https://www.dailymercury.com.au/news/you-feel-no-joy-no-happiness-no-love/3896615/ THIS will be Marilyn Wright's third Christmas without her son. Every year since her Philip died from a brain aneurysm has brought with it a harder holiday season. Christmas was already a difficult time. Her brother, who she named her son after, died in a car accident December 1998 and his funeral was held on Christmas Eve. When Philip was born December 25, 2005 she began to celebrate Christmas again. But, after the heartbreak 2016 brought, the season is a harsh reminder of the loss she has mourned. "When I had my eldest son … I basically felt that was a nod from my brother to celebrate Christmas again," Ms Wright said.
"I started a tradition where I would make him a Christmas cake he could celebrate with his classmates … I didn't realise December 2016 would be the last one I'd ever make for him. "Losing a child kills everything inside you. You feel no joy, no happiness, no love - the pain of it is just numbing." Ms Wright described her son as the sort of kid who would give his lunch to other kids who had none. He loved sunflowers - the symbol of his family - and his mum believes he would have been an incredible environmental advocate. Each June the reality of Ms Wright's loss kicks in. The depression, the anxiety - it escalates the closer to Christmas it gets. While the season brings up memories that draw the tears out, Ms Wright's focus is on her youngest son Jack and his wellbeing. She is still learning how to cope with her losses, but said it was important for people to reach out and grieve when they needed to. But that meant the ones they confided in responded compassionately. "A lot of people make you feel uncomfortable, they give you those stupid cliches. Nine times out of 10 people don't want to hear that, they want to hear that you're just going to be there," Ms Wright said. "They want you to sit with them in the dark - to feel awkward, to feel uncomfortable - and sit there with them until they can see colour again." If you need support this Christmas, phone Lifeline on 13 11 14.
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AuthorWith instances of suicide and mental illness increasing at Christmas time, I pitched a series of a page each day for a week covering a variety of mental health issues ArchivesCategories |