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Jan 10, 2021, 03:45 PM
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Member Since: Jan 2015
Location: USA
Posts: 26,579
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BethRags
When I moved to my town almost 6 years ago I arrived with my cats and as many of my (remaining) possessions as I could stuff into my little Honda. I had quite literally fled the house I had been living in following a terrifying home invasion. I was very alone with no mental health support services. As soon as I set up my apartment I began searching for a NAMI group. I found out that a Connection group was just starting up in a town a few miles away.
I began attending the group, a terrific one, facilitated by a dynamic man with possibly the biggest and most loving soul I'm ever encountered. That guy had room for everybody. He had bipolar disorder, but was stable.
After about a year he, James, took on a job as a voice teacher for local theater. He asked me to take over facilitating the Connection group, which I did. The community opened up to me and I found myself with new friends. I found myself using a part of myself that I felt was my best self, listening to and supporting other group members.
After some months, James asked me to become a member of our local Mental Health Board, which he chaired. Another opportunity to deepen my connection to our mental health community.
Today, after a stay of several weeks in the hospital, James died of covid at the age of 61, leaving behind 5 grown children and their families, and James' husband of many years.
It's hard for me to imagine that I will never hear James' loud, warm, expansive laugh again or receive a great, big bear hug from him. I feel a tremendous loss today. My heart and mind feel heavy.
z"l - may his memory be a blessing.
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My condolences on your loss. 
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