I Am an Advocate for Life

I am an advocate for life.

Today, I heard of a young woman who committed suicide last night, the same young woman whose brother committed suicide three years before.  I have never met this woman, but my mother has, and she was heartbroken.

Suicide is something that we see in the news, that we hear about from friends and family members, and that we almost immediately hush.  My heart aches whenever I hear about someone who has chosen to end their life because of reasons I will never understand.  It is said that depression is the main reason for suicide, but I have also heard it said that there are millions of people with depression but the only people who commit suicide are the ones who feel the world would be better off without them.

My brothers.  My sisters.  My fellow human beings: you are important.  You are children of God.  You are more important than all the earth and more dazzling than the sun.  Every last one of you, you matter.  Please, do not suffer alone.  Come to me, to your friends, to your family.  Go to someone you trust, someone you admire.  Talk to them.  Talk to me.  I will listen.  You are loved.

And to those who notice someone in distress: go to them.  If you are that trusted someone, listen.  Mourn with them.  Then lift them up.  Rejoice with them.  Smile with them.  Be there for them.  Don't ignore them.

I know my words are inadequate.  I have not been in the terrible situation of knowing someone personally who has taken their own life.  But I do know people who came close, who turned away from that choice because of family and friends who supported them and loved them unconditionally, who knew it was important to recognize the problem and talk it through, who never gave up even though it took months for their loved one to become healthy and happy once more.  Please, let us all be advocates for life, people who lift one another, who speak kindness and open our arms to accept those around us.

I close this post with this video of Josh Groban's song "You Are Loved."  It has gotten me through many hard times, and I hope it helps you in yours.