It is Christmas here for me today and I thought about you and wondered how you had fared yesterday. Sometimes I am not sure which is the most difficult, firsts or seconds. I know this first anniversary is extremely difficult. Maybe some of the other things going on were meant to take your mind off of your son if only for a brief moment. No solace in that I know. Sorry

I have not experienced the pain of losing a child to suicide, but I have lost those I love and care for deeply. You are a survivor IV. Take your days one at a time and praise yourself for having the strength to make it through them. Your son lives on in your heart. Hold him close. Light a candle in his honor or do something in his memory. It is kind of silly, but I was so angry at my friend for taking his life that I completely lost it on the first anniversary of his death. I yelled at him, and screamed, got so angry with him, and cried. I felt better after. All those emotions bottled up for so long with nowhere to go needed a release. I do not know where you are in the grieving process, but allow yourself to feel your emotions. Take care of yourself :hug: