Choose Life

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Jet Pack Test

This is a test of all things good!

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The Difficult Conversations

I simply didn’t realize how much hurt I kept to myself! Until I didn’t. The words seem to fall out of my mouth….when they do. Don’t get me wrong, I’m still guarded. Mother’s Day was one of those times when I couldn’t even keep my pain from myself let alone the object of my anger. Nope, not sharing who I was mad at because ultimately it doesn’t matter. What matters is that I was honest. Brutally…

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Laura

I need to make surre this works.

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Laura

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You've Lost Your Child To Suicide

You’ve Lost Your Child To Suicide

You’ve Lost Your Child To Suicide

Shock. Pain. Denial. Shock.

Thank goodness for shock.

That moment when I knew my baby girl was gone. I have no words to describe ‘it’. ‘It?’ What is ‘it’? I’ll try to explain.

It’s the most gut-wrenching, horrifying, night terror you can possibly imagine, and no matter how hard you try, you can’t wake up. Even that falls short of this life-shattering moment.

I’m…

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Why?!

I had a dream last night. I was with a group of people some of which were young teenage girls. We were at a summer type retreat in Springville, Utah, by the Virgin River. There was one girl in particular that suffered with PTSD due to a near-drowning experience. We talked a lot. We were close.

A terrible storm brought near flash flood levels of water in the river. I stood by the banks with…

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If He Dies...

If He Dies…

Got a desperate message last night from a person that helped me after Hannah’s suicide. Her adult child has been threatening suicide for a long time and last night it felt closer than ever.

What hit so hard last night was her admonition that if he goes, so does she. And she meant it.

She is suicidal!

This is a highly accomplished, intelligent, successful, helpful human being. Her words propelled…

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Blame!

Do I blame someone, anyone for Hannah’s suicide? If we blame one person for anyone’s suicide, then it opens the door to blame… across the board.

NO! NO! NO! NO!

Blame is a roadblock to healing for everyone! I agree that we may experience that in our grieving process. It comes as a gift to lead us to total self responsibility not to stay in blame. It’s a gift to teach us the power of agency, to…

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We are Mutants

I watch. A lot. I have this gift/burden to see your truth, your bottom line. I don’t know why because often I feel I’m out of my lane, unwelcome. Learning to stay in my lane has been very helpful yet I feel like I’m ignoring a part of me that is a gift. I’ve struggled with this all my life. As a 5 year old child, my mom would have me describe others to her friends. I was a parlor trick,…

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A Gift

I took my husbands phone in order to expedite our camping trip departure. He agreed to the arragement. He is almost always on the phone. As a matter of fact, it’s the first morning of our camping trip and he’s off in the trees talking on his phone. But I digress. That’s a story for another day.

The phone rings. It’s my son. I answer it. We chat for a bit. Then he walks me into a difficult…

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Who's Your Lighthouse?

Who’s Your Lighthouse?

I had a wonderful day yesterday with family and friends. Part of what made the day so beautiful is a very powerful realization. I’ll explain.

Little Leo is still in the NICU. I’m not worried. I’ve walked this path with Chay as a 28 week preemie 25 years ago. He’s doing great and thriving. Leo will do the same.

Now, hop over with me to Hannah. Many have said that she is sad when I’m sad. That’s…

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Ketamine Spray

The After Story

Let’s get one thing straight. What I’m about to share is my experience with ketamine spray not es-ketamine a derivative created by Johnson and Johnson labeled as Spravato. Nope. Not Spravato.

It’s been about 5 months since I finished my six IV ketamine treatments for anxiety. I would absolutely do it all over again. It rocked my world into a much more peaceful place.

It wasn’t a…

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Truth Sets Me Free

Truth Sets Me Free

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Gene, A Good Receiver

Gene, A Good Receiver

I was driving up 43rd Street planning on making a left turn onto busy Harrison Blvd. As I approached, I noticed a man in the middle of the crosswalk that I needed to turn into.

He was older, dressed in ragged clothes. He was severely limping. He was trying so hard to hurry. I could feel his fear. Cars started turning in front of him. He jolted with surprise. He must have been at least 60 years…

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Do You Like Yourself?

Do You Like Yourself?

I received a message this morning. Now, I’m crying. These messages have come steadily over the last 5 years. They always shock me when I read them. I don’t always share them. I’m sharing this one minus the personal message to me.

She wrote:

Hello Laura,

We have never met, but I want you to know your daughter taught me the “proper” way to eat chocolate. Hannah and I were not amazing close friends.…

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Ketamine - The Results

Ketamine – The Results

There are so many things I want to say. I find it hard to put into words. How do I explain a fundamental change in me? Are all my problems gone? No. Am I happy all the time? No. Do I still experience anxiety and depression? Yes. Do I respond differently to my anxiety and depression? Absolutely.

First, I want to share my expectations of the treatments. I had hope that I wouldn’t be depressed…

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Ketamine Infusion Treatment Follow Up #7

Ketamine Infusion Treatment Follow Up #7

It’s Wednesday. My last treatment was Monday. I’m here to report.

This treatment was the least pleasurable. I opened my eyes several times. I fought off preceived evil at one point. I won the fight so everything is good.On a good note, I was less nauseated afterwards. Bonus. Even though the actual treatment was unusually uncomfortable, the results were wonderful, relieving, and wholly appreciated.

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