It is with great sadness that I report the recent suicide death of one of our members, Rob C. Through the years I have known Rob, he has proven to be a great friend to many. He was a valuable member of GAMMA and served tirelessly as a board member for many years. We will all miss Rob very much.
I encourage members to reach out to each other during this time of sadness, whether through personal contact or by posting comments to this message.
Dear Rob C.:
ReplyDeleteYou were my friend. I am so sorry I had no idea you were in such pain and isolation that you would choose to end your own life to escape whatever demons drove you to such a drastic and permanent solution to a possibly temporary situation or set of feelings. I judge you not. I am just shocked as are all your other friends, family and lives you touched. Your big heart and kind smile and frequent encouragement will never be forgotten and I hope that as the days go by I am able to emulate your joyous love of life and treasure the people in it. You were a Giver. ago
You were always the light when someone you knew was in darkness. If only I had known perhaps I could have been the light in your darkness. But suicides always leave more questions than answers and we, the survivors, pick ourselves up and continue to move forward in our own lives; a little less sure- now that we have been forever changed by the loss of a great man in such a tragic way. Your eyes. I still see them. They are bright and you see so clearly. Why does the light in your eyes not diminish? Why will your smile not fade and why do I still hear your heart beat like a b*** drum? Because, Rob, you were here, with us and your life mattered to all you touched. I miss you, my friend. I will never forget you. Many people will never forget you. You were bigger than life and I will always treasure my memories of you. We all will. May your soul be at peace now. May your legacy of love and friendship live on in our hearts. Your pain has ended. Ours has only just begun. Goodbye, my friend.
Ric F.