I remember very clearly the day I decided to start my own business.  I was sitting at my desk when I received a phone call that a friend’s daughter had committed suicide.  Ever since my brother’s suicide (which I briefly discuss in my “About Us” section of my website http://www.rememberme-gifts.com/pages/AboutUs.htm), I’ve had an unresolved feeling that I needed to do something to help hurting children, adolescents and adults who are contemplating taking their own lives.  I also had a strong desire to find a way  to bring comfort to their families that were left behind due to such a choice.  Since my little brother’s death, I have heard too many stories, too close to home.

I decided that it was time to pursue my passion of awareness and prevention full-time!  However, I am a single mother of three who needed to make a living.  So, I merged together my desire to help the grieving by selling unique, personalized, and meaningful  sympathy gifts, www.RememberMe-Gifts.com, with my longing to bring hope, inspiration and awareness to those suffering through www.RememberMe-Awareness.com.

I was extremely excited about this venture and actually informed yet another grieving mom  (who lost her daughter to suicide) about my decision.  Her reaction… well, it devasted me.  She was concerned that I would be profitting from her daughter’s death.  Obviously, she didn’t know me well, and she was in hopeless state of grief.  I certainly understood her position, but somehow thought it would bring a bit of comfort to her knowing that something was being done in her honor.  I do realize, however, that there are many companies that promote charities in an effort to promote themselves.  To that I say, “shame on you”, and I never want to be seen in the same light!

But I think of this constantly.  Those who know me, know my heart.  Hopefully, through this blogging adventure, people will get to know me and understand my true passion for this venture.

Please feel free to share your comments or questions.