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I found a body when I was a teenager fishing Jamaica Pond.
I was playing the "Wouldn't it be freaky if" game in my head when I saw what I "thought" could be a torso floating with legs dangling down, and when I got close enough for a positive identification (of what it was not WHO it was), I was sufficiently freaked out enough to probably break the row-boat speed record for the half mile.
I ended up LITERALLY rowing the boat up onto the dock, where I processed to let the authorities know what and where I saw it.
Apparently the older man (old for a teenager) had been mugged and dumped into the pond!
As for suicides, there are those that do so because they want to leave a lasting impression on the surviving family and friends (truly selfish). This is usually true for high ranking officials that don't want to spend the rest of their life behind bars and opt out instead.
Then there are those that are truly suffering and don't want to be a burden to their friends and family, and assume that their death will be seen as a selfless act. Even though their intent is to lessen the suffering of their survivors, it ends up doing just the opposite.
The best you can do is realize that not everyone can be saved or wants to be saved, and no matter what you try to do you can't change these facts. Also, remember that just listening to someone that is heading down that dark path can sometimes make them rethink where they are going and what they will be doing!
Hopefully you won't be carrying this memory around like a weight around you neck!
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