When I first came to you, I was still trying to make sense of the shock of losing my son, how I found out, the circumstances around it, and the painful reality that many people around me don’t really remember him. Because he had distanced himself from my partner’s family and from my brother’s, it often felt as though I was carrying his memory alone. You were one of the first people who truly listened to me without judgement.
You helped me slow down. You helped me stay in the present rather than constantly replaying the past or worrying about the future.  You helped me recognise that my son was a 28‑year‑old man when he made the decision to end his life. That doesn’t lessen the pain, but it has helped me begin to understand the boundaries of what I could and couldn’t influence.
You’ve also understood that my grief sits alongside a period of major change in my life — stepping back from my professional identity, adjusting to retirement, and facing the painful shift in how I see myself as a father. You’ve helped me see that these losses are connected, and that they all deserve space and attention.
I want you to know that the work we’ve done together has made a real difference. You’ve helped me find steadier ground, slow down and breathe more easily.I’m taking a break because I need a little time to absorb everything we’ve covered, but this isn’t the end of the journey. I fully expect I’ll need your support again, and I’m grateful to know that when I’m ready to continue, you’ll be there.