IN YOUR OWN WORDS ZAKKAYAH BROOKS. CREDIT: ELISABETH MONAGHAN RAELENE JOHNSON. CREDIT: CORTNEY TABERNA TIME FOR A NEW ENDING BY ZAKKAYAH BROOKS, VOICE VENDOR I NEVER THOUGHT at this particular time in my life I’d feel so much heartache and pain, dealing with the death of a loved one so dear to me. Especially during a pandemic, with family needing family and a shoulder to cry on, someone just to talk to or get a hug from. Two people very close to me – the guy I had three kids with, and my stepsister, my mother’s daughter – took my happiness and dignity, my patience and trust – the only things I had left in me. I always thought love and family came together. I guess that belief and trust was wrong. I need a new ending. ■ HOW DO YOU HANDLE WHAT YOU’VE BEEN THROUGH, SELF BY RAELENE JOHNSON, VOICE VENDOR WHEN THE WORLD GOES CRAZY, how can we take it all in, Self? Do you just say, “I’ll be ok,” even when you know you won’t? Do you just pretend nothing really happened? Do you shut down? Do you act like you have to be strong, even if you’re not? Do you think you will be able to just get over it? Do you get really mad and just keep it in? Do you just want to end it all? Do you just not think about it? Self, do you not know it is okay to get help? You can’t keep it bottled up because, at some point, you will lose it. And when you do lose it, can you overcome the repercussions of your actions? If you feel anything but happy, you need to find out why! Self, it is ok to reach out and get help from people who can help you truly overcome All that pain and misery. Self, if you have to, you MUST get help so you don’t suffer any longer. Self, this world is falling apart. Don’t take the madness train or life of anger! You only kill yourself with all that madness. Get help if you need it. You can have a blessed life with help! ■ FREE ADDICTION SUPPORT FOR DENVER RESIDENTS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS OR FINANCIAL HARDSHIP (855) 539-9375 WeFaceItTogether.org 12 DENVER VOICE April 2022
13 Publizr Home