Emotional Pain and Suicide

Have you ever felt someones emotional pain so much that it made you burst into uncontrollable tears?

This is what happen to me about 3 weeks ago. My husband and I live in an apartment and there was some plumbing and drywall that needed to be replaced. Our caretaker told us that someone would be coming out to fix it soon and would be given keys to enter our suite in which we agreed.

The worker came in the afternoon and I was already home. He seemed like a nice man and I would guess that he was in his mid-fifties. I sensed something from him, but at first I wasn't sure what it was. We chatted about the apartment, agency and the repairs. He said he was sorry that he didn't come sooner to finish the work. He also mentioned that it was because he had some family problems. I said that it was fine. At that time, I sensed that he didn't really want to talk about it. He just worked and chatted about everyday things.

An hour went by and then my husband arrived home. They talked about the repairs and stuff of that nature too. The man then said he had to get some supplies from his truck and would be back shortly. When he left I said to my husband "something really bad happen and I think it has to do with children". He also sensed that something bad happen. I suddenly felt a rush of emotional pain and burst out into tears. It was like I felt this man's pain for a few minutes. I wiped my tears just as he was coming back in the door.

He then asked us if we wanted these concert tickets. We said sure and thank you and I asked why he couldn't go. All he said was that he couldn't go and would like if we could use them. It was for that evening. We thanked him and invited him to stay and have coffee and a snack but he had refused but said he would be right back. He came back with the tickets and again we thanked him. As he was leaving out the door he said, " I can't go because my daughter committed suicide last night". and shut the door.

We were shocked. I started crying again and went downstairs where he was. He had some of his supplies in the laundry room. I said, I'm so sorry please come back upstairs and talk. I told him he didn't have to finish the work and take time off. He explained that he had to keep moving and working. He said his daughter was thirty years old and had made 2 previous attempts. I believe he said she had 2 children. She suffered from depression and they sought help for her many times. He said he had to go. I gave this stranger a hug and through my tears muttered "take care". I asked him to come back and visit sometime.

That night we went to the concert and I didn't enjoy myself. I just kept thinking of the pain of the family and how the daughter might have been feeling. It was a very sad way to get free tickets.