After hearing this week’s news about the tragic deaths of Kate Spade and Anthony Bourdain, I turned to this talk by Melissa D’Arabian. You might remember her as the winner of a season on the Next Food Network Star. While Melissa was in college, her mother took her own life. That devastating event sent her into a decade long spiritual winter.
“Sometimes,” Melissa said, “the only way out…is through.”
Melissa is a very genuine and authentic person of faith, fun to follow on social media, and has used her celebrity platform to make suicide prevention a national conversation. I learned a great deal from this talk about her mother’s suicide and wanted to share it with you. As Melissa said, we all know someone with mental illness. And most everyone can be helped.
Suicide hurts the people left behind more than anyone can understand. My first husband took his own life back in 1984. My kids were very young at the time and it wasn’t easy trying to explain to them that they would never see him again until they followed him to heaven. My daughter refused to talk or listen to anything said about her father for over 25 years. I wish people who are comtemplating taking their own lives would really think about it. There is help for all of them.
Oh Andrea, what a difficult experience. I’m so sorry. I know it was a long time ago, but I’m sure there have been lasting consequences for you and your children. Loved your remark that there is help for those who feel hopeless. Thank you for sharing your story. Warmly, Suzanne
I think almost every has been affected by suicide. I have lost a cousin a brother in law, and a friend . You generally do not have a clue that it may happen and then deal with guilt afterward. Even being a strong Christian it can be difficult to deal with.