You can make a difference

Amy was a kind, loving person and one of the best big sisters anyone could ask for. She was extremely brilliant, and never afraid to speak her mind. She enjoyed reading and had an unquenchable thirst for knowledge.

In the third grade she read one of her mother's books she found laying around the house, The Color Purple. Her mother had no idea Amy read this until she saw it on a list of favorite books hung on the classroom wall. Amy's love for reading continued. She quickly finished any book she could get her hands on, leaving her mother struggling to find a book that Amy wouldn't finish on her own. So as any rational person would do, Amy's mother decided to read her Cosmos by Carl Sagan. Amy listened, absorbing all of the information. Shortly after she was the only student in her class who knew that a light year is a unit of distance not time. Amy loved to share her knowledge with others. This became apparent when Amy’s father heard her explaining physical dimensions to the neighborhood children.

Amy was an extremely talented poet, vocalist, and musician with the ability to play any instrument she picked up. In high school she toured Europe with Ensemble, a group composed of talented American and Canadian musicians. One day when at home, Amy picked up her sister's saxophone. The theme song to M*A*S*H playing in the background. Even though this was the first time she played, she was able to play along note for note, no music sheet to refer to.

Amy's music ability led her to record an album with her dear friends who live in Sweden. In 2006 her album Escorted from the Royal Castle was released. This album featured her original songs, some songs played on the airwaves in Sweden.

Amy is no longer with us but her talents remain to be enjoyed. From her record album to countless poems and too many memories to list. Though Amy left this world much too soon, her spirit will live on forever. Amy had no idea of how many lives she touched, her leaving this world created a void that can never be filled.

Losing a loved one is always difficult. Losing a loved one to suicide adds another dimension of grieving. There are so many questions that will never be answered. Suicide has devastating ripple effect beyond family and friends, effecting communities as a whole.

After an individual completes suicide, loved ones left behind often hold a great deal of self-blame. While reassuring others that there was nothing they could have done, they still find blame in themselves.

Amy's family and friends want to spare others from having to live with these unanswered questions and unbearable emptiness that suicide leaves behind.

We ask if you or a loved one is struggling, know you are not alone, and support is available. Please do not leave your loved ones behind with questions which will never be answered and indescribable sadness of suicide.

The included link is to Amy's album:
Escorted from the Royal Castle:

Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/artist/4fkhDdMiI7eY32KirC...

YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2twiaQxrl3g&list=O...