I don’t even know who I’m writing this post for.

All I know is that I can’t stop thinking about events that took place on Saturday and the 3-month old baby who no longer has a mom or a dad to love and protect her.

If you hadn’t already learned about the series of events, a Kansas City Chiefs linebacker fatally shot his girlfriend in front of his own mom, and then drove to a practice facility parking lot where he shot and killed himself in front of the football team’s coach and general manager.

That’s two lives removed from this earth far too early, who are now more recognized than they ever dreamed possible for entirely the wrong reasons.

I can’t stop thinking about an article my friend shared on Facebook about the short- and long-term effects that traumatic brain injury has on the lives of football players. Game Over is the most thorough and thought provoking piece of sports writing I’ve read this year. It’s hard to discredit the inextricable link between athletes who’ve routinely had their bells rung  and the mental aftershock they endure.

It’s hard to accept that my boys want to play football and that they are now old enough to play tackle football like their dad did.

This most recent tragedy makes me think about every person who decides to end their life because of hopelessness, confusion, and mental anguish.

I had an aunt who committed suicide. Without going into much detail, I was very young when she decided that life was too hard to live. I never really knew her. I wished I would have.

I’m confident I know people today who are struggling. Who are too proud or scared to admit how much they hurt.

A fear of mine is that they won’t reach out to someone before they reach for the gun, rope, or pill bottle.

It weighs heavily on my heart that so many hurt so much.

I’ve shared my top three uplifting songs before because I believe so strongly in the influence of music.

I also believe in the power of prayer/reflection and of finding peace in others. I believe that blogging is an outlet for many, including myself, to not only embrace but also to escape from the world in which we live.

Never do I diminish another person’s feelings nor judge a person who wrongly believes there is nothing left in them to give. If you are reading this and suffer a sense of despair, I beg you to consider those in your life who you impact everyday. Do not discredit their need to have YOU in their lives.

“Nothing could be worse than the fear that one had given up too soon, and left one unexpended effort that might have saved the world.” – Jane Addams

We all have something to give to this world, even when that something is unknown to ourselves. Don’t ever give up. You are not alone.

Created by Heidi Woodard