We lost one of our own…
40Saturday 20 September, 2014 by Uncle Spike
It is with a heavy heart that I write today.
I have just found out that one of our Spikey’s, and dare I say a friend via our blogs and email, has died.
Rhonda Elkins was the author of the blog, My Bright Shining Star. Her blog was dedicated to Rhonda trying to make sense of her life after her beloved daughter, Kaitlyn, a high achieving medical student, committed suicide in April 2013. This is the book that she wrote, and we featured on this blog a while ago..
Her book, which is available from Amazon, has helped many to try to understand the viscous illness that depression is, especially when totally hidden from friends and family. These are links to her book:
Unfortunately, Rhonda’s continuous battle with her loss has finally claimed another victim. I understand that Rhonda also took her own life on 29th August. This was her last blog post.
Rest in peace now Rhonda, with your Kaitlyn.
We join countless others I’m sure, in expressing our sincere condolences to her devastated family, in particular to Allyn (her husband) and Stephanie (their daughter, and Kaitlyn’s sister).
SPIKE
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Uncle Spike's Adventures 
[…] Read more about our fellow blogger, who may be gone but never forgotten. […]
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[…] sure that many of you will remember our blogging sister, Rhonda Elkins, who we sadly lost on August 29th. Well, one of our newest Spikeys (followers) by the name of […]
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I couldn’t begin to imagine the pain endured by the loss of losing a child, especially to suicide. I suspect in this sad story, one suicide led to the other. My deepest condolences go out to the family and friends of both of these women. Heartbreaking, any way you look at it. 😦
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Yes it was a direct link I’m afraid. Whilst she was writing, publishing and publicising the book işt gave her focus; after that I think it was just too much to bear. So very sad.
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Please, please, send her husband and remaining family strength to get through this. That is my prayer.
Uncle Spike, I am sorry for your loss.
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Maybe you would prefer to leave a msg on this page….
http://hosting-9605.tributes.com/condolences/view_memories/101642909
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My 1st visit here, such sad news! Oh, so, so sad. I cannot imagine the pain she endured.
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Thankfully, neither can I. I have seen death up close a couple of times and it’s not nice at all…, but I cannot get my head around the depth of sorrow she must have endured, and her family must now be going through, for the second time in 16 months.
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Oh, yes, I feel so sad for her husband! And everyone else who loved her. I just hope there is true peace in death.
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My first visit here. So sad. Blessings.
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Nice to have yopu as a visitor; but agree, so sad on the circumstances 😦
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Oh this is sad. My condolences 😦
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How so very sad. I’ve been touched by suicide several times via my dad and my best friend’s dad.
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Then you understand more than 99% of us. It’s so hard for those left to carry on..
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This has really saddened me, I used to blog chat with Rhonda often but didn’t know how to help her, I was so concerned about saying the wrong thing. I did wonder if she was ever going to come to terms with her grief. How terribly sad 😦
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Join the club kid… 😦
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That is a doggone shame. I feel so sad when someone doesn’t get their second wind. God bless their family.
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I’m so sorry to read this Uncle Spike, so very sorry.
Carrie
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Spike, thank you for sharing. My thoughts and condolences go out to Allyn and Stephanie, her family, and all her wonderful friends, such as yourself, who supported her through everything.
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She left her mark on many of us…
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Hi, Uncle Spike.
I blogged about the loss of our beloved virtual friend here: http://jenniferkellandperry.wordpress.com/2014/09/04/remembering-rhonda/
Such a sad story with a heartbreaking outcome. I will never forget her and Kaitlin.
Jennifer xo
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Hey Jennifer…
I was away until 8th Sept, and missed many blog posts; you know how it is. Now I feel so sad at not having spotted your post upon my return (or perhaps that was the right thing, who knows).
Spike 😦
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If I remember correctly I was the one who led you to her blog, when I reblogged one of her posts. I noticed your frequent comments and sensed your caring and concern.
Unfortunately, she was unable to come to terms with her grief and lost her battle with depression.
You are a good soul, Uncle Spike. ❤
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Seems a long time ago now… but I think you are right. In which case, thank you for the introduction; I’m grateful to have been in a small part of her life.
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Oh this is so sad! This is so bad for her family as well, so much pain!
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Cannot begin to fathom what they are going through. I’ve been bereaved a couple of times, but this is extraordinary. Her parents must be in their 80s and lost a daughter and a granddaughter; her husband, a wife and a daughter; her daughter, a mom and a sister… the ripples and cycle of pain is far-reaching. So terribly sad.
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Impossible to ‘like’ this post, Uncle Spike. I certainly do remember Rhonda and her posts. Her suffering was too much. Don’t we feel powerless? It would have been so good to be strong enough to support her pain. Thank you for honoring her memory.
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Powerless, helpless…. yes, very much how I feel right now.
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That’s so very sad.
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I am so sorry. I understand so very much, when someone says—And, I am sad….again.
My heart goes out to all!
Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com
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It hurts, really it does; yet we never met.
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so very sorry to hear this.
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Rhonda was a very special person who fought so hard to beat her depression for the sake of her very loving family. Through her book and her blog she has made a real difference to people’s understanding of depression. My heartfelt condolences to all her family.
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And thank you Annette for taking the time and trouble to let me know. That means more to me that you might think.
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Nice tribute. Sorry to hear the news
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Makes this ‘virtual’ family of ours seem somewhat more real today, sadly.
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I’m so sorry for the loss for her family. My condolences.
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this is sad news just sad
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I’m so sorry to hear this Spike. 😦
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This is so sad. I remember reading Rhonda’s posts. My heartfelt condolences to her husband and daughter, Stephanie.
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