Grief is a natural reaction to death. Grief can be intensified when a death is untimely — when a young person or a child dies. Grief and additional emotions can be doubly intensified and more when a young person dies by suicide.
Iris Bolton experienced this first hand when her 20-year-old son, Curtis Mitchell Bolton, died by suicide. She went on to describe her reaction to her son’s suicide, including her full range of emotions, by writing “My Son… My Son: A Guide to Healing After Death, Loss, or Suicide.” Referring to her own process of healing, she says, “To climb from that emotional abyss would force me to fight the hardest battle of my life.” Her journey is one of recovering from the devastation of losing her son through a step-by-step healing process.
The book is invaluable for anyone whose child has died by suicide, and it is also full of hope for anyone grieving the death of a loved one. It promises recovery and healing and helps anyone learn to live with the terrible event.
Written in 1983, My Son… My Son has touched the lives of countless readers. One reviewer writes, “If I could recommend only one book for those dealing with the suicide of a loved one, this would be it. When our son died a year ago, we were fortunate to receive this book within days of his funeral. Besides being forthright about the special grief following suicide, it also brings a message of hope and healing. For those who may be put off by the title and are suffering through the suicide of a female relative/acquaintance, be assured that you will not feel left out. Iris Bolton also discusses the death of another family’s daughter, which makes the book worthwhile for anyone.”
HOPE Connection is in the process of forming a support group for Parents who have had a child die by suicide. Please contact us if you or someone you know are in need of support from others who understand your situation. We urge you to pass this information along to anyone who might benefit from support and guidance through their grief.