Copyright – Adam Ickes
He thought most of his clothes were worn out and worthless, just as he was. His boots, however, were almost new. Maybe someone else could get some use out of them.
His watch was cheap. His glasses, broken. His wallet, empty.
He slipped the boots off, lined them up neatly, took a deep breath, and stepped off the high bridge. His body made very little noise as it slipped into the water.
There was no one around to hear, anyway.
Just Writing! 
Nice that he left the boots
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A depressing tale for this time of year. No guardian angel for him.
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I guess no one was hoping to get his wings 🙂
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And just a sad FYI, Iain, this time of the year sees more suicides than any other season. So much sadness for those who have no family, no friends to spend the holiday with.
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Oh why! Why he took this step? A person has to lose all hope to jump off like this. But he was a kind fellow, thought about someone else even before dying.
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That is always the question, especially if there are family members/close friends left to wonder what they missed.
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Dear Linda,
What a sad tale. Well written, though.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Suicide is one of the fastest-growing causes of death, especially among teens. It is beyond sad, especially for those who remain to wonder what they missed, what they didn’t see.
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Well written and poignant, Linda. You leave us to wonder why. Has a lifetime of bad choices left him so alone? Has a cloud of severe depression swept over him? (Though the severely depressed tend not to plan so well.)
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WHY is always the question. And often, there are no clear, definitive answers.
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A sad and poignant tale. Clearly his kindness had not been returned during his lifetime.
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Very sad. Interesting that he would not want the boots to go to waste… well done.
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Thanks, Trent.
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Christmas has that effect on too many people, unfortunately.
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Sadly true.
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So sad he thought himself worthless. He obviously was a kind soul, leaving his boots for someone else before stepping off the bridge. A good reminder to watch those in our sphere. A sad reality during this time of year especially. Gently written.
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Thanks, Brenda. It is sad, and I wish it never happened.
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The close of your excellent story packs a hell of a punch. Not everyone has the luck to find an angel on the bridge.
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Thank you, Jilly. No, no angel looking to get his wings 😦
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Very well done and heartbreaking. Even feeling so alone, he thinks of others… Awful that he felt his life was not worth living/
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Thank you, Dale. You caught what I was trying to portray.
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So very glad I did!
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Sad.
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sad story. it felt like somebody just punched me in the gut.
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It IS a punch in the gut. In my work, I see the survivors. There is very little comfort, except to cry with them and let them tell the story over and over. As we spiral down into a mentality that does not value human life, we’re seeing more and more suicide, especially among teens and even younger. Breaks my heart.
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Good story but sad. Well done. Perfect for prompt.
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Thanks, Oneta.
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I always wonder why some people chose to end their lives.
A story well told.
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Depression is a demon that convinces a person that he is worthless.
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Generous even in death. A kind and considerate man.
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Yes. Yet ineffably sad.
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A tender tale, Linda, handled with kindness.
Nicely done.
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High praise 🙂 Thank you so much.
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That was depressing, and so real, as Christmas period does seem to statistically see a bump in the rate of suicides. Well written.
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Thank you. Yes, Christmas is so difficult for those without family or even a friend. Depression + Christmas+ loneliness. Terrible.
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Very sad, but well written.
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Tired, but selfless. What a great guy when you think about it. I love this.
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Thank you, Violet.
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Again, you stab us in the heart as you gracefully kill off your character! Expertly done.
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Thanks 🙂
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Sadly told
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The selfless act to offer his boots made his suicide even sadder… usually there is a sense of selfishness in suicides, but here I almost feel that there will be no one missing him
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So it would seem, and that contributed, no doubt, to the depression that pushed him off that bridge.
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The result of depression. Especially this time of year.
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Exactly. When depression clouds the mind, rational thinking isn’t always possible.
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So sad. This time of year depression can really hit. This chap was perhaps a little atypical caring that he left the one possession that was worth something. Made it even sadder somehow.
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I love it that you picked up on that detail. Depression and loneliness often lead to irrational choices, but there was still a tiny glimmer of reality for him. Just not big enough.
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So sad! Holidays are difficult for people who are suffering from depression.
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Oh dear, of course he has just gone through a worm hole and return to his planet to visit Zing and Sang, for Christmas – me thinks.
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Well now, James, there’s a happy ending I hadn’t considered 🙂
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Having spent a lot of time in a soup kitchen, I know this kind of character is so very common. Christmas, and other special occasions, always provoke especially sad problems.
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A touching tale, Linda. At least he was thoughtful.
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There is sure a lot of depression out there these days. It’s sad. Good writing though!
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It’s my work, Russell. I’m a therapist in a Christian counseling office. I meet depression daily, and have grown to see it as a living, growing being. Horrible.
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God bless you and the work you do! Not everyone could handle that job (very few probably), so it is a great blessing when those that can, do.
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Thank you. Without the Lord, I couldn’t do it either.
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Oh so tragic! Loved the smooth flow of the narrative
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Thank you!
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Very depressing story, indeed!
Merry Christmas!
Regards, SLSM.
https://stilllovedstillmissed.wordpress.com/
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Depressing, yes. Too real, also yes.
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Very sad but gorgeously written.
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Thank you, Lisa.
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A sad tale that brings the dark side of the holiday season to our attention. The last line is the saddest of all… nobody is around to witness his suicide.
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Exactly my point. Thanks, Magarisa.
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Merry Christmas to you, Linda.
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And to you 🙂
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Heartbreaking story, written beautifully, Linda
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That last line reflects his loneliness, and possibly depression, so well. It is a sad fact of our society that suicides increase during what should be a time of togetherness and giving.
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For those with no family, no friends, it is just something they have to get through. I have two clients who both told me they just go to the movies, go out to eat, go to the movies. My heart breaks for them. The ethics of my profession forbids a secondary relationship with a client. If not for that, I would have invited them to come to us.
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Very poignant, Linda. He must’ve felt really lonely.
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Too lonely to bear. Thanks, Varad.
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Wow, how sad. It’s a wonderful life and it should be cherished.
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Indeed. The sorrow of having no one with whom to share it can be overwhelming.
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Oh dear, such a sad story and happens too often. I knew of a similar case and it had me down for weeks even though the person involved was a friend of friends and I knew her only by sight.
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A life lost so needlessly is always a cause for sorrow.
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Simple and emotive. I liked this story. So much left unsaid.
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So sad, I believe that everyone life is so important and they don’t have any right to take his life. I also have some of the moments in my life that are so depressing and made me think its end. But Life is all about living with emotions. I love the way you narrate the story. Thanks for sharing 🙂
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Thanks for reading and commenting. I appreciate what you have said 🙂
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