"GRIEF AFTER SUICIDE" BLOG PUBLISHER RECEIVES 2013 SURVIVOR RECOGNITION AWARD

4/30/2013

The American avant garde artist Andy Warhol said everybody gets 15 minutes of fame, and while I'm having my time in the spotlight, I want to share my words of gratitude with people to whom I am connected (because the theme of the entire affair is actually connection). The American Association of Suicidology honored me last week with the 2013 Survivor Recognition Award,* which "recognizes the efforts of one special survivor every year ... [who] used their own loss and grief to provide comfort and encouragement and healthy role-modeling to others bereaved by suicide in their community, state, or nation." I'd simply like to post my acceptance speech here, and leave it at that:

I ... didn't know how to say how deeply thankful I am in just a few words, so I thought I would try to explain what my intention has been in all this time -- for however imperfect I've been at accomplishing it, this is what I've tried to do:

I've tried to make my words and actions on behalf of survivors and on behalf of suicide prevention ... represent my gratitude for the great healing that has come to me over this almost 35 years now since my father killed himself. I've literally tried to carry in my mind and in my heart the entire web of relationships that make up my experience over those many decades ... and that awareness of the web of relationships that we are in has ... shown me how we are truly all connected. I've come to know that whatever happens to one of us, affects us all. So what I have ... tried to do is just to be compassionate toward the person who is in front of me in the moment -- because that's really all I can do. But I've found that that makes all of the difference in the world sometimes, not just to the person in front of me, but sometimes it makes all the world of difference for me -- and truly it is what I believe might change our world.

I also want to thank the fellowship of the American Association of Suicidology -- for all of you collectively and many of you individually have ... contributed to the meaning that I have found from my father's death and made me able to apply it in my own life. In one way or another, I ... do love each and every one of you, and that comes from many, many places, many sources -- but basically I simply believe that we're all in this together ... We are all in this together, and I am so, so grateful for the work we share. The goal that we are striving toward is to alleviate the pain and suffering ... that causes people to die by suicide and that we suffer in the aftermath of suicide -- and what a noble cause.

What was the worst imaginable nightmare -- truly an event that broke not only my heart but my spirit -- from that event has come a fantastically powerful positive force that I cannot explain, but that I am infinitely grateful for.

So I would just like to thank you one and all for this great honor. I will ... cherish this moment for the rest of my life. Thank you so much.

*(To learn more about the award and see a list of past recipients, go here, and to read my short bio, go here.)

12 Comments

David Litts

4/30/2013 11:31:25 am

Franklin, I am so disappointed that I could not stay to see you receive this honor. This acceptance speech is truly beautiful, but then, I am not a bit surprised. You certainly deserved the award, and in accepting it with such style and grace, in much the same way as you have lived your life, you have made the world a better place. Congratulations.

Jack Jordan

4/30/2013 02:22:50 pm

Amen, my brother.
Can't think of a person more deserving........
An honor to be on each other's journey.
Be well.
Jack

Ronnie Walker link

4/30/2013 02:34:19 pm

Franklin, I want to congratulate you. You have used your own loss to comfort and empower so many people over all these years. You are a blessing to us all. Thank you for all you have taught me. -- Ronnie

James Gallanos

5/1/2013 03:07:38 am

Congratulations Franklin...can't wait for you to come back to Alaska and work with us.....we are ready more than ever to move our cause forward. With you on board, I am sure we will accomplish a great deal. Thanks for all you do.

Barb Smith

5/1/2013 07:39:58 am

Congratulations Franklin, well deserved. thank you for being a voice for thousands "if not millions" of other survivors since you began your grief journey. I am honored our paths have crossed and I had the honor of presence.

Joe Cook

5/2/2013 12:38:08 am

I am so proud of you Frank. Obviously I have a bias. Our thirty five years since we "survived", have included a journey that I have cherished beyond words. Your influence on me and those I love has been priceless. You certainly have a life filled wtih positive influences and I am extemely grateful for you and our connectedness.

KW link

5/7/2013 04:25:16 am

I love you Frank. Brothers are like that ... yeah they are.

Glen Lord link

5/2/2013 01:40:59 am

Franklin,

I am honored to know you. Your work has helped and will continue to help so many.

Your line, "What was the worst imaginable nightmare -- truly an event that broke not only my heart but my spirit -- from that event has come a fantastically powerful positive force that I cannot explain, but that I am infinitely grateful for." is the essence of HOPE and strength in the Grief Journey.

Congratulations and Blessings.

Glen

Ed Cook

5/2/2013 01:47:30 pm

Franklin,

Congratulations on a well deserved honor and on a life full of hope that you have shared with others and given of freely. What a journey we have been on and how grateful I am that you are not only my brother but also my friend. We are truly blessed.

Ed

Charlie Quimby link

5/12/2013 11:11:08 am

Congratulations. Though I've always spoken openly about my father's suicide nearly 30 years ago, it wasn't until I completed a novel that I realized my own story was still unresolved. Since then, my family has taken steps to become more active advocates for prevention, and your example is helpful and inspring.

Robin Theis link

6/4/2013 08:27:18 am

There are only a few who can say I know what you are going through and truly mean it when a loved one commits suicide. After my son committed suicide four years ago it wasn't easy talking to anyone about his death. I can say to you I know how you feel, losing your father to suicide and mean what I say. I became open to the harsh world when my son died. Not because of mean people but because they don't know nor understand how a person feels when they lose someone they love dearly to suicide.They have never experienced it. Suicide is a double grief. You grieve the loss of your loved and then you grieve the act of suicide itself. Thank you for your post and congratulations.

Franklin link

6/4/2013 09:57:11 pm

Thank you, Robin. These words of yours are very insightful and helpful: "You grieve the loss of your loved and then you grieve the act of suicide itself" -- and I appreciate you sharing them ...

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"GRIEF AFTER SUICIDE" BLOG PUBLISHER RECEIVES 2013 SURVIVOR RECOGNITION AWARD

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