Suicide

Lately, either people I know personally or people associated with friends have committed suicide.  In many ways, I can understand why, having had suicidal thoughts shortly after Decker died.

What I can tell my widow buddies out there is this:  what you are experiencing is only a fragment of reality, not in it's entirety.

My experience was looking through life through a tunnel filled with pain, with no end in sight.

Thankfully, I had a good friend who literally shook me into the true reality and out of the suicidal thoughts.

What I can also tell you is this:  you are not alone, you are not forgotten, you are not forsaken.  Not by anyone, including me.  If you need help, ask.

You can call Bishops, Stake Presidents, Relief Society Presidents, other widows in your Ward.

The National Suicide Prevention Hotline:  1-800-273-8255

Priesthood?

During today's Sunday School class it was brought up how important a role the Priesthood of God has in these last days, not only in sharing the Gospel, but also in providing the ordinances to bring people back to God.

Another person in class pointed out the experience of their widowed mother, and how critical the priesthood is for her.

Then I explained to the class how I haven't been home taught or visit taught in years.  Yes, years.

Then a third person spoke up and told me I should rely upon the Lord, not the Priesthood.  This was coming from a sister in the Ward with a husband and children.

Congratulations, people, you now know why so many of the widowed commit suicide.

Enough said.