How Do You Get That Lonely?

Last night W logged onto Facebook and saw that the status of a childhood friend of his read "(name) has committed suicide." There were a number of distressed comments from other friends and relatives that had seen this post, people thinking he was joking, people trying to convince him to call them for support, etc. Ultimately, the friend's cousin posted that he had called his aunt and uncle and, since no one had been able to get hold of him, they were calling a squad car. Shortly thereafter, his cousin and someone who said he was the friend's landlord confirmed that he had indeed taken his life.

From all accounts, he had struggled a great deal throughout his life and recently had ended a relationship. Because he worked the graveyard shift, it was difficult for him to connect regularly with friends so no one truly knew the depths of the depression that led him to suicide.

Since hearing this news, I'm constantly reminded of the lyrics of a country song by Blaine Larsen called How Do You Get That Lonely, which is about a teen's suicide. The lyrics that stick in my head are:

How do you get that lonely
How do you hurt that bad
To make you make the call that having no life at all
Is better than the life that you had
How do you feel so empty
That you can let it all go
How do you get that lonely
And nobody knows?

My heart goes out to his family and friends for this senseless loss. If anyone reading this ever feels as if suicide seems the only solution to your problems, please remember it is never the solution. You are loved and those around you will help you. I promise.

RIP.