â┚¬Å”Love — not dim and blind but so far-seeing that it can glimpse around corners, around bends and twists and illusion; instead of overlooking faults love sees through them to the secret inside.â┚¬Â Ã¢â”šÂ¬Ã¢â‚¬Â¢ Vera Nazarian
I'm participating in the Out of the Darkness Community Walk again this year. You may recall that I did it at the last minute last year, but still managed to get $250 from you fine folks to help the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention of Central Florida. This year, since I've got a little more time, I'm doubling my goal. I hope you'll considering helping, if you can.
You may be familiar with the adorable Davey Wavey. He blogs and vlogs about gay issues, fitness and nutrition and sometimes about happiness in general (usually with his shirt off, which makes me happy). In a post from today, he shares a young man named Connor's coming out story. Connor is also a survivor of suicide. As Davey points out, Connor is mighty brave to share this story and the importance of doing so cannot be overstated.
My life has been deeply affected by the loss of someone I loved. It has been almost 15 years since he took his life and it still haunts me. Last year, I collected money with a goodie-two-shoes optimism and didn't expect to find a healing experience in the act of walking around Lake Baldwinâ┚¬Â¦but I did. As I walked around the Lake Baldwin's beautiful conservation buffer (more of the City of Orlando, please) with friends, I felt strength in our number and the combined energy.
Please don't let this happen to others, we prayed silently. Please help me to not be angry. Please help the missing to be easier, but help me to never forget.
What is most important about Connor's story is also what haunts us: there might have been something we could have done. That is not to say that we claim to be at fault. It is to say we should be aware of our actions. Give lots of hugs â┚¬â€œ you never know how well timed it might be. Love and accept love. Be kind and accept kindness.
None of us are getting out of this alive, but let's at least squeeze it for all it's worth.
Donate to my Out of the Darkness Community Walk fundraising page here.
