Nov

25

Here Today

Filed Under Uncategorized  | Posted by Cara |

Trigger Warning for discussions of suicide



One year ago, one of my closest friends committed suicide.

She was truly one of the best friends I have ever had. I mean that not (just) in terms of closeness, but in terms of quality. I have known few people wiser, more caring, more generous, and more supportive than she was.

It’s particularly interesting to think that she’s the reason this little blog exists at all. I started it because she encouraged me to. I’ve always been the kind of person who needs good, hard, supportive pushes to make big decisions. And she was the kind of person who, if she thought I could do it, I knew I could. I can’t say with any certainty that without her, you’d be able to read this site now. And I can’t even begin to imagine what my life would be like today if that was true.

I wish that I had been able to send her a copy of Yes Means Yes when it came out. I wish that she had been here to read my Yoko Ono series, and to call when Yoko actually emailed me — she would have been one of the very person people I’d have thought of to tell. I wish that she had been able to listen to the Beatles remasters, because I think she would have loved them. I wish that she was going to find out along with the rest of us how Lost will end. I wish that she was still here relaying her funny stories, and giving me advice when I don’t know what to do.

But it’s not something I can change.

I miss you, J. Knowing you, you’d probably laugh and ask why on earth I’d choose a Macca song. But while most of the specific words don’t fit, the general sentiment does. I love you.


(Lyrics)

If you need help, Hopeline.com offers U.S. suicide hotlines, a list of international suicide hotline numbers, and email and online chat support.


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Comments

9 Comments so far

  1. Rosa on November 25, 2009 3:02 pm

    Long-time reader and fan, delurking to say

    Thank you for writing this, Cara, and best wishes to you.

    xx

  2. meloukhia on November 25, 2009 3:06 pm

    I’ve been trying to formulate a comment since you posted this, because, well, I like to acknowledge things, but everything inside my head sounds hopelessly trite and ridiculous when it comes out of my keyboard. (How does that happen?)

    I’m sorry that you lost your friend, Cara. And I’m glad that you had her in your life.

  3. Cara on November 25, 2009 4:00 pm

    Thanks, both of you.

  4. SunlessNick on November 25, 2009 9:31 pm

    [Hug]

  5. Paul on November 25, 2009 11:29 pm

    *hugs*

  6. L on November 26, 2009 4:29 am

    Just the title made me start to tear up, knowing something important was coming. Cara, I’m so sorry for your loss. I’m glad you had her and she had you, yet I’m sad for the way the world works out.

    Hope you are holding up OK.

  7. gemma on November 27, 2009 6:45 am

    [HUGS] x 999

  8. Julian on November 29, 2009 11:23 am

    Dear Cara,

    I’ve lost very significant people, and my life has never been the same. I feel for you. And hope you mostly smile when you think of her. I’m glad she was in your life and I’ll offer up a “thank you” to her, because I love your blog and am so glad you’re writing here. And I have to think she’d miss you just as much.

    Julian

  9. Aed on December 1, 2009 5:14 am

    I just happened to read this post on a very difficult day. The reminder that loved ones are really the left-behind-ones is poignant. (if that makes sense)
    I’m sorry for your loss and thank you for all you do.
    Aed

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