Out of Ashes is Redemption

I took this grainy picture today with my cell. Who are these people? Well, I won't tell you in the conventional way.

Remember about a year ago my little freak out after finding out a near and dear friend of mine had attempted suicide? Remember my frustration in the mental health system that lets so many people fall through the cracks? No, this isn't my way of endorsing Obama's health care by any stretch. If you don't remember, just click here. It was a very serious attempt, although she will tell you now and she told me a year ago.....she didn't want to die, she just desperately wanted help to make the pain go away. No one would listen to her until she attempted suicide. What is so scary is she almost succeeded.

The woman you see beautifully dancing with her groom is JP, from last year. A year ago at this time she was on life support clinging to life. This year, she is dancing. I cannot tell you how odd and yet very healing it was to celebrate her wedding day today. I cannot tell you how warm it made me feel to see her father dance with her when a year ago, he was holding her hand while machines kept her alive. What a year. What a story of redemption, and I am so happy for her I could bust open.

Two days ago, almost to the moment, Brian took his life. It did not escape either my husband or myself that today we were facing a dichotomy. The outcomes of two suicide attempts. One was successful and the other wasn't. It was incredibly odd for us.

However, we are beyond blessed and thankful to the core to be able to celebrate JP's wedding. She needed it, deserves full happiness, and truly has come from the depths of hell. Today was her reward for a lot of hard work on herself. Her new husband is nothing but a pillar of support. I have had some tough conversations with him, at her request, telling him what her recovery has been like. He wants to know, she barely remembers super dark times she and I have had. I was amazed as I talked with him his desire and determination to know her, even those dark parts. Out of dark parts come beautiful jewels of success when faced and conquered. God bless you JP!

My husband and I needed it. We needed to see JP happy. We needed to see hope again after talking about nothing but hopelessness since Thursday night.

You have to understand. My husband and I have become surrogate parents to JP over the last several years. We have taken on a roll in JP's life that was sorely and horrifyingly missing in her life. When she met her groom, she brought him to our home immediately to meet him for our approval.

When did I choke and lose it today? JP and her groom came to our table to greet us. We chatted and exchanged pleasantries. My husband, in his God given wisdom, touched her elbow and whispered in her ear, "I am so incredibly proud of you."

Enough said.