April 17th, 2019

April 17th, 2019

Hi, everyone! This is new. I really have no idea what I am doing. I’m going to spend this week trying to figure out how to “blog.” So, maybe by next week this will look and flow a lot more gracefully. Today, I invite you all today to read my Bio ( hopefully it works) to see what’s on my heart and why I have decided to start “blogging.” Lots of love, JOY, and light on this rainy Wednesday!

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27 Comments
  • Jeff Taube says:

    This is a beautiful post Brittani. Please continue to let us know your thoughts and feelings. It’s cathartic for you, and it lets those of us that care about you know how you’re doing (without asking).

    Please know that you have an immense amount of love and support from your friends and family, and please lean on us when you need support.

    Love you and miss you!

  • Amanda M Campbell says:

    This is beautiful, Brittani. Just beautiful. I love it. I am here to help with the writing part. ENGLISH MAJOR! You have my digits. I mean it. I am happy to help with that. I am a novice blogger. Well, cannot even say that. I have never submitted one blog post. So, you are miles ahead of me.
    Thank you for sharing this. I look forward to Wednesdays. I think your structure is wonderful. I think the place this comes from is raw, real, and will do the world some good.
    You are in my thoughts constantly. I know that sounds odd because we never see one another or have talked much since our “Be You Campaign” days. Please just know you are on my mind. All. The. Time.
    Peace, my friend. Hugs & Peace.
    Amanda
    OxxxO

  • Jessika says:

    This is so amazing Brit!!! I am so glad you are doing this and can’t wait to see things flourish from this! Proud of you every day!

  • Kellie says:

    Sending all the love your way 💜 ~Kellie

  • Judy Witebsky says:

    Brittani,
    Aria’s loving spirit is in all of us. She is so deeply missed by so many, including Uncle Steve and me. I love you.
    Love,
    Aunt Judy

  • Jess says:

    What a beautiful idea! I can help make it look pretty and we can find a time to work on it together 🙂

    Me thoughts and healing vibes ❤️

    Jess

  • Cheryl Rackner says:

    Great start Brittani. This is so difficult but hopefully helpful and healing for you. Know that all of your family and friends are there for you. We all miss Aria. 💞. Our hearts are broken. Emptiness is part of the grieving process and can take a long time to feel partially full again. There will always be a small hole in your heart because you and we miss Aria. She will always be in our hearts.

  • Brooke says:

    What a fantastic way to get people talking about suicide prevention! I am 100% sure Aria is smiling; she must be so proud of you! I love you, Britt and I, too, am proud of you! ❤️

    Love you tons and tons and tons,

    Cousin Brooke

  • I just left a comment but not sure if it saved…

    If anyone has the inner strength to bare it all for the sake of educating and uplifting others while attempting to heal and mourn, its you Britt. I love you and look forward to supporting you anyway I can in all your endeavors, especially where Miss Buggy is concerned.

    Profoundly beautiful bio as well.

  • Deb says:

    I am impressed! You are a writer and your blog looks great.
    I agree, “How are you?” isn’t a good question! What is a good question, or a good greeting, or a positive way to show concern, love and support? Give us your insight.
    We are all processing this pain and miss your beautiful girl!
    Hugs to you Brittani.

    • bjsenser says:

      Hi Deb, I know the, “How are you?” question comes from a good place. But its a loaded question and a really hard question to answer. Let me think about it because I’m not 100% sure. Sometimes just a hug and saying ” I don’t know what to say” is enough. Because most of the time, I don’t know what to say either. There’s no guidebook for this.

  • Amy Shamblott says:

    Brittani, you are finding the words! You are starting conversations!
    I’m so proud of you! Keep going!
    This is how we change the narrative of mental health and suicide.
    SHOUT OUT LOUD!

  • alli54799 says:

    So proud of my very bestest friend. I know I say this alot but you really do inspire me. Our angel is so proud of you💜🐞🦋

  • akaymclaurin says:

    This is beautiful Brit! You’re going to change lives here💗

  • Chantelle says:

    ❤ Love the rawness and honesty of this Brit! Go change the world girl!
    Xoxo

  • Toni says:

    Thank you for being so open about this! It’s about time that people stopped being afraid to talk about suicide. The shift with mental health issues becoming less of a taboo subject will only do good for society. I look forward to reading more from you.

  • Amy says:

    Hi Brittani,
    I’m very sorry for the loss of your daughter. I grew up knowing your cousins. Actually, I think my older sister babysat you and your sister a few times and I remember coming with once. I also lived next door to Aria’s Dad’s parents on McKnight Rd. I saw her a lot when she was a very little girl. Such a doll face. 😍
    I’m wishing you all the strength in the world while you navigate these times in your life. I don’t know if you’re a podcast person, but I highly suggest reading about and listening to one called “Terrible, Thanks for Asking” while you find your way through your grief. It’s beautiful, real, raw, Funny, sad and comforting. I would suggest it to anyone who is grieving such a giant loss. Also, associated with the podcast is a non profit they are involved with called “still kickin” and it’s all about ending the stigma of suicide. I hope it’s ok to have shared that with you. I hope it helps in some small way.
    Take care of yourself.

  • Sharie says:

    There is nothing more beautiful than someone opening up and sharing a part of their true selves. It gives other people permission to be their true selves too. Thank you for sharing what’s on your mind and heart. You are a great writer.

  • Sarah Callahan says:

    Brittani, you and Aria have been frequently on my mind. We never found the time to have Promise & Aria meet in between the craziness of graduate school. I regret that. We live in the Fulton neighborhood now & Everytime I drive past a purple ribbon I think of you & of the immeasurable / inexpressible amount of grief and sorrow you must be experiencing. For the first few weeks it brought tears to my eyes & a few times (when I was alone) I going myself sobbing in the car over all of this. I can’t imagine your emotions.. Just thinking about my own daughter near to Aria’s age & how this could happen to her- was a total mind f***. Since ending of grad school, we’ve all gone our own ways, but know you are in heart & prayers. Please know that whatever advocacy or change you are hoping to accomplish in the wake of this tragedy, I 110% got your back- if you ever need a fellow social worker to rally with you- and I’m sure many other of our Katie/Tommie cohort Members would be there too! I look forward to your blog, to share with you in your crying, grieving, smiling, & full gamet of emotions. throughout this process know I am sending healing thoughts and prayers for you on this journey. ❤❤❤

  • Breezy says:

    Britts…raising awareness in the way you have set out to do takes insurmountable courage. One way people take such issues seriously, whether it be poverty, sexual violence, domestic abuse, mental health, is by believing it is something that could either happen to them directly or to someone they love. So…that means, baby cousin, that your Wednesday blogs will, in fact, change people. They will get people thinking and talking. You’re bold, Brit, and your writing allows us to bear witness to whatever sort of grief you choose to share with us. We will be impacted. We will not forget. We will change this world with you. #321

  • Kelly says:

    You are a lot better at writing than you have given yourself credit for. This is beautifully written. I admire your courage to be vulnerable and honest. When I face difficult times, I am always lifted up and out by the person who is so bravely sharing their personal experience, their pain, and their grief process. It gives me hope to hear someone express exactly what I am feeling, and it makes me feel less alone. So what a gift this blog is to anyone out there who can relate to you, beautiful Ari, and these beautiful words. ❤️ Can’t wait to see more.

  • I absolutely love that you are turning this tragedy into a learning opportunity. Even with your use of language (fo pelting instead of vomiting) you are already teaching us readers so much. If I went through what you are going through I don’t think I’d have the ability to get out of bed let alone construct such thoughtful blog entries. Love you girl!

  • Kiann says:

    Proud of you for doing a blog Britt! I can’t wait to read them. I think of you every single day! You are truly an incredible human! Much love💜

  • Gianna says:

    Hi Britt,
    Thank you for your grace, listening to your heart and sharing your voice here. This blog already represents you and Bugs by being bold, brave and shining your light.

    You are really on to something with researching NEW triggers in this digital age. Whatever you discover and share will be breakthrough information. With that we can work toward education and prevention.

    Thank you for being YOU. I’m always here to help you spread the word and be a change agent.

    Luv you,

    G-

  • Kathleen Graw says:

    Hi we’ve never met but I saw your blog through Jessikas post. Sadly there are so many new avenues due to social media for kids to bully without parents even knowing; kids don’t have the tools to cope. Several of my friends kids have dealt with various forms of cyber bullying and have even dealt with a mom of one of the girls joining in on it which is so hard to wrap my head around. Ive had more experience with suicide than I want to think about. It seems the kindest, most gentle hearts are too good for this world. It’s ok to not be ok. Having been in your shoes in a way people never know what to say and yes I said it’s ok to not know what to say. The how are you question is tough. Sounds like you’ve got a support group of friends

  • Saad Hussain says:

    Hi, I read your blog and I just want to say that you are an amazing, strong warrior and I want to say to keep figthing and I wish you happiness in your life. I’m really happy with what your doing as its really important to talk about suicide because it is a very common killer for youth and people should he aware of it. I know from experience that some TV shows like on Netflix indirectly glamourize suicide e.g 13 reasons why. I myself watched it and it was very harsh to watch and even though it is an 18, it is an extremely popular show amongst teens. Even though, I don’t know you well, I want u to know that I really care for u so plz stay strong and hopefully things will get better.

  • Rebecca says:

    Brittani, thank you for sharing your story. You are so courageous. Breaking the silence on suicide, especially involving young people is so important, so necessary and it will make a difference. Sending hugs and warmth your way.

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