Today—August 13, 2017—is my birthday. Today is also the day I turn the same age that my older brother was when he committed suicide in November 2012. I am having such a hard time wrapping my head around being the same age as my older brother, and that next year, I will be older than my older brother. When you are older than your older brother, is he still your older brother?
Flavors of Grief
I have known this day was coming, of course, but that doesn’t mean I didn’t put up a fight. My first birthday after his death I was so intent on not acknowledging it, I went out of the country to visit friends in England who I knew would honor my wish not to celebrate it. Last year and the two years before that, I just laid low and didn’t plan anything in case I wasn’t able to manage it. But this year I can no longer hide from the truth: I am getting older and he is not.
But this year I can no longer hide from the truth: I am getting older and he is not.
My parents both died young too—my dad at 45 from an aortic aneurysm when I was 15, and my mom at 55 from primary biliary cirrhosis, an autoimmune disease, when I was 26. But I was prepared that one day I would outlive them, as their deaths weren’t caused by things that would likely afflict me and, according to my doctors, I am currently in the clear.
I was unprepared for my brother’s death, however, and for the different way it would affect me when compared to how my parents’ deaths affected me.
It took me a while to figure out why it was different. Death is death and loss is loss, right? Nope. In my mom’s and dad’s case, they wanted to live but their bodies had other plans. In my brother’s case, his body was willing to go on but his spirit wasn’t, and knowing that broke my heart.
Healing…Mostly
By now, you are probably wondering how all this fits into the theme of this blog, making a good life even better. How could I possibly characterize my life as “good” at the beginning of my journey, given the losses I have had to deal with?
I can do so because I have dealt with them—or, more precisely, am dealing with them—and survived. I can do so because having survived I can share what helped me so that maybe it will help others.
The best thing I did after my brother’s death was to start attending a support group for people who had lost loved ones to suicide (groups meet around the country—learn more here).
I learned so much from the other members of the group, including that I wasn’t going crazy even though I often felt like I was. I would look at the grieving faces of people who had lost parents and children and partners and siblings and I would see myself in their stories of making it through the first holiday or anniversary.
As I listened, something strange would happen: the certainty that none of them were responsible for their loved one’s death would settle upon me. And when I say that I was certain that this was true, I don’t mean that I logically concluded that they did everything within their power. This was a certainty that I felt in my gut and my bones and anywhere else that guides insight.
After probably six months of this, it occurred to me that if they couldn’t have done anything to prevent the death of their loved ones then maybe—just maybe—I couldn’t have done anything to prevent my brother’s death. Maybe—just maybe—some of the certainty I felt about their circumstance, I should recognize in mine.
Being Compassionate Toward Myself
At first, this thought was mostly just a whisper in the background. The trauma was still too fresh for it to make itself heard above the waves of sadness that would wash over me as I thought about how scared and alone and in pain he was in those days before he died (based on what I learned afterward, he had been planning it for a while).
Gradually, the thought grew louder and became more assertive among the swirl of emotions. “You, Jenny, could not have prevented your brother’s death,” it would say. “Know this just as you know the other support group members did everything they could.” And, gradually, I did come to know it.
As my family approaches the fifth anniversary of his death, my life is both good and better. It is very rare that I get caught up in the trauma of his death instead of the gift of his life. I get to focus on what a wonderful person he was and how he told the corniest jokes instead of how he died.
This doesn’t mean I am no longer sad that he is gone because that would just be weird. If anyone ever tells you that you should be “over” the death of a loved one after a certain amount of time has passed, feel free to punch them in the mouth.
It also doesn’t mean that birthdays won’t continue to bring pain—not because I am getting older but because so many other members of my family are not.
Suicide and Grief
If you are also grieving the loss of a loved one right now, especially a loss from suicide, I wish I had all the answers to help you. Hell, I wish I had all the answers to help me. I can only hope that my sharing how I am making my life better under difficult circumstances will give you hope that it does get better.
8 Comments
A coworker of mine told me the thought of her brother’s suicide hit her hard when she turned the same age, too. I am sorry for all the loss you have already endured. Great big virtual hug to you. I hope one day you can celebrate your birthday again.
Thank you! I accept your virtual hug! I think it’s going to be awhile before my birthdays are no longer bittersweet but I appreciate your kind words.
My little brother tried to kill himself on New Years day. He survived but lost his arm. He is still very depressed and my family lives is fear and sadness for him. Thank you for sharing.
I am so sorry for the circumstances you are in–I hope all of you find a way to heal, especially your brother.
Just posting on a few places; woulda/shoulda, shoulda/woulda been my brother’s birthday today. Been snot nosed crying, continuing to process. Trying to decide if I should go to bed – which would be the best option I know, or to have another drink which I know is not the answer and/or won’t help; but I probably will so I can feel more or maybe less. Healing hurts!
I’m so sorry for your loss! Healing does hurt—so much! I’ve never been a drinker but I did find myself turning to food for comfort. It wasn’t a long term solution, however. The support group I went to made such a difference. I highly recommend you seek one out. Sending thoughts of healing your way!
Reading your FI post and coming across this. Tragedies really help one focus on what’s important to focus on the “good life”. Loss is so painful to go through and also helps appreciate the good. When my Dad was killed in a freak accident, I would go to the site of the accident and light a candle for the first 10 years. I also lost two more people (former partner’s son and my former husband and father of our son) to suicide. It was a really rough 7 years. I’m so sorry for your loss even if it was some years ago. I used to really lead with my experiences and over time it certainly has lessened but it’s still there. I’m glad you put those resources for fellow suicide survivors, it’s so important, like you said to see that it’s not your fault. Best wishes to you.
Thank you so much for your thoughtful comment. I’m so sorry for your losses too. It hasn’t gone away for me either. In my support group, I came across an image that resonated with me. It was essentially Atlas holding the world on his shoulders only it was a survivor holding their Grief. The Grief doesn’t get smaller but the survivor gets stronger and is able to stand up taller as time goes on. It will be ten years next year for me. The grief is still there but I’m stronger now. Be well!