Many of you may have seen the popular GIF, “Grinning Girl,” at one time or another of this adorable face of Kailia Posey. She was on the TLC show Toddlers and Tiaras. She had just attended prom and found out recently that she had made varsity cheerleader. She also placed second runner up in her state in the “Miss Teen Washington” pageant. A few days later, on May 2, and at the age of 16, she took her own life. She had many professional touring job offers, and her dream was to continue in the entertainment industry while pursuing her commercial pilot license. This beautiful, talented 16-year old who seemed to have it all, didn’t believe she could go on.
Her family was quoted as saying, "Although she was an accomplished teenager with a bright future ahead of her, unfortunately in one impetuous moment, she made the rash decision to end her earthly life."
And of course, we all heard about Naomi Judd. Just weeks after The Judds announced their final tour and only a day before they were set to be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame, sadly after a long time struggle with mental health, Naomi Judd took her own life on April 30, at the age of 76. In a statement, she had said that she struggled with mental health issues “her entire life.”
The stories of suicide are countless … most we'll of course never hear about. The world can be hard. People are struggling. You never know what’s going on in a person’s life. In addition to that, there’s so much hatred in the world right now, simply because someone thinks differently, looks differently, or believes differently.
One of my favorite quotes of all times is below. I hope you always remember:
“To the world you may be one person; but to one person you may be the world.”
― Dr. Seuss
We have to be ready to help those we can. Listen. Care. Love. Be there for them. Sometimes it won’t be enough, but sometimes it will.
Sincerely,
Karen Fauer
UltraGroup, LLC