July, 16 2020
One of Elliot’s friends graduated from high school and had a party in the park. Elliot’s friends are so talented and full of character. They have bright futures, but they are facing the uncertainty of college during a pandemic. However, there is one certainty. Elliot will not be there with them. Absence will be the constant in the dorms, in our home, at Hy-Vee, in class, and on-line.
A year ago, we put up Elliot’s scholarships and honors. Now we have a certificate that says asphyxiation hiding in my dresser drawer, so we don’t have to look at it.
His friends are at football games and hockey games having fun without him. They are feeling the stresses of finals. They are building and navigating new relationships. Is it ever interrupted with a feeling that he is gone? Do they think of him when the suicide prevention public service announcement comes on the screen? I bet that they do. Maybe they think of him when life is getting hard, and they want to give up. I hope they hear his voice saying, tomorrow is a new day.
