Place Your Hand Over Your Heart. Feel that? That's Called PURPOSE.

I’m often asked how I’m able to continue living after I lost my son to suicide. Followed by the occasional, “I couldn’t go on living.”

The only thing I can say to that is, it hasn’t been easy, but I manage, because no matter what Danny was not my only son, and reason for living. I have other reasons for living, a wonderful son, Manny, a beautiful grandson, Xavior, a sweet daughter-in-law Lucy, a great boyfriend and family that is super supportive; and because no matter what, I’m a survivor and I owe it to Danny to live the life that he couldn't.  

Besides, I know there are people in this world that have experienced a loss that would be unimaginable to most of us (including myself). I have personally met parents that have lost not one child, but two children to suicide. I consider myself lucky in comparison, and simply choose, each and every day, to fight for life and reject the urge to crawl into bed and let life pass me by.

Marisol Martinez, Danny Martinez' Mom
September 8, 1985 - May 7, 2012
Wherever I May Roam, Strumming Away for Suicide Awareness
www.WhereverIMayRoam.net
www.outofthedarkness.org
www.afsp.org
AFSP Out of the Darkness Community Walk Chair
AFSP Volunteer Field Advocate

"Dare to reach out your hand into the darkness, to pull another hand into the light" ~ Norman B. Rice ~

"LET’S STOP SUICIDE IN ITS TRACKS" SHOE DRIVE

LET’S STOP SUICIDE IN ITS TRACKS!

For this year's Broward Out of the Darkness Community Walk, to commemorate those lives lost to suicide, I want everyone to bring a pair of shoes to the Broward Out of the Darkness Walk. The shoes should represent people from every walk of life, military, children, teens, women, men, working boots, men's dress shoes, women's high heels, gym shoes, sandals, slippers, house shoes, etc.





 I seek to accomplish several things with this exhibit, I want the shoes to represent our loss, our grief, our struggles, and our mission to prevent suicide:

• First & foremost, we can STOP SUICIDE IN ITS TRACKS, and this exhibit will help bring attention to those lost to suicide.
• Secondly, for those left behind, know that YOU NEVER WALK ALONE, for together we will walk this path side-by-side, and we will greif, heal and make a difference in someone's life.
• Thirdly, for those who suffer from suicide ideation, I want you to know that HEALING IS A STEP-BY-STEP PROCESS, and we are here to hold your hand, and listen, and show you that we care for you.
• Lastly, and certainly so very heartbreaking, these EMPTY SHOES represent our loved ones who will never be forgotten. May their memories and names live forever in all our hearts, and may we never forget them.

 After the Walk, those shoes left behind will be donated to a charitable organization.

 

To register for the walk please visit the Broward Out of the Darkness Walk event page.

What Color Honor Bead Will You Be Wearing?

As part of the Broward Out of the Darkness walk we wear what are called Honor Beads which to the average person they are Mardi Gras beads but to a walker they have much more meaning.  For many of us who volunteer or walk, the walk is a journey of remembrance where we acknowledge the ways suicide, depression, and mental illness have affected our lives and our loved ones.

The different color honor beads recognize your personal connection to the cause and help you to connect with others who know just how you feel. Honor beads are distributed before the walk and are part of the Opening Ceremony. The colors and what they signify are as follows:

• Lost a Child: White
• Lost a Sibling: Orange
• Lost a Spouse or Partner: Red
• Lost a Parent: Gold/Yellow
• Lost a Relative or Friend: Purple 
• Lost First Responder/Military: Silver 
• Struggled Personally: Green 
• Support the Cause: Blue 
• LGBT: Rainbow
• Supporting a Loved one Affected by Mental Illness – Light Blue

What Color bead will you be wearing?

Register to walk during the Broward Out of the Darkness Community Walk at Nova Southeastern University.

For more information please feel free to email me.