Zaria's Footsteps

02/13/2026

💜A Update from Zaria's Footsteps 💜

As we approach the 8th anniversary of Zaria's passing, I find myself reflecting on the journey we've been on. This past year has been particularly challenging for me as I navigated my own grief and mental health. I want to share this openly because it's essential to acknowledge that it's okay to struggle, and sometimes we need to take a step back to heal.

Though I faced personal challenges, our commitment to helping those in need never wavered. We've been quietly working behind the scenes.We are excited to announce the launch of our ♾️ Love Campaign♾️which embodies Zaria's legacy through kindness and compassion.

Thank you to everyone who has been part of our journey. Your support means the world to us. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of those who are grieving or struggling, reminding them that they are never alone.

Stay tuned for more updates, and let’s spread love and light in memory of Zaria. ✨️💜🦋

12/25/2025

Zaria's Footsteps would like to extend our gratitude to you for donating time, items, and compassion. To all my family and friends I've made, those who left for a while and those who have stayed, to those who are across the seas, and to the ones resting in peace, know you're in our hearts. 💜 May your hearts be filled with peace and faith. ay your days of doubt be replaced with days of hope and cheer. May you and your family be nurtured with lots of love! Don't measure the height of your Christmas tree; measure the abundance of love present in your heart. Feed someone, thank someone, hug someone, say 'I love you' to someone, show grace for someone. Merry Christmas! Love you all. 💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜🦋🦋🦋🦋 🦋🦋🦋🦋

12/13/2025

Marigoround of Grief

I’m on a carousel, spinning round,
Life moves forward, yet here I’m bound.
Since losing Zaria, I retreat,
In shadows deep, where heartache meets.

Each day a struggle, a silent fight,
Reaching for others, searching for light.
To embrace their lives as they move on,
While I replay memories, now forever gone.

In the wake of loss, I sought a way,
To help others find hope, to seize the day.
A grief counselor, a nonprofit born,
Yet still, I feel tethered, weary and worn.

The world dances bright, filled with cheer,
As I linger here, anchored by fear.
I cheer them on while ache fills my chest,
A mariground of grief, I’m so far from rest.

Lost in the echoes of laughter and dreams,
Where love once thrived, now silence screams.
Bittersweet memories swirl in my mind,
Tangled emotions, so hard to unwind.

Grief is a shadow, both cruel and kind,
Isolating yet drawing me to find
The love I still carry, a light in the dark,
A reminder of joy, a flickering spark.

This journey is messy, uncharted, and raw,
As I strive to embrace what I once saw.
In the midst of my sorrow, I cling to the belief,
That one day I’ll step off, to find sweet relief.

But until that moment, I’ll ride this ride,
With Zaria’s spirit forever by my side.
In this marigoround, where time feels displaced,
I’ll cherish her love, in my heart, a warm space. ©️Kandice Kennedy 12-22-25
***de

12/02/2025

Restore My Soul

The emptiness echoes within me since Zaria's departure, leaving a void that feels insurmountable. Each day has been a struggle, with the air thick around me, as if I tread through water. The secondary losses I've faced have only deepened this grief, layering sorrow upon sorrow. I find myself yearning for restoration, for a flicker of light to guide me through this darkness.

My soul aches for healing, for the gentle reminder that love persists, even in absence. I long to feel whole again, to embrace joy without the weight of despair. Please help me find the path to mend what feels irreparably broken; I need to reclaim the essence of who I am. ©️Kandice Kennedy 1/2/2025

Restore my soul, and let me breathe freely again.

11/22/2025

The Empty Chair

At the dinner table, an empty chair awaits,
A silent reminder of love that never abates.
Holidays once filled with laughter and cheer,
Now seem so heavy, your absence is near.

The lights twinkle bright, yet my heart feels cold,
Every place setting speaks of stories untold.
I search for your smile in the faces around,
But the echoes of joy are nowhere to be found.

These moments once painted with warmth and delight,
Now feel so hollow, an unending night.
Each bite carries memories, flavors from the past,
I hold onto them tightly, though the shadows are cast.

Every day is a struggle; each moment a fight,
Wishing for you, my heart aches every night.
Though the holidays are brutal, and the world feels so grim,
I’ll cherish each memory and keep love alive within.

In the quiet of absence, I’ll find a way to cope,
For love never fades, and in my heart, there’s hope.
So, as I set the table, I’ll save you a place,
In the spirit of family, your light I’ll embrace
©️Kandice Kennedy -2025
***de

09/19/2025

Samaritan Counseling, Thank you for asking me to speak regarding su***de and grief. Zaria's Footsteps is honred to be a part of the conversation.

LIVING THE NARRATIVE means carrying memory, pain, and hope forward — honoring those we lost, holding those who survived, and choosing to keep telling the story. Her story hasn’t ended. Nor has yours.
For anyone struggling: you’re not alone.
***deAwareness

09/18/2025

Our stories are powerful, like books with pages that can give life and hope. And just like a butterfly, every chapter of change is proof that transformation is possible.

When we live the narrative, we remind the world: life is worth fighting for.
Your words can turn the page for someone.
Your presence can lift someone’s wings.
Your honesty could write a story of hope that saves a life.
From page to wings: Let’s write and live stories that shine light into darkness.

💜Be real.
💜Be present.
💜Be the hope.

If you or someone you know is struggling, dial 988 for immediate support. You are not alone. 🦋💜

***dePrevention

09/16/2025

🦋Living the Narrative🦋

Just like a book, our lives tell a story. But stories are meant to be lived, not hidden.

Today isn’t just about posting a hashtag. Su***de awareness means turning pages of honesty, empathy, and care. It’s choosing to live openly with no masks, no pretending, no fake personas.

Every chapter we live with authenticity can inspire someone else to keep going. Every story lived with hope can give someone wings.

This Su***de Awareness Day, let’s not just say the words—let’s live the narrative.

To see more of our story, view the comments below. Every story matters. And every life matters.

***dePrevention ***dePreventionDay

09/16/2025

Living the Narrative — Zaria’s Mom"
For seven years I have woken up and kept going. Some mornings the tasks were small victories — getting out of bed, brushing my teeth, answering a message. Other days the silence inside was so loud it nearly swallowed me. I carry anxious hands and a racing mind through grocery lines, meetings, family dinners. I have learned to smile while my insides trembled.

This is a raw look: from the page to the wing. The pages are where I write what I can’t say aloud. The wings are the butterflies Zaria reminds me to become — more than existing, learning to unfurl, to move, to feel color again. Each wingbeat is a small, stubborn step toward staying.

Zaria’s Footsteps is more than a campaign — it’s a promise to show up for one another, to listen without judgment, and to hold space for the messy middle of recovery. If you’re with me on this path: you are not weak. You are weathering a storm and your steps matter.

Do one small thing today: reach out, tell one person, write one line, take one breath. Reach out to Zaria’s Footsteps for support or to share your story (visit our website or social channels, or email us to connect).

If you are in immediate danger, call your local emergency number. In the United States, dial or text 988 for the Su***de & Crisis Lifeline. For other countries, contact your local crisis resources.
***deAwareness

09/10/2025

✨ Today, on National Su***de Awareness Day (Sept 10), we honor every soul lost too soon. In remembrance, we invite you to join Zaria’s footsteps by lighting a candle 🕯️—a symbol of hope, love, and the light that continues to shine for those we’ve lost. 💜💙

Let this be our reminder: you are never alone, and your story matters. 💌
👉 Light your candle. Share your light. Start the conversation. Together, we can break the silence.
***deAwareness

08/30/2025

Su***de Prevention is 365 days. However September is National Su***de Prevention And Awareness Month. Here's a source for our youth who maybe struggling 💚

🗣 Introducing Gamma Guardians

Gamma Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. is proud to launch Gamma Guardians, a youth-centered initiative dedicated to protecting, supporting, and uplifting the mental health of our communities. 💚🖤💛

A Gamma Guardian is a symbol of strength and hope. We stand as a shield for youth, a safe voice of guidance, and a reminder that no one has to face life’s challenges alone.

This September, we are opening our Youth Su***de Prevention Warm Line:
📞 Call 1-844-9GAMMAS
📆 September 1 – September 30
📌 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm CT (Mon–Fri)
📌 10:00 am – 10:00 pm CT (Sat–Sun)

Confidential • Free • Youth-Focused

Because every life matters.
Because every voice deserves to be heard.

***dePrevention