Received word this morning going that a close friend of mine decided to end his life last night. Gary came from a broken home and worked for me after he gradusted high school. He was a good kid, that really just needed some guidance and discipline. He was about 25 younger than me, and we had almost a Father / Son relationship. At 22, he decided to join the USMC, which I endorsed wholeheartedly. Fast forward 8 years later and after multiple deployments, he has decided to leave the military. Long story short, he came home broken. Outwardly he was fine, but inside he was struggling with things he had done and seen. I had talked to him several times, made trips to his hometown, and took him hiking, camping, basically anything he wanted to do. He called me Saturday and thanked me for being there for him when he was younger and how much our friendship had meant to him. I didn't like the sound of the conversation, and I tried to get him to meet me somewhere Monday, but he told me he was headed up to some friends for a few days. I told him I was going to be at his place this Saturday and we'd head out somewhere. He said he would call me when he got back home. That was the last I heard
Until his Mom called me today.
I don't normally post a lot, and I'm not really sure why I'm doing this, other than to just tell somebody. I feel like I should have done more. I should have made the 3 hour drive to his house Saturday. I should have made him promise he wasn't going to do anything rash.
So long gone Gary. I hope you find the peace you need, and I'll see you again.
Until his Mom called me today.
I don't normally post a lot, and I'm not really sure why I'm doing this, other than to just tell somebody. I feel like I should have done more. I should have made the 3 hour drive to his house Saturday. I should have made him promise he wasn't going to do anything rash.
So long gone Gary. I hope you find the peace you need, and I'll see you again.