'Suicide,' A Word

Suicide has to be one of the saddest words in the English language. It’s a word you are never ready to hear. Dr. Scott Hahn, professor at Stevensville University spoke of an episode in his life. He was enroute to a speaking engagement when he decided to stop at a nearby house, at the home of a friend, Dave, who he hadn’t visited with for some time. Dave’s mother invited him in while gesturing up the stairs. She mentioned that Dave was in his room and would be delighted to see him. Dave’s parents were divorced.

Indeed, Dave was very happy to once again see Scott after a long absence. “Were you going places Dave; I noted you have a jacket on?” Time had been spent joyfully reminiscing the years past without communication between the two men. Dave plunged his hand in the pocket of his jacket and pulled out a rope. “I was going out to hang myself. I couldn’t do it yesterday because of children playing nearby.”

Dr. Hahn said he was staggered and felt anesthetized with grief learning the intention of his friend. He struggled for the right words, but instead dissolved in tears as did his young friend.

He may be late for his speech, but he was certain the audience would understand; a tragedy had been prevented that night!

You should not place a friend on a shelf, so to speak, forget him, and then pull him down only when you need him. Oh no, that’s not genuine friendship.

Helen DePuydt is a regular contributor to the Courier and a member of a homesteading family in the Saco area. All of her stories are true.