I am pleased to have Marie Dudek as my guest today. Her story is a shining example of how one’s dampened spirit from a loss too great for most mothers to imagine, can once again be reignited by helping others.

Guest Post – by Marie Dudek

The practice of “creating today” came about two years after my daughter died in 2003. Her death shattered my life, and the lives of everyone she knew. Natalie ended her own life. A beautiful 22-year old young woman, an artist; the internal pain became too much for her. 

• How could this happen?
• Why did this happen?
• What did I do?
• What didn’t I do?

Question after question, I chose to work through. There were things to look at deep inside. And I did. And I do. I am moving forward, knowing Natalie was a loving human being; kind, sensitive, and generous. I can’t change what happened. She remains in my heart, and the hearts of many others, forever. I am grateful she was part of my life, physically present, for over 22 years. I choose to honor her memory as the person she was, not the circumstances of her death.

Talking about mental health and wellness is a big part of my life now. I have learned so much more about mental well-being. As a certified facilitator of the Mental Health First Aid certification workshop, I am sharing knowledge with others. At times that includes talking about my real-life experiences. The 12-hour course provides attendees with key skills to help someone who is developing a mental health problem or experiencing a mental health crisis. The evidence behind the program demonstrates that it makes people feel more comfortable managing a crisis and builds mental health literacy — helping to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental health conditions. 

I also am the chairperson of the Central Florida Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP-CFL). The chapter was founded just over one year ago by a group of individuals impacted by the suicide death of a loved one. The 3rd annual Out of the Darkness 5K Community Walk will be held on Saturday, February 6, 2010 around Lake Baldwin in Orlando, Florida. For the last two years, over 400 people attended each walk raising over $70,000 total to increase research and advocacy on suicide prevention plus provide educational materials for our own Central Florida Community. A new film entitled More Than Sad:  Teen Depression is the most recent addition to our chapter’s community presentations.

As a certified peer facilitator of two survivor of suicide support groups, called HALOS (Healing After a Loved One’s Suicide) I am supporting individuals after the suicide death of a loved one. I attended support groups after Natalie died and they provided incredible support to me. I now offer that to others at a time when they may feel they are all alone and no one could possibly understand their loss and its impact on their life. I can. I’ve been there. I will listen.

Creating today came about as a way to complete coursework for an educational program. It started out as sharing one possibility I created for myself for the day. I began sending it to some family members and friends in e-mail. They responded positively and sometimes I’d include an inspirational quote or a beautiful photograph I had taken. The quote, photo, and my daily creation are now part a message that’s e-mailed out and is also online at PolkVoice.com. I am amazed at the connection it provides. Individuals click on the link and create their own day online in one simple sentence. Our words created our world daily as kids. “Today – I am a princess or ballerina, an astronaut or pilot . . .” As adults, we get into the doing of many necessary tasks, and may not even think about creating a possibility for the day. This e-mail is a reminder to take one minute and create what you want for your day, and then live into that creation.

Today I am creating a life that is thriving and I invite you to join me.

Peace, love, and joy,

Marie Dudek, Founder

Creating Today