This young stunner is my best friend Kris. If you're a regular reader you might recognize her from past posts, because she's the sister-type and we like to hang out and go to mountains together and stuff. But today, this is not one of those posts.
Almost four years ago, during the Fall of our freshman year at college, I received an earth-shattering phone call: Kristina's father, the rock and loving support system to her and her three beautiful sisters, had just taken his own life. I broke down instantly at hearing this, imagining what my sweet girl must have been feeling at that moment.
The months and years that have since ensued have been full of ups and downs. But if there were a silver lining to be derived from the nightmare, for me it would be learning and witnessing firsthand just how strong and brave of a woman I am blessed to be friends with. Kris is the epitome of turning negative experiences into opportunities for growth. She radiates positivity and kindness; if you didn't know her you would have no idea of the hardships she and her family have faced. And truthfully, we have no idea of the hardships that anyone has faced-- a concept which forms the crux of suicide prevention and a cause that Kris has since dedicated herself to: The importance of treating every single human with respect, kindness, and love.
Kristina now lives in Los Angeles and attends Santa Monica College, where she recently completed a course in photography. For their final project, the class was given one instruction: Yellow.
Yellow is the color for suicide prevention, so naturally, Kris chose to use the project to further bear this cause which is so close to her heart. Her photos explore themes of joy and contentment, depression and thoughts of suicide, and finally hope; optimism; the choice to keep holding on. I've included some of these shots (several of which feature her gorgeous sister, Kelly) below. I'd like to thank Kris for allowing me to share her story and photos, but moreover I'd like to thank her for just being the amazing person and friend that she is.
I love you sis.
xx
"Above all else, we choose to stay. We choose to fight the darkness and the sadness, to fight the questions and the lies and the myth of all that’s missing. We choose to stay, because we are stories still going. Because there is still some time for things to turn around, time for surprises and for change. We stay because no one else can play our part."
-Jamie Tworkowski, We'll See You Tomorrow
for more information on suicide prevention and awareness, visit To Write Love on Her Arms
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