Day 21 of the Apocalypse, Ground Zero, Gerton, NC pop. 231

Yesterday my 48-year-old brother Bryce died by suicide.

Bryce was a gentle soul. He struggled with drug and alcohol addiction, and overdoses, for nearly four decades. My prayers are with his three children, who lost their father way too early. I understand their pain. Our father also died when he was 48.

May Bryce rest in the peace he’s been searching for his entire life.

Less than 3 months ago, our 40-year-old brother Alex died by suicide.

Three years ago this week, our 35-year-old brother Edward died by suicide.

Three weeks ago today, Hurricane Helene destroyed our mountain community, and hundreds of lives were lost.

I am surrounded by death.
I am consumed by devastation.

As I write this message, sitting outside on a beautiful blue-sky day, four crows, symbols of death, instantly converged in the tree above me.

For me, they represent my three brothers and our father who died by suicide 26 years ago. I choose to believe this means that my brothers and father have found each other in the afterlife.

I am safe. I am fed. I am warm.

I am embraced by loving arms.

I am held by a power greater than myself.

I am watched over.

I am blessed.

I welcome your thoughts and prayers as I navigate all of this.