Today I talk frankly with two amazing Stepdads about the loss of their stepsons by suicide and everything surrounding that loss. We often hear it said that the world 'forgets' about siblings after loss, but I think stepparents are often overlooked just as much --- if not more -- and yet they often are the ones holding us all together despite carrying their own enormous grief and pain. It was my pleasure to give them a voice and have this amazingly insightful conversation with these two men.

Dave Wiebe lives in Brandon, Manitoba, Canada with his wife, Barbara.  He lost his stepson, Donavon, in November 2021 at age 16.  Dave shares openly about how this shattered their lives and how they are now working actively to learn to live with this and what life looks like now as it is still evolving daily. 

Garrison Arey lives in the Orlando Florida area with his wife Melissa (me) and their grand-pup Harper. He lost his oldest stepson Alex to suicide on August 7, 2016. Alex was only 21 years old and away at college and Garrison shares details about the day that changed our family forever as well as insight from the past (nearly) 7 years since Alex died. 

Today we discuss things like: 

• The biggest challenge they have faced since their loss.
• Emotions - of the loss but also just for men in general and how this (may) have changed the way they express their own emotions. 
• Bridging the gap of having hard conversations with peers and with young men.
• Any advice they can offer .... and more

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My WEBSITE "The Leftover Pieces; Rebuilding You" support central - MY HUB - and that means my different SUPPORT GROUP Options are available.  I work to meet the needs of the three main things all moms say they need after the loss of their child by suicide - resources (at the time of loss and beyond), a community of connection that 'gets it' and a way to ensure that their child leaves an enduring legacy in this world!

For resources go to my Resource Page HERE

For Community, go t my Support Page HERE where you will find ALL of the ways to connect and find support.

For a way to leave a Legacy of your child - GO HERE

The latest Legacy project is NOW published as a BOOK -- GET IT HERE!!!

ALSO, my first two books (tools I have created for you!) in the "Facing Life After Suicide" series are available on Amazon

If you, or someone you know, is struggling  with suicidal thoughts PLEASE reach out:
CALL 988   OR, you can also TEXT the word "HOME" to 741741 in the USA
in Canada TEXT 686868
in the UK TEXT 85258

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