—Trigger alert—-
On our way to Quaker Meeting on Sunday morning, as we were on an onramp, we saw this–passing the man’s car on the onramp just moments after he jumped to his death. We were fairly sure it was a suicide, but tried to minimize the situation because we didn’t want to freak out the kids.
I found it difficult to concentrate during Worship after having passed this scene. While I respect the difficulty of a suicide choice and I don’t want to trivialize or sensationalize this incident, my heart just aches knowing that someone was hurting so badly.
Note: H/T to John for the link.
Nothing depresses me more than suicide, especially of young, non-terminal people. I’m less bothered when an elderly person commits suicide, especially those dealing with debilitating and/or terminal health problems. In fact, there can even be some dignity in such a suicide, though I may be in the minority with such an opinion.
It bothers me a little that he jumped onto a freeway with passing cars below. I understand several cars struck him. It’s no wonder there wasn’t a serious accident that didn’t cause the death or serious injury of other motorists.
A few years ago a lawyer jumped to his death from the building across the way from my father’s office window on the 25ish floor. He sat on the edge almost all day. My dad found it difficult to concentrate, but eventually tried to force himself to get some work done after a couple of hours had passed. The man jumped later that day, though my dad was not watching when it happened. Not until he read the paper the next day and saw his name did my dad realize he’d known the man.
Matt, I agree with you on the occasional dignity of suicide–especially after having seen the alternative–people waste away while their bodies or brains slowly shut down.
The article says that “several” cars hit the man–I feel deeply for these people as well. I’m sure that their psyches have been deeply hurt by the man’s last act.
Matt: do you think your Dad had regrets afterward because he knew the man? Would he have behaved differently if he’d known that before the man jumped?
Though suicide is certainly a complex issue, I’m always a bit wary of supporting suicide in cases of illness/injury. For example, I wanted to die when I discovered that my leg was amputated. But much of that feeling, in my mind, was the shock & horror of the moment. In time I learned that life as an amputee ain’t that bad. But how many ppl with life-altering health issues (or similar trauma) might think their life is ‘over’ even when it’s not? They may just need time to get perspective on their situation. Thus I don’t support medically-assisted suicide except in cases of late-stage terminal illness.
At the same time, I don’t disparage those of my friends/acquaintances who have tried suicide and/or died by suicide. I only feel awful that their pain has brought them to that point and wish I could do something to take that pain away for them.
Jana, you make some good points. Certainly, suicide is an extreme last resort. I’m guessing your definition or standard of “except in cases of late-stage terminal illness” is the same as mine.
I don’t think my dad knew the man that jumped other than as a passing acquaintance, someone with whom he’d had a few business-related phone conversations. Because there were so many people trying to talk him down (including real friends, co-workers, and fire deparment personnel), I’m doubt my dad could have added anything. Obviously, had it just been my dad and the jumper, he would have approached it differently.
I don’t know if you guys are watching the Burns’ documentary “The War” or not. It is currently running for seven straight nights on KCET. In last night’s episode the Americans bested the Japanese on ______ island. Thousands died on both sides, a tragedy in and of itself, to be sure. However, more tragic to me was watching the hundred or so surviving Japanese soldiers and the 50 or so Japanese women and children who lived on the island commit suicide rather than surrender. Those women and children who chose not to commit suicide were shot by Japanese soldiers, but most voluntarily jumped off the cliff. The cameras caught some of this live.
Even though this event occured more than 50 years ago, I was enveloped by a profound feeling of grief.
Matt:
If we had a TV, I’d probably be watching The War. But as it is, I’m just enjoying others’ comments about it.
Have you seen Elisabeth’s post at FMH about her experience with the documentary? If not, you might want to take a gander:
http://www.feministmormonhousewives.org/?p=1370