Tomorrow morning Grownup Girl and I are off. San Diego to Chicago in 4 days via Green River, Utah; Fort Collins, Colorado and Omaha, Nebraska. One of the ways blogging has changed my life is that no matter where I go there's somebody new I want to meet. This trip I'm hooking up with Kelly of Glass Dragonfly and the big, blue head herself, Blognut. Good times.
I had something else to write tonight, but I'm reeling from some terrible news. These are not people I know well, but still . . .
The older brother of a boy GuG went to kindergarten with committed suicide. I haven't talked to his mother in years, but I just cannot get her sweet smile out of my mind.
An acquaintance of MVP's, about to be a senior in high school, also committed suicide.
My heart aches for the parents and other family members of these two. To lose a child would seem the worst thing that could possibly happen until you contemplate losing a child to suicide. The horror and the helplessness they must feel are just haunting me.
Yes, that is sad, really sad.
Safe travels, J.
Posted by: mrs. g. | August 27, 2009 at 01:11 AM
How terribly sad... that family is in my thoughts.
Enjoy your trip!
Posted by: jenn | August 27, 2009 at 07:04 AM
Sobering news.
Have a good trip – enjoy your irl blog meet up.
Posted by: Christiane | August 27, 2009 at 07:44 AM
Such sad news...breaks my heart for the families as well.
I hope you have a fun and safe trip.
Suz
Posted by: busy bee suz | August 27, 2009 at 08:29 AM
That is just horrible. The parents must feel such guilt and confusion. It is hard to imagine what would make someone do that. Especially when they are so young and have their whole life ahead of them.
Have a wonderful trip! Look forward to seeing the pictures and hearing the stories when you return.
Posted by: jenrantsraves | August 27, 2009 at 08:34 AM
Oh, no... This sort of news always affects me, too. It really has to be the worst thing a parent could have to deal with. I'm going to make sure and give Critter an extra hug tonight.
Posted by: ~annie | August 27, 2009 at 08:48 AM
So very sad. I can't imagine the pain.
Travel safely.
Posted by: imom | August 27, 2009 at 10:17 AM
From happy to sad in the same post.
Have a safe trip!
Posted by: Smalltown Mom | August 27, 2009 at 10:27 AM
I'm so sorry to hear that - yes, it always pierces the heart even more when it's suicide. Those poor parents. Ugh.
I hope you can shake off the sadness and enjoy your trip.
Posted by: Chrisitna | August 27, 2009 at 10:40 AM
I can't imagine what those families are going through - it's awful.
See you soon!
Posted by: blognut | August 27, 2009 at 11:22 AM
Jenn, I hope you and GuG have a wonderful trip. I also hope next time you come through Colorado I'm a little less beginning-of-school frazzled, and we can hook up!
I'm sorry about your friends...that is truly awful.
Posted by: Shelley | August 27, 2009 at 11:41 AM
WoW! That sounds like a lot of fun! But what horrible news before you go! I cannot even imagine what it must feel like to be those parents and family. Hugs!
Posted by: MissM | August 27, 2009 at 02:49 PM
Even though my own trial seems unimaginable to many, that situation is unimaginable to me.
Tell me about your trip. I have not been reading blogs much lately.
KEEP BELIEVING
Posted by: Angie @ KEEP BELIEVING | August 27, 2009 at 02:53 PM
Have a safe trip.
I've been on the fringes of a number of teenage-suicides by now and the pain never gets any less palpable.
Posted by: allmycke | August 27, 2009 at 03:14 PM
meeting bloggers that i feel connected to is one of my most favorite thing in the world.
i'm so sorry for your friends. my thoughts are with them, and with you as you go through it as well.
Posted by: Yo is Me | August 27, 2009 at 04:49 PM
Sobering and sad news to begin your trip with... I cannot fathom the pain those families are going through.
I'm glad you have happy occasions ahead of you on this trip. Meeting other bloggers has been a wonderful experience this summer.
Wishing you safe travels
Posted by: kcinnova | August 27, 2009 at 06:06 PM
That's the worst kind of news. I'm sorry.
I hope you have fun on your trip--what am I saying? OF COURSE you will!!!
Posted by: Green Girl in Wisconsin | August 27, 2009 at 10:18 PM
I can only imagine how those mothers feel and it's heartbreaking.
I think of all those fresh faces in Toots' kindergarten class and it hurts even more to think of any of them gone some years from now.
...
Still....have a great trip with GuG! Drive safe!
Posted by: San Diego Momma | August 27, 2009 at 11:46 PM
I'm so sorry for those families.
As for you, I hope you find peace and joy on your road trip.
Posted by: Jen on the Edge | August 28, 2009 at 07:28 AM
The stuff of parental nightmares. Be safe.
Posted by: Fannie | August 28, 2009 at 05:04 PM
Oh, I'm so sorry - that is terrible. I think any loss makes you imagine the heartbreak you'd feel, and when you know the person, even if it's not that well, it is all the more personalized. Those poor people. How terrible.
Posted by: madmad | August 30, 2009 at 09:22 AM