On October 25th, my friend, Danielle, messaged me to tell me her 11 year old sister Emily had tried to take her life. She had included goodbye letters to all of her family. She was currently at a hospital in an inpatient program. And her birthday was just days away.
So many thought flew through my head. At 11, I was probably still blissfully playing Barbies or making friendship bracelets with my neighbor friends. My heart was heavy for Danielle and her sister.
Many of you have met Danielle at our Stars of Hope event in June at Yorkville High School. Danielle had a VW Bug Car and let our attendees write words of hope on it. It was the Hope Bug. Danielle had recently moved to Texas with her husband and children. To be so far away during a family crisis like this was surely devastating.
I manage the Facebook page for Suicide Prevention Services. I knew that was where I wanted to start.
My post was simple:
"Emily is the sister of an SPS supporter. Emily has battled depression. Within the past 24 hours, she wrote her goodbye letters to her family. She's currently in the hospital and need a ton of love. Notes. Stickers. Words of encouragement. Anything. Emily is only 11 years old and she lives in Bolingbrook. Her birthday is Oct. 30th. A birthday card would mean a lot.
Please consider reaching out with mail. It would mean a lot to me and her sister, Danielle.
Address: Emily B. 632 Rockhurst Rd. Bolingbrook IL 60440"
We weren't prepared for the out pour of love (posted below). Additionally, 86 people shared the post.
What came next was equally amazing. The letters and packages began pouring in to Emily's house. Her mom would take pictures to show Emily what was waiting for her at home.
Ben Minnis, Breaking the Silence, and Loras College also created an event, Letter's for Emily, to write letters. More than 50 letters were created and sent.
As a response to the letters:
(From Emily's sister, Danielle) "Emily is good today is her birthday. I just got off the phone with her. She told me " I finally feel like there's a little hope and I feel really happy today."
It made me smile so hard. Then she said tonight she was supposed to receive a cupcake from her peers there. My mom went to visit her and brought a picture of the goodies that have come in the mail so far.
When I told Emily last night on her 5 min call about all of the support and letters and how they were from all over the world she cried and cried and told me thank you. She said she is looking SO forward to coming home to read everything."
Suicide Prevention Services (www.spsamerica.org) is connecting with Emily's family to see if we can be part of her aftercare program and help her further. We would also like to connect with her school to see if we can offer services/ training and perhaps a Stars of Hope event. www.starsofhopefestival.com
It's never too late to send a letter. Words of encouragement to help Emily are most welcome.
Thank you so much for the humanity of a community pulling together to help this little girl. So many friends from Yorkville have reached out to Emily. It's truly touching and amazing.
From: www.facebook.com/suicidepreventionservices
- Hugs baby girl!
- Poor darling, I hope that she will be ok? Sending lots of love from Australia... xoXOXox
- reposted and will be sending cards tonight... my youngest is 12 and her name is Emily..this tugged at me really hard.. my family lost a beautiful 16yr old soul in this manner... Emily you have people in Indiana rooting for you sweet child. prayers and hugs.
- Sending best wishes from North Aurora, IL
- Sending hugs to Emily!
- Prayers
- Hugs from Puerto Rico!!!
- Hugs & prayers to Miss Emily..... Xo from a survivor
- Emily, things WILL & DO get better!!! I promise!!! Sending love, hugs & prayers to Emily & all those who love & care about her. My life was touched by the suicide of a young man almost exactly 4 years ago so I know all too well how devastating this can be! God bless!!
- Suicide Prevention Services This is amazing. Thank you so much for your words of encouragement.
- I love you all very very very much!!!!! Thank each and everyone of you for taking time to do this!
- Sweetheart there's lots of love coming your way the greatest of which is God's. Just let Him take control. Love from Baton Rouge, Louisiana
- Emily, you a beautiful girl & many people care about you &
Love you very much! Whatever is upsetting you will get better one way or another with time. Get well, love Vanessa - Sending love!
- I have been there and so glad i failed. I would have missed an incredible life. My heart goes out to you and your pain. Dont give in yet there are so many wonderful things out there waiting for you hugs and lots of love from a stranger who has been in your shoes.
- Thank You ALL for your shares!! 32 SHARES!! I can't wait to show Emily!
- Be strong Emily! I'm sending love and praying for you tonight. Even though things seem hard now with time comes change! So many people care. Don't ever give up!
- never ever give up hope ride the storm out ... Hang on tight ... The storm will pass and you will come out of it stronger than when you went in... Trust in yoU
- Emily, Girlie Girl I been there and I also am glad I failed. I have the prettiest baby granddaughter and 2 amazing grandsons that I wouldn't of known or loved I've been able to not only know but to "feel" I am Worthy by an incredible man (yes took me awhile to understand too) If you ever want to talk or something I'm willing to give my contact info so message me. Hold on Baby Girl just hold on because You ARE Worth this amazing Life that you will experience. 👑👑👑👑
Love Sharon - Praying for this princess and her family and treatment team!!!
- Oh Emily, you are NOT alone. Even in your darkest days , God is with you and He is real. Look at all of this support you have! You are loved, so very loved! You can fight this dark time! Praying for you right now!
- So sad that an 11 year old would even think of taking her life... I had to re-read it again and again because i couldn't believe someone so young would want to end their life dear Emily, push through it and get through it - much love and support all the way from Ireland xxx
- Emily honey you have your whole life ahead of you. I dont know what would possess you to do such an awful thing. God be with sweet Emily during this difficult time and touch her heart and let her know shes not alone. Sending hugs and love too u sweet girl. ♡♡♡♡♡
- Emily, I know you are in a lot of pain right now. I hope that seeing all these comments, receiving letters and seeing the shares of this post help you feel the strength and care of those out here. We might not know you, but we are concerned and truly want you to find hope again. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
- Emily, you are loved, you are beautiful, and you are irreplaceable!!! Hold on strong. You will make it through this!!!
- Hang in there EmiLy ! CHEEEEEEEEEEERS !!!!
- Happy birthday Emily! I know 12will b better for u! B strong U CAN DO IT! So many love u!! Xoxo
- My prayers from oswego il. Emily I don't know you but I was there 2 yrs ago. The people in the hospital are there to help you and take care of you. Don't give up on life it gets better. Surround yourself with good people and you will be healthy. Be strong and god will take you to a great place!
- Emily, it may not seem so now, but life has so much abundance in store for you. Things you can't even imagine today. God will bless you if you just give him the chance. Your family and friends will rejoice with you as you move forward in life. Please do not let despair win and rob you of all that can be so great in your future.
- Hi Emily.This is Deanna-Candi's aunt. First of all- HAPPY BIRTHDAY! ! Emily , you are a beautiiful girl and have so so much to live for. Be strong and believe in God.He will heal you and take care of you.Please be positive .There are many people praying for you!!! Xoxo
- I'd love to. I've been there and if there's any other way I can help inbox me. I think I will write her.
- PROMISE PROMISE PROMISE life will get better if you fight for it! I have felt the results of those who fight and those who quit. FIGHT
- Emily, life will get better. I was a very depressed young girl at your age, grew up with abuse and received the same treatment at school. Every thing does get better and your life at 11 will be your past and you will learn to live in the present. My oldest son has attempted twice, with time and lots of therapy he is now better, medication was finally adjusted in his favor. We all have both good and bad times but let the happier memories and the happier future be your goal.
- Emily - don't know you but we already love you. From the bottom of my heart, I wish you a sincere happy bday. If you like some manly things like UFC...hav the adult folk message me here in Texas and I may hav a present for you.
- I sincerely tried suicide at 11. I just didn't fit in. I was abused and couldn't get out of the funk I was in. I'm 49 now with 4 great successful kids and the grandkids. I joined the Marines at age 32, served in Iraq for a year and l learned what living is about when you see a young friend die and know that your heartache is immeasurable compared to their families loss. I never would of known the immense joy and blessings that I have now if God had ever given up on me. Your potential can only be known by just striving every day to make it to the next day.I beg you to keep holding on and let your life blossom into what it shall be. Don't give up on yourself you might well be the one person that finds a cute for cancer or becomes the first female president. Dream big. Dream on. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
- WOW guys!!! 81 shares!!!! THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND KIND WORDS!
- Sending so many prayers and strength to Emily to help her through this difficult time!!! Life is so precious, and there are so many people that love you, and will help you through this!!! Stay strong beautiful girl, God has a great plan for you here on Earth, just trust in everything he does!
- Suicide Prevention Services Thank you to all who have sent letters. More than a dozen arrived yesterday. Thank you so much.
