Why I Come to Oak Tree Corner: Part Two

Today's installment is by Bonnie Burrell, who facilitates the adult group in Beavercreek.



My two oldest nephews were six and three when their mother died. It was 1988 and I admit the entire family was ignorant regarding children's grief. My brother, their father, talked to his pastor for himself and that was it. My brother turned the boys over to his wife's mother to raise them. He removed all pictures of his dead wife, don't ask me why. My husband and I would pick the kids up every other weekend and I tried to attend all their sporting events.

My mother died by suicide in 1993 and my brother jokingly told my nephews that she had died while on the toilet. I talked to both of them and explained to them that Grandma had been really sad since my other brother had died in 1986 and had killed herself. I also asked them to come to me if they ever felt that way.

Around 1996, my eldest nephew was breaking into cars to get money to buy marijuana. There were other issues he was dealing with, like their dad remarrying and his girlfriend moving. Once, when both boys were staying over, the oldest said he felt like killing himself because no one would care. I talked to him immediately. I called their grandma and his dad to alert them about what he’d said. The following day I went to our employee assistance program and they told me about Oak Tree Corner. I passed the info along to my brother, who did nothing.

A few weeks later, I got my paycheck and was surprised to find a notice about Oak Tree Corner holding a volunteer training. I’ve been volunteering ever since.

As of right now, my oldest nephew is doing well, with a family of his own. Unfortunately, the youngest hasn’t fared that well. He’s a heroin addict, in and out of jail. Currently, he’s doing well and we’re all hopeful.

What keeps me coming back to Oak Tree is that if I feel I made the tiniest difference in a grieving child’s life, I can’t ask for more than that.

Bonnie has been with Oak Tree Corner since 1996. She’s an avid sports fan and enjoys gardening and hanging out with her family and pets in her free time. Bonnie works at Kettering Health Network as a Medical Lab Technician. She’s worked there for 44 years.