I live in New York City. On the way home from work I saw a woman on the ledge of 7th story building. The episode went on for awhile (about a half hour) people gathered, I watched as perhaps all of you would. Then she jumped. I looked away before she hit the ground.
In time I’m confident that I will turn ome of this into a GQ [ex. all (yes ALL) the woman cried, while the men looked away, soberly; what the Hell does that mean?]. Whatever, I’m in no condition to do this.
Sorry, (upon rereading) nothing to respond to. What does one do after that? Counseling, I guess, thougb I don’t think I need it. I just don’t want to see it again.
I think I know what you mean. I’d feel like I had to stay, just in case I was able to do or say something to prevent it. Somehow, it would also feel…I don’t know, disrespectful to just walk away, like I was leaving her to face death alone.
We can’t know what private pains and private demons were driving her, of course.
But this is why suicide makes me so angry: plenty of people fell last Tuesday from higher than seven stories. All of them would have loved to have the choice not to fall.
When life is so precious, it is a crying shame to see someone end it on purpose.
That’s horrible. I’m sorry she felt she had to do that and I’m sorry that you had to be there to see it. And the crying vs looking away soberly is because guys are raised from the cradle to “tough it out.” They felt the same pain the women did but aren’t “allowed” to show it. I’m happy to see that the recent tragedies are finally breaking down that wall. I have never seen as many guys crying and hugging as I have the past week and we’ll see more. More guys will start thinking, “If that big, tough cop can do it, so can I.”