There has been SO many more signatures collected recently and I am over the moon about it! THANK YOU for joining forces with me, standing with me, and saying YES, you want to link 911 to background checks! I absolutely cannot do this without you, and I'm forever grateful for your support. We are doing it!!

My husband died by suicide just days after this photo was taken. My son has grown up without his father - shout out to grandpa's and uncles who have stepped up! He was not mentally ill before this, his allostatic load (cumulative response to stressors) was deeply heavy and he was the person you'd least expect this from. He didn't want to die, he wanted his pain to stop! He also was a Highly Sensitive Person, like I am, and we feel things, like overwhelm, pain and hopelessness, so very intensely! 

If he could have only gotten through that crisis moment, I truly believe he'd still be here today. If only there was a way to protect him, and others, who are thinking of suicide, and turn to the most fatal way possible - a gun. If only we could bring them HELP when they need it most AND prevent a death. If only we could keep guns in the hands they belong in, and OUT of the ones they DON'T, like those who have the intent to take a life, whether it's their own, or someone else's. 

With Matty's Bill, ALL of these things will happen. Our communities and loved ones will be safer from gun violence, AND it addresses and brings aid to the root cause of such actions - lack of love for self, lack of tools, too much pain and loss of hope. 

I know many of you have lost a loved one to suicide and/or gun violence, and I am deeply sorry for your loss. It is a nightmare I wish no one else understood. But here we are, living in a country where suicides and mass shootings are out of control and higher than we've ever seen and certainly higher THAN ANY OTHER COUNTRY IN THE WORLD. 

This is where you come in...please help to SHARE and spread the word of how this works and will benefit everyone. Please think of 5 people you can send this to, and ask them for their support. THANK YOU!

This life takes a village to get through, you and I know IT IS NOT EASY. Please, let's show COMPASSION AND EMPATHY first to our own selves, and those around us. It all goes into the load we are carrying. 

I offer something called Porch Time, a sacred space to hold a meaningful conversation to talk about what's on your heart. Here is your personal invitation! It is for one hour and done over the phone on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings PST. Please visit my website to book yours, I'd love to hold space for you. If you are a widow, suicide survivor, victim of gun violence, or a Highly Sensitive Person, or just plain stressed out and want a fresh perspective, please reach out! I'm the Porch Lady! I care and I get it, we are not meant to do life alone, and it's ok to not be ok! Deep breath. You can get support! Visit https://sonjarice.com/ to book Porch Time. You can also sign up for notifications of my book release and other cool stuff. 

Thank you again for your support. Together we can save lives! Share with your 5!

Sincerely and passionately,

Sonja Rice

The Porch Lady and author of Cake Saved My Life (coming soon!)