Come on and we'll sing, like we were free Push the pedal down watch the world around fly by us Come on and we'll try, one last time

Most of you know about my volunteer work and what that involves. So, I just wanted to take a moment and remember one of the consumers who I have spoken with in the past who died a few days ago. Mental illness is so complex and heartbreaking. Sometimes the pain of living is just too great. It’s sometimes hard to imagine such a thing, but if you have ever known someone who has suffered from a mental illness, daily living is more often than not, a battle against yourself. Imagine such a life.

I had an uncle who suffered from a mental illness and I had first met him when I was in Fiji a few years back. I stayed a few days at his house and he was such a good guy. He had a little business with his two boys, who were probably about 10 and 12 years old. It was a mobile video rental business. He’d take the boys out to their regular customers and rent out and exchange videos. They made some good money and I thought what a great business idea that was in the area they lived in. I saw him come back with his boys this one day and the boys brought out 3 money jars (one belonged to each of them and one for their little sister). With their dad, they divided up the money and each got a share for their ‘money jar’. It was so touching to be able to witness that. There was so much joy and accomplishment in the eyes of the boys with their father. I think of some kids I know and have met who get everything they ask for and more and they are not taught the value of work or money. It makes me think that sometimes the seemingly poor are the richest people that you could know. My uncle was a good man and he suffered too – he took his life a couple of years ago around Christmas time. I try to remember him around that time each year. So tonight, I just want to remember those who have tried to live.