This post will be short, it has nothing to do with travel, yet I want to scream it.....
This weekend I learned of another young life cut short by suicide. While I didn't personally know this young woman, she was well known by the kids in our church's youth group. When her death was discussed a terrible sadness came up from somewhere deep inside me.
Suddenly I was 12 years old again; sitting at lunch with my friend John Bowler at one of those big cafetorium tables that folded out of the wall.
That is the day John cajoled his teacher if "he were to commit suicide, how would he do it?"
The teacher said, "why even consider something like that?" But John pestered him all day long and finally in frustration the teacher snapped "well I guess I'd climb in a barrel and go over Niagara Falls!"
When we arrived to school the next day we learned John had loaded his dad's gun that night and killed himself.
Please, if you know a teen, young adult (or anyone) who is sending out warning signs (aloof, cutting themselves, whatever), tell them how much they mean to you. Tell them you are there for them. Be direct about intervention. Be a friend.
42 years later, I still believe the world would be a better place if John had joined us on the journey.
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