Wanted to pass this along...

I got sad news today-- a college friend of mine shot himself in a Walmart Parking lot, leaving a note indicating his intentions.  A good guy.  A big heart.  A bit of a loose cannon.  But we loved him.
 
As it was, it was my "day off" (both kids in school) and when I heard the news, I was in the middle of practicing in my usual way - recording a keys track and then adding vox.  I've been under the weather for a bit, and I'm easing back into singing with some covers for practice.
 
I had literally JUST finished tracking the keys and had started to go back and tweak a few finger slips, when a facebook message appeared, giving me the news.
 
Well. 
 
After I processed the information for a few minutes, I realized that the song I'd intended to practice was just exactly how I was feeling.  And so I sang it.  And I posted it to facebook within the hour, and made a couple of people cry and helped a couple of people process their feelings.
 
I left the keys mistakes as they are, and didn't do much, other than two takes and a prefab room verb, because, well... who really gives a sh*t in the grand scheme of things?  Life is messy.  Death is messier.  So be it.
 
What REALLY strikes me, and the purpose of this post is to let you all know that someone out there cares.  Suicide is something we only talk about in hushed tones in the corners of the kitchen, away from the children.  WHY???  People hurt!  People need to be TOLD that they are loved and cared for...
 
So do that.  Listen to this song, and then go tell your people that you love them.
 
Do it for my buddy, Chris.
 
This is for you, Shaggy.  You were loved and you will be missed.  
 
Keys recorded before I knew.  Vox recorded after I knew.
 
(Originally recorded by Over The Rhine, Written by Linford Detweiler, 1995)
 
http://soundcloud.com/julibee/latter-days
 
 

Sorry for your loss, Jules. 

A local 15 year old boy shot and killed himself on Halloween while on the phone arguing with his girlfriend.
Beautiful song and singing from you.

Raw Emotion. Beautifully, sad, sung Julibee.

My thoughts for you, your friend, his family and all those touched by this loss.

It's a beautiful song.

My brother's first wife used a handgun to end her life on my birthday about 20 years ago. I will never forget the feeling I had as I drove the 3 miles to their house upon getting the call. 

She was a troubled soul for most of her adult life, and the demons that haunted her won the battle that day. 

The sadness and strife she left behind continued for many, many years in the lives of those closest to her.

Thank you all for seeing this as I intended.  I appreciate your thoughts.  Herb, I'm very sorry to hear about that.  I had an Uncle that I never even knew-- it's amazing how his presence (and more importantly, his absence) is still with the family.