I hate to come back to blogging this way, but I think its important. Please get help if you are feeling suicidal. If you know someone who needs help, try to make sure they get what they need. This is hitting too close to home. We are a small community and we need to help each other through things, we also need to know that we can lean on our friends for support.
Last night a close friend of mine took his own life.
He was a great guy, an awesome friend and one of the rare people who could regularly put a smile on my face. He was also an active member of the gear community and regularly contributed his time at events.
When something happens like this, it puts so much of the detail about your life and interaction with the person in perspective.
To someone who is in a place so deep and dark, you can be a life line. Any interaction you may have with them is a way to help gently guide them back from the edge. Be part of their life if you can, and just be there to listen, or to sit quietly and be together.
If you know someone who is struggling with depression or in a dark place, reach out to them. The healing process can be long, but it starts with getting them help.
Rest in peace - I'll miss your inappropriate jokes and brutal honesty. I'll miss having my friend who learned to skate and to play hockey with me - that time meant a lot to me.
I hope you find peace and never look back.
-rf
