Everyone has bad days

[xpert11]

DBCowboy, my condolences and thoughts go out to you after the loss of your sister in-law.

[Quantum12]

DBC, Humans are so tough but fragile. Reading this is very sad. May her memory be a blessing.

I feel for you her family and husband.♥️

[Encia22]

That's a tragic loss, DB. Condolences and prayers for you and your family.

Your message needs to be echoed for those in dire situations...

Thread Pinned.

[Ray1990]

Genuinely sorry for your loss DB and I genuinely hope your brother finds all the support he'll need going forward, that's absolutely tragic.

I was reading about the 5:1 ratio of interaction the other day, it's a theory that for every 1 bad interaction we have we'll need around 5 good ones just to keep things on an even level... I can't say that the theory is wrong.

Here's hoping your brother finds all the goodwill he needs in the days ahead.

[argentus]

I had a suicide attempt a while back, not going to talk about it, but I was followed up to the point where my VA councilor would show up at work to talk.

The programs do matter.

There are people trying to help.

Reach out if you need to.

I met the love of my life in Alameda, California.   I had just moved there after leaving college in Logan, Utah.   I felt I needed more ....   diversified influences.    I applied for a night job in a counseling agency.  I think I got the job mostly because I could and still can type like a mad bastard.   She was there.   One of my most frightening encounters was people phoning in that were suicidal.   We had a protocol:   I would NEVER EVER put them on hold, but talk with them, easy, no stress, but alert the counselor on call that I had a hot call.   At that point, they would punch the flashing light and hopefully intercede.    

I had a woman who had left her abusive husband, but having no marketable skills, was in a shelter, and looking at nothing upward for her.   She was at the end of her rope.   I talked with her, and tried to make it conversational.   I will never forget:   She said, "what do you think I should do?   I can't imagine anything that will make this better.   It might be better if I just quit everything."   I said, "well, you and me are talking.  My name is _______.   Soon, there will be a trained counselor that will join this line, but in the meantime, I am curious.. .   what things make you happy (I was just rolling by the seat of my pants).    She was quiet for such a long time that I thought I'd lost her.   

She said, "I like simple things, like coffee and breakfast at Nico's.   I like riding on the ferry when it is cold.  I like driving up highway 1 early in the morning, where I can drive real fast without endangering anyone but myself.   I said, "we have a lot in common!   I like those things also.   Would you think about coming in here and talking with some folks that are better trained than me?  "

She said, "Will you be there?"    I said, "I promise I will be there with you all the way."

She came in.    She later on started a job as an English teacher at the College of Alameda.   I fancied her, but I considered her out of bounds.   She married a man who worked for the county.

My Darlin' worked at the agency of which I was employed.   She reviewed the logs and said, "wow!  you did really good for your first hot call!"    I said, "I never want to do that again. "   She said, "you'll get used to it.   Eventually, you'll come to look for it."   She was right.   I am like that still.   So is she.   We have beed married for  37 years, and help people still, although not formally.

[DBCowboy]

I met the love of my life in Alameda, California.   I had just moved there after leaving college in Logan, Utah.   I felt I needed more ....   diversified influences.    I applied for a night job in a counseling agency.  I think I got the job mostly because I could and still can type like a mad bastard.   She was there.   One of my most frightening encounters was people phoning in that were suicidal.   We had a protocol:   I would NEVER EVER put them on hold, but talk with them, easy, no stress, but alert the counselor on call that I had a hot call.   At that point, they would punch the flashing light and hopefully intercede.    

I had a woman who had left her abusive husband, but having no marketable skills, was in a shelter, and looking at nothing upward for her.   She was at the end of her rope.   I talked with her, and tried to make it conversational.   I will never forget:   She said, "what do you think I should do?   I can't imagine anything that will make this better.   It might be better if I just quit everything."   I said, "well, you and me are talking.  My name is _______.   Soon, there will be a trained counselor that will join this line, but in the meantime, I am curious.. .   what things make you happy (I was just rolling by the seat of my pants).    She was quiet for such a long time that I thought I'd lost her.   

She said, "I like simple things, like coffee and breakfast at Nico's.   I like riding on the ferry when it is cold.  I like driving up highway 1 early in the morning, where I can drive real fast without endangering anyone but myself.   I said, "we have a lot in common!   I like those things also.   Would you think about coming in here and talking with some folks that are better trained than me?  "

She said, "Will you be there?"    I said, "I promise I will be there with you all the way."

She came in.    She later on started a job as an English teacher at the College of Alameda.   I fancied her, but I considered her out of bounds.   She married a man who worked for the county.

My Darlin' worked at the agency of which I was employed.   She reviewed the logs and said, "wow!  you did really good for your first hot call!"    I said, "I never want to do that again. "   She said, "you'll get used to it.   Eventually, you'll come to look for it."   She was right.   I am like that still.   So is she.   We have beed married for  37 years, and help people still, although not formally.

That's nice.

Thanks for sharing that.