It was last night, four years ago, when I picked you up at Meyer Pool after swimming. You didn’t want to drive home, you hated to drive, especially at night. We stopped at Dairy Queen on the way home for dinner. You had a plain hamburger with fries and an oreo blizzard. That night we watched a little TV before you went to bed. It would be the last time that I ever talked to you…I left early for work the following morning before you got up for school.
Many nights I lay awake in bed, wondering if you were trying to tell me about your struggles in a subtle way and I was not listening. Lay awake with regret that I did not listen better, ask more questions, ask directly if you were ok. Most other nights I lay awake reliving when we came home from teacher conferences and found you. Rarely have I had a full night of sleep in 4 years.
Four years since we lost you…four years that seems like yesterday and an eternity at the same time. Four years without your smile, dry sense of humor, and kind spirit.
You should be a sophomore in college, finishing a trade school, or embedded in the military by now. We will never know what path you would have chosen but we are certain you would have made an impact on the world.
Four years of feeling lost in a vast ocean. Some days the waves are calm with a gentle roll. Other days, most days, they are filled with whitecaps and gale force winds, as I struggle to keep the raft I am on from sinking. Never seeing the sight of land, drifting hopelessly in the sea, hoping that one day I will be found. I miss you Robbie. Dad
One of our 2022 HOPEfull contestants, John Wickham, wrote a beautiful song about loss. It is our honor to debut it to the world today, Robbie’s loss day.
If you are struggling, please reach out by dialing 988. If you are in a crisis, please dial 911.
Please check in on a friend today and ask them directly, are you ok?
Watch John’s song on our YouTube channel at: https://youtu.be/5JT8JPdZzGY
For additional resources visit us at: https://robbies-hope.com
Follow us on Instagram (robbieshope1), YouTube (robbieshope), and Facebook (robbieshope2018)
#robbieshope #hopefullconversations #teenmentalhealth #teenmentalhealthawareness #teensuicideprevention #itsoktonotbeok #estabiennoestarbien #holdonpainends
Robbie’s hope, robbieshope, hopefull conversations, hopefullconversations, teen mental health, teenmentalhealth, teen mental health awareness, teenmentalhealthawareness, teen suicide prevention, teensuicideprevention, suicide prevention, suicideprevention, mental health awareness, mentalhealthawarenesss, mental health, mentalhealth, its ok to not be ok, itsoktonotbeok, esta bien no estar bien, estabiennoestarbien, hold on pain ends, holdonpainends,
