Reply #1: an extension: an anti-suicide note

[Lerkfish]

something to send to a loved one who may have attempted suicide (what I sent to a loved one in that situation)

First of all we want you to know that we love you, and that even if life seems dark at times, that too will pass. If you wait, things will always change. Your life is a miracle in the making. Even if it doesn't seem that way all the time, you are a blessing to those who love you. We don't know details of why this happened, and we're not sure that saying something will help, but we do understand despair and we do understand depression (we've had some experience with both of those). But, ultimately, the novel of your life is not even halfway done, keep turning pages and finding out what is in the next chapter!

Life is a mix of experiences, some good, some bad. Sometimes really really good, sometimes really really bad. Sometimes a recipe calls for salt AND sugar, pepper AND sour cream, jalapenos AND lots of water. Even if you loved strawberry ice cream, if that's all you ate for years, well, you get the point. The search for meaning is a good one, but the meaning is NOT found in what happens to us, good or bad. Look around...it rains on good and evil people alike, and the sun shines on good and evil people alike. The meaning is found in the choices we make, in what we create on the canvas of our life. In what we love, in what we despise, in what we learn, in what we regret. We are shaped by our experiences, and we choose the shaping. The grinding stone spins constant, it is our attitude (position) towards it that either sharpens us or blunts our edges beyond usefulness.
We all have our tragedies and our joys, in varying degrees, but to each person the worst tragedy they have is the worst tragedy they have, and the best joy they have is the best joy... Even if it's not as good or bad as the next guy, they aren't the next guy. So, treasure every little blessing, cherish all whom you love (include yourself), do something good or worthwhile with your life, start small. Let bad things become the dust under your feet -- trod over them and give them no heed. In the long run, your life will be happier, independent of surroundings or circumstances.
Because, whether events in our life are predetermined, or random, the fact remains that anything at all can happen to anyone at all. So, since your control is limited in larger things, fix the smaller ones and make them the important things in your life. When riding the roller coaster, instead of white-knuckle clinging to the safety bar, every once in a while, let go and lift your hands in the air and laugh at the sheer fury of your life. It's an adventure, even when it's bad. :)