I was honored to be asked to read this poem to kick off the Out of the Darkness Walk for Suicide this year. With the tragic story of Mindy McCready this morning I feel this is very appropriate to share.
 

I Am Alive
By: Jeff Shuck

I may have lost my brother, my sister, my parent, my child, my spouse, my friend, but I am a survivor of the long dark night of unspeakable loss, the unbearable pain, of my own darkness... and I am alive.

I am unwilling to stand idly by and allow shame to defeat love, or silence to defeat action.
I stand for the enlightenment of a society that would hide from suicide, that would avoid, that would pretend... and I am alive.

I am unwilling for my perseverance to be in vain,
unwilling for the passing of my loved one to be in shame.
I loved them more than I loved myself and their life will have meaning in my action. I am resolved..., and I am alive.

In a world blinded by the pursuit of pleasure, I am here to say that people are in pain.
In a world rushing to get ahead, I am here to say that people are being left behind.
In a world obsessed with the value of the market, I am here to speak for the value of life..., and I am alive.

This will be no quiet fight, for I am the voice of audacity in the face of apathy.
I am the spirit of bravery in a world of action. I am a commitment to action in the face of neutrality.

I am out of the darkness; I am into the light. And, I am alive.