Celebration of Hope

Intent on rising early and in sequence, early-spring, mid-spring, and late-spring daffodils will open first in the gardens, awash in colors of white and yellow petals, creamy yellow with white centers, and white petals with white centers. Soon to follow, flowering shrubs and trees in pinks, peach, and purple. Ground cover in shades of lavender and pink will suddenly sprout up. Spring will just have suddenly arrived.

Close-up of blooming daffodils with white and orange petals, surrounded by green foliage and a bit of earth, My Forever Son, Finding Hope in Nature's Resilience — Daffodils in bloom, showcasing the beauty and resilience of nature in spring.

Close-up image of vibrant pink azalea flowers in full bloom, showcasing their delicate petals and lush green leaves, My Forever Son, Finding Hope in Nature's Resilience — Daffodils in bloom, showcasing the beauty and resilience of nature in spring.

Still Winter Lingers: Hope is Found in Nature’s Spring Resilience

And yet spring has not come. Not yet, though the earth feels the signs: Days that are longer and less cloudy, and temperatures that while dipping below freezing at night, soar up twenty to thirty degrees warmer during the day.

Snow fell this past weekend, and while several inches thick, melted quickly with warmer daytime temperatures. The sun angles differently now in the sky, and the skies are more blue than the steady cascade of gray, wintry days. In late spring, the skies will be Cerulean blue, and even today, the days feel a bit warmer as the skies adorn themselves in Robin Egg’s blue.

The Steadfast Nature of Spring

Today, I stumbled upon last year’s journals from this time. What surprises me most is the steadfast nature of spring. Heavy rains come, winds blow gustily and strong, nights can suddenly be too cold for the flowers caught blooming, but still, spring comes.

Mulching and weeding are a given when suddenly everything is bursting into bloom. Winter will have been harsh—and at times, lenient—too cold and too warm, yet still, spring comes.

A stack of soil bags ready for spring gardening, symbolizing preparation and renewal in nature, My Forever Son, Finding Hope in Nature’s Resilience

A serene garden pond surrounded by smooth rocks and vibrant flowering plants, symbolizing hope and renewal in nature, My Forever Son, Fiinding Hope in Nature’s Resilience

Hope Springs Eternal

Hope lies in the steadiness of seasons that both call awake and lull to sleep a spectacular array of flowers, plants, shrubs, and trees. Spring and fall are equally beautiful, though it is spring that reminds me life returns to what in late fall and winter appear depleted.

Out of sight, roots and bulbs store energy, still alive, but in a form I cannot see. A truth I cannot knowingly see, but must trust is there. Patience in the waiting through hard seasons (winter), and surrender in moving through what is always a too short spring.

Trust and patience. This is harder than it seems.

Hope Means “Hold On, Pain Eases”
Beth Brown, Finding Hope in Nature’s Resilience, My Forever Son

The Resilience of Spring and Summer Brings Hope

White and Yellow Daffodils in Early Spring

Close up photo of Purple Lilacs in Full Bloom in Late Spring. Green heart-shaped leaves surround the lilac bloom, My Forever Son, Finding Hope in Nature's Resilience — Purple Lilacs in Full Bloom in Late Spring

Close up photo of Tender Yellow and White Flowers of German Chamomile Beside Vivid Green Leaves of Chocolate Mint, My Forever Son, Finding Hope in Nature's Resilience — Tender Yellow and White Flowers of German Chamomile

Close up of Peach flowering quince, My Forever Son, Finding Hope in Nature's Resilience — Peach Flowering Quince in Spring

Close up photo of pink flowering crabapple blossoms in spring, My Forever Son, Finding Hope in Nature's Resilience — Pink Crabapple Blossoms in Spring

Close Up of Dainty purple Flowers in Full Bloom of Summer, My Forever Son, Finding Hope in Nature's Resilience — Purple Flowers in Full Bloom of Summer

Close Up Photo of Large Heart-Shaped, Green Hosta Leaves in Midsummer, My Forever Son, Finding Hope in Nature's Resilience — Purple Flowers in Full Bloom of Summer

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.

A close-up of colorful fallen leaves, primarily featuring large red leaves amidst shades of pink and brown, resting on the ground, symbolizing the beauty and transience of nature, My Forever Son, Understanding the Unique Aspects of Suicide Grief — A close-up of vibrant red and purple leaves scattered on the ground, symbolizing the beauty and transience of nature, My Forever Son, **Understanding the Unique Aspects of Suicide Grief**

Understanding the Unique Aspects of Suicide Grief

Understanding the Unique Aspects of Suicide Grief compassionately delves into the profound challenges of navigating the grief that follows a suicide. The author, who has experienced the heart-wrenching loss of her son, shares her deeply moving personal journey, offering comfort and understanding to those who find themselves in similar anguish. This heartfelt post not only shares her story but also provides a thoughtful collection of articles and professional resources, aimed at helping parents cope with the unimaginable pain of losing a child to suicide.

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: "Ode to Suicide: That We Might Understand," My Forever Son — 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 difficult topic of suicide through the touching treatise, “Ode to Suicide: That We Might Understand,” which challenges the idea that it is just a choice. This meaningful work discusses the certainty of death, no matter the cause, and the limits of love in preventing such loss. Beth Brown, who wrote both the treatise and this article, shares her personal journey of grief after losing her son to suicide, finding comfort in writing and nature photography.

Meet Dylan, My Forever Son

Twenty Years of Love: Dylan

Twenty Years of Love: Dylan offers a poignant exploration of grief and loss, blending 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, My Forever Son — 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**, My Forever Son

“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, **Holding True to My Son’s Narrative: “Shaped by Love” Poem Analysis**

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

Holding True to My Son’s Narrative: “Shaped by Love” Poem Analysis 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.

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.

Beth Brown, Author

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

FEATURED POSTS: HOPE

Poems about Losing a Child to Suicide

Find Hope Here: Poetic Reflections on Grief and Healing

Support, Books, Resources

Finding Immediate Support Resources for Suicide Loss Survivors

Finding Immediate Support Resources for Suicide Loss Survivors Summary Finding Immediate Support Resources for Suicide Loss Survivors provides a comprehensive list of support resources, books for grieving a suicide loss, and poetry about losing a child to suicide. It aims to guide individuals through the complex emotions that often accompany such a tragic loss, offering…

Hope

Finding Hope After Losing a Child to Suicide

A Glimpse of Hope in Grief: Finding Hope After Losing a Child to Suicide Summary “A Glimpse of Hope in Grief: Finding Hope After Losing a Child to Suicide” explores the profound grief, hope, and healing that follow the tragedy of losing a child to suicide. The book delves into the author’s journey of grief,…

Hope and Healing

Matins: Reflections on Hope After Loss

Matins: Reflections on Hope After Loss Summary In the article Matins: Reflections on Hope After Loss, author Beth Brown reflects on the journey of grief and healing after losing her son, Dylan, to suicide. She describes the unpredictable nature of grief, the struggle to find joy after such a loss, and the ongoing process of…

poems of love and loss

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

The Shape of My Grief By Year

Healing Grief: 3 Years After Losing My Son

Healing Grief: 3 Years After Losing My Son Summary “Healing Grief: 3 Years After Losing My Son” explores the author’s journey through grief, hope, and healing after losing her son to suicide. The author reflects on the weight of grief, finding moments of happiness amidst sorrow, and the support she received from other bereaved parents.…

Surviving a Child's Suicide

Navigating Grief After Losing a Child to Suicide

A Mother Navigates Grief and Healing After Losing Her Son to Suicide Summary The article “Navigating Grief After Losing a Child to Suicide” recounts a mother’s struggle with grief after losing a child to suicide and provides coping strategies and resources for grieving parents. She emphasizes the importance of community and support groups in the…

Poems about Losing a Child to Suicide

Finding Hope After Losing a Child to Suicide: A Poetic Journey

Finding Hope After Losing a Child to Suicide: A Poetic Journey Summary Finding Hope After Losing a Child to Suicide: A Poetic Journey by Beth Brown explores the profound grief of losing a child, specifically her son Dylan, to suicide. Through poetry, photography, and gardening, Beth finds solace and healing, sharing her journey and resources…

A close-up of a vibrant red rose surrounded by green leaves, set against a textured gray wall, symbolizing hope and renewal, My Forever Son, Find Hope Here: Poetic Reflections on Grief and Healing — A vibrant red rose blooms amidst lush green leaves, symbolizing hope and renewal in the journey of healing, My Forever Son, Find Hope Here: Poetic Reflections on Grief and Healing

“Find Hope Here: Poetic Reflections on Grief and Healing”

On Finding Hope: Photographing My Gardens Brings Healing

Winter Wonderland: Captivating Photos in My Gardens

A Long Winter’s Rest for Trees, Shrubs, and Flowers

This dormant season in winter echoes the hopelessness of my grief: everything feels, looks, seems bleak and forsaken.

Spring Brings Hope: Photographs of My Gardens

Spring Brings Beauty and Hope

What seems forever gone in the gray doldrums of winter arrives with an abundance of joy come spring.

Writing My Way Through Grief to Find Hope and Healing

Snippets of language emerged as poetic reflections

Each poignant poem in Find Hope Here: Poetic Reflections on Grief and Healing is a dedicated blog post in its own right, replete with the inspiration behind the poem.

The poems included in Find Hope Here: Poetic Reflections on Grief and Healing appear below. Each poem is a blog post in its own right, oftentimes replete with the inspiration behind the poem.

Each poem moves the reader through the profound emotions of grief and healing after losing a child.

Still I write. Still I heal. Still I miss my son.

From Shattered Hearts to Quiet Hope: Poems and Reflections for Parents of Suicide Loss

Find Hope Here: Poetic Reflections on Grief and Healing

Hope can be quiet—listen for it in moments of rest.

Contemplation Prompt:
Pause with a garden image. What does it say to you about survival, growth, or hope?

About the Author, Beth Brown: Writing My Way Through Grief

The love you shared endures beyond loss.

Explore These Poems and Reflections at Your Own Pace

Journaling Prompt:
What memories of your child bring both tears and warmth? Write a few lines, letting your heart speak freely.

You are not alone. Healing is a journey, and hope can bloom—even here.

Message of Hope:
Even in the darkest seasons, a single flower can remind us that beauty and life persist. Let these poems be gentle companions as you move through your grief.

FIND HOPE HERE: POEMS AND POETIC REFLECTIONS ON GRIEF AND HEALING

Poems about Losing a Child to Suicide

Derecho: A Storm Out of Nowhere – Grief Poem “He Left Too Soon”

Poems

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

poems of love and loss

Tillers of the Earth and Tenders of the Soil: A Poem of Love and Loss

poems of love and loss

“If Earth Were Sky (And Sky Above)” Poem: Reflections on Love and Loss

Poems about Losing a Child to Suicide

“Falling Stars in a Moonless Sky”: Poem on Child Loss

Healing Grief

The Magnolia Tree: A Symbol of Grief and Resilience

Poems about Losing a Child to Suicide

Holding True to My Son’s Narrative: “Shaped by Love” Poem Analysis

For Parents

Finding Beauty in Loss: Reflections on Grief and Healing

poems of love and loss

“Rain Comes to Heal Us All” Poem: Finding Hope After Loss

poems of love and loss

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

Dramatic dark storm clouds looming in the sky, with a glimpse of lighter clouds and a landscape below featuring trees and power lines, evoking the emotional turmoil reflecting the chaos of grief, My Forever Son, Derecho:A Storm Out of Nowhere--Grief Poem "He Left Too Soon" — Dramatic cloud formations evoke the emotional turmoil reflecting the chaos of grief, My Forever Son, **Derecho:A Storm Out of Nowhere–Grief Poem “He Left Too Soon”**

Derecho: A Storm Out of Nowhere–Grief Poem “He Left Too Soon”

Derecho:A Storm Out of Nowhere–Grief Poem “He Left Too Soon”is a profoundly moving poem, woven together with the touching narrative that inspired it, expressing the indescribable sorrow of losing my cherished son to suicide amidst an unexpected storm named Derecho. The experience of losing a child to suicide feels akin to being caught in a sudden tempest; it was both a metaphor and a reality, as a storm raged on the very day of my son’s funeral, intertwining my overwhelming grief with nature’s turmoil. The fierce winds mirrored my internal anguish, encapsulating a deep heartache that seemed unbearably heavy.

A scenic image showcasing a vibrant autumn landscape with a mix of yellow and green trees under a cloudy blue sky, symbolizing acceptance and release in grief, "If Earth Were Sky (And Sky Above)": Reflections on Love and Loss, My Forever Son — A serene autumn landscape featuring vibrant yellow trees and fluffy white clouds against a blue sky, symbolizing acceptance and release in grief, “**If Earth Were Sky (And Sky Above)” Poem: Reflections on Love and Loss**, My Forever Son

“If Earth Were Sky (And Sky Above)” Poem: Reflections on Love and Loss

“If Earth Were Sky (And Sky Above)” Poem: Reflections on Love and Loss is a poem that depicts a profoundly personal and emotional journey of losing a child to suicide, capturing the deep scars of grief with heartfelt words and meaningful metaphors. This poignant piece resonates with anyone who has faced the unbearable weight of such heartache, offering solace in the shared experience of loss and illuminating the enduring love that remains even in the midst of sorrow.

“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 by author Beth Brown explores the profound connection between love and grief following the loss of her son to suicide. The poem emphasizes the author’s refusal to change her narrative of grief, asserting her right to feel deeply and affirming that her love and grief are inseparable. Through vivid imagery and personal reflections, “the poem “Shaped by Love and This Grief Come to Stay” captures the complex emotions and transformations that arise from such profound loss.

A close-up of a light pink rose with several buds and green leaves, showcasing delicate petals and a clear view of its center, symbolizing love and remembrance amidst themes of grief, My Forever So, Bury My Heart: A Grief Poem of Unimaginable Loss — A beautiful pink rose in bloom, symbolizing love and remembrance amidst themes of grief, My Forever Son, **Bury My Heart: A Grief Poem of Unimaginable Loss**

Bury My Heart: A Grief Poem of Unimaginable Loss

Bury My Heart: A Grief Poem of Unimaginable Loss is a profoundly touching and empathetic poem that captures the deep sorrow and anguish that come with losing a child. The verses intertwine the themes of grief, hope, and healing, offering comfort to those enduring this unimaginable heartache. The author’s personal journey unfolds in a way that gently provides insights and support to others facing similar pain. Through the evocative power of poetry and personal stories, it creates a heartfelt and relatable depiction of the experience, reminding us that we are never alone in our struggles.

Close-up of various autumn leaves in shades of red and pink scattered on the ground, symbolizing the change of seasons and the beauty of nature's transitions, Haunted by Guilt in Grief: "Still from Sky I'm Falling" — Close-up of vibrant red and pink leaves scattered on the ground, symbolizing the change of seasons and the beauty of nature’s transitions, **Haunted by Guilt in Grief: “Still from Sky I’m Falling**”

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

Haunted by Guilt in Grief: “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.

A ship precariously navigating through turbulent, dark ocean waves, symbolizing a stormy emotional landscape and the overwhelming sorrow and heartache of loss, capturing the essence of grief capturing the essence of grief explored in Exploring "Beat Still My Heart" Poem: A Grief Elegy, My Forever Son — A shipwreck amidst tumultuous waves, symbolizing the overwhelming sorrow and heartache of loss, capturing the essence of grief explored in **Exploring “Beat Still My Heart” Poem: A Grief Elegy**, My Forever Son

Exploring “Beat Still My Heart” Poem: A Grief Elegy

Exploring “Beat Still My Heart” Poem: A Grief 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.

A bright, full moon illuminates the night sky, partially obscured by dark tree branches in the foreground, symbolizing the enduring love and heartache of losing a child to suicide, My Forever Son, Once Upon a Blue-Sky Moon: A Poem About Losing a Child to Suicide — A glowing moon surrounded by a night sky, symbolizing the enduring love and heartache of losing a child to suicide, My Forever Son, “**Once Upon a Blue-Sky Moon”: A Heartfelt Poem About Losing My Son to Suicide**

“Once Upon a Blue-Sky Moon”: A Heartfelt Poem About Losing My Son to Suicide

Once Upon a Blue-Sky Moon: A Heartfelt Poem About Losing My Son to Suicide captures the profound sorrow of losing a child to suicide. Through the author’s personal experience, the poem resonates with shared grief, offering solace to those who have faced similar journeys. It beautifully expresses regret with the line “If I had only known,” and concludes with a tender image of joyous reunion.

Healing Words: Download 3 Compassionate Poems for Grieving Parents

Download 3 Compassionate Poems for Grieving ParentsDownload

Pink Rose with Green Leaves in Bloom, symbolizing hope and remembrance in grief, Healing Words: Download 3 Compassionate Poems for Grieving Parents, My Forever Son — Pink Rose with Green Leaves in Bloom, symbolizing hope and remembrance in grief, ***Healing Words: Download 3 Compassionate Poems for Grieving Parents***, My Forever Son

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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

prolongedgrief.columbia.edu

Find additional resources for marginalized communities

afsp.org/mental-health-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
Text TALK to 741-741 for English
Text AYUDA to 741-741 for Spanish
Provides free, text-based mental health support and crisis intervention by empowering a community of trained volunteers to support people in their moments of need, 24/7.

Red Rose in June, Mr. Lincoln Hybrid Red Rose, My Forever Son, A Mother's Reflections After Losing My Son to Suicide

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