In Memory of Rob

Blogging might have to take a back seat for a while. My life has been somewhat topsy turvy as of late and I’m not sure what it’s going to take to get it back on track. Last week was the 2 year anniversary of my brother’s best friend’s death. I didn’t think it would hit me at all, never mind the way it did but since that day I’ve just been hyper-emotional. I’ve never been a very good sleeper, I’d call a good night about 4 hours, but lately it’s been even less than that. Rob, my brother’s best friend, committed suicide just as my brother started taking him to therapy sessions. After Rob passed, my brother went mute for about two months. I don’t think it’s that he couldn’t talk; I think he just didn’t know what to say so he chose not to say anything. I guess the marking of Rob’s death hit me and took me off guard. I almost never go on myspace but for some reason I did last week and I saw that my brother had posted a blog (which basically stated Rob had passed away 2 years ago and that he missed him). I clicked on Rob’s page and saw literally hundreds of comments; all of which were prayers, memories, wishes, and thoughts. Within seconds I burst into tears and continued to sob for the better part of two hours. I’ve lost family members, even friends, to suicide, but for some reason this just hit me like a ton of bricks.
Suicide is always something that is viewed in a negative light, and rightfully so, but can you imagine being so low, so depressed, that you literally cannot bare to live one more day, one more minute? I’ve been depressed, heck, I’ve been suicidal and I know what it’s like to feel so dark and so alone. It’s a terrifying experience and one I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy.
I’ll keep it short since I’m being an uber Debbie Downer. The question I pose today is this: When a friend is depressed, how do you help them? What’s the best way to comfort someone who can’t see the light at the end of the tunnel?

Laugh through the pain…

XOXO - Maxine