's MOTD - Suicide

[Guest guest]

's Daily Message

Saturday

July 08, 2006

WITHOUT A GOODBYE

Some people leave us without saying goodbye. These are people who take their

own life. There was a boy that I went all through elementary school with. He

was a very happy boy who was always telling jokes and cutting up. We used to

eat lunch together sometimes, and he never judged me or put me down because

of my weight.

It happened in seventh grade. I was in the schoolyard watching the girls

play volleyball, and suddenly everyone`s eyes looked up at the roof of the

auditorium. There he was, just standing on the roof looking down at all of

us. We all froze as we watched him step off the roof. In an instant, he was

dead. All the nuns ran out and made all of us go back to our classrooms. We

were all in shock.

When I got home, I told my parents what had happened, and I remember my

mother crying, trying to explain to me why some people end their lives on

this earth. I had nightmares about that day standing in the schoolyard and

seeing him fall to the ground.

You know, I haven`t thought about that incident for years, but last week, I

talked to a dear lady on my radio show that brought all those memories back.

Four years ago, Jane`s son reached a point in his life where he just

couldn`t find any reason for living, so he drove down a deserted road,

thought his last thoughts, and said goodbye to the world. Since his death,

Jane`s health has gone downhill. She was full of guilt and sadness.

We talked for a while, and I shared with her my personal and religious views

on suicide. The religion I was raised in condemned suicide and believed the

punishment is hell. Well, I don`t believe that! You see, my God is a very

forgiving God, and I don`t think he punishes people who are so lost.

Remember, he is the light, not the darkness. I told her that her son is in

heaven looking down on her, telling her he loves her so, and I truly think

she believes that, too.

Love,