4 Years and 5 Months: Grief IV

I wrote this poem after being in the hospital due to a recent medical issue.  One of the first things that happened in the emergency room was hooking me up to an IV (intravenous therapy).

Grief IV

by Sue Anderson

I am eternally hooked to an IV

     a grief IV - one 'specially made

for mothers like me

    whose child is gone

never to return.

No tousled hair to rub

     no warm body to wake

No "hey Mom, what's for dinner?"

     no parental exhortations.

Instead, an empty chair

     a vacant place in photos

A weekly visit to his park

     quiet and still; a peaceful resting place.

The Josh Anderson Foundation: Working to Stop Teenage Suicide

The mission of the Josh Anderson Foundation (JAF) is simple - to provide young adults with the mental health education, resources and support so that they will never turn to suicide.

Due to Lauren's efforts, much has been accomplished over the past 18 months.  In fact, JAF is featured in the August 2013 episode of SAMHSA's Road to Recovery television series entitled "Young Adults in Recovery: Meeting the Needs of the "Millennial Generation""


SAMHSA stands for Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

Click here for the JAF segment.