Merry Christmas

Merry CHRISTmas to all my family friends and law enforcement friends. Wishing you all the very best. STAY SAFE!

Matt's Last Call: Surviving Our Protectors

When Julie Zielinski's fun-loving, Marine, Sheriff Deputy son commits suicide, her world comes crashing down.

Questions flood her mind: How could she have stopped this? What next? and mostly, why? As Julie grieves her son in Matt's Last Call: Surviving Our Protectors, she reflects on the life he lived and the memories she will hold onto forever.

For instance, the time his captain allowed him a leave from the Marine Corps in order to spend time with his ill grandfather in Hawaii. Or remembering what he looked like in his oversized baseball cap and uniform.

Her energetic son turned into a man who loved nothing more than his family and country. With memories from Matt's father, friends, and family, the memoir will surely pull at your heartstrings.

As Julie reflects on the death of her firstborn son, she informs parents and children of the dangers of suicide, the difficulty of coping, the pain of everyday life, and lastly the days that happiness returns, even if just a little bit.

You may purchase a copy of Matt's Last Call: Surviving Our Protectors from:

Julie's website, Amazon.com, Hastings Bookstore, in Wenatchee, WA., Encouraging Words, in Wenatchee, WA or contact me via email or facebook.

Purchase price is $13.99 + tax and shipping and handling depending on your location.

Matt's Last Call, would be a helpful read for anyone dealing with a crisis situation with a family member or friend, or just wants to be prepared for the unexpected.

May God Bless each and everyone of you this Christmas Season.

Concerns Of Police Survivors

My husband and I have just returned from our annual winter meeting of C.O.P.S. (Concerns Of Police Survivors). It is probably the best C.O.P.S. meeting I have ever attended. Every year since I became the Suicide Liaison more suicide survivors have attended. This year we had three new survivors join us. It is a very hard step to take but these new people were welcomed with open arms. They felt accepted and loved and all participated in the activities. Line Of Duty Deaths and Law Enforcement suicides are both horrible. Unfortunately, suicide deaths are looked upon as being both selfish and destructive. People do not understand what a law enforcement officer sees/ goes through on a daily basis. We think of law enforcement officers as tough and strong and devoid of feelings. Wrong. We all have feelings that need to be expressed. If no one is willing to help them they often see no way out. As I have said before, I am out to save lives. Another person who attended our meeting was John Marx, executive director of CopsAlive. I was honored November 2012 to do a podcast with John on the topic of surviving the suicide of my son who was a sheriff's deputy. We are both on the same page with saving lives and plan on working together in some fashion. Our President, Troy, welcomed the suicide survivors and mentioned how important it is to include everyone in C.O.P.S. I am the only Suicide Liaison for C.O.P.S. in the United States. That has to change. It is a problem we can no longer ignore.

Thanksgiving

I am thankful for the Lord Jesus Christ who died for us to take away our sins so that we may have eternal life. Because of His unfailing love He paid a debt (for my sin) He did not owe, because
I owed a debt I could not pay. He gave me three beautiful children and grandchildren and a husband for which I am so grateful. Happy Thanksgiving to everyone. May God Bless each and everyone of you.

Compassion for Survivors

Recently, I spent time with my cousin in Arizona. She was telling me about her trip to Italy with her fiancé. They met a couple and spent most of their time with them. They returned home and kept in contact with them since they seemed to have a lot in common. Two weeks after they returned home the couples son/stepson took his life. My cousin shared a little bit about the young man. He had had a troubled life, went in the military and was trying to get his life together. The stepmother was distraught since she had become very fond of her stepson. This couple had a trip to Hawaii planned with some good friends. Shortly before the trip, their friends backed out indicating the grieving couple needed time alone to recover. This hurt the couple to the core. At that time in their lives they needed their friends' support and understanding. As you can imagine, the focus of the vacation turned inward to nothing but grief. For most people, there is nothing worse than being alone during times of tragedy. We need friends not only to grieve with but to engage in normal living. Even worse, those "friends" seemed to want nothing to do with the couple upon their return from Hawaii. Matt's Last Call: Surviving Our Protectors, written to save lives. It is about my son, an athlete, SGT. in the United States Marine Corps and a Chelan County Sheriff Deputy who took his life due to a failed relationship. It is a Biography & Autobiography, Law Enforcement, Self-help/ Death, Grief, Bereavement. It can be purchased on my website, http://mattcutshort.tateauthor. It is my hope that you show compassion for survivors of suicide or other tragedy--you may be their only path back to the land of the living.

Fall

Today looks like a beautiful day but wouldn't you know the wind has come up and I feel like I am blowing off the hill. We went from no spring to a good HOT summer and back to rain and now wind. The leaves are beginning to turn colors, which is always beautiful but I once again long for summer. My life has changed so much in the last eight years with the death of my son. If it isn't hot and sunny I  can easily find myself back in that dark hole trying to climb out. Lucky for me I am so busy I don't have much time to go back to that place. I will be heading back to California  promoting my book, going to a COUGAR football game in Arizona and maybe catch up on some much needed sleep. As much as I would rather have my son back I am enjoying sharing  Matt's Last Call: Surviving Our Protectors. I believe Matt would be proud of what I have accomplished and helping others is what he was all about. It is amazing how many people are hurting and I see it every time I go to an event. I hope all listen to my story, invite Jesus Christ into their lives and begin living again. HE is the only way to eternal life.

Suicide Prevention

I just returned from Shelton, WA and the Mason County Suicide Prevention Training hosted by Sheriff Casey Salisbury. Bob Douglas, executive director and founder of the National Police Suicide Foundation was the main speaker. He gave me the opportunity to speak before a group of law enforcement officers concerning my book, Matt's Last Call: Surviving Our Protectors." It was a great opportunity for me since law enforcement, first responders and the military are my passion on the subject of suicide. It was a large group of men and women, very friendly and easy to talk with. In fact, I met a man who was stationed at Bangor Naval Base the same time as Matt. He wasn't sure if he had met Matt but thought he recognized the name. It was so fun meeting everyone. Sheriff Salisbury was like my new best friend; we had lunch together and  he kept saying how he knew he had met me but couldn't figure out where. It turned out to be the Law Enforcement Academy graduation in Burien. A friendship developed with his beautiful mother as well. I also met three officers from Salem, Oregon. Great ladies. One I had met several weeks earlier on the phone. This training was to teach this law enforcement  officers how to recognize those contemplating suicide and to help them. It was pro-active training about early warning signs, how to communicate with a suicidal officer, and the issues and responsibilities of officers and agencies when a suicide occurs.Of course, my area was as a survivor and how to break the Blue Wall of Silence. As a survivor I do not want anyone to go through what I live on a daily basis. Suicide affects so many people who are left behind: mother, father, siblings, nieces, nephews, grandparents, law enforcement families, military families, church family, friends and the list goes on and on........We all need to work together to stop suicide and help one another.

Fall is Fast Approaching

Fall is fast approaching and I am not ready for it. I love summer and the heat but I guess I don't have a choice. We have had a great summer minus the multiple rain, wind and thunder and lightening storms. With fall approaching I find myself busier than ever with Matt's Last Call: Surviving Our Protectors. I have had multiple successful book signings and now I am onto interviewing and being interviewed. I had the privilege to interview the Chief of Patrol for Chelan County Sheriff's Office, Mike Harris, for my four hour presentation. I did a ride-along with him with the camera rolling. There were times of oops.....followed by laughter as we each lost our train of thought. Multiple takes and back to work we both went. Later, I received a glowing testimony of their marriage from Chief Mike's wife, Bets, who was unable to be at the video session.  A huge thank you to both of them. Thursday I will be interviewed by Chris Hansen of KPQ radio during the  It's ok to talk segment. Saturday I will be at Saddlerock EPC speaking and discussing Matt's Last Call: Surviving Our Protectors. Next week I head out to speak with a fantastic man, Robert Douglas, Executive Director of the National Police Suicide Foundation. Into October I will be speaking at the Faith Lutheran Church. Hastings will have me signing again October 12. I have many different things going so there is a lot of preparation involved.

9/11

It has been twelve years since 9/11. I will never forget that tragic day. ALWAYS REMEMBERING.

Matt's Last Call: Surviving Our Protectors

Saturday, August 17, 2013, I will be signing Matt's Last Call: Surviving Our Protectors, at Hastings Bookstore, 315 9th Street in Wenatchee, WA. The event is from 1:00 - 3:00 pm. I hope you all will stop by, This may be a good time for you to pick up a copy of Matt's Last Call: Surviving Our Protectors. It is back to school time and that can be a hard time for some. There is the ever present bullying, which we are all trying to stop, and those who are lonely, sad and broken. Matt's Last Call: Surviving Our Protectors discusses some of these pressures. There are true stories in my book from those who have been bullied, considered or attempted suicide and those who spoke up and were saved from such tragedies. Matt's Last Call...is a Biography & Autobiography/ Law Enforcement, Self-Help/ Death, Grief, Bereavement. Start the year off with a easy read book and help save a life. Please bring a friend or two!

Fire

I may have mentioned last fall that we had some devastating fires in our valley. There have been many fires this year around our country including one going on right now called the Colockum Tarps fire. As of yesterday morning it had grown to 42,663 according to the Wenatchee World. This morning it was stated on Q13 News that it was over 62,000 acres. This started probably 10 miles or so from our house. Thank goodness it went SW and is now past the Crescent Bar area and into  Kittitas County. My husband and I decided to take a ride to Crescent Bar this morning to check out this fire. The fire started just south of Rock Island Dam. There were no flames but there were several large areas which were still smoking. I talked with one lady who had boated down around the corner yesterday and she said it burned all the way to the river and now the flames are going back over the mountains. Luckily it is mostly brush. In the early morning of the beginning of the fire there were three homes destroyed. Hopefully that is all. We are expecting thunder and lightening the rest of the week and more wind! Pray for the safety of our firefighters, law enforcement and all those involved. Those of us who are old enough to remember James Taylor might recall that he wrote a song with the lyric, "Winter, spring, summer or fall, all you have to do is call, and I'll be there yes I will, you've got a friend . . ." Hopefully, you can be that friend who looks out after at least one other human being no matter what they are going through. Be there for them--everybody needs somebody!

Friends Provided by God

Throughout the journey of dealing with the death of my son, Matt, I have met many concerned Law Enforcement Officers. My name is getting out so these people contact me in the aftermath of suicides and the survivors who are hurting. I just recently met a law enforcement officer who got in touch with me concerning someone who had lost a loved one to suicide. She is fantastic and I am helping her help someone who isn't quite ready to call me. It is amazing how our God works and the new friends I have met through my tragedy. If we don't talk about suicide then the Stigma of Suicide will remain. With God's help and with the help of my new law enforcement friends I think we can help turn the tide and provide hope for those contemplating this act.

Childhood Friends

Three days with two childhood friends turned out more fun than we ever expected. Teresa from Bellingham, mother of many adopted trans-racial children, Pat from Vancouver, my original editor for Matt's Last Call: Surviving Our Protectors , before Tate Publishing took over and an excellent quilter, and me from Wenatchee had planned this trip for a while. One of Teresa's adopted daughters, Angela, has found her birth parents. Along with her adopted family and Angela's husband, Bryan, they set out to meet her birth family. Bryan filmed the entire event and now a documentary, Closure is complete. That was the purpose of the trip, to see the film. More on that to follow. Our plans were made by Teresa and we were going to stay in a hotel. Teresa was telling her husband about our plans and when she got to the hotel part he said no! Not a good area. He proceeded to call a client of his who happened to have a houseboat on Lake Union. SCORE!!! We were thrilled especially when we all arrived within 30 minutes of each other Saturday around noon. It was a beautiful houseboat. Those of you who know Seattle know the weather isn't always the greatest. Well, it was hot, perfectly blue sky, no need for sweaters OR long pants in the evening. It was very close to the boathouse which was in the movie, Sleepless In Seattle . We hung out for a while and then walked across the Fremont bridge where we had lunch at the Red Door outside on the deck. We wandered around catching up on what we had all been doing. Sunday we did a little shopping and had lunch at Ray's Boat House. Angela joined us for lunch on the deck. We watched the yacht's going by, ski boats, crew, paddle boarders - a perfectly beautiful day in Seattle and Lake Union. Lots of pictures and enjoying one another. Back to Closure. It is a documentary of a trans-racial adoptee who finds her birthmother, and meets the rest of a family who did not know she existed. A story of identity, the complexities of trans-racial adoption, and most importantly, Closure. We attended the film Sunday evening. It is a very touching story. Many emotions and in the end there is a lot more to know and learn. Bryan did an excellent job on the film as did Angela and Teresa. No one could have scripted this documentary. You can see Closure at Pickford Film Center on July 13 @ 4 pm or Limelight July 14 @ 7pm in Bellingham. This documentary has been at the film festival in San Francisco, Colorado and they are headed to Las Vegas. A long list of places but I don't have those times or places. Pat , Teresa and I grew up in Wenatchee. Pat was 2 and I was 9 months and Teresa 7 months when we moved to the same block. We have been friends ever since. It was a great trip and thanks to David's ( Teresa's husband) friend the houseboat made the trip extra special. God is really working through Angela and Bryan and I see many good things coming  the documentary Closure. Congratulations to Angela and Bryan, Teresa and the rest of the people involved. Mr and Mrs Something is a couple who wrote and sang a couple songs in the film. Fabulous couple with great voices and talent.

Frustration

Have you ever been so frustrated that you find yourself doing nothing? After tearing my hamstrings playing tennis the day before we left Palm Desert I find myself getting lazy. I spend two days a week at Physical Therapy. I love it and it helps so much. But, when you aren't suppose to walk on hills (I live on a hill), can't work in the yard, can't help with the building of our greenhouse/garage/ storage, can't vaccum and the list goes on and on., what CAN you do? I have read a little, sat in the sun (when there is sun), done laundry and ironing and taken short, slow walks. I am sooooo bored I have found it hard to even blog. However, here I am saying nothing but feeling good as I have just updated my event calendar and looking forward to several upcoming book events. There have been meetings in preparation for one of the book events which will be will be a little different and exciting for me.  Getting healed and prepared for all the possibilities down the road is now a main focus. Just waiting for confirmations........Matt's Last Call: Surviving Our Protectors is saving lives. God gave me the project, I obeyed, and now it looks like all my work is paying off.

Happy Memorial Day

Let's take a break from our busy lives and remember what Memorial Day represents. Thank you to all military for the sacrifice you have given to our country. You are not thanked enough. My heart goes out to each and everyone of you. May God's blessing be with you know and forever.

Vacation/Book signing

We just returned home from a much needed two week vacation and book signing. We went to Palm Desert where we had the most fabulous weather we have ever had. Day 1 was 98 degrees followed by record breaking 111, 106, 101, 101, 99-98-97. It never got below 97 degrees except at night - 87 degrees. Waking up to breakfast on our deck overlooking the fabulous pool, followed by daily tennis, iced tea time, walking, swimming - couldn't stay out of the water! We went shopping a little, to the  Living Desert, and looked at many different condos/homes. We went to the Deep Canyon Tennis Club and met MANY people. That place has the friendliest people I have ever seen. We were even invited to a party this summer at one of the couples homes.There, we looked at condos and Ron played some tennis with a few people. One day we were on El Paseo Dr. when we saw the Clydsdales! They were doing a little promotio the TV station was there as well as many onlookers. They unloaded the Clydesdales and hooked them up to the wagon, loaded the trailor with Budwiser, to be delivered to Pacifica and Tommy Bahama restaurants, and then the dalmation was put up on the seat where he posed for the crowd. It was then time to begin their two hour visit to El Paseo drive - parade and dropping off the Budwiser beer. It was fun to watch. One day we went to Escondido to see our friends. We drove with them to Carlsbad where we had lunch and a walk on the beach. It was NOT hot - in fact, my friend and I had to buy a sweatshirt. We had a fun day and then headed back to the desert. I had a sucessful book signing, Matt's Last Call: Surviving Our Protectors, at Just Java in Bermuda Dunes. Jessie did an outstanding job of promoting my book. I will be back there again in November. We also spent time with my brother and sister-in-law as well as some tennis friends. We headed to the Palm Springs airport at 5:00am Saturday, boarded on time only to find out there was a mechanical problem with the plane. We deboarded for a five hour delay - two hours I spent in line to rebook our Wenatchee flight as we were not going to make our flight. Lucky it was in PS as we sat in the sun the whole time - nice and warm. I met a great gal in line, a bodybuilder, who was suppose to be in Seattle for a competition. Long story - we had fun getting to know one another and will keep in touch with each other. When we arrived in Seattle it was 4:00 ish we had to go to the customer service desk to find out where we would be staying. We ended up at the DoubleTree - fun time minus the fact the only luggage we had was my books - no clothes, make-up, well you get the picture. All luggage had been sent straight to Wenatchee. Lots of phone calls home to our neighbors to drop a vehicle off at the airport, hide the keys - we didn't have any!! We had dinner in the bar at the Doubletree after we sat by the pool for a while. Oh yes it was sunny and hot!!! in Seattle. I called our son-in-law to tell him where we were as he was headed to the airport to pick up our daughter and granddaughter who had competed in gymnastics at Westerns in Sacramento. They showed up at the bar to say hi. Lexi did an awesome job competing and had her USA warmup jacket on and her leo in hand. Her favorite thing was having a number on her back for competing!! Just like the Olympics. We left Seattle around 9:30 am and as we boarded the plane the Wenatchee Wild  hockey team was right behind us. It was great seeing such great young men and they were so well behaved. We arrived home around 10 Sunday morning to great weather. YEA! We brought the good weather home.

God's Blessing

God has blessed me so much through the writing, publishing, book signings and presentations. The events I have been to have been something I never could have imagined. The seminars and conferences have been incredible learning experiences both for me and my listeners. They have been so accepting of Matt's Last CAll: Surviving Our Protectors and have believed in me. For the last month I have been working on perfecting my presentation as well as adding power point and extending my presentation from one to four hours. My life has gone in a direction that seven years ago I would have said "no way."

I am headed to Palm Desert for some book signings, tennis, swimming, sun and a little?R & R. When I return home my schedule will be a busy one - more book signings, speaking and discussions as well as possible booking of some  national conferences.  I am working with some of my new friends on my presentations. God has helped me get this far - now it is time to really get to work and save some lives.

Jesus conquered death

Tomorrow is Easter Sunday the day Jesus Christ rose from the dead. He died to take away our sins and so that we could have everlasting life with Him in heaven. In fact, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies..." He follows up by asking, "Do you believe this?" Every person needs to answer this question for themself. It is my hope that you will embrace the only One who can save you from your sins.

Suicide - A True Story

Friday, March 8, my husband and I were arriving home from dinner around 6:45 PM when I spotted a large red truck with bright red lights. We live on a hillside so I always take notice of things that don't appear right. At the bottom of our driveway is a pullout area and further down across the street is a large water tank. Up the driveway is a lower lot and then finally the top of the hill is our home. I was going to check out this truck when we got to the house but I was distracted by sirens. I looked out the window upstairs, overlooking the valley, and saw nothing. I turned away, but again I heard sirens, only this time much louder - still nothing. I walked into our study and saw a firetruck and two ambulances and a bunch of cars by the pullout area. I flew down the stairs yelling at my husband that they were at our house. I still had my leather coat on as I ran to the lower lot. It was getting darker but lights shown on the pullout area. There I saw a white car with the driver door open as well as the backseat door behind the drivers side. A backpack was on the backseat. By the bumper I saw a body. All the first responders at that time were behind the firetruck, silent, overlooking the scene. By now Ron is by my side and I whisper, "There is a body down there." He tells me we have had several calls asking if we are ok and that three shots had been heard. By now police were arriving. One of the officers met the man from the red truck, who was still parked by the water tank. As they were talking they were walking toward the pullout, but still on the street. Apparently, the young man was driving by and thought someone needed help. As he approached he noticed the body and backed off. He turned all his lights on his truck and called 911. At some point I called our neighbors. They were not home.I saw a flashlight in our backyard. It was the police officer who I had seen earlier talking with the young man with the truck. The officer didn't know where our driveway was so he followed the path from our neighbors. He asked us what we knew, saw and our names, etc. I asked if he was Wenatchee PD and he said yes. I informed him we live in the county. He didn't believe me so decided he better check on it because I was so persistent. They called in Chelan County Sheriff officers to take over. My husband brought me my ski parka as I was freezing and shaking by now. My friend told me it was shock. I was surprised that I didn't freak out at the scene. We didn't know if it was a suicide or a homicide. Since we are suicide survivors I was surprised at how calm I was. In the meantime, I felt like I was watching NCIS.WPD had taken photos and placed markers at various places. CCSO arrived and everyone else left the scene. Crime tape was across the road and down passed the pullout area. Our neighbors called saying they couldn't get home. I told them to go around the opposite direction. The road block was by their driveway. He ventured down to see what was happening. I finally went inside to watch a video. I actually sat on my feet so I could see what was going on outside as I kept one eye on the movie. At 11:00PM we finally went to bed. CCSO still working . I got up at 4:00AM and everyone was gone. I got up again at 6AM and emailed my CCSO liaison and asked if he were at our place and if he could fill me in as we had heard two different stories. He confirmed it was a  23 year old male from out of the area, suicide. He had texted his dad and left a note. Wow! What is the likelyhood of someone taking their life on someone's property who is a survivor of suicide. IF ONLY we had arrived 5 or 10 minutes later maybe I could have helped him. I feel the pain of his parents and am sorry for what they are going through.

Traumas of Law Enforcement Training

I returned home Thursday morning after three fantastic days of Traumas Law Enforcement Training. Usually I would get bored in conferences when I attended leadership conferences through the school districts. This particular training had me captured from the moment it began. The speakers were phenominal, enthusiastic and knew their subject well.

I met so many people who shared stories with me and I with them. They were fun to be around and I learned something from everyone I came in contact with. Because I am not in law enforcement but a survivor of a sheriff deputy I questioned, "Why am I here?" That question was answered immediately when Jennifer began speaking. I learned all about law enforcement and what they go through and how they relate to others. I learned that as a survivor I AM important as I am not only the Washington State Concerns Of Police Survivors Suicide Liaison but I am sharing my story and helping those I don't even know who are struggling.

I was not a scheduled speaker but I had Matt's Last Call: Surviving Our Protectors available to purchase. At a break on Wednesday morning a couple of my board members told me I needed to speak and let everyone know who I am and that I am here as a resource to anyone. So they made it possible for me to speak right before lunch. Many came up to me touched by what I had to say, some were in tears and couldn't get the words out - yet I knew what they were trying to say.

Through my friend John Marx of COPSALIVE, I met Bob Douglas of National Police Suicide Foundation, INC who wasour suicide speaker on Wednesday morning. Oh, did we have fun. He is an animated man who certainly knows his subject. We quickly became friends and he is going to promote Matt's Last Call: Surviving Our Protectors on his tour. Thank you John for introducing me to Bob.

Friendships were made throughout the three days and I am thankful to have had the opportunity to be part of such a great organization.

God lead me through writing Matt's Last Call: Surviving Our Protectors and now He is giving me the opportunity to share my story with others. May God Bless ALL LAW ENFORCEMENT AND FIRST RESPONDERS for their difficult and tireless service to us all.

Traumas of Law Enforcement Training

I have the opportunity to attend Traumas of Law Enforcement Training for a three day seminar at SeaTac. It is put on by National Concerns of Police Survivors. As the Washington State Concerns of Police Survivors Suicide Liaison I feel this is a great opportunity for me to not only learn more about traumas of law enforcement but to share my story with those attending and hopefully help them understand police (first responders) suicide. So many people think suicide is a selfish act and not worthy of further action. There are always underlying circumstances and I hope I can be the one to help these people see a different side of suicide. On a personal note, I continue to depend on God's strength to make it day by day. For those attending, I will have my book, Matt's Last Call: Surviving Our Protectors, available to purchase.

Tennis Season

Today is the first day of the 2013 tennis season and my first year not coaching. I have been counting down the days, watching the weather.......Wow! I didn't think I would miss it that much. This is the first year in many years that the coaches don't have to shovel snow and ice off the courts. The sun is out and a perfect day to begin a new season. I will be watching and cheering you on Varsity and JV players and know I am hoping you all have a fantastic season.

Right Path

                                                           

We enjoyed being with our grandchildren last weekend. They all have March birthdays and because our schedules don't work we celebrated their birthdays early. Our oldest granddaughter will be thirteen - a teenager! They are all great children with extremely good manners. No matter what stage or age we find our children/grandchildren in be sure to note any attitude changes or volatile mood swings.  It is OK to intervene when necessary--it's all part of being a parent/grandparent.  Make sure they know that they can come to you for anything even if they are told by someone NOT to tell. The goal is to keep our children/grandchildren safe and on the right path.

Suicide

Due to the increasing number of suicides in 2012 and into 2013, a book I have authored, Matt's Last Call: Surviving Our Protectors," can hopefully offer some insight into a societal issue that no one wants to talk about. "Matt's Last Call" is a self-help guide for those contemplating suicide and for the survivors of losing a loved one to suicide. If we know the signs to look for we can save a life. However, it is important to GET HELP IMMEDIATELY. DO NOT push it under the carpet. ACT NOW! This book is for you.

The book tells of Matt's life to death, his time as a Sgt. in the United States Marine Corps and his career as a Chelan County Sheriff Deputy. Chapters include a Parent's Worst Nightmare, That First Day, The Time Since, Life will Never Be The Same and a Father's Reflection. In addition, the Stigma of Suicide guides you through what to look for and what to do if someone is contemplating suicide. We as adults, parens and grandparents need to set an example for our children. Guide them through the growing up years and keep them communicating with you. Let them know it is OK to talk about being bullied at school or helping a friend or classmate who feels their life is hopeless. Don't be afraid to talk. It is better to talk and have a friend be mad at you than to keep quiet and risk suffering a life-ending choice. There are stories from Marines, classmates of Matt's, and a tragic story about my daughter - in - law who lived to tell her story.

Being an unknown author I need everyone's help. Please share my story with your friends - I know Matt's Marine buddies are spreading the word and I am receiving awesome stories from them about their time with Matt and their own lives. Please help me save lives.

Suicide is such a significant issue across the land that it can no longer be ignored. It will take an army of people who can recognize the signs and be bold enough to step into someone's life when necessary.

Result of Tragedy

I received a phone call the other day from the manager of our Christian bookstore. A person was in the store asking for information on how to publish a book. The manager suggested me as a recent author. The person knew Matt and happened to have been at the scene the night Matt took his life. They asked the manager for my contact information but that was not given out. I called the person, introduced myself -shocked, crying and definitely remorseful that I had called they told me their story. We discussed Matt's Last Call: Surviving Our Protectors and what I went through, start to finish, in gettong it published.

I was then asked to hear the persons' story. How that night through partying, being drunk, smoking etc Matt's death changed their life forever. Without looking back all partying, drinking, smoking were stopped cold turkey. They have not spoken to Matt's ex since that tragic night. I learned more through our conversation - just as I had suspected all along. This person accepted Jesus Christ that night. They cut all ties with the old group and never looked back. The group thought the person was a little weird. Obviously that group has no respect for life or death. Always thinking of us, especially every June 1, since 2005. Wanting to send flowers and cards but not daring because of the quilt they had. They asked for forgiveness and I told them them definitely you are forgiven but you were never blamed for what happened. I KNOW what happened. They asked if they could pray as our conversation ended. I said yes and it was one of the strongest prayers I have ever heard. May God Bless you and thank you for wanting to get in touch with me. All is forgiven.