Suicidal Thoughts Recalled by Vice President Joe Biden
Suicidal Thoughts Recalled by Vice President Joe Biden
Suicidal Thoughts Recalled by Joe Biden
Vice President Joe Biden told families of fallen troops his experience of losing his first wife and daughter in a car crash in 1972, at the TAPS National Military Survivor Seminar and Good Grief Camp.
Biden was so depressed from the accident that he admitted having suicidal thoughts: ”It was the first time in my career, in my life, I realized someone could go out — and I probably shouldn’t say this with the press here, but no, but it’s more important, you’re more important. For the first time in my life, I understood how someone could consciously decide to commit suicide.
“I was down in Washington hiring my staff and I got a phone call, saying that my family had been in an accident,” he said. “And just like you guys know by the tone of the phone call, you just knew. You knew when they walked up the path. You knew when the call came. You knew. You just felt it in your bones: Something bad happened. And I knew — I don’t know how I knew, but the caller said my wife is dead. My daughter is dead. And I wasn’t sure how my sons were going to make it. They were Christmas shopping and a tractor trailer broadsided them.
“In one instant, killed two of them and, well…” Biden said, his voice brimming with emotion.
After sharing his tragedy, the vice president ended on a positive note, encouraging listeners to stay strong and understand darkness of losing a loved one .
“Folks, it can and will get better,”
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2 Responses to “Suicidal Thoughts Recalled by Vice President Joe Biden”
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I think this was such a touching speech by the V.P., he is kind and caring and proved it sharing his innermost personal feelings. I myself have very much wanted to take my own life for the past nearly 14 mths since losing my mom. I was her caregiver, she lived with me and was bedridden and needed me by her bedside 24/7. I don’t know how to breathe without her-if I did not have three children I feel beholden to I would easily take my own life to be with her again. Thanks Mr. Biden-thanks for being so real and honest.
Dear Lisa, I hope you are still holding on. About three weeks after your message, my girlfriend was found in her home. young, talented, gorgeous and yet not happy here. I had moved out of state less than two months before because my job required it. her mother told us she did not want us to speak anymore. we had been having problems, many of which i now think were ignited by the stress of my pending departure. you did the best you could do for your mom. you are a good daughter. you didn’t do anything wrong no matter what you did. the point was you were there. you tried. as i write to you, i say these things to myself. there is so much guilt around when someone we love dies because we think we could have, should have done something else. the fact is that in all of our moments we did what we could. we gave what we were able to give in those moments, what we were physically or mentally or emotionally or intellectually able to give. you were right that your kids need you. you know they could get all screwed up if you left suddenly and it could start a terrible chain reaction. my mom went to heaven the fall before last. now my girlfriend who i hadn’t even talked to in weeks because of our struggles and her mom’s interference. surviving my mom’s move, which Mya comforted me through and now this, must be part of my journey. i didn’t think i would survive after my mom moved either, but i did. long enough for this. i’m going to survive this too Lisa. there must be a reason i have experienced this. i know i’m rambling, but perhaps one of the reasons is so that i can try to encourage you. someone told me recently, ‘relationships do not end with death’. honor your mom. keep making her proud. think of the good things she taught you and put them into action. she smiles on you every day, watching and elbowing God in the ribs saying, ”See there, that’s my little girl.” I honor my mom by speaking of her and how genuine she lived, how respectful and full of integrity. i honor my girlfriend by sharing her dreams, her thoughtfulness, her determination and by trying to learn and apply the things she tried to teach me. we have to be here to tell their stories. no one will tell them quite like we will Lisa. So we have to keep their torches lit for them right here. I see your torch for your mom, Lisa. It is beautiful:) Keep good.