I Heard the News Today, Oh Boy

I just found out (through everyone's favorite social networking site, facebook) that a friend of mine from Durham committed suicide last week. We worked together at Elmo's, and although we weren't best buds, I still consider him a friend. He's good people.

A few years ago I watched a documentary about suicide and the Golden Gate Bridge. It seems it's the most popular destination for suicide -- no kidding. People travel to the Golden Gate specifically to jump off of it. I was afraid when I agreed to watch it that I would spend the entire movie in tears, but I was surprisingly dry-eyed. The filmmakers set up a couple of crews, both on the shore and on the bridge who just sat and waited. They have footage of people jumping; they also have footage of people stopping people from jumping. Whenever possible, the crews themselves step in to stop a suicide. The filmmakers were not trying to glorify suicide, but attempt an understanding of such a violent and extreme action. They talked to witneses, survivors, and family and friends of the dead; in all cases, someone -- often many someones -- were devestated by the event.

Of all the images and lessons, what I remember most is one woman who had just stepped over the railing and was getting ready to jump. A tourit: a big, tall dude, was walking by and suddenly realized what was going on. In an instant, he reached over the edge with one arm and pulled her back to safety. It was that easy.

Everytime I hear of a suicide I wish I could be that man. I just want to reach over the edge and pull whoever it is back to safety. I know that it's rarely ever that easy or uncomplicated, but I will keep watching for my chance.

Darius, you will be missed.