A Class Athlete 💯🏆

This is James from my middle school yearbook. He was a classmate of mine in Charlotte, Michigan. He was thirteen years old when he died by suicide. James was the first person my age I remember losing that way. His funeral was the first funeral I ever attended. I was in eighth grade. The funeral home was only a couple blocks from the middle school, and the school allowed students to leave during the day if they wanted to attend. I remember walking there. One of the kids who bullied me the most walked beside me. That day, he was different. He talked to me. He was not mean. There was no threat. No cruelty. Just two eighth grade kids walking to a funeral we were not ready to understand. Looking back, I wonder if he was dealing with his own pain too. That does not make the bullying okay. But it reminded me later in life that people can be carrying things we know nothing about. I remember the open casket. I remember looking at James and trying to understand how someone our age could be gone. James was my first moment of trying to understand suicide. Sadly, he would not be the last. I’d guess many of you have a name you still remember too… Someone you loved. Someone you knew. Someone you still think about. If you are struggling right now, please stay. Please talk to someone. Call or text 988. You have a place in this world. You do… Be safe, Trooper Ben #HelpMore