This week has been a gut puncher. Two high profile suicides. What is going on here???
I didn’t know Kate Spade personally, but I know and love her brand. Like everyone else, I felt like she was the embodiment of that brand because she always looked so put together and just downright happy. She designed simple yet whimsical handbags and accessories that were affordable luxury. I was drawn to them mostly because I could usually find one that wasn’t exactly like what everyone else was carrying (looking at you, Louis…) and because the designs were so interesting. Her stores always felt so simple and lady-like, and because of this I felt a little more lady-like when I carried a kate spade new york handbag.
To find out that this seemingly sunny person was struggling with depression was such a disconnect, yet proves that you cannot judge a book by its cover. Some people are just better at hiding their struggles in the public eye. I pray for her family, but especially for her husband and daughter. I’m sure they are questioning and/or blaming themselves right now for missing something or not being there and somehow preventing this. Sometimes we never really know how deep the depression really is.
Then I woke up this morning to the news that chef Anthony Bourdain had also taken his life. He was always a little off to me – I mean, anyone who can eat the weird shit he ate and LIKE it? Yuck! But at the same time that exact stuff that disgusted me also fascinated me. It opened my eyes up to other facets of life and culture outside of our sanitary American bubble. Not that I was going to embark on any of those culinary adventures myself, but I would peek in and live vicariously through his. Apparently he had unknown struggles as well.
If you or someone you know and love is struggling, seek help! There is no stigma anymore – mental illness is real and we are blessed to live in a time where good help is readily available.
Resources:
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
Suicide Prevention Lifeline: suicidepreventionlifeline.org
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention: afsp.org
Between the Snark and a Blog Space 