Out of the Darkness

I tried to think of a clever opening line here.

I tried to compose a sentence to grab your attention and hold it -- to keep you here long enough to read what I have to talk about tonight. But I can't think of anything but the straight forward truth to write about a very difficult subject: suicide.

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention states that every sixteen minutes in the United States, someone dies by suicide, and every seventeen minutes someone is left to make sense of it.

And therein lies the Hell of it -- there is no sense. There is no acceptable explanation.

We all know someone, or know of someone, who has chosen to end their own life. I can't, and won't, speculate on the fate of the souls of these individuals, that's not my purpose. But I do know the fate of the loved ones they leave behind:

Emptiness.

Anger.

Shock.

Unfathomable grief.

Irresolution.

This last spring, Emily, one of my oldest and dearest friends, lost her brother Jed to suicide. I knew Jed, but not well. However, I know his little sister and his parents very well. I know of their love for Jed and I know of the void in their lives. I saw the pain in their eyes, I feel it in talking to Emily now. Jed's death is like an overhanging shroud in their lives. His passing influences nearly every thought.

In memory of her brother, Emily has registered a team to walk in the Out of the Darkness Community Walk for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

I'll let Emily tell you more:

"As you know I lost my brother, Jed, this past March. My family and I have been forever changed by this tragic event. In his memory I have registered a team to walk in the Out of the Darkness Community Walk for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. The Salt Lake City walk is on September 26th, at 10am, at Wheeler Farm. It is a 3-5 mile scenic walk and proceeds from this event will fund research, education, survivor, and awareness programs - both to prevent suicide and to assist those affected by suicide.

My hope is that through education and awareness, those suffering from mental illness will be prompted to seek help so that other families don't have to suffer through this same nightmare.

The link is http://www.outofthedarkness.org and my team name is "Remembering Jed". You can register to walk, create your own team, or donate from that link.

Let me know if you have any questions and if you are willing to help me spread the word.

Thanks so much!
Em"

I'm going to keep this link up here on my blog through September 26. I hope it will be a benefit to some of you.

The human spirit is quite a thing, isn't it? We long to make things better. We want to cope. We want to tell our story.

We fight the helplessness by helping others.