Recently a business owner in Florida that everyone seemed to like committed suicide. In July 2006, Bull the original owner of Thunder Roads Florida, a guy that loved life and motorcycling…who was leaving the next Tuesday for his first trip to Sturgis shot himself. A week before that trip! He also was looking forward to an all-expense paid trip to the Playboy Mansion the following month. None of that mattered that Tuesday night. I can instantly think of at least 15 people that I knew well who tragically took their own life, one was just a child of 14, another a young cute girl in her 20’s hung herself. And the reason that I am writing this is: 49,000 people end their own life on average each year. 132 in the USA a day! 22 veterans a day! When I first wrote of Bull’s death, I wanted people who think of taking their life to know the pain they are trying to end is like a torch passed to those they leave behind. Their mothers are in shock. Their loved ones in total grief and disbelief. Their children have forever lost a parent they need! I lived it. Suicide totally changes those you leave behind. Reach out to someone if you need help dealing with despair. I Googled how many suicides a day in the US and a recording came on instantly before the information telling me to call a hotline for help 988 is the number to call! Or tell a friend. Depression is real…it is draining…and those that suffer feel hopeless. Another sunrise is only a phone call away.

Hold your friends close, call your mom and don’t forget your sunscreen…