Tonight, I was going down to the airport to pick up a friend for two weeks of sun and relaxation.
But, I'm not going to.
I'm not going to because instead of a vacation, this week my friend is burying her brother, who committed suicide Friday. He leaves behind a wife and two small children.
She is in a state of shock. She was close to her older brother, and she lost her father two years ago to an illness. No one saw this coming. While he was having problems with his wife, they didn't appear to be ones that were insurmountable. But he hung himself and now, two children are without their father, a wife is now a widow, and a sister and brother are without their big brother.
I feel helpless. I live two thousand miles away, too far to offer any physical support. I've already sent a sympathy card, and talked to her via IM last night. I only know her brother through her IMs, and he seemed like a nice guy.
I just wish I could do more, but here, I am little more then an observer. Going there is impossible, for several reasons. I know she's hurting, and I can't do more then offer a few words of support and comfort. I am also a little depressed for her, knowing that instead of joy this week, she's having to work though the worse someone can know -- the loss of a close family member.
So, why bother? I just needed to vent, to do it in public. There are so very few people I can call friend, and when one hurts, I hurt along with them. This girl has been through so much -- a traumatic experience during High school, her father passing away, and now the loss of her brother. And here I am, unable to do anything real. A card and a few typed words seem so pale, so little. I just needed to put my feelings down in some form. Life can be cruel sometimes, and a lot of times, we can only stand by and watch events unfold and wishing we could do something more.
Her brother is at peace now, but I think it will be a long time before my friend and her family are at peace. I just wish I could take some of that burden from her and place it upon myself. But I am left with only a prayer for his spirit, and a hope that my friend can overcome it.
Craig
But, I'm not going to.
I'm not going to because instead of a vacation, this week my friend is burying her brother, who committed suicide Friday. He leaves behind a wife and two small children.
She is in a state of shock. She was close to her older brother, and she lost her father two years ago to an illness. No one saw this coming. While he was having problems with his wife, they didn't appear to be ones that were insurmountable. But he hung himself and now, two children are without their father, a wife is now a widow, and a sister and brother are without their big brother.
I feel helpless. I live two thousand miles away, too far to offer any physical support. I've already sent a sympathy card, and talked to her via IM last night. I only know her brother through her IMs, and he seemed like a nice guy.
I just wish I could do more, but here, I am little more then an observer. Going there is impossible, for several reasons. I know she's hurting, and I can't do more then offer a few words of support and comfort. I am also a little depressed for her, knowing that instead of joy this week, she's having to work though the worse someone can know -- the loss of a close family member.
So, why bother? I just needed to vent, to do it in public. There are so very few people I can call friend, and when one hurts, I hurt along with them. This girl has been through so much -- a traumatic experience during High school, her father passing away, and now the loss of her brother. And here I am, unable to do anything real. A card and a few typed words seem so pale, so little. I just needed to put my feelings down in some form. Life can be cruel sometimes, and a lot of times, we can only stand by and watch events unfold and wishing we could do something more.
Her brother is at peace now, but I think it will be a long time before my friend and her family are at peace. I just wish I could take some of that burden from her and place it upon myself. But I am left with only a prayer for his spirit, and a hope that my friend can overcome it.
Craig
