Today, June 9, is the seventh anniversary

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

of my son's suicide. He was 30 years old, and had been suffering from depression that he hid from most people.

The night before, he called me and we talked for well over an hour, the longest conversation we ever had. Much, much later I realized he was telling me goodbye, without actually saying so.

He played Ultimate Frisbee. It's a club game that's popular in colleges. And for his memorial, his friends made a poster blow up of a wonderful picture of him leaping high in a game of Ultimate. He was an excellent player and could jump higher than people a foot or more taller than him. He was 5'11", and yes, he really could jump that high.

I happen to live in a senior facility, and today I brought that poster with me to dinner in the dining room, and showed it to many. It really is a wonderful picture, but I have no idea how to post it here. I'd be open to a PM to help me out.

Here's the most important thing: showing that picture and talking to people about him turned out to be wonderful. I cried a bit at the beginning, but then could simply talk and tell people about him. Tomorrow I will tell my friends here more stories about him. I want, and need to do so.

[yonder]

1. I'm sorry for your loss

[skylucy]

2. What a moving, loving and heartfelt remembrance of your son.

I'm so sorry for your loss, Poindexter.

[Keepthesoulalive]

3. Please tell your stories

We would love to hear them.

[FirstLight]

4. Speaking of loved ones helps heal...

Im sorry for your loss...he sounds like a great guy. So sorry he couldn't find a way past his issues but glad you had that last long talk.

Thank you for sharing your stories with us too

[brer cat]

5. This is a beautiful post, heartwarming as well as heartbreaking.

Thank you or sharing with us.

[godsentme]

6. I love hearing about your son

I really enjoyed your story. I sense a very sweet heart in him.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

7. We had him cremated, and

his ashes were put in glass vials, and we encouraged people at the service to take the vials and spread him around. Well, they did. Mountains, beaches, forests, swamps, you name it, he went there. I was just scrolling back through his FB page, and there's so much that I'd forgotten.

In about 6th grade he started memorizing Pi, you know, 3.14159265359 and on and on forever. Anyway, he recited some 150 digits of Pi in a school talent contest in 7th grade and got a standing ovation.

He played ultimate frisbee, starting in college and continuing to the end. He was very good, and I have a particular photo of him leaping at one of the games. Wow, could he leap.

He had alopecia areata, an auto immune disorder that causes hair loss. He went totally bald at age 10. His older brother also had aa, and it was quite interesting going anywhere with two bald kids. People understandably assume cancer and chemotherapy. So there I was, walking around with two bald kids. People would look at them, look at me, and I could see them thinking, "Oh, my, that poor woman, two of them!" and I'd start giggling because they were the healthiest children ever, never got sick, and I'd see them thinking, "And she handles it so well!" There was nothing to handle, trust me. Oh, and one time, we were flying somewhere. The boys and I were hanging out in the gate area while my husband was getting his ticket rewritten. The gate agents came to us and said, "Here, we have something for you." It was four first class boarding tickets. Yes!

He was wonderful.

[LauraInLA]

8. So, so sorry for your loss.

[HeartsCanHope]

9. My deepest condolences.

I will be thinking of you and your family. I hope someone can help you figure out how to post the poster. Beyond my computer skills, but I would love to see his picture. Could you take a picture of the poster and post that? That might be the easiest way to share it with everyone.

[SheltieLover]

10. Deepest condolences, Poindexter

I am so sorry your precious son struggled with depression & that it overcame him.

I am so glad you and he got to have that long conversation.

Healing vibes on the way to you. I know the pain never stops...

[BaronChocula]

11. I'd be happy to help

post that picture or a picture of the poster. I'm sure we could figure it out through DU Mail.

[Clouds Passing]

12. I'm so sorry for your loss

Your son

So good to be able to talk about it with many others, so much compassion flowing. I go to a grieving group

I know your loss. I lost my son to an od