We Showed Up

For Kyle. For Todd. For them all. ❤️

Yesterday, I attended the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s Out of the Darkness Walk (AFSP.org), supporting my mate, her lovely hubby, their beautiful girls, vast family and friends, and the memory of their adorable son, Kyle.

Of course, Maryland being Maryland, I had no idea what to wear that morning. Was it going to rain? Be hella windy? Be bloody cold?

Maryland said, “Why yes. Challenge accepted.” It was all three.

The theme of the walk was Together To Save Lives, and after picking up my other girlie-pop, ‘K-Dubs’, whose plans nicely fell through, that’s exactly what we did.

With hooded raincoats and my brolly in tow, we dissed the hella-disrespectful Maryland weather and showed up to show out for Kyle’s Crew.
Bonus points! The dynamic duo of D and L were there, purple tees on, and representin’, too.

Our goal was simple: support our mate. On that day, yes, but really from day one of us meeting until the wheels fall off this friendship. Which, as I have lovingly threatened her (and all of my mates), will be never.
❤️#DontPlayWithMe #PlayWithSomethingSafer.

Circling multiple full or blocked off parking lots, we made it to the meet up to see that our mate must have recently removed all the windows from her house, ‘cause she missed the weather update, rocking some shorty-shorts. Absolutely Cray-Cray!! Homegirl was freezing!! And if I don’t see my hoody in hand at our next happy hour, there’s gonna be problems in the ‘hood.
❤️#DontPlayWithMe #PlayWithSomethingSafer.

Through all the beautiful signage a la Kyle’s Crew and from everyone else in attendance, we talked, we laughed, we hugged, we shared stories and lots of little but special moments. All while wearing our AFSP beads, each color representing different kinds of support and loss.

And may I reiterate that Kyle’s Crew came to work, celebrated for being the leading donor group for that day’s walk. So with Kyle’s beautiful face held up high, his forever-loving Mum and Dad took that same energy to lead the walk. Forever making sure that Kyle’s memory continues to be carried forward.

No matter who you’ve lost, or how you lost them, the people we love never truly leave us.

They live on in the stories we tell, the people they touched, and the memories we refuse to let fade. Especially the hilarious ones. We’ve got far too many of those to keep hidden.

Yesterday, we walked for Kyle, and for Todd, and for all those who have lost someone they love.

And we’ll keep walking with their memory, together. ❤️

Please reach out for support if you or someone you know is struggling. There are resources, people, and organizations ready to help. The great work of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention is just one of many.

Or you can join a community walk to show your support, save lives and bring hope. And if you’re able, donations are always needed and help support this important work. ❤️