Posted by Annie (169.207.118.64) on August 15, 1999 at 19:14:44:
Yesterday afternoon, the brother of a friend of mine hung himself in his mother's garage. He was in his thirties and had substance abuse and depression problems. He leaves behind a 20 year old son, a 4 year old son, a devastated mom and three sisters, various nieces and an ex wife who will raise the four year old while dealing with her own substance abuse.
The amount of devastation caused by this act is immeasurable.
This man's kids, especially, have incredible anger and guilt to deal with. Everyone is second guessing, whether they could have done more, said just the right thing at the right time, whatever.
When we are in the middle of our headaches, suicide seems a reasonable option. Yet watching the anguish of the family and friends left behind I can only see this as a selfish and hurtful act. I think it created much more pain than it solved.
I hardly knew this guy but I'm hurting for my friend and her mom and sisters, all of whom are very dear to me.
Just my rambling viewpoint.
Annie