So a young boy who went to the same high school as me killed himself tonight. I won’t mention any names, because I’d rather not appear to be jumping on the grief wagon. I didn’t know him, but there’s something about his death that makes me think and most of all, feel.
People are saying that bullying may have been what pushed him over the edge. I remember what it’s like to be bullied, and I know how cruel of an environment a public school can be. It brings out the worst in people. He did not deserve this. No one deserves this. No one should be made to feel so terrible that they could want to die.
I just want to remind people that sometimes the people they see every single day might be suffering inside, fighting a silent battle and losing. It is for this reason that we need to be kind to one another rather than nasty as human beings are wont to be. We need to be as patient and understanding as we can, and we need to be fierce friends to the people that mean something to us and show them how much they matter.
Life is a gift, but sometimes people need to be reminded of that. It’s surprisingly easy to forget the beauty of this world when one is feeling so much pain. Reach out to people, show them that there is someone out there, in their life even, who is genuine and whole and ready to help them through.
And to this young man: I am so sorry about what happened to you. It’s hard to find the right words to express what I feel for you, but know that I do feel it, something profound. You are not the first person to have felt this way, and you will not be the last. You weren’t alone. I wish I could have told you something, and I’m sorry if nobody did or could.
And to anyone like this young man: Please don’t give up. Find someone to talk to and remember your friendships. If you don’t feel that you can talk to anyone you know, there are so many very good hotlines out there. There are humans somewhere who care about other humans, and we need that personal interaction to survive. Know that life gets better, you should just take positive steps toward living it for you and your happiness. This world is wide open, and you can do anything in it, regardless of how oppressive certain parts of it may seem. And while I know I’ve risked sounding so cliche with every sentence I’ve typed (but please take my words in all seriousness; they are from the heart), here it is at last: You’re not alone.
People are saying that bullying may have been what pushed him over the edge. I remember what it’s like to be bullied, and I know how cruel of an environment a public school can be. It brings out the worst in people. He did not deserve this. No one deserves this. No one should be made to feel so terrible that they could want to die.
I just want to remind people that sometimes the people they see every single day might be suffering inside, fighting a silent battle and losing. It is for this reason that we need to be kind to one another rather than nasty as human beings are wont to be. We need to be as patient and understanding as we can, and we need to be fierce friends to the people that mean something to us and show them how much they matter.
Life is a gift, but sometimes people need to be reminded of that. It’s surprisingly easy to forget the beauty of this world when one is feeling so much pain. Reach out to people, show them that there is someone out there, in their life even, who is genuine and whole and ready to help them through.
And to this young man: I am so sorry about what happened to you. It’s hard to find the right words to express what I feel for you, but know that I do feel it, something profound. You are not the first person to have felt this way, and you will not be the last. You weren’t alone. I wish I could have told you something, and I’m sorry if nobody did or could.
And to anyone like this young man: Please don’t give up. Find someone to talk to and remember your friendships. If you don’t feel that you can talk to anyone you know, there are so many very good hotlines out there. There are humans somewhere who care about other humans, and we need that personal interaction to survive. Know that life gets better, you should just take positive steps toward living it for you and your happiness. This world is wide open, and you can do anything in it, regardless of how oppressive certain parts of it may seem. And while I know I’ve risked sounding so cliche with every sentence I’ve typed (but please take my words in all seriousness; they are from the heart), here it is at last: You’re not alone.