There's help when you feel helpless

I don't always hear details on the police scanner in the background of my office but for whatever reason I picked up on a call right away while working at the computer Saturday night. Old newspaper habits found me jotting notes from the initial call about 10:15 p.m. by a teenage boy saying his father had shot himself. He and his brother and cousin were in a back bedroom waiting for the police and ambulance to arrive. Their mother was out of town. I jotted down the address and then googled it. The house is on the market and a Realtor's listing came up. It was surrealistic to be looking at pictures of a beautiful luxury home overlooking the lake and picturing those frightened boys in the house. The dispatcher said the boys' grandfather was on his way. Then the dispatcher said neighbors were on the scene and were with the boys in their car in the driveway.
I was struck by the real time / real life drama and tragedy. Those boys' lives will forever be marked by what life was like before their dad and uncle killed himself and after. My heart was breaking for them and everyone who that night would have their lives changed by this suicide. I said a prayer for the boys and their mother. For the neighbors and friends who will spend the next many years wondering if they could have done something, said something, noticed something that would have made a difference in a man's time of despair and hopelessness.

If you or someone you know and love is suffering please seek help.
COEUR D'ALENE AREA Crisis Line 24 hours / 7 days (208) 769-1406, 1-888-769-1405