Hi everyone! Welcome to the last guest post (don’t worry, not the lastĀ post post, you just have to listen to me again š ) for #ShatteringStigmas! Today’s post comes to us from the lovely Erica @ Novel Ink. Some of you may remember Erica sharing her cousin Patrick’s storyĀ several weeks ago. When we talked about her sharing more of his story during this event, I cried. When I read her post, I cried even more. But it’s hopeful, guys. It’s hard, but it is hopeful. And it honors Patrick’s life and memory in a way that nothing else could.
*Please do take note that this is a story about suicide, and thereforeĀ does contain content that may be a trigger for some.Ā
The first thing that I want to say before going on with my story isā¦never give up, never lose faith and to always have hope. My aunt whom lost her son started to give up, lose faith and didnāt have much hope for her future. She lost sight of what was going on around her, she lost herself in the midst everything and felt like everything was a joke. Her son was 29 years old, his name is Patrick Joseph Jarrett, and he was one of the most amazing guys you could have ever met. We lost him to his battle with depression as he took his own life.
Today I want to talk to you about how having faith, hope and never giving up led my aunt to finding herself again and seeing Patrick in another way. When Patrick passed away his dog Zeeke was with him. They both were in his basement for two days before he was found. As the dog stuck by his side through the whole thing. They were best friends and even though Zeeke is a dog you know they feel just as much as we do. Now, Zeeke will always go to the basement and just lay down there for ages, which I assume is his way of seeing his best friend again.
My aunt kept Zeeke as she saw Patrick through him. We always felt like Patrick was always with us, but we never actually knew or not. Until one day, my grandmother wrote my aunt a haunting, but oh so beautiful letter. In this letter she spoke to my aunt (this was on the one year anniversary of his passing; July 6, 2015). My grandma said that two days earlier as there was a rainbow outside (the day of Patrickās funeral there were rainbows and now that is our symbol for him) she felt like Patrick was trying to speak to her. He came to her and told her that she was sorry for all the pain that he has caused us and especially the pain he had caused his mother and brother. He wanted to let everyone know that whenever Zeeke gives a kiss, itās him giving us a kiss. Whenever Zeeke jumps up and gives you a hug, itās him giving you a hug. Whenever Zeeke smiles (which he does, you do a little pinch of your fingers and that cute dog shows us the greatest smile), itās him smiling. Patrick told my grandma that he is living through Zeeke and he is with his mom every day and every night, watching over her.
As I wonder whether my grandma wrote this letter to give my aunt hope and faith on a horrible day or whether she actually āspokeā to Patrick. Either way, itās a wonderful thing to see. It is a glimmer of hope, itās a glimmer of faith and it shows not to give up. Just because Patrick passed away that does not mean he is gone forever. He is with us every day through his best friend.
What I want you guys to take away from this story is that even if something traumatic happens to where you donāt think youāll be able to get back on your feet again there always is hope, faith and love in the things nearest and dearest to you. If you find hope in a pet, a rainbow, or even just your heart take it with every ounce of your being. Never let it go and just hold on because that is your loved one with you and they love you with all that they have.
We love you, Patrick Joseph Jarrett and a happy 30th birthday (August 24, 2015).
About & Where to Find Erica
I cannot thank Erica enough for sharing her family’s story with us. It touched my heart, and I don’t think I will ever forget Patrick or his family’s story. As a mom, my heart goes out to Patrick’s mom, and she will forever be in my thoughts and prayers.Ā
Stories like this can be hard to hear, but I think it is important for them to be told to reach out to other people feeling down and depressed as well, and to remind us that there is still hope. Which makes me all the more greatly admire Erica for sharing this story and staying strong as well š Thank you.
I agree, Oliva. Erica is amazing for sharing this with us. It is so important, because this IS reality, and now it always will be for Erica’s family. Thank you for the kind words <3
Thanks for stopping by and reading my families story, it really means a lot!
Thank you Erica for sharing. I think that is a great message to spread and is something you don’t often hear talked about.
I totally agree! It needs to be heard, but I think quite often others are afraid to discuss it- so BIG props to Erica for being so courageous and telling us her family’s story!
Thanks for reading, Grace, I’m glad you could hear my families story! <3
Oh my gosh Erica, this is such a really touching and beautiful story. I am so sorry for the loss in your family, it is the hardest thing in the world but it’s having the comfort in knowing that they are still watching over you.
Jeann, thank you so much for your lovely comment to Erica. I know it means a lot, and she is so amazing for sharing with us! <3
Thank you for you kind words, Jeann, it means so much.
Thank you for sharing this powerful story with us, Erica. It simultaneously made me cry and gave me so much hope too. You and your family are so brave and the fact that you shared this with Shannon’s readers makes you a remarkable human being. Seriously, thank YOU to you and Shannon!
Aw thank you SO much for the kind words for Erica and her family! She is really amazing, isn’t she? I cannot even imagine how hard this post was to write- it was hard just for me to put together, and Erica had to live it.
Thank you for reading the story and I am so happy that it gave you some hope as that was my goal. Your kind words mean a lot!
Thank you so, so much Erica for sharing Patrick’s story. I cried. I think I cried even harder because the dog was with him and the dog still goes to the basement sometimes. Stories like this are so hard to hear, but they are so important. #ShatteringStigmas has been such an amazing event!
Oh, the dog thing pushed me right over the edge too. It is really hard to hear, but so, so important. Thanks for the lovely message for Erica too š
Yes, knowing Zeeke was there was a very hard thing for us to get over, too. Every time he goes to the basement it breaks our heart, but it gives us hope too because we know he gets to see his best friend again.
Erica, you are such an amazing and strong person. This story is so heartbreaking, and I cry every single time I read it. It’s so hard to hear when such a young person loses the battle of depression, but at the same time, it’s really important for their story to be shared because you never know, the person who’s reading it could be in a battle of their own and this story may be the one that gives them the hope to stay strong <33333333
I agree with you so much Christy. Erica is so amazing for sharing this with us, I cannot even imagine the pain and grief that her family must be feeling every day. But I am glad that even though he isn’t with us, Patrick’s story will continue to inspire and help people.
Thanks love! I love you tons and you are one person who helps me through everything & allowed me to share this story with everyone by giving me some strength.
Thank you for sharing your story, Erica. I can imagine it wasn’t easy. I’m so sorry for the loss your family suffered, and writing this was so strong of you. Thank you for sharing this with us.
Thank you so much for the lovely comment for Erica. She is certainly amazing for sharing this with us <3
Thank you for reading, it means a lot to know that my families story can reach out to people and touch them in some form of a way. I appreciate your kind words, Lisa <3
My heart broke so much over this. Thanks to Erica for sharing her story. I’m sorry for her family’s loss. I’ve never lost someone to depression but I’ve had some close friends who lost their childhood best friend and my heart just broke for them, because they thought he was getting better. I hope families become more aware if someone is in dire need of help. It’s heartbreaking to hear families just shrug it off at first, then suffer a tragic loss such as this. š
Thank you so much š That is a reason I wanted to share this so it allows people to become more aware and realize that depression is taking over and people need our help.
nice of you to share your story
It’s great that your aunt has Zeeke to help her work through what happened. This is a beautiful story. Thank you for sharing.