Just yesterday, one of my classmates from high school passed away. His passing provided me with one of the biggest learning experiences I have ever encountered. Never take the ones you love for granted and always reach out to those who are struggling, because you don't know what that could mean.
Manny Vargas graduated from San Marino High School in the 2013 class. He transferred into our high school from a different school district. We had all gone to school together since kindergarten, so it took a lot of courage for him to enter into the social scene. The moment he stepped on campus, his infectious smile and contagious laughter blessed everyone that had the opportunity to know him. He was one of my good friends Freshman year, but we lost contact throughout the years.
On Sunday, Manny popped up on my newsfeed on Facebook. I seriously contemplated messaging him to let him know that I hoped he was doing well, but something inside of me decided not to. I wish so badly that I would have had to the courage to reach out.
On Monday, May 4th, 2015, Manny passed away by suicide. He threw himself in front of a moving train at a station in Los Angeles. I was devastated when I heard the news. It pained me so much to imagine how much sadness he must have felt to do something like that. Manny's smile and laughter will never be forgotten, but he has served to provide us with such a beautiful lesson.
Our time on this earth is limited and we need to remind those we love each and everyday of how much we love them. You never know if it's going to be the last time that you see them. I don't want to go a single day without telling my family and friends how much they mean to me. If I lost them without telling them, I would never forgive myself. Also, it is our duty as humans to help those who need us. I wish that I would've reached out to Manny. Maybe it could have made a difference. I never want anyone who feels that way to feel like they have no other option.
Manny will live on in our hearts. He will be dearly missed. RIP.
I am so sorry to hear that. One of my classmates as well as my aunt also committed suicide while I was high school, so I know how tough it is to experience. It is true that we never really know what someone is feeling. They could seem like one of the happiest people around us, yet be one of the saddest inside. It pains me to know that people that hurt themselves to this extremity feel that they have no other option. They feel like they have no one to talk to because no one will listen or care. Sometimes they know they have people that will listen and care, but often don't want to bother other people with their problems. It is so hard to go through something like that and to think that you knew that person so well, only to find out you really had no idea what was going on in their head.
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry to hear that. One of my classmates as well as my aunt also committed suicide while I was high school, so I know how tough it is to experience. It is true that we never really know what someone is feeling. They could seem like one of the happiest people around us, yet be one of the saddest inside. It pains me to know that people that hurt themselves to this extremity feel that they have no other option. They feel like they have no one to talk to because no one will listen or care. Sometimes they know they have people that will listen and care, but often don't want to bother other people with their problems. It is so hard to go through something like that and to think that you knew that person so well, only to find out you really had no idea what was going on in their head.
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