Describe a random encounter with a stranger that stuck out positively to you.
April 19th, 2026
12:22 pm
This is about an incident in my life when I was in my deepest darkest depression.
This hospitalization was my last one before I finally starting mentally mending. I had made another attempt at ending my life and was sent to a VA hospital for 5 days of observation.
During the transport to the hospital the EMT’s and police officers forgot to grab my glasses so I spent the next 5 days blind and having a major headache after everything wore off.
I had to rely on just hearing people and them assisting me with walking very slowly in the new environment. Everything was literally a blur but I remember every conversation I had with my fellow veterans. These conversations are what helped me turn that corner. One person in particular stood out the most.
His was name was Brian. (Note – I have changed the names but their story is what is important)
He too had buckled under the stressors of living life but his situation was vastly different than mine.
He was picked up by local police at the state border, he had been walking apparently for several weeks, no identification, and had left his clothing by the side of the road when he was reported by a car passing by. They found out his identity through fingerprints and that he was a veteran, so he was transported to the same facility for care.
He lived somewhere in the south and never told us in our informal group where he actually was from. He had been on a hold for almost 6 weeks when I met him. He was refusing to eat and they would not release him to his family until then. His parents were waiting in the local area but he was not ready to talk to them.
I found out most of this not from him but from another fellow veteran named Sandy who had arrived a week before I did. She was like everyone’s mom and a great listener. She was also mourning the loss of her husband and voluntarily checked herself in for care.
One morning, after breakfast, the rest of the group were getting ready for activities, like art, video games, or music. I could not see anything and stayed to myself, trying to read a book. It was giving me a headache. I could hear Sandy trying to coax this person into singing and he finally relented.
His singing was beautiful. Deep southern drawl and his voice reminded me of the singer Randy Travis. I put the book down and just sat there listening.
After they did a few songs, it was time for individual therapy sessions. The activity time was over and time for medications for some. Most of the room cleared out as people went to their appointments or to their rooms to nap.
A veteran came over to where I was sitting and asked if I wanted to join them in a game of cards. I agreed and they came over to the table I was sitting at. The singer, Brian, was one of them. We found a deck of cards and starting playing a game.
After a little while it turned into an impromptu group session, everyone sharing why they were there. These talks with fellow veterans were the best therapy we could have ever gotten while there. We shared a common bond even though we served in different branches of the military. We also had some of same basic issues; relationships.
It was during these conversations that Brian opened up more about what happened. Their stories made me realize that my life, despite the pain and trauma, was still hopeful. That all was not detrimental and I needed to focus on what I had and not what I had lost. They reminded me to remember who I was, what I had accomplished, what I had survived, and that I was stronger than I realized.
During those conversations with us, Brian finally starting eating.
On the day I was released, Brian shook my hand and said thank you for the talks. He also called his parents.
That was over 10 years ago. I do not know what happened to these individuals. In my mind, I believe they went on, got well, became stronger, renewed their sense of purpose, and became hopeful again.
Those conversations stuck long afterwards and their words come up in when I’m feeling down. Their kindness and empathy without judgment put the chaos I felt into perspective.
It was my last visit to the 5th floor.
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Have a wonderful week!
Peace, love, happiness, and good vibes, always.
Suzanne
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