It’s as common a phrase as any other in the english language. But the truth is when we speak it into existence, we erase the pain and suffering of those we may not have even known. We diminish their hurt because we, ourselves, cannot understand what we have never felt.
They aren’t cowards. They aren’t monsters. They aren’t sinners or destined for hell. Just like you and me, they are human. The only difference is they fought what you and I didn’t.
I hear time and time again that people commit suicide, but in reality, no crime actually took place. It is not a felony to hold on by a thread for so long until it finally snaps. This whole narrative that people who kill themselves are anything less than human has got to end. And I will make sure that it does.
Don’t get me wrong, I have found myself in some pretty dark places. I’ve gone numb, I’ve faked a smile, I’ve lied and said everything was fine when just minutes before my skin was wet with tears. Because that is a common thing to do when you want to hide the mess that is going on inside.
If you looked at someone lying in a hospital bed, would you tell them they aren’t going to heaven? Would you glance in their eyes and call them weak? Or would you hold their hand and love and appreciate them until their very last breath?
Suicide is a disease. It’s a sickness. Why the world has chosen to look at it any differently is beyond me. My father made a decision that I do not agree with, but I know that life couldn’t have been easy leading up to his final moments.
It’s time we start giving grace to those who went out simply wanting peace.
We Got This 
This is so beautiful. Thank you for sharing your evolving wisdom and love.
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Hey Dylan 🙂
I agree — beautifully written.
Yet at the same time your voice towards the end seems so conclusive, and almost determined, maybe deterministic (or something like that).
There was a philosopher named Wittgenstein who sort of took on the task of looking at language as if it were logical. I think his conclusion (basically, more or less) is that it isn’t.
So what a word means, he sort of said near the end of his work, is circumscribed by the situations in which the word is used. It may seem sloppy, but then again it also seems quite appropriate.
Another philosopher I admire is Socrates. Apparently he was most proud of the fact that the one thing he knew is that he really knew nothing! 😛
I guess this is the point I agree with you most of all on: let’s not *convict* anyone too quick here. In any case, I will certainly not be the first one to start casting stones.
🙂 Norbert
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