Author: Elizabeth P

Join me! 

March 2, 2023

James’ 25th Birthday – Because James was always able to make the best out of any situation, please look on the bright side of every situation you find yourself in today and enjoy a slice of cheesecake to remember how much light James brought into this world. I am donating birthday gifts for a foster child today.

March 24, 2023

This is the fourth anniversary of James’ death. I’m still so confused and sad. I will spend this horrible day honoring him privately.

April 15, 2023

Round Rock ISD Campus Walk –   It is so important to get the word out that suicide is never the answer, especially to our high school and college students.  I’m unable to attend this year, but am happy to support those who walk for Carrie and James. Please plan to walk to raise awareness for suicide prevention, create a sense of community for those who have lost loved ones to suicide, and to inspire Hope in those struggling. 

April 18, 2023

Carrie’s 23rd Birthday – Ephesians 4:32 Day (Carrie’s favorite Bible verse – Be Kind to One Another). Perform a random act of kindness for someone today and then enjoy a cupcake to celebrate the fun that Carrie brought in to this world. I am donating birthday gifts for a foster child today.  Also, this day marks 2000 days that she has been gone. Yes, exactly 2000 days.

June 3, 2023

The Overnight Out of the Darkness walk is currently scheduled for this night in Washington, D.C.  The traditional Overnight Out of the Darkness walk was designed to start at sunset and end around sunrise, so participants were literally walking (16-18 miles) out of the darkness to shed light on the issue of suicide. These walks raise awareness for suicide prevention, provide a sense of community for those recovering from a loss due to suicide, and inspire Hope in those struggling right now. I am currently planning on participating and would love to have you walk alongside me all night long. You can sign up to be on my team here:  Carrying On

September 10, 2023

World Suicide Prevention Day – To help spread awareness about suicide prevention, please share my story, say a prayer, release a balloon (skip if you have environmental concerns), light a candle, and make a donation to the Carrie Cotter Memorial Fund (www.CarrieCotter.com). 100% of donations go to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline to help those who are struggling find Hope and choose to Live. I believe raising awareness will reduce the stigma surrounding mental illness and then more people will seek help.

September 30, 2023

NAMIWALKS Central Texas – “Walk with us to promote awareness of mental health and reduce stigma by sharing stories and walking together, to raise funds for NAMI’s mission of advocacy…, and to build community and reassure people they are not alone.”  Plan to meet at the Palmer Events Center at 8am for leisurely 5k walk to the Capitol and back.  You can sign up and join Team Carrying On here:  Carrying On

October 26, 2023

Somehow this day will be the 6th anniversary of Carrie’s death. She has missed so much already and I miss her so much every day. I will spend this horrible day honoring her privately.

November 4, 2023

Austin Out of the Darkness walk – Please plan to walk with me to raise awareness for suicide prevention, create a sense of community for those who have lost loved ones to suicide, and to inspire Hope in those struggling. We will plan to meet on the south side of the Capitol at 9:30am for a quick picture, pick up our Honor beads, and hang Carrie and James’ pictures on the memory wall. The opening ceremony is at 10am, followed by a short walk on the Capitol grounds and nearby city streets. Wear your blue Carrying On t-shirt! (If you don’t have one I will bring you one!)  More details provided when you sign up! You can sign up and join Team Carrying On here: Carrying On

I want to help all those suffering from mental illness realize what God has promised: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you Hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11. This Bible verse was still hanging in Carrie’s dorm room on 10/26/17.

Join us! 

March 2, 2022

James’ Birthday – Because James was always able to make the best out of any situation, please look on the bright side of every situation you find yourself in today and enjoy a slice of cheesecake to remember how much light James brought into this world. I am donating birthday gifts for a foster child today.

March 24, 2022

This is the third anniversary of James’ death. I’m still so confused and sad. I will spend this horrible day honoring him privately.

April 18, 2022

Carrie’s Birthday – Ephesians 4:32 Day (Carrie’s favorite Bible verse – Be Kind to One Another). Perform a random act of kindness for someone today and then enjoy a cupcake to celebrate the fun that Carrie brought in to this world. I am donating birthday gifts for a foster child today.

April 30, 2022

Round Rock ISD Campus Walk –  It is so important to get the word out that suicide is never the answer, especially to our high school and college students.  Please plan to walk with me to raise awareness for suicide prevention, create a sense of community for those who have lost loved ones to suicide, and to inspire Hope in those struggling. We will plan to meet at the Walsh Middle School at 9:45am. You can join my team, Carrying On, by clicking on this link: Carrying On

June 4, 2022

The Overnight Out of the Darkness walk is currently scheduled as an in-person event in New York City.  The traditional Overnight Out of the Darkness walk was designed to start at sunset and end around sunrise, so participants were literally walking (16-18 miles) out of the darkness to shed light on the issue of suicide. These walks raise awareness for suicide prevention, provide a sense of community for those recovering from a loss due to suicide, and inspire Hope in those struggling right now. Again, I am undecided about participating as of now.

September 10, 2022

World Suicide Prevention Day – To help spread awareness about suicide prevention, please share our story, say a prayer, release a balloon (skip if you have environmental concerns), light a candle, and make a donation to the Carrie Cotter Memorial Fund (www.CarrieCotter.com). 100% of donations go to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline to help those who are struggling find Hope and choose to Live. We believe raising awareness will reduce the stigma surrounding mental illness and then more people will seek help.

Fall 2022

NAMIWALKS Central Texas – “Walk with us to promote awareness of mental health and reduce stigma by sharing stories and walking together, to raise funds for NAMI’s mission of advocacy…, and to build community and reassure people they are not alone.”  Exact date and plan TBD

October 26, 2022

Somehow this day will be the 5th anniversary of Carrie’s death. She has missed so much already and I miss her so much every day. I will spend this horrible day honoring her privately.

October 29, 2022

Austin Out of the Darkness walk – Please plan to walk with me to raise awareness for suicide prevention, create a sense of community for those who have lost loved ones to suicide, and to inspire Hope in those struggling. We will plan to meet at the Capitol at 9am. You can join my team, Carrying On, by clicking on this link:  Carrying On

We want to help all those suffering from mental illness realize what God has promised: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you Hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11. This Bible verse was still hanging in Carrie’s dorm room on 10/26/17.

2021 Calendar of Events

Join us!  (Check back soon, as more events will be added as they are planned!)

March 2, 2021

James’ Birthday – Because James was always able to make the best out of any situation, please look on the bright side of every situation you find yourself in today and enjoy a slice of cheesecake to remember how much light James brought into this world. I donated a birthday cake for a foster child today.

April 18, 2021

Carrie’s Birthday – Ephesians 4:32 Day (Carrie’s favorite Bible verse – Be Kind to One Another). Perform a random act of kindness for someone today and then enjoy a cupcake to celebrate the fun that Carrie brought in to this world. I donated a birthday cake for a foster child today.

April 24, 2021

Central Texas/Round Rock ISD Campus Walk – This is a combined virtual campus walk for all of central Texas, including Baylor University. I have been asked to be the face of the white beads for the virtual bead ceremony. Please join me in walking wherever you are to raise awareness for suicide prevention. It is so important to get the word out that suicide is never the answer, especially to our high school and college students. You can join my team, Carrying On, here:  Carrying On

June 26, 2021

The Overnight Out of the Darkness walk is a virtual walk again this year.  The traditional Overnight Out of the Darkness walk was designed to start at sunset and end around sunrise, so participants were literally walking (16-18 miles) out of the darkness to shed light on the issue of suicide. These walks raise awareness for suicide prevention, provide a sense of community for those recovering from a loss due to suicide, and inspire Hope in those struggling right now. We can still do this virtually. And, because it is a virtual event now, they have waived the fundraising minimum and anyone can participate anywhere. They are strongly discouraging people from walking all night long.  If you think you might take a walk on one of these days, please Sign up and join the Carrying On team. You can start/continue a conversation about suicide prevention and walk in your own neighborhood. Then send me a picture of you walking! You can register to virtually walk with us or support our team here:  Carrying On

September 10, 2021

World Suicide Prevention Day – To help spread awareness about suicide prevention, please share our story, say a prayer, release a balloon (skip if you have environmental concerns), light a candle, and make a donation to the Carrie Cotter Memorial Fund (www.CarrieCotter.com). 100% of donations go to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline to help those who are struggling find Hope and choose to Live. We believe raising awareness will reduce the stigma surrounding mental illness and then more people will seek help.

September 25, 2021

NAMIWALKS Central Texas – “Walk with us to promote awareness of mental health and reduce stigma by sharing stories and walking together, to raise funds for NAMI’s mission of advocacy…, and to build community and reassure people they are not alone.”  As of September 12th, this is now a virtual walk. Once you sign up, I will let you know the plan for our team walk that morning.You can join my team, Carrying on, by clicking on this link: CarryingOn .

October 23, 2021

Austin Out of the Darkness walk – Please plan to walk with me to raise awareness for suicide prevention, create a sense of community for those who have lost loved ones to suicide, and to inspire Hope in those struggling. Details TBA, but this is being planned as an in-person event at the Capitol (we will probably meet for a group photo before the walk). As of September 12th, they have updated the website and are not planning a formal opening or closing ceremony.  I will develop a plan for our team to gather, either downtown or in Westlake, and we will plan to walk as a group. Sign up and I’ll keep you up to date on the details.  . You can join my team, Carrying on for Carrie, by clicking on this link: Carrying On

We want to help all those suffering from mental illness realize what God has promised: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you Hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11. This Bible verse was still hanging in Carrie’s dorm room on 10/26/17.

2020 Calendar of Events

“21 years makes a man full-grown
21 years, what a beautiful loan
21 years, I loved every one
Thank you, Lord, for my beautiful son”

TobyMac has a new song out today about losing his 21 year old son. Take time to watch the video.  21 Years by TobyMac

#CarryingOn❤️🎈💚🐻
#800273talk #text741741 #Godhasyouinheaven #Ihaveyouinmyheart

1/1/20
It is a new year. I am so grateful to everyone who has supported us in so many ways during this past year. Your cards, texts, phone calls, messages, and prayers mean so much to us and always lift us up. Thank you for loving on our family so generously. Your financial support of The Carrie Cotter Memorial Fund, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, and the National Alliance on Mental Illness also mean a lot to us as we do what we can to reduce the suicide rate and improve mental healthcare. As people set goals and resolutions for the new year, I’d like to give you an update on what we (the Carrying On community) accomplished in 2019. Carrying On raised more than $60,000 for better mental healthcare and suicide prevention in 2019 and I’m so amazed and grateful for You. (Details are below because it got so long and not everyone appreciates numbers like I do🤷🏼‍♀️, but if you like numbers check it out.) Thank you for your generosity to causes close to my heart. 2020 – Let’s continue to make the world a better place so people don’t take their own lives.
#CarryingOn❤️🎈💚🐻 #800273talk #text741741 #suicideisnotanoption #stayconnectedtoothers #YOUmatter #iloveYou #theworldneedsYOUhere #takecareofYourself #Hope #moveforward #YOUareagiftfromGod #cheeringforClemsonisaNewYearstradition #FaithHopeLove #dojustlyNow #lovemercyNow #walkhumblyNow

As we mourned the loss of James, we asked that donations be made in his memory to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. 23 donations were made that we know of; they did not include all of the amounts donated, but we do know it was well in excess of $26,000. In June, our mighty team of 4 walked 16 miles, overnight, all over the city of Boston and raised $5500 for the AFSP. For World Suicide Prevention Day in September, many of you joined us in releasing a balloon, lighting a candle, sharing our story, and/or donating to The Carrie Cotter Memorial Fund. The total donated to Carrie’s fund in 2019 was $18,300. Expenses imposed on the fund are covered by a generous friend of ours and are not included in that number. $18,200 was donated to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline in 2019 and the remaining $100 in donations will be donated to the NSPL in 2020. The current balance in the fund is approximately $410. Many community AFSP Out of the Darkness walks are held in the fall and I’m so grateful to all who walked alongside us in our journey, either with us in Waco, Dallas, or Austin, or in your own hometowns in Colorado, Washington, DC, Missouri, or South Carolina. In these AFSP Out of the Darkness walks our teams raised $10,053. 6 of us also walked in the NAMI walk here in Austin and raised $800 for better mental healthcare for all. You all are amazing. Thank YOU.

This graphic was made by a friend of ours in 2007 for Carrie’s dance recital program.

This graphic was made by a friend of ours in 2007 for Carrie’s dance recital program. I just reread the lyrics from the song that she danced to in this costume and thought I’d share some of them:

Lora by Genie

“Lora
Eyes so blue
Do you know how much I love you?
Lora
Deep inside
A beautiful bird wants to fly
But how can it fly with broken wings
How can it soar above the trees
And how can it glide upon the breeze
With broken wings?
…
Lora
I know a place
Where all pain has gone away
Come with us someday we’ll fly
With heaven’s (perfect) wings!
We will fly with heaven’s (perfect) wings
And we will soar above the trees
And we will glide upon the breeze
With (heaven’s) perfect wings
Lora
Eyes so blue
Do you know how much God loves you?”

Now Carrie’a pain has gone away and she has her perfect wings.

#ForeverMyChild ❤️ 🎈#CarryingOnForCarrie   #800273TALK #text741741

Year end financial information and More!
2018 donations to the Carrie Cotter Memorial Fund (excluding the donations to cover expenses) totaled $3437. The fund donated $3500 to The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline in 2018. The current balance in the fund is $452.61.
We are so grateful for the generosity of our family and friends. We deeply appreciate your donations and the opportunity to help others find Hope and choose to Live. For those they may not know the story, in Carrie’s letter to us she used the phrase, “sleepy baby needs to sleep forever.” When we googled that right after her death (with quotes), we got 1 result – the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. We believe this was her way of asking us to help others, even if she, herself, had lost Hope.
The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention is the nation’s leading organization regarding suicide prevention. This organization runs all of the Out of the Darkness walks across the country. We are also grateful for your support of our family as we participated in the walks at Baylor University, Waco, and Austin. Larry and I also participated in their Overnight walk in Dallas in June where we walked about 17 miles, starting at 8pm. The inaugural walk at Baylor (organized by James) had 149 walkers and raised a total of $6278 (of which our team and a few other special friends raised $4150). Our team at the Austin and Waco walks raised $2165 and we appreciate everyone who supported our efforts by donating or walking in these walks with us. We also really appreciate our family and friends who participated in community walks in their own city in Carrie’s memory in 2018. Thank you for walking for her and raising awareness to inspire others.
As we begin 2019, we plan to participate in these events again, as well as recognize World Suicide Prevention Day on September 10th and remember Carrie on her birthday on April 18th. Stay tuned to see how you can join us. We would also be honored to support you if you choose to walk for Carrie or organize a fundraiser to support an organization for suicide prevention or mental health awareness (AFSP, NAMI, Stop Soldier Suicide, Active Minds, etc). Let me know if you choose to do something. I believe raising awareness for suicide prevention and mental health will reduce the stigma surrounding mental illness and more people will seek help and realize God’s promise, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you Hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11. #ForeverMyChild ❤️ 🎈#CarryingOnForCarrie #stopsuicide#800273TALK #dontloseHope #carriecotterdotcom