Elizabeth Barrette (ysabetwordsmith) wrote,
Elizabeth Barrette
ysabetwordsmith
  • Mood: pensive

Why I Light a Candle in the Darkness

Someone I know recently lost a relative to suicide. The implications included depression exacerbated by the dire economic slump. I can understand being desperate enough to chew off one's leg to escape a trap, which is what suicide sometimes is. But it's a bitter and miserable thing to be left behind, because the survivors are the ones who have to clean up the mess, emotional and otherwise. So I sympathize with them too.

If you wonder why I write about some of the things I do -- about gender studies and identity and equality, about spirituality and tolerance, about economics and environment and saving the world, about family skills and communication and community -- it's because of things like this. Because I want the world to be a challenging but ultimately worthwhile place to live, that rewards honest work better than chicanery or indolence. Because I don't want it to be a place so devoid of hope and opportunity that desperate people in increasing numbers feel driven to smash the windows of their souls and crawl out through the shards into the everyonder.

We're working on it. Even if I have to walk into the wind with a hand cupped around my little candleflame, I would rather do that than merely sit and curse the dark, because even if it doesn't work, I'll be able to say I tried. And now and then, someone pauses to light a candle from mine ... or relight mine when it's gone out. We are sparks in the darkness. See how we shine.
Tags: community, economics, life lessons, moment of silence, writing
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  • 29 comments

Deleted comment

ysabetwordsmith

*hugs*

ysabetwordsmith

March 4 2009, 22:39:24 UTC 12 years ago

Wow, four is a lot for one person to know. My sympathies.

Deleted comment

ysabetwordsmith

Re: *hugs*

ysabetwordsmith

March 4 2009, 23:08:32 UTC 12 years ago

>> After my ex-husband left me (with a 3 week old baby), I literally lost it. I also suffered from postpartum. <<

Oh, how awful! That would be devastating for anyone. You are lucky to have survived, and your baby is lucky too. *ponder* And me, because I'm glad to know you.

>>Anyway... I'm sorry to ramble on. I just really appreciate you writing this post and all that... Thank you...<<

That's what friends are for. I figured the issue would benefit from some attention.

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