Lishaye Wadley: Woman’s heartbreaking open letter to her husband after he took his own life at 27 – and her plea to every Australian: ‘We should have had an afternoon beer’
A grieving widow has shared a heartbreaking open letter to her ‘beautiful husband’ on his birthday, eight months after his sudden death.
Canberra woman Lishaye Wadley wrote the emotional message on social media, describing the everyday things she misses about her husband, Brent Wadley, on what would have been the day he turned 28.
‘Today is Brent’s birthday. We should have had a beer in the afternoon waiting for the football to start,” Ms Wadley wrote.
“You would have begged me to buy you a new Xbox game and give it to you as a birthday present.
‘We had music on in the house, dancing around and playing fights.
Canberra woman Lishaye Wadley (pictured right) described the everyday nice things she misses about her husband, Brent Wadley, as she worked through her grief to raise money for suicide prevention
Mr Wadley has finally found peace, his wife wrote on social media, after battling with his mental health
“Congratulations Brenny. I love you 11/10 no matter what.”
She added that there are no words “to describe the incompleteness or loneliness” his loss has caused in her life.
“To say I miss him would be a gross understatement.”
Mrs Wadley shared the deeply personal letter to her husband of five years in a bid to encourage people to donate to Suicide Prevention Australia.
“If you can, have a drink for Brent today. And if you wanted to buy him a beer today to celebrate his birthday, please donate the money from that schooner (or two).”
Mr Wadley’s ‘amazing friend’, Tom Carmody, also shared one online fundraiser for the mental health charity to help drive research and ‘dramatically reduce suicide in Australia’.
He will also run a half marathon in Canberra on behalf of Mr Wadley.
Mr Wadley, a skater, student and passionate footy fan, passed away on February 20 this year.
Just two days later, she bravely paid tribute to the “smart, kind, funny, loyal and truly amazing” man.
At his funeral, mourners were encouraged “to wear your favorite sports jersey in his honor.”
Afterwards she posted: ‘Brent would have loved to see you all in your jerseys (even if he hated the team you were rooting for) and if he could have had a drink (or a dozen) for him he would have been proud .’
She also urged anyone struggling with their personal demons to “please reach out.” You are loved and you are important.”
Mr Wadley, a skater, student and passionate footy fan, passed away on February 20 this year
Ms Wadley wrote that she should have stood next to him on his 28th birthday, had a beer and waited for the football to start.
“Brent fought with himself for as long as he could, and he is finally at peace and whole,” she wrote.
“He will be with me in my heart forever.”
According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 3,144 Australians took their own lives in 2021, while there were 65,000 suicide attempts.
Men are more than three times as likely to die by suicide than women.
If you or someone you know needs free mental health care, please contact: Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636.