In 2012, I experienced a loss that no parent should ever have to endure – the death of my beloved son Zachary.

In 2012, I experienced a loss that no parent should ever have to endure – the death of my beloved son Zachary. Zachary was a kind, loving, bundle of energy, who brought so much joy to those around him. But he struggled with mental illness and when he was 20 years old, he decided to end his life. In the months after Zachary died, I had no idea what to do. The support of my friends, family, and church brought great comfort and relief, but I didn’t know how to process my grief and I knew I wasn’t heading in a good direction.

Then, I remembered a brochure that a family member had given me for Hospice SLO County.

I had always known that hospice was a service that helped people care for elderly loved ones and cope with grief after their passing, but I was surprised to find that Hospice SLO County offers grief counseling and support groups for anyone grieving any kind of loss.

Counseling at Hospice SLO County is provided by licensed therapists or Master’s-level trainees under supervision of licensed staff and is available at no charge to anyone who needs it. Their free grief support groups allow the bereaved to find comfort and emotional support by connecting with others who have experienced similar circumstances or loss.

I still remember sitting in my car, waiting to go into Hospice SLO County for my first counseling session. I had no idea what to do or where to begin. But as soon as I walked in, I felt welcome, safe, and accepted. For the first time, I thought that maybe I was going to be okay.

The care I received from Hospice SLO County saved my life. As I began to meet weekly with a grief counselor and attend support groups for those who had lost a loved one to suicide, I was amazed by the kindness and compassion of every person I met. Everywhere else, I was looked at in a different way – people didn’t know how to talk to me or approach me. But at

Hospice SLO County, there was no pressure to do anything other than what I could achieve in that minute, that hour, or that day. I was able to process my grief in my own time and way, and it gave me a sense of peace that I had not experienced before.

I share my story with you because I truly believe that Hospice SLO County is vital to San Luis Obispo County. I can’t imagine our community without Hospice SLO County. I will always be thankful for the solace, support, and care I received in my time of grief. With your generosity, they can extend this same invaluable support to many others in our community.

-Christine Claxton, Forever Zachary’s Mom