I saw on Facebook today that it’s Suicide Awareness Month. Why a fall month? Seems more appropriate for a dreary winter month, but, oh well … I cannot allow it to pass without sharing how devastating suicide is. I read somewhere that losing someone to suicide is just like experiencing a suicide bomber exploding a cafe where you’re having lunch. So much devastation. I lost two dear friends to the demon. I pray no one else succumbs. I wrote this short, short story soon after a friend died. We were planning a wine and cheese get-together at her house, including some close friends and neighbors. I still have her last text; she seemed as if she were looking forward to the night.
Graveside Chocolate
I ate chocolate by your grave today, the dark kind from the cute little boutique in Five Points. I ate your favorite, the raspberry-filled hearts, first. Next, I bit into the caramel truffles with starfish imprints and thought about our last beach trip. Remember sand dribbles? The perfect sand castle turret-topper. Your youngest daughter, the sand dribble expert, graduated from high school last weekend. I hugged her for you and whispered, “I know your mom’s so proud!” I hoped she wasn’t thinking what I was thinking … why? Were chocolate and sand castles and graduations not enough to make you stay?
Been there; done that. 