tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-792745986850454057.post2891331536385912247..comments2023-06-01T08:48:30.536-07:00Comments on BIKE WITH JACKIE: "Crazy is as crazy does"Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09505661913107994459noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-792745986850454057.post-46088646268591953592010-02-08T15:32:56.994-08:002010-02-08T15:32:56.994-08:00I just found your blog and I am blown away. For yo...I just found your blog and I am blown away. For you to completely understand why, I need you to read my blog called Try this! My site is teterkel.blogspot.com.<br /><br />I was surfing the web and used the same title for one of my own blogs in relation to a suicide attempt that took place with one of my own family members. My brother in law tried to take his own life Dec. 21st this year. He survived and is home now. I am having alot of trouble dealing with it and wrote a blog today about the power of positive thinking and coincidences- I don't believe in coincidences. I believe I was supposed to find this blog on suicide to help me. The title is even one I've used on a draft for another blog of my own. <br /><br />You are probably thinking this is so bizarre but it is helping me get over my anger about my brother in laws attempt. Life is so precious, I only hope that he can find happiness in his new lease on life.<br />KellyKelly McCluskeyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14425127478304084028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-792745986850454057.post-56791926602041744872009-05-31T17:02:11.912-07:002009-05-31T17:02:11.912-07:00Another good point, Kerri. I recall another of my ...Another good point, Kerri. I recall another of my neighbor's offering that for me once. I was having a terrible week, as I recall, and when I got to my mailbox, I just had to sit down. I wanted to cry. A neighbor I didn't know but would see all the time asked a simple, "Are you okay?" I told her I was fine. And, you know, it's been a few years since that happened, but I've never forgotten it. <br /><br />When all the neighbor's got together after Ann's death, she was there. And I mentioned this to her. She didn't remember the moment, but I did. So that's another good point.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09505661913107994459noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-792745986850454057.post-91435854510360722752009-05-31T12:56:21.573-07:002009-05-31T12:56:21.573-07:00ah, Jackie, that's such a hard thing. I am sorry f...ah, Jackie, that's such a hard thing. I am sorry for your losses, too. <br />I'd offer one other thing. Sometimes the person can't talk about what's going on; sometimes people around don't listen or are worn out with listening, or afraid. So the idea I'd offer is compassion, and kindness, taking even the form of a smile for a stranger, or for a friend, or offering a word of thanks, or a compliment. You (the person giving those words) know what your limits are. Maybe that will help, and maybe not. It's not offering to fix anything.<br />It's recognition, though, the seeing of the other person as a fellow traveler, so it speak. Maybe that's someone you see or communicate with often, maybe someone you will never cross paths with again. But you may have lightened the load or opened a door, just for a while.Kerry Dexterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16024934410964947306noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-792745986850454057.post-27100676625924702052009-05-31T11:10:09.304-07:002009-05-31T11:10:09.304-07:00Jennifer, exactly. You can see why people can reac...Jennifer, exactly. You can see why people can reach the point of no return. When we're troubled, yet don't trust anyone or know where to turn, or the people we're turning to aren't "getting it," the solution seems simple. Sad, but simple. I mean, how many times have you been so frustrated, you just tossed your hands into the air and said, "Forget it!" <br /><br />Forget it? It's a common place of residence for those with mental illness. And we do not take good enough care of our mentally ill, no matter the cause. And I do believe those who kill themselves are not okay in the head, whatever you want to call that.<br /><br />Plus, the thing about "getting it"...Too often, we want people to read our minds. Even though Ann was clearly in physical pain, we didn't see her mental anguish. It ain't gonna happen. We have to teach our children before they become adults that this is not going to work for them. Ever. They must speak out. They must share their thoughts, fears and anxieties. <br /><br />They must, as I teach here, use that Expressive voice for themselves. We all must. If we don't, maybe suicide will become the solution for one of us, too.<br /><br />Thanks so much for commenting here today!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09505661913107994459noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-792745986850454057.post-77706781873274506152009-05-31T10:31:21.205-07:002009-05-31T10:31:21.205-07:00Oh, Jackie, what a moving post. I'm so sorry for ...Oh, Jackie, what a moving post. I'm so sorry for your losses -- b/c even if they weren't close friends, the death of anyone can rattle you, esp. when you have all the "what if?" questions rattling around in your head.<br /><br />You hit upon some very powerful stuff. You're right: telling someone to see the doctor, get some help, etc. at a certain point is not helpful at all. I've been there too, and when you're at you're absolute lowest, that last thing in the world you have the energy to do is to fight with insurance companies and to try to find a good counselor. Should you even make it that far, the appt. is often weeks in the future. I've always wondered how many people do something severe in those weeks.<br /><br />I, of course, have no idea what the real story is behind either of these two suicides. But I think it's noteworthy that both had chronic, painful diseases that doctors too often dimiss. Can't help but wonder if their lives would have been better/brighter if they'd had adequate treatment.Jennifer Finkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10568576650343979230noreply@blogger.com