When Suicide Hits Home

Honestly, I don't even know where or how to start this blog post. Bare with me.

That girl in the picture was someone I met over 10 years ago when I first started working for El Zol. She was a faithful listener and eventually kept in touch and we became friends. Funny how relationships and friendships evolve.

During the past year we spoke often on social media. She had a baby who eventually died from complications after a few months. I remember chatting with her and telling her it would be okay. She said she was trying to stay in good spirits. That gave me peace of mind. She was a sweet loving person and I remember thinking or even questioning why good people sometimes face so much pain? Why is it? I see people out there who set out to do harm. Hurt and NADA yet this great woman was dealing with a heartache that eventually was too much to bare.

I know...I too have had my dark days. I too have felt like giving up. I remember recently having a really tough time. I was at the beach with a group of strangers. People I barely knew and feeling sad. Out of nowhere I looked at all the footprints in the sand. It reminded me of a beautiful poem called "Footprints" and I thought God is carrying me during this moment. Somehow it will be okay. Unfortunately, Not everyone feels like that.

That's where we should all step in as friends and family to be there. Yamel was an angel. Yesterday, when I received a text saying she was sorry for what she did I cried so much.

I felt compelled to write a post on social media. Here's the incredible way God works. About an hour later I received a message from a fan saying she was about to take her life when she saw what I wrote, pills in hand and stopped. We spoke for a couple of hours over instagram. I did my best to convince her it would be okay. I even got personal and told her about some of the tough times and hardships I had been dealing with in the past but faith put me here and we can't walk away just like that. Eventually the woman thanked me for saving her life...I said NO, Jesus saved you. I don't know if she'll eventually get help. I don't know that but what I do know is that we have to put in a little more effort for those in need. Dealing with a death in the family...betrayal all those things can take the most normal person over the edge. Read the signs...Make a call....help before it's too late.