“Nothing, in fact, actually dies: everything goes on existing, always. No power on earth can obliterate that which has once had being. Every act, every word, every form, every thought falls into the universal ocean of things, and produces a ripple on its surface that goes on enlarging beyond the furthest bounds of eternity.” ~Theophile Gautier
Patrick Charles “Noochie” Berg showed me that your heart can mend after it’s been literally broken into a million little pieces. It cannot only mend, it can become stronger and even more full of love.
As I continue to struggle to think of what I can do to help his parents, my sister, Bridget, and my (always) brother-in-law, Pete, I’ve decided to rally even more in my search for answers and advocacy with the AFSP | American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and also in my quest to Be Kind in their son’s honor.
On July 23, 2015, I asked my children to join me in some “Noochie” Random Acts of Kindness…nothing big…a smile, holding a door, a kind word, a hug, a gift card to someone in need, etc. But, when they perform these acts of kindness, I encouraged them to think of the love they felt for and received from Noochie. I am doing the same. His love lives on forever.
When friends first learned the sad news, they asked “What can we do?”. I asked if they wanted to join us and NoochieRAKs kindness movement took off!
In just three months, acts of kindness in Patrick’s honor were completed in all 50 states and several countries, including Germany, Italy, Ireland, Mexico, Canada, England, Scotland, Belize, Africa…
That’s the thing about a beautiful life, love and the ripple effect…it goes on forever…
(originally posted on Facebook 10/2015)
choosing grace 