In a poignant reflection on personal tragedy, Patty Born shares her heart-wrenching experiences of losing both her ex-husband and son to suicide. The essay explores the profound challenges she faced in discussing these losses with her surviving children. Born recounts how she navigated through the complexities of grief, emphasizing the importance of open communication and family support. Her story underscores the need for mental health awareness and offers a message of resilience and hope amidst unimaginable pain.

A Mother's Unimaginable Journey Through Loss

In the autumn of 2012, Patty Born's life was forever altered when her ex-husband Charlie ended his life at the age of 45. Twelve years later, in September 2024, her 19-year-old son Zachary followed the same tragic path. These two devastating events reshaped her existence and forced her to confront the harsh realities of grief and loss.

Born, a psychiatric nurse practitioner, had always dreamed of helping others through mental health advocacy. However, she never imagined that her professional skills would be crucial in navigating such personal tragedies. When Charlie died, their children were 18, 10, and 7. Telling them about their father’s death was one of the most challenging moments of her life. She carefully chose her words, ensuring they were appropriate for each child's age and understanding. Over time, as the children grew older, they asked more detailed questions, and Born responded with honesty and openness.

The family endured another significant loss in June 2024 when Born's father passed away unexpectedly. Just three months later, Zachary's death by suicide left the family reeling once again. Despite her best efforts, Born could not prevent this heartbreaking outcome. Yet, she found strength in supporting her surviving children through their shared grief.

Grief, as Born describes, is an unforgiving process. It ebbs and flows, often returning with renewed intensity. But through it all, the family has learned that healing comes from facing grief head-on, together. They are slowly emerging from the darkness, finding purpose and resilience in memory of those they lost.

Born's story serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of mental health awareness and the value of open conversations about difficult topics. It highlights the strength that can emerge from tragedy and the enduring power of love and support within a family.

From a reader's perspective, Born's narrative offers a profound lesson in resilience. Her ability to transform her personal pain into a source of strength and advocacy is both inspiring and humbling. It reminds us that while we cannot control every aspect of life, we can choose how we respond to adversity. In doing so, we honor the memories of those we have lost and find new meaning in our own lives.