Wow!

That was one of the most powerful essays I've ever read. Thanks for sharing this Daryl. I think we all need to remember that if somebody shows some signs of having a breakdown we should try and help that person rather than leave them to deal with it in disastrous ways themselves.

My brother killed himself just three months ago and nobody ever knew or sensed there was a problem I am so glad that I read this article because even though I am in great pain It felt comforting Daryl, do you believe that this was really Angela getting through to you in your dreams? Daryl I really want to talk to you but this won't allow me to post my email address? Somebody tell me how to find Daryl's email address cause I really need to talk to him

Lisa:

Look at my biography that is right next to my picture and it shows my email address. I would love to talk to you. Yes, I believe Angela was really trying to say something to me through my dreams. I've had many precognitive dreams (dreaming of something before it happens), but that's another article. The point is that dreams are more than dreams. I'm very sorry about your brother. Email me so we can talk some more.

jesus. i couldn't read all of that.

a couple of weeks ago, i saw a man die. he was shot twice in the neck with a rifle right outside of my apartment. i saw him laying the street, twitching a bit, and then he was still.

i try not to think about it too much.

i suggest you do the same.

ok--i actually read it now. damn, man. best thing you've written. at least you got this out of it. suicide will always be a mystery.

i'm sorry for everyone involved.

Absolutely one of the best pieces I've ever encountered on Blogcritics.

Wow!!

This post is one I will not soon forget -- Very vivid and graphic writing, took me right to the scene, Daryl !!!
Just two and a half years ago, I tried to commit suicide myself, using alcohol to get there -- thanks to divine intervention, I was found in a coma in time to prevent the alcohol poisoning death I was seeking -- I am so grateful to God and those who were responsible for taking me to the hospital emergency room in a nearby town for saving my life --
A person who has never experienced such an event cannot possibly know what turns someone's mind into such a desperate state that suicide appears to be the only option, but at the time, it seemed to me as though there was not a living soul on the planet who would even give a damn if I did it.
I thank God every morning for giving me another chance at life, and I pray you will find complete closure from this experience without losing the intensiveness of your response to it. Only people who really DO give a damn can reach out to those who are affected every day by the tragedy of suicide, and help them to realize there is still somebody who cares.

I think most people think about suicide one time or another. I've had highs and lows in my life, but there was a time that was really low and I seriously thought about it, but could never go through with it. I've heard about suicide a lot: my cousin committed suicide because he was gay (I believe that's the reason), a friend of mine committed suicide when I was in high school after receiving a bad report card, and I've heard of countless other suicides. But, until last year, I never actually witnessed a suicide. It was completely different hearing about, then witnessing it. The fact that I could have been in Angela's place was the most scary aspect of all this. If someone hadn't intervened and helped me out, I would have been flying off that roof as well. Klondikekitty and others can identify with that.

I remember having a conversation with an intern in my office. We were talking about how some religions believe that those who take their lives go to a very dark place. He disagreed and said there should be no difference of judgment from the girl I witnessed and the people who jumped from the World Trade Center. "She was running from a fire as well," he said. I disagreed, but after more research and understanding, I've opened my mind more. But I think our conversation about this inspired by dream about being in the World Trade Center. This dream was one of the most vivid, frightening experiences of my life. It was so real that I consider it an experience.

If not the best than this is one of the best pieces of writing I've encountered on Blogcritics. I'm shocked it's not in the Spread The Word section.

Rebecca-thanks for bringing this to my attention.this will sound tasteless but dary, you should sell this for movie rights. the part with the world trade center dream scared the living s*** out of me.

Thanks for posting this great piece, Daryl.

I was very interested to hear this story - it reads really well. I am not sure whether this is a real experience or a work of fiction? I am a reporter with the BBC and the reason i came across it is that I have been looking at making an investigative documentary examining links between the internet and chat rooms / social networking site and suicides here. If anyone has any experience of this I would be grateful to hear from them. Many thanks, Andy.

The issue of suicide raises a lot of issues--none of which are important to the Departed.But you hit on the one issue that really counts--the lasting effects on the people left behind. Nicely done, Daryl.

Oh my God. What a haunting and riveting piece Daryl. Well done.

Daryl, it's clear that your editors hold some grudge against you because this article is now very hard to find on the blogcritics page-this should be at the very top of the page because it is one of the best essays I have read on this site. You would think your editors would want to bring attention to the best writing on their site. Don't worry though because I've shown this to a lot of peopleat work and they all had one common reaction, which was "Wow!"

Rebecca:

I don't think my editors are trying to "hide" the article. Perhaps "suicide" isn't a topic they like to promote. I am really glad that you and everybody else who commented liked it and hope it was just as uplifting as it was depressing,

best damn thing i've read on the internet this year. great job, Daryl!

Thank you so much for writin this piece, Mr. D!

I don't know if you care but you saved my life. I was seriously considering suicide until I read this article, but it really kicked in the hell I would bring on to others. we all need to reach out to someone and this article reached out to me

I am glad this article was put in my email box this evening cause I had a horrible day. This definitely lifted my spirits. It should be made into a movie.

sounds like "The Sixth Sense" to me Boring!

Anybody who commits suicide goes to Hell because its not up to they to take their lives its up to Jesus.

You know, Julie, I always thought it was judgemental people like you who go to Hell.

FJ:

Glad you liked this article. Just remember, this life is just a test. It the afterworld, it won't matter. What happens in this life makes you stronger.

DARYL, WHAT MAKES YOU AN EXPERT OF THE AFTERLIFE? JUDGEING FROM THIS AND YOU'RE OTHER ARTICLES IT SEEMS LIKE YOU THINK YOU ARE AN EXPERT OF EVERYTHING. WELL, YOU'RE NOT!

DO YOU REALIZE THAT TYPING IN ALL CAPS IS SHOUTING? YOUR SPELLING IS ALSO HORRIBLE! GET OFF OF DADDY'S COMPUTER!

"jesus. i couldn't read all of that.

a couple of weeks ago, i saw a man die. he was shot twice in the neck with a rifle right outside of my apartment. i saw him laying the street, twitching a bit, and then he was still."

ZingZing, please get out of Paterson, NJ. There are many other great places to live!

3 years ago, in Downtown Los Angeles, a guy jumped from a building. He jump out of the window and even broke the window. I wonder what was going through his mind.

Sharon:

I remember that! I wasn't there to witness it so it didn't really hit me. I heard about it, talked to others who saw it, etc. It wasn't until I actually witnessed a suicide that it affected my life so much.

Daryl great writing. Were you able to seek some counseling from work to help deal with the situation a little bit or time off?

INCREDIBLE!

They offered counseling, but I don't believe in it. Typical rehearsed b.s. from a counselor: "So, um, how does that make you feel? Ok, how does that make you feel> (then, they stare at you for five minutes). Ok, times up!"

I didn't get time off from work, though they let people who wanted to leave early that day. I delt with this suicide in my own ways, which was haunting at first but worth it in the end.

Good story. Kept me very interested for sure.

I am very ashamed to admit it, but I think about suicide a lot and reading something like this is kind of comforting for me, in a sick sort of way.

This story hit me HARD!! I am only 18 and can honestly say that i know how you felt but the situation was a little different this happened to a person i knew for about 7 years and he didn't jump off a building he hung himself behind my house he had some issues me and my family were trying to help him with by keeping him busy doing work around our house and it all seemed to be working but something went wrong

it has now been 5 months and i still cant get past the horrifying picture burnt into my memory i wish i could remember him as the good kind person he was but the trauma i am facing wont let me I'm just looking for a way to cope with this any pointers?