Suicide is Not an Option
On December 12th, 1992,my brother committed suicide. The
consequences were devastating to everyone involved. Maybe this
story will help someone who is contemplating suicide to decide
against it.
Suicide is not the solution that some may think it is. Problems
and unresolved issues will haunt family and friends for many
decades.
My nephew, who was just a baby at the time, would always ask
about his uncle. He eventually learned to point up at the sky
and say, "Uncle Scott". But the reality is that he missed out on
having the benefit and support of his uncle as he grew up. And
of course, there are countless interactions with family members
that will be lost over the decades.
Suicide is permanent. And the effects that it has on loved ones
also lasts over a lifetime.
My brother was only twenty-two years old at the time he chose to
commit suicide. I was only twenty-four.
I remember going to the viewing and seeing his lifeless body.
They couldn't quite erase all of the signs of his violent death.
And that image will stick with the living for the rest of their
lives.
In the end, the temporary pain someone escapes by committing
suicidemight be overshadowed by the pain and sadness of family
and friends. That pain may continue through the decades whenever
they think about it. The missed opportunities for interaction
also impedes the growth of everyone else. Countless interactions
that would have occurred are all lost now. Who knows how destiny
was changed by such an event. The family that he may have had
will not exist now. The triumphs and setbacks of a life will
never be realized. The fulfillment of a lifetime was cut short
by a decision that may have been made rashly at a moment of
personal confusion or pain. We never know whom it is in our
destiny to meet and interact with over a lifetime. All of those
'plays of life' will never be able to exist because on of the
characters on the stage will not be there to perform his role.
So the total sum of the tragedy is really unknown but it seems
likely that over what would have amounted to decades of time,
that sum must be quite high. I guess we won't get the chance to
find out. Though I am revealing this personal tragedy to the
masses through this article, if it saves a single life, it will
be worth it. Drop me a line if you want to talk, I would be
happy to hear from you.