I have lost a friend to suicide.

[Ria]

Stephen was my first friend - our moms were pregnant together. Since both our families were Navy, we lived near each other and saw each other often all during our childhoods. These days he lived across the country from me, but we'd see him each summer in Maine (our parents still spend part of each summer together).

Evidently he got the flu and fell behind in his work...he had some type of breakdown. After a week in the hospital he was released. His parents were visiting every day, and his wife had taken time off from work. But no one could reach him, and he took his life yesterday. He was 45 and leaves a wife and adult stepson.

I feel so, so sorry for my Uncle and Aunt (that's what we always called them...we are very close). I sent them an email, and will send a card and flowers. I am devastated.

I don't look forward to telling my children. They loved him to pieces, too.

:(

Ria

[~Puddins~]

Ria,
My heart felt sympathy to you and your adopted family. My thoughts and prayers are with you all as you mourn your friend.

[percytruffle]

I am terribly sorry. Prayers for you and for his family.

[readwithem]

Oh my. I think this is the saddest way to lose a child (not to belittle the pain of losing a child under ANY circumstances). And the pain is unbearable. And the unanswered questions....

[j.griff]

How tragic, I am sorry for your loss. :(

[Colleen in NS]

I know how you feel and I'm sorry for your loss.

[mysticamethyst]

I am so sorry for all of you. There are so many unanswered questions when you lose a loved one to suicide. You all will be in my prayers so that you find peace with such a tragic loss.

[sleepy]

((Ria)) I'm so very sorry...:(

[strider]

(((Ria))))

[Michelle in MO]

for your dear friend's family. What a sad time for you! We will be lifting you and your friend's family up in prayer.

[dirty ethel rackham]

{{Ria}}
I am so sorry for your loss.

[Barb F. PA in AZ]

Oh no, what a terrible, terrible thing. I'm so sorry for your family. You will be in my thoughts today.

Barb

[Old Dominion Heather]

Oh, Ria... I am so sorry.

[Christy B]

It is hard to comprehend that level of despair.

[Kelli in TN]

I am so sorry. What a horrible tragedy. There are no words.

[nancypants]

I am so sorry Ria. :(

[Karenciavo]

{{Ria}} I'm sorry dear.

[Meliss]

I'm very sorry about such a tragic loss!

[Whisperlily]

(((Ria))) I'm so very sorry.

[JudoMom]

I'm so sorry, (((Ria))).

[Doran]

Stephen was my first friend ... I am devastated.

Of course you are! I'm so very sad for you, Ria, and for his family. There are simply no words that can touch this. And, I'm sorry he was in so much pain. My only peace with circumstances like this is to remember that maybe now the person is not so horribly tormented.

Peace,
Doran

[Chris in VA]

I'm so very sorry, Ria. You and yours are in my prayers.

[Kay in Cal]

I'll hold you, your friend, and his family in my prayers.

[Jackie in AR]

I am so very sorry, Ria. ((hugs))

[Tammy in Germany]

I'm so very sorry.

[*anj*]

Oh Ria, that's just terribly, terribly sad. I'm so sorry for your loss. I'll pray for you and for everyone who loved Stephen.

[battlemaiden]

It must really rock you to your core. It is just tragic. I'm so sorry for your loss. I will keep your friend's family in prayer- as well as you and your family.

Jo

[Tammyla]

(((Ria)))

What a terrible loss for everyone. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you.

[Pam "SFSOM" in TN]

Oh, Ria. Peace to you and all those who loved Stephen.

[sdWTMer]

So very sad http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd32/sdwtmer/Crying.jpg

[Mama Bear]

You and both families are in my thoughts and prayers today.

[Mrs. Readsalot]

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. This is so hard to understand. A co-worker of mine took his life and I still struggle to understand it.

[gardenschooler]

I'm so sorry to hear this, Ria. I'll be praying for healing.

[Mekanamom]

I am so, so sorry...

(((hugs)))

[Ria]

Thank you all. I am okay one minute, and completely undone the next. This is so hard. You know, when I was little, every night my parents would come in and pray with me before bed. My prayers were, "God bless (list of direct relatives), Aunt. S, Uncle S, Stephen....

Oh, God. This is just too hard.

Ria

[elizabeth]

I am sorry. I have lived through losing 2 beloved family members to depression coupled with premature dismissal from the hospital. If you can, please read Darkness Visible by William Styron. His memoir helped me the tiniest bit to comprehend what their lives were like with this disease. It breaks my heart to see more and more people having to face this. Peace to you and yours .

[Nancy in NH]

I'm so sorry...
Nancy

[Karin]

Ria, I'm so very sorry to hear this. You, your family and his are in my prayers.

[King Alfred Academy]

I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Warm thoughts and hugs are headed your way.

[Merry]

Ria, It's as if you lost a brother, isn't it? I'm so sorry and pray that there will be peace and acceptance soon.

[OnTheBrink]

Ria, I'm so very sorry for your loss. :(

[Georgie]

My youngest brother (24) also committed suicide recently. To help my children understand why terrible things happen and what to do, we read a wonderful book called: And God Cried Too: a kids book of healing and hope. It was written by a Rabbi Marc Gellman after September 11th. The book does not claim any one religion. It was written for everyone. It helped our family immensely.

[karensk]

So sorry for your loss, Ria....I'll be praying for you & your family as well as his.

[wide eyes & laughter]

So very sorry for your deep loss and grief.

Cheryl

[WTMindy]

Ria, I'm sorry. I will pray for the family and yours!

[Sparkle]

(((Ria))), that is beyond awful. Poor, poor man. I will pray for his family and yours.

[MtnMom]

I am so very sorry. Please know you and all affected are in my prayers.