This weekend I am grateful, ever so grateful for my life and my loves.
Yesterday I went to the funeral of a 22 year old young man who took his own life. I taught him at kindergarten eighteen years ago. I can still picture his cheeky little 4 year old face. So great was his anguish and mental health distress in recent months and years that he just couldn't stay. One can't help but be struck by the great irony of a funeral with almost 1000 people there who loved and admired this young man, yet he couldn't find a way to stay. The images that will remain with me from the saddest of afternoons...a family torn apart but managing a group embrace that will keep them together to weather this awful storm and rows and rows of twenty something young men, weeping and sobbing as they farewelled their mate. Utter tragedy. Such a fragile existence we all live.
So, I'm grateful this weekend, for my life and my three great loves, The Captain, The Batsman and The Bowler. My little cricket team.
PS: This is the first time I have joined in the Weekend grateful from Maxabella - I'm grateful for that too.
Oh Sue, how heartbreaking. I'm really sorry to read that.
ReplyDeleteI know I'm grateful for you in my life, there is that!
xo
Oh hon how tragic. The fact that he had a 1000 people and it wasn't enough. Suicide prevention is a cause that simply doesn't get enough funding despite best efforts of so many involved. Hugs to you and his family x
ReplyDeleteSuz thank you for sharing this most timely of posts.
ReplyDeleteIt is a poignant reminder of the fragility of life and to really be present when we are interacting with those whom we care most about.
On a brighter note, I'm looking forward to following along as a Segovian now that I've discovered you via Maxabella's link.
Felicity x
What is it about our society that doesn't know how to give people the appreciation and love of life that they need...there are way too many suicides! So sad. When my middle boy was in big trouble a few years ago I used to think back to that little boy and it encouraged me to keep encouraging him to be the person he can be..I still use that tool to stir me up to imagine them at their very best. Thank God your little cricket team has a great team member like you!
ReplyDeleteSuicide is such a tragedy and the torment that leads to it must be unimaginable :( If only we could raise awareness for suicide prevention and mental health issues everywhere... still too much stigma :(
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to sharing all the ups and downs of this journey with you all
xoxo
Such sadness, Suz and so eloquently written. What a tragedy suicide is. One of the great 'whys?' of life. If only we could reach out without fear.
ReplyDeleteYour blog is lovely and I'm very happy you decided to join in this weekend. x
Thank you so much for your gorgeous message on my blog... coming to see how open and generous the blogging world is :) Our losses are profound but I can't imagine the pain of a family that loses a child to suicide... unimaginable.
ReplyDeleteAll our fingers and toes are crossed for IVF... was told the average is 6 cycles - hopefully I won't have to do that many :(
Thanks again :)) xo