“I remember the day we came home from the hospital so vividly. I felt so empty. I was in a taxi, coming home with empty arms. It was October, which typically means rainy weather in Seattle. But that day, it was so sunny and everyone was out enjoying the beautiful warm autumn day. I just couldn't understand how they could all be so happy. What I saw outside did not much what I was feeling. Inside of me, there was a violent storm destroying all my dreams, it was dark and heavy. Outside, people were laughing and eating ice cream. None of it made sense. It's been 11 years and it still doesn't make sense to me. But I have hope.

Hope is not the same as optimism. Optimism is the belief that things will be better; hope is the notion that things could get better. In my case, RTZ Hope has helped me see that things could get better - it provided a tiny little light into this darkness that I was experiencing.

Being involved with RTZ: Hope has been a way for me to honor my son Leo. During my loss, I didn't know about RTZ and wish I did. Being able to attend a support group no matter where you live is amazing, especially since grief can be such a lonely experience.”