A Drop in the Bucket
So you never know when your neighbor's young bright daughter tries to commit suicide.
Just today I was thinking about what to write about. Many things of importance (to me) came to mind: Cuomo vs TFG and why is TFG not held accountable; Covid-19, Delta and boosters; Anti-vaxxers; and why not tax the rich?
But, near the end of this day, walked out of my apartment and saw cop cars and neighbors all really sad faced and looking at the ground. As it turned out, a young lady tried to commit suicide today. Who would have known? Pretty, young and her whole life ahead of her. But, no. She was done with it all. Shocking? Not so much anymore.
I hadn’t finished my news yesterday, so today, as I viewed twitter, the first post read:
”Just found out the 11 year old boy 2 doors down who was living with his grandparents, hung himself. Sweetest little boy but emotionally troubled and didn't have many friends.”
I worry about all these people. Seems it almost hits close to home as it did for my neighbor’s kid. And, what does one say? Should one even say anything, if you weren’t that close at all? When a child’s heart cries out and is that heavily laden with hurt and hardship it is grotesquely an injustice to them to carry such a heavy burden when life should be at it’s fondest for them, but it isn’t. No friends? Been there. Friends come and go. Some dear ones die on us, some get married and move away, others just fade away into their own pursuits.
People are suffering all over. Whether rich, poor, or somewhere in between. Is Covid-19 to blame? Is it the uproar and unhinged part of society with meanies and attitude? Don’t know, but what I do know is I want to do what I can to stop it, to help out.
But, how does one help? It’s complicated. There’s no one answer. On Twitter one often sees the number to the National Suicide Prevention Hotline which is:
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
Hours: Available 24 hours. Languages: English, Spanish. Learn more
800-273-8255
Yet, it’s difficult to know what to do otherwise. There are so many truly wonderful people out there who consider suicide and who are not talking about it. Then there are others who often say they want to kill themselves, yet, people close to them often ignore their words or don’t know what to do.
Just yesterday we became aware, two officers who fought the insurrectionists on January 6th, 2021, at the Capitol committed suicide. Officer Gunther Hashida, an 18-year veteran on the force, was found dead at his residence Thursday. Another officer, Officer Kyle DeFreytag, was found deceased on Saturday, July 10th, 2021. He had been with the Metro Police Department since November 2016. Also, previous to this: Officer Howie Liebengood, a veteran of the Capitol Police force, and Officer Jeffrey Smith, a veteran of the Metro Police force died around a week later. Officers who gave testimony last week and this week on the events of Jan 6th stated they are continually harassed; not by media, or twitter, but more directly and even from other cops. They’re being harassed by their own as they’re being told you don’t speak to anyone about what goes on. There is an unwritten law that they only speak amongst themselves. Then, they have the Republicans the TFG’s supporters who continually threaten to harm them and their families.
Former FBI people say that we need to support and uphold the police. They do a service for us as no one else can do. And, those who fought during the insurrection of January 6th, need the best mental health professionals to see them through and out of what they have been through.
Yet, the Republican Party continues to downplay the insurrection saying that the people involved in the riot were just tourists visiting the Capitol. How could they say that? We don’t know.
People are really stressed out. Many don’t have anywhere to turn, or at least, they don’t think they do. People are not at all joyous these days. The continuous laughter of children playing outside on hot summer days is but a memory. Children were stressed prior to 2020 around bullying and shootings in school. Now they have more to contend with Covid-19 and Delta. Their freedom to meet and greet with friends at various activities have been hampered.
Everything and everyone is one edge. What’s more, our infrastructure is collapsing and the Democratic Party seems unable to glue it all together. While they’re trying their best; the Republican Party is doing their hardest to stymie all efforts. Tensions in Washington DC; tensions at home.
We need to take a look around and make efforts to be kinder to one another. We need to take notice of children and young people who are struggling. Somehow we need to show initiative to stop the growing numbers of suicide. We need to be more inclusive not exclusive. Mental Health Services and Medical Services should be free to everyone, especially, at this point in time. The devastation brought upon by Covid-19 is overwhelming and should be a top priority to eradicate it from existence. So here, today, I’m sitting with my nightgown on at 4 pm about to take a shower and gads! Should’ve done it hours ago.
Life is different these days wonder if people felt the same with the flu epidemic of 1909? When will we see brighter days? How will society change? Sigh… We have to make our own path along the way and be part of a great solution, not more of the problem. Even if it’s just being smiley, kind, and noticing of the people who bag our food, give us our orders through the drive-through, or making a neighbor a batch of freshly baked cookies, it’s good. Or, how one lady made a batch of vegan peanut butter cookies for her co-worker, that’s God’s spirit, or the divine spirit working within her to make someone feel special. More actions like this need be done. And, the more it is done, the more of a difference towards a better society will come around. And, for those billionaires and millionaires it is a “call to action” to do more for others. And, don’t give me that crap that they have a charity or a foundation. The rest of us know that for the most part many of those charities give kick backs to the owners or their relatives, even if it is against policies.
Betsy DeVos’ parents built hospitals; she charges college students over inflated rates for school loans. Things have changed. A sense of duty and the need to leave the world in better shape then when one came into it is no longer an idea. It seems the new trend is every one for themselves and individualism. While individualism has some good points in theory, it poses more problems for a society than it helps. With America’s capitalism the two are a dangerous mix. It is my belief that Ayn Rand can go to hell.
The opposite of individualism is communism where all assets and goals are shared and controlled by the government. While socialism is a type of communism, social programs, such as Social Security are not communist ideas. Where America is failing is the Republicans call programs that actually help America thrive, such as, Social Security. Social Security provides a safe haven for the elderly and those who are unable to work.
While countries like Denmark and Sweden are excelling in their Democratic ways and their economic and educational goals; America is floundering. No longer do we hold first place, or top ten places, in economic and educational indicators. Why? Why?
Perhaps it is because: Our individualism obscures the societal foundations of health care and puts the kibosh on our broken and unfair health care system. Individualism hurts us in this respect. Especially, with many taking their own lives due to mental health issues, or Covid-19 running amok, or the sheer madness that people go bankrupt using up all their savings after a hospital stay.
This is why we really need to rethink our attitudes and strive for a Medicare for All which I believe Bernie Sanders had it right. Having an inclusive health care system would encourage America to grow and it’s people to be healthier and freer to pursue their dreams. But, currently the American Dream seems to be just like our sleep dreams once one wakes up they’re gone forever. Having an all encompassing health care system will not make us communists or Big Government. It will make us more societally healthy and happy.
Angels and Birds on High
What is beyond the sky when one moves on and dies?
Are there trumpets playing and music blaring?
Is one’s favorite music playing?
Are the choirs of angels inflating our souls to higher peaks of happiness yet unseen?
What happens those who choose to off themselves before their time?
Do they show up at the gates of Heaven or Hell?
Can anyone say, or really tell?
As on Earth they may be missed dearly, or not at all.
Are they suspended in dark animation?
Suffering even more than before?
Don’t know. Can’t tell.
Hope very well that kindness and love is compelled to overwhelm
and hold those broken hearts and meld all wounds.
The heart that no longer beats nor pumps blood
A heart which has been beaten down and felt unloved.
Thank you, Lucy Socha, for reminding me what is IMPORTANT IN LIFE!!
Thank YOU E. Jean as I so value your input. It's really odd that my post today went even further to capture a DM from a band in London called "Snapped Ankles". Apparently, as I was writing for "A Drop in the Bucket" another youth, a daughter of a band member tried to commit suicide. Derren contacted me first after reading one of my twitter posts unrelated to my newsletter. I responded to his DM and shared by newsletter. And, he shared that his band had to cancel this nights performance. He said my newsletter was "this is good" and went on to share it with his twitter followers. It's just odd because the links in the past couple of days to youths attempting suicide is kind of off putting and weird, but it is close to my heart and my tears well up every time. As a society, this is a wake up call to do something to help people contemplating suicide. We need free health care and free mental health care in the United States.
Anyhow, if you'll permit? Once again, I'll share my link to all the people here. Please subscribe, if you will? It's free. And, if possible please share my link for others to subscribe. Thank you. https://lucysocha.substack.com/p/a-drop-in-the-bucket-e59?r=kirqu&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=email&utm_source=copy