June 23, 2024 - Over 17 months without our Reese. Time is still baffling. It often seems like yesterday that such a tragedy flipped our world upside down, but then it feels like the longest time since we hugged our Reese. Our hearts are still shattered, and our world is so empty without him.
We have been staying very busy. Graduation season kept us going with parties and ceremonies. We celebrated two of Reese's cousins and several of his friends. They are all doing well and taking one day at a time. We are proud of them.
Corey and Kelly were able to do a talk at the NWAC Convention. Over 30 colleges were represented there. This has already led to us scheduling a talk at Southwest Oregon Community College. We will continue to be open to more speaking engagements.
Additionally, we were invited to be the speakers at the Out of the Darkness event in October at Tahoma High School. We are very grateful for these opportunities.
Widdy's Work has a very busy summer ahead. Look for us at the Town of Steilacoom Fourth of July Street Fair. We will be attending several baseball games for the Second Annual GSL Reese Widman Memorial Tournament. On August 11th, Widdy's Work presents Stomp out the Stigma happens. Don't forget to register for this event!! In addition to all of these events, we will be recording a podcast with Jeff Renner.
Thank you for all of the community support. We appreciate all of our family and friends so much. We keep going with your kind words and help that you give us.
April 21, 2024 - We are now at over 15 months without Reese on this earth. No doubt that Reese is constantly sending us signs that he is near.
As usual, so much has happened in the last 4 months. Reese had his first angelversary. Family and friends gathered at the cemetery and had hot chocolate and coffee.
In March, Rob and Kelly traveled to Wyoming. They were hosted by the University of Wyoming Fay W. Whitney School of Nursing. Kelly spoke to a psychiatric nursing class about Reese, suicide risk screening, medication side effects, and self-care of nurses. Wyoming has the highest suicide rate in the United States. It was quite the honor to be invited to share Reese's message all the way in Wyoming.
Reese's 19th birthday would have been March 27th. We had a family dinner and had a quiet afternoon together. A rainbow appeared in the sky while we waited for dinner to arrive. We had one of Reese's favorites, Red Robin. The following week we hosted a movie night for Reese's friends. Dodgeball was one of Reese's favorite movies, so we rented out the Grand Cinema for a showing. Some of Reese's favorite movie quotes comes from Dodgeball.
Corey and Kelly were interviewed by Madison Wade with King 5 after a study from UW was released stating that suicide rates among college athletes have doubled in the last two decades. That story aired on King 5 on April 5th. The following week, Corey and Reese's friend, Micah Bujacich, were interviewed by Jon Manley with The News Tribune. Jon highlighted the Steilacoom Sentinel baseball team and how they are keeping Reese's memory a part of the Steilacoom Baseball community.
May is Mental Health Awareness month. Corey has a couple of speaking engagements coming up. We will be participating in local events as they arise.
We have various events coming up including the Reese Widman Memorial Strike out the Stigma Baseball Tournament, Widdy's Work Stomp out the Stigma 1 mile and 5k run/walk, and the Tacoma Rainiers Mental Health Awareness Night. See our events tab for more information.
Thank you for your continued support and love. We are still going thanks to our family, friends, and community.
December 31st - We are ending 2023 today, This is definitely a year that we have endured the most unimaginable pain. We said goodbye to our Reese. Our whole world changed forever. We have been devastated with grief but held together by your love and support.
We would like to express our gratitude for our family, friends, and community throughout this year. We have felt your love, support, and prayers, and received countless meals and donations.
2024 holds many opportunities for Widdy's Work to end the stigma surrounding mental illness and suicide. We already have three events planned. Check out the event tab to see more details.
Widdy's Work is open to presenting to high schools and colleges to sport teams or classes about Reese's story. Please reach out if you're interested in us speaking at any event.
Widdy's Work wishes you a new year filled with blessings, healing, hope and peace.
October 29th - We are nearing 10 months without Reese. Make no mistake. Reese shows us frequently that he is with us. It might be a rainbow, a yellow butterfly, or other little signs or even tricks to let us know he is near.
TEN months. How can this be? Time still feels beyond crazy. We remember every detail as if it were yesterday, but the anguish makes it feel like a lifetime. Often, we ask ourselves "how do we go on?" The answer is one day at a time for Widdy. We have work to do. We need to help others and prevent this pain from happening to another family. We are Reese's voice. Widdy's Work is just beginning.
The summer months proved to be busy. We were able to go to several baseball games in the Reese Widman Memorial Tournament: Strike out the Stigma. We shared our story and sold tournament shirts to benefit Widdy's Work. We then hosted a race called, Stomp out the Stigma. This was a 5k and 1 mile event held at Pierce College and finished at Fort Steilacoom Park. With the help of Miguel Galeana at Route 16 Running, this event was a huge success.
September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. Pierce County Council presented the Suicide Prevention Proclamation in Reese's name to us. We were able to go to the council meeting and speak about Reese and our journey. Huge thank you to Councilmember Jani Hitchens and the entire Pierce County Council.
In September, many of Reese's family and friends participated in an Out of the Darkness walk. We received our colored beads in the bead ceremony. Corey and Kelly wore our white beads to represent the loss of a child to suicide.
Widdy's Work set up a booth at an Out of the Darkness event in Maple Valley. We were able to share our story and network with other agencies and people. It was a very moving experience complete with musical and dance performances and speeches.
Widdy's Work has started public speaking events. Corey spoke at EL1 in their Health and Wellness Seminar. New Level is implementing a mental wellness component to their training. Real Frequency and Collin Henderson presented, "Master Your Mindset". Corey was a guest speaker in that talk as well. Kelly will be speaking to a nursing class at the end of November at St. Martins College. We hope to build on this and keep sharing our story.
Widdy's Work has had continued work with local and state agencies. We met with a representative from Senator Patty Murray's office and continue work with the Washington State Department of Health and Washington State Healthcare Authority.
Locally, we have an amazing advocate who has connected us with so many people. Steilacoom Councilmember Liz Grasher has been in contact with us since January. She has helped us have a voice. So much appreciation to her for all of her help.
Stay tuned for future events.
July 6th - Tomorrow it has been 6 months since Reese left this earth. Time is so strange. It feels like yesterday and years ago all at the same time.
We have accomplished so much in the last 6 months. Widdy's Work has kept us busy, which has also been therapeutic. Our goal to help others is also healing us.
Widdy's Work is now a nonprofit organization after receiving our 501(c)(3). We are working hard to erase the stigma surrounding mental illness. Our goals are to provide resources, community support and outreach, and continue to award academic scholarships to local students.
Widdy's Work members were able to meet with several politicians earlier this year. Representative Mari Leavitt and Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland were very helpful and connected us to people with the Washington State Healthcare Authority and the Department of Health to help facilitate change.
We recently had a booth at the Fourth of July street fair in Steilacoom. We were able to share Reese's story and message to many people and spread awareness for this important cause.
Widdy's Work is teaming with GSL this month to host an annual Reese Widman Memorial Baseball Tournament: Strike out the Stigma. We will also be partnering with Going Twice for a Widdy's Work presents "Stomp out the Stigma" race set for August 6th. See the events tab for more information. Don't forget to register for the run/walk.
Last but not least, Widdy's Work would like to thank our family, friends and community for all of the love and support. We would not be standing without you all. So much love to you.
Never forget... You are loved. You are important. You matter. 💛