Uncomfortable issue

As the father of a son who committed suicide, I read Saturday’s guest column by David Kelley on the issue with great interest. Discussing this uncomfortable issue is important.

Equally important is to express a different opinion on the matter, if you have one. My opinion on this is no more, or less, valid than the author’s, but it is different. I respectfully disagree with the idea that the author’s brother “made a choice” when he committed suicide.

Also unlike the author, I have great sympathy for my son, not for where I believe he is now, but for his internal struggles while he was here.

My son was handsome, smart, witty, a star basketball player, very popular and had a loving family. So one could easily ask, “Why would he do that with so much for which to live?”

Frankly, we may never truly know the answer to that question, but if I could use one word that might provide an answer, it’s “torment.”

What we do know from those who have earnestly attempted, but failed, at suicide is that the torment is so great they believe there is no other option. In my opinion, if someone doesn’t believe there’s an option, then there’s no choice to make. And the inability to see a way out other than death is a torment most of us can’t even fathom.

Has it been easy picking up the pieces? No.

But he’ll never lose my sympathy for the torment he dealt with while here. And I’ll always be grateful for the peace I believe he has now. TOMMY FOLTZ

Little Rock