I've received a few emails in response to my last post, well my second to last post. While I'm sure the masses enjoyed Jabberjaw, most apparently have not felt moved enough to write me about it.
No, I'm referring to the column about my neighbor's recent suicide, which ran in our local paper last week.
A few of the comments I received:
"I just wanted you to know that I appreciate your thoughts, and I plan to pick up the phone and make dinner plans with a couple friends."
"You did a really good job Joe. It was a moving article. Keep up the good work."
"This e-mail is just to thank you for writing what must have been a very difficult column...Thank you for being brave enough to write that. Much good will come from it, you can be sure. Myself, I did make a couple of calls and also sent a few cards."
So, that's nice. I always appreciate it when people take the time to not only let me know they've read my stuff, but that they actually enjoyed it. If something I've written is able to do a bit of good out there, so much the better.
So to those who have written, or stopped me in Safeway to tell me that you liked the article, I thank you and I appreciate it.
No, I'm not an insensitive, heartless 1970s TV freak... I've been sort of away (one night home, one night at the beach, lather, rinse, repeat all week) and have only just read your article. And wow. Yes.
One of my neighbours committed suicide on Christmas Day 2009 (though she didn't actually die till early January) and, though very ill (with cancer, anorexia...) and surviving numerous attempts, it was still hard to accept.
Was there something someone could have done? I'm tempted to think not, but what if? Could we have done more?
Tough stuff, and your article highlights how hard it can be to really "know" someone. Even if someone looks OK, give them a call, reach out. Because you never know.
Thanks for the reminder.
Posted by: Kirsty | September 02, 2011 at 08:04 AM