Increasing Hope, Confidence, and Competence

TRIGGER WARNING When I was in high school, I had a close friend who struggled with and gratefully survived repeated suicidal thoughts and attempts. A year later, I had another very dear friend who sadly lost a long-fought battle with cancer. It was during those years of my life that I grew attached to the Rascal Flatts song: “Why?” It’s a question I have asked a lot in my life. As you might imagine, losing a brother as dynamic and loving as Sam left all of us wondering. “You must've been in a place so dark, couldn't feel the light reachin' for you through that stormy cloud. Now here we are gathered in our little home town. This can't be the way you meant to draw a crowd. Oh why? That's what I keep askin'. Was there anything I could have said or done? Oh I, had no clue you were masking a troubled soul, God only knows what went wrong,  and why you'd leave the stage in the middle of a song… You always played with passion no matter what the game. When ...

It's been a year since I've written. To be honest, life has moved forward in exciting and beautiful ways for our family. My baby (Sam's first niece) is growing up and has so much personality. Sam's brothers closest in age were both married to incredible women this last fall. Sam gained another nephew and niece within weeks of the wedding season. And Sam's youngest brother continues to carry on his love for rugby by proudly wearing number 7. Yes, we still hurt. Yes, whenever we gather, we feel the gaping hole Sam left when he chose to leave us. However, we move forward as a family. We are different. We are changed. Yet we are especially eager to live and love as Sam did.  This last year has been busy. My inspiration and ideas in writing have lacked substance. Today was unique though. Twice today I was reminded of the purpose of this blog and why it is so important:  To increase confidence , competence , and hope .  One experience was a text thread with an old student...