April is #StressAwarenessMonth! I love the illustrations of Cally Johnson-Isaacs/@callyjanestudio. Many of them feature #yoga, which is one activity I do that helps with #stress. Taking care of my #houseplants is another. Follow Cally on Instagram: https://t.co/8DnuO4rIMO pic.twitter.com/fZam9stIZS
— Rader Ward Foundation (@RaderWardFound) April 6, 2022
book ban busters banned book read-in
This event is Thursday night. Sign up here!
Mario Monday: comfy hoodie!
sincere snake
I love you. I am so grateful you exist. You make each day such a gift.
I love every single freckle on your face and your eyes remind me of home.
Your laugh is my favorite sound and I can’t help but smile whenever I hear your name. — Elena Fiorenza Gatti
kid lit adventure: diging up dinosaurs
Rader wrote and illustrated this book at age 8 when he was in Ms. Susan Taylor’s class at Montessori School of Mauldin. He was a 3rd year elementary student (3rd grade). I don’t remember if we had been to any major museums at this age or not. Either way, he had a wonderful imagination and sense of storytelling.
be prepared to poem
supporting transgender mental health
Now that the event is over, I’ve included the video below.
a story only i can tell
I have thoughts … I’ll come back here and post once I’ve written them down. I’ve included the full video below. My remarks begin at about the 10-minute mark.
elevating voices for long-lasting change
March 31 is Transgender Day of Visibility! I’ve embedded the AFSP town hall video I tweeted about below, now that the event is over.
Mario Monday feelings: Super Mario Galaxy
Happy Mario Monday! I’m feeling sentimental today, and this art from Vinny P. — known as Dingity Dingus — hits me right in the heart.
Most of you know the reason I celebrate Mario Monday is that Rader loved all things Mario. Super Mario Galaxy on the Wii was our family-favorite game. Hearing music from this game puts me right back on the couch with the four of us eagerly accompanying Mario on his adventures. The music you hear during this process video is a clip of Good Egg Galaxy from Super Mario Galaxy.
Dingity Dingus is a digital artist/animator who is the same age as Rader, who would be turning 21 this year. I admire Vinny’s work so much, and it helps me feel closer to Rader, who also loved to create and share things to an online audience. If you want to know more about the creative pursuits Rader was passionate about, visit our Rader’s Games page.
You can follow Vinny on Instagram and Twitter. He also has a Patreon.
sunday morning encouragement
We all need words of encouragement. My friend Vic Armstrong has them to give! Follow him for his Sunday morning suicide prevention messages and overall mental health wisdom.
making art is one good way to process grief
Remember the debate about Prolonged Grief Disorder? I can’t stop thinking about it. These collages help me get more comfortable with some of those feelings.
are you positively introverted?
If you are an introvert or if someone you love is, you can learn a lot from Marzi at introvertdoodles.com. Her comics have a funny way of helping you understand the introvert in your life, even if it’s you!
care and keeping of introverts
Whether you are an introvert yourself or have an introverted friend, family member, or colleague, you can learn a lot from Introvert, Dear, an award-winning community for introverts and those who wish to understand them better.
how much do you know about 988?
Both this article and this podcast episode (first in a series) are well worth your time. There’s nothing simple about the evolution of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800 number (800-273-TALK/8255) into the new 3-digit mental health emergency number 988 this summer.
good news: more resources in more places
Suicide Is Different joins Instagram. Follow them for tools to help when someone you care about is struggling.
the best thing you'll see all day
Piranha Plant puppets singing Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody. That is all.
what is 'prolonged grief disorder'?
Is “prolonged grief disorder” a thing? This New York Times article explores the idea. How long should bereavement last? How much is too much mourning? Debate is raging in the grief-support community.
celebrate read to me day!
Spend some time with read-aloud videos at Reading Pioneers Academy and Storyline Online. They have a lot of my favorite children’s books. How about yours?
embrace awkward moments day
Check out Seize the Awkward and author/illustragtor John Devolle!