Ollie, I salute you!

[OOH! SHAUN TAYLOR]

I went down my local boozer tonight (The Brown Bear in London E1).

I used to see a lad in there called Ollie.  He was a top lad. You could always have a good chat with him and he was always getting the beers in even when it wasn't his round.

A genuine good guy,

I found out today he'd taken his own life.

Everyone is gobsmacked.

It's a bit wierd because on the one hand, we knew him really well, but on the other, we didn't know him at all.  I don't even know if he was cremated or buried.  I'd like to be able to just put some flowers on his grave for what it's worth but I can't even do that.

This I guess, is as close as I will get.

Hopefully, wherever he is now, he can just surf through internet forums without even needing a log in. The after life surely has a few perks!

You were a good lad Ollie. Only you will ever know why it had to end like that.

[OOH! SHAUN TAYLOR]

I realise there is not a lot you can say to a post like this.  I just needed to say it.

Thank you.

Maybe we could start a thread about the rights/wrongs/merits/downsides of suicide? I don't know what to think at the moment. I am tending to think it's the ultimate selfish act. Just my opinion, who am I to judge? What do you reckon?

[faringdingdong]

Well said anyway mate, things like this go unsaid and thats wrong.

Go let it out- wise words.

[magicroundabout]

don't think of him being selfish. just think and remember how much of a good lad he was/always will be.

a friend of mine did the same 2 years ago. why i will never know but i do know is he was a top lad and my memories of him will stay that way.

[Dazzza]

Like you said chief not much you can say but well said.

Losing a bud before their time take the breath out of your sails.  

I always look at it as if it was me what would I want my friends to do?  :twisted:

[sonicyouth]

the sentiment of your post is bang on, i can identify with it myself.

as for suicide being a selfish act, perhaps it is, but you have to consider that anyone who takes their own life is clearly desperate and it's not something you do wihout forethought. i imagine he did it for reasons which made perfect sense to him, even if it doesn't to those around them.

not sure this post makes sense mind...

[OOH! SHAUN TAYLOR]

It's a tricky subject. The way I personally look at it is that we're all going to die some day so you might as well keep that option up your sleeve as it were.

I can't imagine any circumstances under which I would take my own life.  That's not to judge anyone who has done so or may do in the future.

Some people suffer from manic depression (Ian Curtis for example). I don't even want to imagine what that must be like.

I suppose you just have to count your blessings (to use 'nan speak') and just keep on keeping on.

[yeo]

and just keep on keeping on

yup.

Bloody hard to know what else to say so I wont except that it a bit sad that as people get older we all have mates like your 'Ollie' and wouldnt it be nice if we all tryed just  a little harder with those around us.

Thats probably a bit clumsy and I'll delete it in the morning but I know what I mean and it isnt ment in a bad way :? .

[Johno]

weird thing is, is that you can't imagine any one doing it can you?

even the mates you are so close too, anyone is capable of doing anything, its sad that sometimes people keep things bottled in, and things just get worse and worse.