Frontstanders

Last Sunday Judy and I participated in a "Out of the Darkness" walk sponsored by the local chapter of the National Association for Suicide Prevention.  The purpose was to raise funds and awareness about suicide and ways of prevention. We found out that, for some unknown reason, Montana has the highest rate of suicide of all the states in the US. Also, we heard that 22 veterans commit suicide every day in our country.

The words spoken by some at this event and the writing on t-shirts made it obvious that many of those who participated have lost loved ones to suicide.  

Though Judy and I do not know anyone who has recently died this way, about a year ago in Butte, the town where we now live, there was an "epidemic" of teen agers taking their own lives. 

While walking the trail we were overtaken by an enthusiastic group of young people all wearing shirts with the word "Frontstanders" on their backs.  We asked what that meant.  They said they were all students at a local college and have made a commitment to be "frontstanders', not "by-standers" when they encounter situations that need intervention and help.  Whenever they see physical, emotional or sexual abuse, or someone who is depressed, showing signs of contemplating suicide, or in need of other kinds of help… a frontstander does not hold back.  Does not just stand by.

What a good and positive witness these young people made to me that day. It makes me stop to reflect on the amount of "by-standing" in my own life.  

We were pretty unaware of the scope of crisis of suicide in our locality and nation or even that September 10th was National Suicide Prevention Day…

In proclaiming this day such, President Obama wrote: "Suicide prevention is the responsibility of all people. One small act -- the decision to reach out to your neighbor, offer support to a friend, or encourage a veteran in need to seek help -- can make a difference."

I think being a "frontstander" would be a good attitude to keep in the forefront of my mind as I go about daily life!  What do you think?

On Water

Recently I have spent time on the water, floating on the Jefferson River here in Montana and fishing on a quiet bay of Georgetown lake not far from where we live. I wish I could write something poetic about experiences on the river, but the muses don't stir.  Others have better expressed the feeling that comes to me, like in the song, "When Peace Like a River" and it's line; "it is well with my soul", when I am on water, especially when I am alone in the solitude of surrounding mountains, as I was yesterday on the lake.

I think one of the most poetic and profound words I have ever heard or read about a river was written by Norman Maclean at the end of his classic book "A River Runs Through It"... 

"I often do not start fishing until the cool of the evening.  Then in the Arctic half-light of the canyon, all existence fades to a being with my soul and memories of the sounds of the Big Blackfoot River and a four-count rhythm and the hope that a fish will rise.
Eventually, all thing merge into one, and a river runs through it.  The river was cut by the world's great flood and runs over rocks from the basement of time.  On some of the rocks are timeless raindrops.  Under the rocks are the words, and some of the words are theirs.  I am haunted by waters."

A chill runs up my spine every time I hear or read those words. 
I wish I was a good fly fisherman like Maclean was, but really, it is alright that I am not.... it is enough just to be there ...  For me it is like a retreat for spiritual renewal.. 

We belong a group called the Jefferson River Canoe Trail that aims to locate and

secure camping sites along this river, one of the three major rivers in Southwest Montana that were named by Lewis and Clark over two hundred years ago - the Madison, Gallatin, and Jefferson (named after President Thomas Jefferson, who commissioned that great expedition of the American continent). We floated with some of those friends on part of the river last week, and several of the group canoed and camped along the entire length of the Jefferson for seven days.

A picture from an earlier canoe float on the Jefferson with family:

Near the beginning of the Jeffrerson River.

 The Tobacco Root mountains can be seen from the river.

These days the skies over Montana are affected by the many forest fires burning in the Western US.  Sometimes this produces glorious sunsets - but the air is not healthy to breath. 

 Alone on the river...