Suicide is tragic, perhaps more so when involving a young person. For me, the loss of Jack Lehman hurts more because I know his parents — we’re friends through the Clarkston Village Players.
The Clarkston schools superintendent, high school principal, teacher, and pastor have better words about how to deal with this than I do, in the story “Community support after family tragedy” in today’s edition.
Calvary Evangelical Lutheran Church is also hosting an event in recognition of International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. on Nov. 23, the Saturday before Thanksgiving.
Suicide loss survivors are invited to come together to find connection, understanding, and hope through their shared experience, with a workshop and film by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
The Lehman family shared a quote in the folder prepared for Jack’s funeral at Calvary:
“Impact the world positively everyday with your words, actions, and smiles.”
The least I can do is try to live like that. Not every day, but I was out for a run a couple months ago when I came across a boy on a bicycle.
He asked to borrow my phone to call his mom. His sister had become upset at something and ran away from their house, he told his mother.
He then asked if I would go with him and help look for her.
So I found myself jogging down some of the neighborhood roads looking for someone who hopefully wanted to be found, along with the boy on his bike.
The mom soon showed up in her truck and the boy went home. Then she asked if I could get in and continue to help look. So I got in and tried to help.
She also called police and soon a county deputy drove up and he helped look too.
I checked the library before heading back to the newspaper office, but was unsuccessful in locating the girl. Hopefully she was found OK. Nothing showed up in the police reports or anything so I’m hoping for the best.
Calvary Lutheran is at 6805 Bluegrass Drive. Call them at 248-625-3288 for more information.