Ignorance

Trying to help those in crisis who have lost someone close is difficult at best. Intentions are good but ignorance often prevails. So, here are some do's and dont's with our words: SAY:

1. I'm so sorry
2. If there is anything I can do, no matter how small, I want to help
3. There are no words to say
4. I've been praying for you

WHAT NOT TO SAY:

1. I know just how you feel   -   YOU DON'T!
2. You will get over this soon  -  THEY WON'T!
3. Time heals all wounds  - IT DOESN'T
4. Just be thankful you have other children, etc  -  really?
5. God must need another angel  -  Avoid platitudes in general
6. My grandmother, friend, dog, etc. just died, so I understand

 Offer specific help. Invite to Starbucks. Silence can be golden. Your presence is what counts

Something to Think About

I just returned from 10 days on Maui. Hit the jackpot in weather and stayed in a resort on the beach in a room with an ocean view. Visited favorite cities and restaurants on the island and capped it off with a sunset cruise meeting new friends in the process.

However, news from the mainland brought us a dose of reality. Devastation wrought by the fires in California looked apocolyptic. Exhausted firefighters and first responders were doing their best but many homeowners were left homeless. Election results seemed to anger-or at least disappoint- those on both sides of the issues.

Where is God in all of this mess? Maybe it's time to look to Him for answers. Maybe His ways are better than our ways. We can start by turning over our hearts toward Him or at least begin to search for Him in the pages of the Bible. In the meantime, be kind to one another. Go out of your way to help others in their need. You may be the best Christmas present they will receive in 2018.

God's Help

As we march into spring (no pun intended) the calendar says it is time to clean up the debris winter leaves behind in preparation for the glories of summer living. On a personal level, though, this is easier said than done. The debris of broken relationships, loss of loved ones, and tragic life events cannot be swept away. In the past few weeks I have spoken to several people dealing with someone contemplating or completing suicide. There are no easy answers. Encouraging, comforting,offering a shoulder to cry on are things we can all do. Urging them to get help (counselors, etc.) is also critical.
My own personal source is my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I count on Him to hold me up, keep me strong so I can share my story and hopefully save lives.The bottom line is that you show compassion and take action, if necessary. There is no guarantee but a little slice of summer (hope) might enter their lives.

Press Release

PRESS RELEASE

 

MATT'S LAST CALL: SURVIVING OUR PROTECTORS SECOND EDITION

 

BY JULIE ZIELINSKI

 

 

Book Release Date: December 2, 2017 at Encouraging Words, 1-3PM in Wenatchee, WA

 

Unexpected tragedy can strike a family at any time, as happened to the Zielinski family in 2005 when their oldest son Matthew died through suicide. Working through her grief, Julie Zielinski shares her family's joys and sorrows, creating a story of strong faith in God, friendships, and the bonds that only a close family can have, in the second edition of her book, Matt's Last Call: Surviving Our Protectors.

 

Her son Matthew was a Sergeant in the United States Marine Corps, A Chelan County (WA)Sheriff Deputy, and an athlete. But even the training and discipline from those aspects of his life did not save him from death by his own hand at age 27, resulting from a failed relationship.

 

Julie's goal in sharing her story is to save someone else from experiencing the same pain and grief, in particular law enforcement personnel. There is help, and people do care. Matt's Last Call: Surviving Our Protectors ( second edition) talks about her son's life and family, and the aftermath of his tragic death. Woven throughout are words of the deep Christian faith that sustains the family, including reflections from Matt's father.

 

Five chapters provide words of comfort, hope and help for the grieving, and a resource guide giving contacts for help. The chapter, "The Stigma of Suicide," p[resents warning signs and other indicators that someone may be contemplating suicide.

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

 

Julie is a wife, mother, retired tennis and cheerleading coach, and a suicide activist. She and her husband live in Washington State. They have three children: Tami, Matthew (deceased), and Mark. She has four grandchildren.

 

She feels a need to help others. She shares her story to prevent pain and grief for other families, and to comfort other suicide survivors.

 

Julie has shared her story before a variety of organizations in Washington, Oregon, California, Colorado and Montana. Among these groups were members of the military, law enforcement officers, firefighters, medical personnel, and community members. She currently serves as Washington State Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S.) Suicide Liaison, and the Washington State Representative for the National Police Suicide Foundation. Julie is associated with Cops Alive and the Law Enforcement Survival Institute.

 



A New Season

As summer morphs into fall and a new school year begins, vow to educate yourselves in the telltale warning signs that all may not be well with friends or acquaintances. Watch and observe radical changes in behavior that may be taking them down a wrong path. Note any signs of depression or self-destructive attitudes. And as the saying goes, if you see something, say something. Who knows, it may be the catalyst to recovery and at least shows them that someone cares enough to confront them.

Surprise continued!

I am out of town working on the new project!  It is getting much closer after today!  Watch for updates and a big announcement --- coming soon!
This blog has not been working well recently, but keep an eye on Facebook also.

Honor Them

Honor Them - Our Law Enforcement Officers, Firefighters and all First Responders. Remember what they accomplished here on earth - As for my son, Matthew, he had passion for others, love of his Marine Corps Family and his Law Enforcement Family. Saving lost souls, saving lives. God, Country and Family. That's what life is about, Not the way they died.