@barefeet_living
I lost my son on the tracks. There was no-one there to save him, and it has been devastating. What a wonderful thing you have done today, for the woman and her loved ones. I hope you are ok in the next few days, please take care of yourself.
Born 20 years ago today, left us nearly 3. Leo was clever, gentle, complex, sensitive, kind, funny. The world is poorer without him.
#grief
#childless
#suicideprevention
@ejtayloruk
I'm hugely grateful for my dad, who isn't my father, too. He came into my life when I was 2, + stuck with me through thick and thin. I love him very much. (My 'real' father has never bothered. Didn't meet him till my 30s, and haven't seen him since I was 40.)
2 years of missing you Leo. 2 years of no chats about cricket, politics, animals, space, impossible maths, Geometry Dash, timetables, French films, plans for the future. The gap you left is unfillable my son. Forever 17
#grief
#SuicideAwareness
#SuicidePreventionMonth
I sat with his coffin. I wept, I talked, I put my arms around that box and hugged it and him inside. And then I anointed the wood and prayed for him and commended him to the God I still, just, believe is there. And felt a glimmer of peace. Xx
This is my son Leo. He died just over a year ago, at 17. He was clever, gentle, funny, loyal and very tall! He was loved, listened to, cared for, with a bright future. Sometimes
#suicide
can't be prevented. It's not your fault! But we must always try.
#WSPD2022
@kwhitestone
@samaritans
@GWRHelp
It is heartening to hear of such compassion. My son died this way last year. It has been unbelievably traumatic for us all, +we are aware of the concentric circles of people affected, all the way to delayed passengers. It helped me to know there was this there 4 him as well.
@NicholasRober11
Nicholas, I'm a random stranger, but I too list my son to suicide fairly recently. I am so very sorry for the bewilderment and pain this has brought you. There are many good people on Twitter who will want to be by your side.
My G has had to cope with the death of his brother and his father in the past 2 years. And yet he's managed a fab clutch of A levels, and is off to
@cardiffuni
I'm off the scale proud of him.
Leo's father, my ex, is now approaching his final hours. If you're the praying sort, please offer one for him, and for his family, including my youngest.
To be told, nearly 2 years after his death, that I can't have some of my son's property returned because it is 'contaminated' and a 'biohazard' is cruel and insensitive. As if I cared about what is is on it. As if I didn't know.
Police have told me they have to wipe Leo's phone before return. Not only have I lost my son, I don't even have his digital life left. The losses keep coming.
#grief
#SuicideAwareness
As I sit here late at night, surrounded by quiet and twinkling lights, of course, I think of my Leo. How much I miss him! I'm thinking too of all the beautiful ones we miss so much. Peace to them, and peace to all who grieve tonight.
I wish there was a place I could go, maybe for a couple of months, maybe by the sea, to be looked after, and gently restored to physical and emotional health after the hell of the past 14 months. Doesn't exist sadly!
I haven't been able to touch Leo's room since he died, wanting to preserve his physical presence as much as possible. Today I vacuumed his floor for the first time. Sounds silly, but it felt like a Big Thing.
#grief
The last night in our house. So many emotions. The last place Leo lived. The home we had so many hopes for, never realised. But also, the new beginning awaits, and still, faith, hope and love. Onwards, always onwards!
It's taken me nearly 2 years to return to running after Leo's death. I'm heavier, older, weaker. But I just managed 30 minutes non stop at a (for me) reasonable pace. Small victories.
Last NYE, I expected, even hoped, not to see another one. I was barely existing. Somehow I've made it, and yes, it's better than it was. For every single message or word or gesture of hope and love, thank you. Onward together!
#grief
#suicidebereavement
#NewYear
Sad Leo won't get Further Maths, Physics and French
#alevels2022
results today, nor an offer from
@warwickuni
All his potential, gone. But my thoughts + love with all getting theirs. Whatever happens, your potential is still here. Be proud of who you are.
#SuicidePrevention
So, bags of Leo's clothes off to charity shop; special ones stowed in a suitcase. Memory items in boxes (so many boxes!) Cricket items donated to his club. Childhood toys destined for his nursery school. Meds disposed to chemist. My son is being dispersed.....
#Grief
In the nearly year since Leo left he's been remembered across the world. His name is at Lord's, in the woods, on a bench, with wolves, next to a cherry tree, part of a maths prize. I've spoken it on national radio, it inspired a song. Done my best son x
#grief
#SuicideAwareness
Again, so many thanks for all the love and support. Leo's funeral is at 3pm UK time tomorrow, 30th September. I know you will be with us. Maybe you could stop, reflect, light a candle, or say a prayer if that's your thing?
#Leo
This
#Christmas
I'm broken, sad, afraid, despairing. Not unique, many feel deep sorrow across the world. But I will try to hold on to the story of the Christ child + his life. Darkness can be creative, love does win + the worst is not the end. I hope you can hold on too
Another agonising dawn. I've been criticised for putting anything on here, but it helps me to connect, especially with his friends, who were a wonderful online community. I need to stay connected with him any way I can.
#GD
#Leo
I'm crying tears of grief and gratitude all at once. As of tonight, Leo has been remembered, and his name spoken, on every continent on earth, including Antarctica. Thank you to everyone around the world who has honoured him, and comforted me
#grief
Today we visited the place of his death to leave flowers and say prayers. As his mother, it was important to see his last place, having been at his first. I felt strangely calm.
#Leo
My roles as mother and priest met most profoundly the moment I prayed a weeping blessing over the coffin containing my son's shattered body.
#MotheringSunday
#SuicideAwareness
#Grief
And just like that the sorrow and emptiness hits again. I'm really trying to make Christmas good for others + find quiet hope for myself, but....it's hard. Sometimes all you can do is hold on in the dark, and know that we're there together
#grief
#childless
#SuicidePrevention
Thank you 4m kind tweets. I'm really struggling rn. Overwhelmed thinking I let my boy down, in life + at
#inquest
. No-one held accountable, no apologies, no change. And I just miss him. All the time. Sorry I'm not being brave or full of sparkling faith.
#SuicideAwareness
So relieved, albeit a bit sad, to have Leo's phone back, after nearly 2 years. Its familiar case, his silly texts, old photos. It's like having him here. 💔
#grief
It's 6 months since Leo died, but it's also been 6 months of the most incredible support, love + community here online. Thank you to every person who has taken time to send a msg, who has stuck by me, who has remembered my boy. So much love to you
#grief
And to the 1000s who took a moment to send a message of love. You are incredible. You have been with me through the nights and days, I have felt less alone. I felt
#Leo
's name reverberate round the world. It helps x
Can't settle before the
#inquest
starts tomorrow. I'm scared, upset, feeling the responsibility to advocate for Leo, but aware it's likely to be a frustrating, distressing experience
I know this sounds a bit mad, but one of the things I was looking forward to in Leo's future was maybe him finding a husband. I wanted to be the loving proud mum/MIL to a happy gay couple. I hope that's not offensive? Sorry if it is, I'm still learning.
3 months ago to the day (and almost) the hour I checked Leo was off to bed, bid him goodnight, told him I loved him. He replied with his usual 'love you too'. I had no idea it was the last night he would sleep in his bed, the last night of his short life, my last night of peace.
Youngest has spent most of the day just mooching with me today. He won't see it, (although I did tell him so), but it's been the best day I've had since his brother died last September.
Amidst all the positivity of a new home, this week is a sad and difficult one. 2 years ago this was Leo's final week of life. It's strange to be holding both hope + anguish side by side. I suspect I may vacillate a fair bit in the coming days
#grief
#SuicideAwareness
5 1/2 weeks ago I took my first anti-depressant. I was a bit scared and reluctant. But I can honestly say they are starting to make a real difference in how I'm coping.
#grateful
#grief
#SuicidePrevention
Just short of a year by a few hours, we got his PC and laptop back from the police. I had been calm and fairly detached, until I saw his laptop bag. So familiar, so him.
#grief
Horrible, horrible painful day. Wounds re-opened while doors are slammed shut. Justice denied. 100 Fridays since Leo broke my heart. But. There were kind words from a dog walker and my new DMs arrived. In
#grief
we hold together such dissonance
#childloss
#suicideawareness
A chance encounter with a stranger today led to them doing something unbelievably kind for me. I promised not to say what or who, but they have given me a true sense of hope. ♥️
Perhaps the last of the 'first anniversaries'. A year today since we laid Leo to rest. I'm feeling sad and agitated at the same time. Glad it's a non work day.
#grief
#SuicidePrevention
Off to run club for the first time since
#Leo
died. I'm wearing the chest light he bought me at Xmas 20. He was always proud of my
#running
It's nice to think he's lighting my way.
#Remember
#grief
#inquest
concluded. As expected, conclusion of suicide. Cruel additional comments, bearing no relation to reality. No accountability. In my opinion I have witnessed outright lies, institutional obfuscation, and a callousness that takes my breath away. Brutal indeed.
So I want to say thank you to the
#GD
community. For giving him a place to be himself, for trying so hard to support him, for being so kind to me. This is so hard for his friends, wish I could hug you all
#Leo