A Respite From the Darkness

We all live in a complicated world.  You never know what people carry with them, how life has shocked them, and the braveness they must have in navigating an ordinary life within the burden of loss.  On Sunday, at the third annual Out of The Darkness Walk, over 900 walkers gathered at Oakwood High School to bring awareness to the plight of suicide.  In the warmed fall air, beneath the cloudless brilliant sky, people came with their stories of loved ones lost. Some came willing to acknowledge their own struggles with despair, and some came simply to support.  The air was filled with the byproduct of love, which is often difficult.

Making its debut was the traveling art exhibit, Signs of Suicide (SOS), created by local artists of the K-9 Gallery.  The collection of painted panels manifesting the language of suicide through art was breathtaking.  This exhibit will travel throughout our community over the next year.  Such creativity could only come from those who have been touched by suicide, and helps to give permission to talk about this difficult subject. Currently, the exhibit is on display at Oakwood High School this week.

I walked with those wearing buttons naming the person of their intention.  There were others, who joined as a team, wearing t-shirts with the name and symbolic imagery of a person who lived so vibrantly in their lives now gone.  Tears flowed as they talked of their brother, mother, father or loved one who couldn’t rise above their despair and succumbed to a life-ending resolution.  The pain was palpable as I asked them about their person, but it seemed each time we continued to talk, their tears turned to smiles as memories of better days, the greater essence of life, and lingering presence of how important this person remains allowed joy to rise.  I was so happy that the process of grief allowed hundreds to come to this place where at least for this day, those lost would not remain in the shadows of sorrow; rather, courage born by transcending love inspired hundreds to gather hoping to make a difference.

This year, the walk raised over $46,000, exceeding a target by $11,000. The money will go to the American Foundation to Prevent Suicide, (AFSP.org).  Their bold goal is to reduce the incidence of suicide in the US 20% by 2025.  Here in Dayton, over the last three years, the walk has raised over $100,000 for this purpose.

For those who have been touched by loss, we hope the opportunity to share stories will help to heal the still raw and broken places we hold.  This walk gave the opportunity to know we are not alone after all.  Our wilted hearts, at least for this afternoon, bloomed beneath the brilliant sky as the ability to heal was just within reach of the person right by our side.

In the aftermath of the walk, we hope those lost to despair can be renewed, those bound by chains of shame may find self-respect; and that together, we can continue to bring awareness to this epidemic.  Let us be strong together as we put one foot in front of the other. I’ll see you next year.