My daughter Sallie participated with Kim last night in a school function designed to address the issue of teen suicides. Sallie’s school has had two recent tragic events which naturally have brought concern to parents, students and teachers. In the discussions, all in attendance were told many things; one of which included the signs to watch for in the lives of loved ones.
I enjoy people as many of you may know and as a result am a people watcher. My most recent observations had been we as people are closer today as couples, families, friends, neighbors, communities and even a nation because of our personal involvement in our current recession. We are turning to relationships, finding love and satisfaction in simple things. We have gained appreciation for what we have, spinning away from what may have been desires focused on obtaining more. The recession has built and is building deeper relationships in both human interaction and in our understanding of nature. This examination I suggest is not only something I believe in personally but am taking part in as well, thankfully.
We talked further as a family about what was covered in this gathering and while we all felt the pain of the families who are dealing with their unbelievable circumstances. Something hit me like a ton of bricks; my feelings of our society transitioning to improved relationships were limited. I reflected on how in this current environment there is a contingency of folks who are not enjoying the light of hope for a brighter day. Their pain and suffering is so intense it may appear to them at the moment to be insurmountable. Any feeling of optimism which previously occupied their minds is now dashed in a downward spiral. What our loved ones (whether a perfect stranger or lifelong friend) have lost is touch with reality. To them, in this moment, relief of the pain is suicide. They don’t see past the suffering to the day not to far away where they are back on top. For us observing from the outside, the permanency of this decision based on temporary facts is unclear. We don’t understand how desperate one can get and how seemingly simple interactions are magnified.
I am not a professional and have never studied suicide as a subject but suggest something simple as a spectator of people. We can be an angel in the life of many we interact with by doing something seemingly meaningless, which to those of us “feeling good” may seem uncomplicated or even basic; acknowledge the good in others. I can’t even tell you how good it makes me feel to know someone cares, understands or even believes in me when I am up. Get me down; feeling no value, then give me that same recognition, it alters my path. I leave my thoughts of immediacy and realize it is just a moment of time. I find a kindling of my fire deep inside and awaken a long-term perspective. My relief is no longer extinguishing the pain by ending it all but realizing my value. A simple hug, a thank you, a pat on the back, you are valued, know how much I care or can I do anything for you will keep our loved ones in tact, living beyond the moment.
I have participated on the giving and the receiving side of this love. I have been told how much it meant (even a “You saved my life”) and too have offered gratitude to those who expressed love to me. It may be simple, agreed yet so necessary. Please never turn away from an expression of love, you are making a difference in this beautiful world; I PROMISE!
Jaren
