Ray Ring’s article about his “crazy brother” really
touched me (HCN,
3/31/08). I lost my older sister to suicide this past
Oct. 31, and our mother killed herself when I was 14. I, like Ray,
believe the problems started with childhood emotional traumas that
were never dealt with, and as the years wore on their perception of
experiences were distorted and carried forward into adulthood. My
sister left a journal that covered the last three months of her
life. It showed her descent into hell, her struggle to hang on to
“reality,” and finally her determination to kill herself no matter
the consequences of what she left behind. She lived in Colorado,
and even though she lived in a progressive, educated town, she
absolutely was not able to get the long-term help she needed. It is
all so sad as she left behind two devastated sons and two new
grandkids. Her sensitivity, warped perception and inability to “let
go” are what killed her. I believe she would have made it given
proper treatment over a long period of time, but there was none of
that available.
Anyway, thank you for your frankness and
honesty. I’m sorry for Ray’s brother and family. I hope they are
all at peace in some wonderful place – but I’m not sure about that.
Sandra LeBrun
Taos, New Mexico
This article appeared in the print edition of the magazine with the headline A sister’s suicide.
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