Darkness and Suicide

 

I am not sure why, but on the 349th day of 2022, the death of tWitch (the DJ from the Ellen Show, for those not in the know), is hitting me harder than I thought it would.  I was not an avid watcher of the Ellen Show, but I did smile whenever it was on and tWitch was on the screen.  From all accounts, he was a kind, uplifting, inspirational person who cared for others sometimes more than himself.  And, under that infectious smile and those energetic dance moves were some demons.  And, on Tuesday, those demons rose up and Stephen "tWitch" Boss took his own life.  It is a myth that there are more suicides around the holidays, but it is NOT a myth that Seasonal Affective Disorder is a thing, that mental health is something we all need to be more aware of, and that we should all remember that we never know what is going on behind the smiles and laughter we may observe.  My Two for 2022 on 12/15/2022 is darkness and suicide.  Because we should all work together to make lives more brighter and, maybe then, stem the tide.  If you have a minute in this season of giving, consider supporting the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and even participate or sponsor someone in an Out of the Darkness Walk (https://supporting.afsp.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=cms.page&id=1370).  Suicide is painful (regardless of what the theme from M*A*S*H may say) and those left behind are often shattered, confused, and devastated.  I am saying extra prayers for the family (especially the kids) and friends of tWitch.  And I pray for all who have been affected by suicide and are, thus, carrying a grief with them that will never subside.  I hope and pray for a lighter world, and people who can get the help them need, when it is the right time for them to get it and before they decide to leave us far to early.