In 1988, my grandfather shot and killed himself at age 65. He worked in law enforcement and used his own gun. He was a loving, funny and intelligent man who adored his two daughters and his grandchildren.
Afterwards, my grandmother gave the gun to my stepfather, who was supposed to dispose of it…. He didn’t. We didn’t know that Mom had access to it, and she killed herself with the same gun in 2001. She’d always been close to her father.
I know the anger and grief and embarrassment of having a loved one kill themselves. I also know depression and suicidal thoughts all too well … but I have promised myself that I will never give in to those thoughts, for my son’s sake.
I have told my son all about our family history of depression and let him know that medication and therapy do work.
I support red flag laws.
Life is worth living.