Yesterday I learned the gruesome fact that a former classmate has commited suicide. The person in question couldn't take the bleakness and hopelessness of his existence anymore.
The death of my grandmother roughly a week ago was sad but expected, and in a morbid way part of a normal life. However, the news that my former classmate - in his early 30's - ended his own life took me (and no doubt many others) completely by surprise. Yes, the life of this person was certainly on a steady nosedive in the last few years with persistent unemployment, the onset of obesity, and depression. Yet, I absolutely didn't expect it would end like this ...
Up until around the year 2013, this person appeared to have a pretty good life with a decent job, outstanding health, and excellent social skills. I have to admit that the downfall of this human being over the last few years induces a certain level of dread into me, as it makes it very clear that nothing in life is certain and things can turn ugly very fast. I can't even imagine the tragedy and sorrow his family currently is going through.
Well, I've learned something in the last 24 hours; depression can be a merciless killer ...
RIP classmate