Freeper Obit. TrappedInLiberalHell

12-12-03 | EA

[EggsAckley]

I'm sorry to have to report that one of our own Freepers, TrappedInLiberalHell, has passed away. His profile is HERE

I met Chris this past summer and found him to be a brilliant young man, who unfortunately carried around a lot of painful psychological troubles. He wrote few posts here, but was an active and clever noter, and a very sweet young man.

R.I.P., Chris van Loon
b. 3/2/72, d. 12/9/03

[No Blue States]

Thanks Dead, We will all work out a plan soon.

Fiona will let us know maybe when she gets some rest where we can send something. Im all for whatever She wants done. As well as what freepers chose if She wants flowers sent.

Like You and others I just want to make sure we do send something.

[1st-P-In-The-Pod]

I didn't know this young man, but I can tell by the posts here that he will truly be missed. I am so sorry he is gone, and join you all in hoping he is truly at rest.

[RadioAstronomer]

:-(

One of my very good friends here at work committed suicide. He had a PhD in aerospace engineering, a wonderful home, and was in excellent health. Sometimes you never know.

He did not show up for work for three days, and my manager found him. His girlfriend had left him. We had no idea.

Chris, rest in peace and I impart my deepest sympathies and sadness for you and your family. I understand the pain, I truly do.

Sigh. :-(

[visualops]

Help is available for sure. However, often people don't recognize that depression is the problem, or don't realize how it can distort reality. If one is self-critical, or a perfectionist, or perhaps a bit obsessive-compulsive, simply admitting there may be a problem, or that you can't solve it all by yourself, is a big hurdle.

[ShadowDancer]

From all of us who have ever felt scared. From all of us who have ever been lonely. From all of us who have ever felt lost. From all of us who have ever had just one moment, or many moments, or a lifetime of feeling like we didn't know which way to go or if to go at all. At some point, every one of us is 'all of us'.

You honestly have my thoughts, prayers and hopes. From the deepest part of my heart, I wish you peace and restful sleep and beautiful mornings to come with it someday soon.

[EggsAckley]

Fiona,
I think you can tell by now that your "family" has just grown by many hundreds. These are nice people, yes?

[KangarooJacqui]

What do you think about donations here?

I know his family don't want flowers. And I would rather see something that Chris loved, grow and flourish.

Since the tomato garden is long gone... (he never did post about 2002, but folks, it was a good one, considering he put the plants in late. I made us pasta sauces and other good things for months out of that garden...) FreeRepublic seems the logical choice.

Depression is an insidious disease. I myself suffer from bipolar disorder, so I have every idea what Chris might have been feeling. I also know that I'm angry as well as sad at him... I want to say, "Why did you give up on you, when the rest of us hadn't?"

[DollyCali]

re: your mom.. what a sensitive post. Thank you. I am sure you miss her and at the same time experience anguish to not totally understand the depth of her pain.

sometimes for those in depression we are fish in the mountains, birds in the volcano; starfish in the upper stratosphere... etc.

VERY valid people..just a bit misplaced, misunderstood, out of synch.

This life is short. Eternity is long. Reunions are guaranteed. PTL

[proud American in Canada]

"I'm going to start a wonderful tomato garden dedicated to him."

I will too.

At first I had copied this and I had all kinds of jokes... but then I erased them.

Instead, I think I will plant a tomato plant just for our FRiend... amd make spaghetti sauce from it and give it somwhere...

[cowgirlcutie]

First I would like to say how sorry I am to hear about Chris. May he rest in peace and his family are in my prayers.

Second, I hope I never hear anyone say that PTSD doesn't exist. My 20-year-old daughter was in a hit and run accident where she ended up upside down halfway wrapped around a tree in her truck and she has been diagnosed with it. She lives with the after-effects of this wreck everyday.

[DollyCali]

There are many options available for the $$$ to go to.. let's all put on our thinking caps.. okay?

[Petronski]

You too are so kind. Thanks for the hugs.

I only want to stress that sometimes the loved-one of the depressed can do every saintly thing they can imagine, in the most extraordinary expressions of love and compassion, and still not overcome the relentlessness of the blackness.

There is just no guarantee.

[KangarooJacqui]

"Fiona,
I think you can tell by now that your "family" has just grown by many hundreds. These are nice people, yes?"

I knew these were nice people. I was a lurker, remember? :)

[tiki]

That hits home for me, my sons are a year older and a year younger. I pray for his soul and for his family and friends.

[Brad’s Gramma]

Oh, Fiona, I didn't see that you'd posted or I would have addressed my post to you. I'm so very sorry for your loss. God bless you....hand on to Him real tight now. He'll help you through this.

If there's anything I can do, from CA, I'm here for you, OK?

BG

[Brad’s Gramma]

Thanks, Eggs

[Petronski]

If one is self-critical, or a perfectionist, or perhaps a bit obsessive-compulsive, simply admitting there may be a problem, or that you can't solve it all by yourself, is a big hurdle.

So true. This is why it is important to put the symptoms of depression in a short list where they can meet the gaze of the suffering. I can remember well searching the internet in 1997, learning these things, and over about six months, deciding to reach out.

[EggsAckley]

My pleasure!

[RadioAstronomer]

I know you don't know me but I wish to convey my deepest sympathies and sadness.

Michael

[Petronski]

Symptoms of Depression

persistent sadness or unhappiness
lethargy
loss of interest in previously enjoyable activities
irritability
sudden change in appetite
disruption of normal sleep pattern
physical discomfort
difficulty thinking or concentrating
thoughts of suicide or death.