My Lord, what a day. I woke up this morning, checked my Twitter feed, and immediately started freaking the fuck out, because my little sister is currently on a research vessel off the coast of Chile. I called my mom, who’d received an email from her early in the morning saying she was okay, and so then I promptly started freaking out about tsunamis from the earthquake. I twittered about it, and, thank goodness, I had quite a few readers quickly reach out to tell me that the open sea is probably the safest place for her to be right now. I guess ships at sea barely even feel tsunamis — they’re not a problem until they hit the shore. I was incredibly relieved, but my thoughts and prayers are with those impacted in Chile and the surrounding areas. I can’t imagine waking up to this news and not having heard from my loved one in the area, and I know that’s the position other families are in today. And for godsake, people of Hawaii: DO NOT TRY TO SURF THIS. (I know someone will anyway.)
Yet another reason to count my blessings: Marie Osmond’s son, Michael Blosil, jumped from his downtown Los Angeles apartment to his death Friday night. He left behind a note, indicating that his lifelong battle with depression led him to feel he had no friends and would never fit in. This absolutely broke my heart. Any suicide breaks my heart, and it feels like we’ve had so many high-profile suicides lately.
I feel close to this story. I remember when Michael checked into rehab in 2007, and I remember being so impressed with the way Marie handled the situation. I wrote about it back then. “My son Michael is an amazing young man, shown through his courage in facing his issues,” she said. “As his mother, I couldn’t be more proud of him.” I was so very impressed with her grace in the situation, and the way she chose to demonstrate her love for her child. I was impressed with the way the family rallied around their son, how there was no shame or denial, just acknowledgment of his illness and support for his recovery. I’m devastated for her that this was the eventual outcome.
As someone who’s lived through it again and again since my teenage years, I now understand that overcoming depression is a day-by-day fight. I now understand that, when life feels hopeless and dark and cruel, when I feel I cannot and should not have to wake up every day and fight this thing, something sinister inside my mind is lying to me. I understand that I need to reach out to loved ones and allow myself to be cared for and to fight tooth and nail to keep my head above water. It’s still sometimes a brutal fight, and it’s one that I was not in any way prepared for as a teenager, not with all the therapy in the world. I realize today that it is solely by the grace of God that I’m still around, and I feel nothing but sadness for those who lose the battle with such an insidious illness. I wish the Osmonds and Blosils strength and serenity as they navigate this loss.
I miss your posts Beet! Hope your sister’s okay.
This was such a beautiful post. It was very thoughtful and I praise you that you handled it so gracefully and even gave your own story. I suffer with depression as well, and you’re right, it never goes away, but if we’re lucky enough, as it sounds like you are… we have people that will pull us out of our funk if we start sinking too deep. Again thank you.
Beet. I’m glad to hear your sis is OK. Sorry she had to be around for that. Godspeed on her return to you and your family.
JacklynAnn- I love what you said.
Beet thank you so much for writing this post. I also suffer from depression and have lost friends and family members to suicide. It is a life-long battle and I relate to the fight it takes every day to be able to keep yourself from taking this final step. I feel so much for friends and families that have to go through this heartache. Thank you for your beautiful post.
I’m feeling a little tender-hearted today and will have to give this gas bag some support. Hope things stay cool on the personal side.
or you could have said nothing at all.
You’re doing a great job Beet.
Also, I had to look up Blosil because I hadn’t heard it until now.
Nice post Beet. Thanks for sharing part of yourself with us.
what a beautiful post! love ya Beet
I don’t know what to say. This happens every day. Even with the best support, it’s essentially a solitary battle that can be lost so quickly.
THANK YOU. I’m one too. And it’s been really hard lately.
Thank you, Beet. This was a lovely post.
And Beaver State? You matter. You are absolutely worthwhile.
Peace.
Thanks, and same to you. :) It’s good to know there are nice people on the Internet!
Got your back Beav. Do what you like. Don’t feel like you need to do anything to keep any bastard happy. Just let me know.
Hell yes!
OHFG, is this “Let’s suck Beets dick” day?
“M”
More like a day of cunning linguists.
Hey, where’s Roofie? I figured he’d be his usual sensitive asshole self.
Thanks for giving me hope with my depression. It is serious and I’m lucky to have so much support and be alive.
At 16 yo in rehab… Poor kid… His family’s fucked up religion destroyed him and prompted him to take his own life. They are all a bunch of freaks who deserve no mercy and much the less “prayers”.
Thanks Dr. Dip Shit for that insightful commentary based on first-hand knowledge of the situation. When you are burning in hell, you’ll wish you knew a little more about prayer. And learn to use punctuation, you moron.
U are the Deep Shit, dont worry, theres no sugar. Keep eating the official garbage and cry for Marie Osmond.
Another digit. Good luck with that.
It’s nice to see a post that reports a story and also has a personal story. I think the ‘hater’ email comes from all the posts they read that are more in the style of perezhilton.com. Folks, I don’t see a need for posting a negative comment when the evilbeet posting is on the up and up. Thanks for a post that reminds me of the original evil beet gossip page.
What I can’t figure out is why his ‘special underwear’ that Mormons all wear didn’t protect him as it’s supposed to do? I’d have that shit checked out for defects.
Beet- I love your blog so much and I read it everyday. but I have never posted. my daughter suffers from depression too and we do all we can to support and love and care for her. We lost her boyfriend 8 months ago now to suicide and today reading your column reminded me too how precious life is and how lucky I am to have her. I have tears streaming down my face. your post was beautiful! A great big hug go out to you from this Mom, keep fighting the fight it is so worth it!
Good work, Beet. The last paragragh of this story is beautifully stated.
I’ve never liked the Osmonds. But I really feel sorry for Marie. No one
no matter would you think of them should have to bear the heartbreak of losing their child.