The taking of one's own life is, I believe, entirely the choice of the individual. I find it neither a selfish act, nor cowardly, nor a sin. I must, often begrudingly, accept the choice of the individual to do with their life and shape their death as they see fit. That said, some who make the choice to commit suicide are not in their right mind. They may be in a fog of physical or emotional pain. The right words, an extended hand, an open ear or heart, may help shift this person into a different (and certainly less permanent) decision.

Thus I write now and mean forever: If you know me (even a little bit) and you're thinking of killing yourself but want to talk to someone, please please please please feel free to talk to me.

We all move through life haunted by the ghosts of those we've known, loved, and lost, or those, now gone, whose work has touched us and made us better humans. The less ghosts the better. You can do your part by using your voice and your social networking forums to say something that matters to those who may need to hear it.