I don't often use this space to discuss the comic. I prefer to let each strip speak for itself. In the case of Faye's past, though, I am really hoping that each and every one of you will stop and think about all the ramifications of her father's suicide. So here goes. Read the comic before you read this newspost. It'll make more sense that way.
Statistically speaking, most suicidal people do present signs of a depressed state of mind before killing themselves (and a significant number of suicides do not leave a note of any sort). However, everyone is different, and Faye's father (assuming her memory is infallible, which it isn't) was evidently either not manifesting "symptoms" or was extremely good at hiding them, for reasons that presumably went into the grave with him.
Imagine for a moment that the one person in your life you trust utterly and love unconditionally suddenly decides they no longer want to be alive, and follow through on that desire. What would such an awful event do to your psyche? How would it affect your interation with other people? What if, because that person didn't leave a note explaining WHY they chose to end their life, you will never be able to
definitively say that it wasn't your fault somehow? How would you get closure? How would you heal? Would you be ABLE to heal?
This is what has happened to Faye, ladies and gentlemen. As she says in panel three, it ruined her life, and the lives of her immediate family in turn. How do you pick up the pieces?
I'm not sure if I'd be able to. We'll just have to hope Faye can do it.
Suicide does more than end one life. It irrevocably changes (and often ruins) the lives of everyone connected to the person committing the act. So please, if you're feeling suicidal yourself or suspect a friend or loved one is,
get help. Suicidology.org is a great resource for learning about the different warning signs of depression and other mental problems and has lots of information and contact numbers where people in crisis can find someone capable to talk to.
My heart goes out to each and every one of you readers who emailed me with stories about friends or loved ones you've lost to suicide.
I know the comic's been pretty dark these past few strips, but I promise that there is light (and humor!) at the end of the tunnel. Some things are obviously going to be different in QC from now on, but that doesn't mean an end to the (hopefully entertaining) jokes and silliness and banter. The vast, vast majority of you all who seem to be enjoying the comic are a tremendous source of happiness for me.
One last note: Junior Senior's new album "Hey Hey My My Yo Yo" is the best party album since the Go! Team's debut last year. It's going to be in my top ten list for 2005 for sure. Go check it out.
See you tomorrow!
