On September
29, a young woman of my acquaintance killed herself. I had not met her in real
life but that doesn’t mean I didn’t know her. We had been friends on facebook
for several years and had corresponded frequently. I had learned about her
life, her pups, her house, her job, her fears and hopes.
Amanda was
kind-hearted, intelligent, principled. She worked with animals and loved them. She
had much to offer the world, but the world didn’t seem to want it. Not the
whole world, certainly. She had friends and people who cared about her. But I
believe she felt that there wasn’t a place for her in the world. It is not for
me to address the reasons why she might have felt this way. I know others with the
same reasons who also suffer.
On the day
of the act, she posted a short message on facebook to say goodbye. Despite the
fact that people responded within fifteen minutes and the police were called,
it was too late. I did not find that out until late evening, and now my heart
hurts. I wish the world had been better for her.
All I can
say is, be kind to each other. One thing I try to ask myself when I make
judgements about people from some brief interaction with them, or from just
knowing their opinion about some particular issue, is: “What if you’re wrong?” “What
if that’s not who they really are inside?” I don’t always succeed in doing this
and certainly wish I was much better at it. But I do know, Kindness Matters!
16 comments:
So sorry to hear this but yes, kindness matters!
Sorry to hear that.
Jeff, tremendously.
David J., thanks, man
RIP Amanda
This is heartbreaking. Yes, kindness matters. I try to be kind, but I know I can do better.
That is terrible. We need to reach out in kindness and in love at all times.
It’s so hard. When one of my neighbors killed himself earlier this year, my called it a slammed door. And those left behind are sad, angry, puzzled, bereft all at once. So hard.
Seth, she was a really good person
Livia, it is certainly hard some times
Alex, yes, yes
Rachel, so many questions are raised by such, and no answers to be had
Terribly sorry. As I said on facebook, a friend lost her 17 year old grandson last week. And twenty-five years ago, his aunt at age 20. Horrible.
I'm so sorry, Charles. [hugz] It's terrible when something like that happens. I can imagine how she felt, unfortunately. I have a scar on my wrist that reminds me every day. When you're that depressed and despairing, you can't imagine that anyone would want to help you. It's a horrible feeling.
Angie
I am sorry to hear of this, Charles. Most of the time you don't know what the other is going through. You often come across people with problems but you wouldn't know looking at them. They put up a brave front.
Patti, plenty of pain to go around.
Angie, Yes, I think I can too.
Prashant, so true
Such an important message - thank you!!
Jennifer, a hard one to have to dispense
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