Saturday, January 06, 2007

The Importance of Knowing Love

Today I attended the memorial service for a friend of mine. He committed suicide. The family and friends who survived his suicide commented on how hurt and angry they were that he killed himself. They love him dearly. Unfortunately, he had not internalized their love so that he had no sustenance during his time of despair.

To allow onself to be loved can be as much of a gift as giving love.

6 comments:

C-dell said...

I am sorry to hear about your friend. I am sure he did not mean to hurt you all. You are absolutely right people need love just as much as they want to give it.

Anonymous said...

c-dell -- thanks for the supportive words.

Dan said...

I wonder if we can actually love if we don't allow ourselves to be loved? It might be two sides of the same coin. Can't have a coin with just tails.

So sorry to hear about your friend's death.

Mrs. Joseph aka SackJo22 said...

Dan -- Maybe your right. Maybe the love of the beloved who can not internalize love is merely a narcissistic projection of the unknowingly beloved's need for love, and like most projections merely an illusion without true substance.

Anonymous said...

mmmmm.......as one who suffers from a mood disorder, I can honestly say that there are times, moments, when things (biochemical neurotransmitters) get so out of whack, that my perception of reality alters to the degree that suicide is a very valid option - especially since physically I am suffering as much as I am emotionally.....I am sorrowed by your friend's tragedy.......

MARLENE said...

sorry for your friends,though several days late. the issue of suicide has long been the topic,i doubt since when i was rather young,i even thought of it.but i think it should account for the bug of education, which ignored to form the sense of respect towards life ,in the first concern! as a kid grows, the first thing to learn should be the appreciation to beings.