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On December 12, 1992, my brother took his
own life......
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 this 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 missed over the decades.
Suicide is permanent. And the effects that it
has on loved ones also lasts over a life time.
My brother was only 22 years old at the time
he chose to commit suicide. I was only 24. 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 suicide might 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 set backs
of a life will never be realized. The
fulfilment 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 who 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 one of the characters on the stage
will not be there to fulfil 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 family tragedy to the masses
through this article, if it saves a single
life, it will be worth it. Drop me a line if
you ever want to talk, I would be happy to
hear from you.
Dave Snape writes for 'All Things
Pondered'. If you would like to use David's
discussion/forums website you can visit him at
www.allthingspondered.com/forums.
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