Regina King penned a touching tribute to her late son Ian Alexander Jr. one year after he died.
On Jan. 19, the actress took to Instagram to share a video of an orange sky lantern she’d lit in honor of what would have been Alexander’s 27th birthday. He died by suicide last year.
“January 19th is Ian’s Worthday,” King wrote. “As we still process his physical absence, we celebrate his presence. We are all in different places on the planet…so is Ian. His spirit is the thread that connects us.”
The Oscar winner added, “Of course orange is your favorite color…Its the fire and the calm. I see you in everything I breath. My absolute favorite thing about myself is being ….Regina the mother of Ian the GodKing. Continue to shine bright,my guiding light.”
On Jan. 20, 2022, Alexander ended his life, just one day after his birthday.
King confirmed her son’s death in an official statement.
“Our family is devastated at the deepest level by the loss of Ian,” King said in the statement, according to People magazine. “He is such a bright light who cared so deeply about the happiness of others. Our family asks for respectful consideration during this private time. Thank you.”
Over the years, King has never shied away from boasting about her immense love for Ian, her only child.
The actress previously commented on the love and bond between a parent and child.
“You don’t know what unconditional love is. You may say you do, but if you don’t have a child, you don’t know what that is,” she said, according to People. “When you experience it, it’s the most fulfilling [thing] ever.”
The pair even have matching tattoos, which read “unconditional love” in Aramaic — Ian’s on his shoulder and King’s on her arm.
If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988, text “STRENGTH” to the Crisis Text Line at 741741 or go to 988lifeline.org.
