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September 2021
ERICSHOUSE
September Newsletter
Dear EricsHouse Community,

Welcome to September 2021! EricsHouse is looking forward to upcoming events that allow us to share with one another and honor our loved ones. Our events and fundraisers help further strengthen our community connections and share healing love. September is National Suicide Prevention month. We strongly support the incredible importance of prevention resources and equal accessibility. Understanding the complexity surrounding suicide and mental health is an important way to take part in suicide prevention. Awareness changes the conversation around suicide. EricsHouse is a touchstone for loss survivors to work through their grief journey. When loss survivors share their stories it is beyond brave and honorable. It helps more people than just the loss survivor themselves but rather the community as a whole. EricsHouse commends you. It is our hope that one day we can help break the stigma associated with suicide. Let us stand together and remind one another that we are worthy, we are not alone and we all matter. 

-EricsHouse
Connect With Us:
Letter From Our Founder-
Marianne Gouveia
   Honoring our Veterans

In this month’s article, I feel compelled to honor the troops who died in the recent suicide bombing in Afghanistan while screening Afghans desperate to flee the Taliban. Regardless of our political views, let’s honor all veterans and their families for their service to our country, and for their willingness to work across the globe to promote freedom through kindness, honor, and dedication to their missions. My heart breaks for the families and loved ones of the 13 soldiers. Here are their names:  

  • Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Darin T. Hoover, 31, of Salt Lake City, Utah
  • Marine Corps Sgt. Johanny Rosario Pichardo, 25, of Lawrence, Massachusetts
  • Marine Corps Sgt. Nicole L. Gee, 23, of Sacramento, California
  • Marine Corps Cpl. Hunter Lopez, 22, of Indio, California
  • Marine Corps Cpl. Daegan W. Page, 23, of Omaha, Nebraska
  • Marine Corps Cpl. Humberto A. Sanchez, 22, of Logansport, Indiana
  • Marine Corps Lance Cpl. David L. Espinoza, 20, of Rio Bravo, Texas
  • Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Jared M. Schmitz, 20, of St. Charles, Missouri
  • Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Rylee J. McCollum, 20, of Jackson, Wyoming
  • Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Dylan R. Merola, 20, of Rancho Cucamonga, California
  • Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Kareem M. Nikoui, 20, of Norco, California
  • Navy Hospitalman Maxton W. Soviak, 22, of Berlin Heights, Ohio
  • Army Staff Sgt. Ryan C. Knauss, 23, of Corryton, Tennessee.

I remember when Eric died, I didn’t want to feel better. I wanted to just stay deeply entrenched in the darkness of my grief. I stayed there a long time, and as I reflect upon it – I wanted to feel the pain of loss. Integrating the idea of living a life without my youngest child was a reality that I didn’t want to accept. I wanted to hold onto my grief as a way of holding onto Eric. As I began to settle into my new reality, as the pain of loss ebbs and flows, I go back to remembering the whole journey – the good times and the bad, the joys and the sorrows – the entire journey of living with Eric for the first 27 years that I had him in my life. I also remember that the deep love felt between a mother and a child lives on forever.

One of my favorite quotes from Abraham Lincoln is: “Honor to the soldier and sailor everywhere, who bravely bears his country's cause. Honor, also, to the citizen who cares for his brother in the field and serves, as he best can, the same cause.” Honest Abe also said: “It is not the years in the life, but the life in the years." I have this placard hanging in my home office and it helps me to remember that life can change in an instant. So it is for the family and friends of the 13 soldiers who have died serving their country.  

Please keep them and their families in your thoughts and prayers as they settle into their new realities. I pray that over time they can reflect on the entire journey with their loved ones, and that they find peace in knowing that, regardless of our individual political views, we value their service to our country and are deeply grateful for their service. The willingness of our veterans to make the ultimate sacrifice for democracy and freedom has forever earned them our lasting gratitude. I thank each of them and their families for their service.

If you would like to learn more about these precious 13 souls, you can visit https://www.militarytimes.com/news

With Hope, Healing, and New Beginnings,


 
WORLD SUICIDE PREVENTION DAY 2021
A Renewed Worldwide Commitment to Prevent Suicides

 On September 10th, join with us and many others across the world who are playing their part in the prevention of suicide.
 
EMPACT-SPC will be hosting a Virtual Candlelight Ceremony via Zoom on World Suicide Prevention Day (Friday, September 10, 2021). 
 
The ceremony will begin at 7:30pm.
At 8pm, we will invite all participants to light a candle as a symbol of support for suicide prevention and to remember those we have lost to suicide. 

If you would like to participate in this virtual event, please join us through the zoom link below.  For more information, please email  
Sandra.McNally@Lafrontera-Empact.org

Time: Sep 10, 2021 07:30 PM Arizona

Join Zoom Meeting

Meeting ID: 983 1147 7016
Passcode: 345105
EricsHouse Presents
Hope and Healing Annual Fundraiser!

Hope and Healing 2021 is our annual fundraiser, held each year on October 10th, World Mental Health Day. Last year we raised nearly $90,000 to support our mission to help others grieving the loss of a loved one to suicide or substance abuse. As the number of those lost tragically rises, we need your financial support more than ever. More information on how to give will be forthcoming, but for now, please put 10/10/2021, noon to 5pm on your calendar. On that day, our virtual and in-person event will be broadcast from EricsHouse and feature special guests and events. We will also be revealing an interactive work of art. 

For more information about Hope and Healing 2021, please contact Judy@EricsHouse.org or Robin@EricsHouse.org
Join us for the Full Moon Labyrinth Walk. The moon is packed full of energy that is not to be missed. At EricsHouse, we are taking full advantage of this time and invite you to join us in a Labyrinth Walk with Gong. You will be guided to release your burdens and let go of anything that is holding you back as you begin your walk.

There is no charge for this event but you must register to attend.