My Lean In Circle at work starts every meeting with each of us sharing a Rose and Thorn, or as I like to say, a Thorn and a Rose. Almost always someone states a thorn, something tough they are dealing with, and then the flip side of that same situation – the rose, the hope, the support. I saw that dichotomy in action a couple of weekends ago. It was a beautiful Saturday morning and I walked with Team Luke at the Out of the Darkness walk in Niantic. Luke was my college girlfriend’s 14 year old son who lost his battle to suicide last October. On that Saturday, 60 people gathered to walk for Team Luke. It was sad and inspirational all at the same time, and the message was one of hope. My friend was strong and full of energy and hope, really focusing on supporting Luke’s friends.
Out of the Darkness is a community walk in support of AFSP, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Over 400 people walked on that Saturday by the Niantic boardwalk. It was a beautiful day for the event but it was so sad to see how many people have been touched by suicide – Thorn. Yet, it was wonderful to see all of those people gathered together to remember loved ones and support the family and friends – Rose.
I like to end with the rose, so that the last thought on the subject is a positive one.
Luke’s friends designed a shirt and his mother bought a silk screen machine and printed up over 60 shirts for the team to wear.
“Hope” is the thing with feathers –
That perches in the soul –
And sings the tune without the words –
And never stops – at all –
– Emily Dickinson
Finding Abilities 