A few months later, Elodie had finished her senior project and was sharing it with her class.
Originally, she had wanted to do her senior project on the human brain and make a model of a brain. However, after learning about her father's thoughts leading up to his suicide, she decided to change it to be a video essay on the effect her father's death had on her and her family.
Elodie pressed play on the screen of her computer, letting the video play on the projector.
"When I was eleven years old, my father killed himself." The video started with Elodie, "For years, I blamed myself. Until recently when I found his diary, and realised he had been depressed. My diagnosis of bipolar disorder was only a factor of his depression, but my pushing him away was not. And I learned in interviewing my siblings, that growing up without dad has been hardest on my youngest brother Christopher, who our father never met. Not because he was already dead when Chris was born. My brother was four months old when our dad killed himself. It was the depression that prevented my dad from meeting his youngest child."
The video did a flip transition, and now shown on the screen was the room of a seven year old little boy.
"What has it been like for you? Growing up without a father?" Elodie, from behind the camera, asked her brother
Christopher rubbed his nose, "Um…I don't know. I wish I could have known daddy instead of only hearing stories about him."
"Yeah. What do you think about dad? As a person?"
"From the stories?" Christopher asked, "I think he was a hero."
Elodie laughed, "Well, you're not wrong. He was a rockstar brain surgeon."
The screen flipped to another transition. This time the video showed a very pink and girly princess-like room. It was the room of eleven year old Finlee.
"Hey Fin, what do you remember about dad?"
"Not much." Finlee replied
Elodie hummed, "Fair enough. What would you tell him, if you could?"
Finlee paused for a moment, "I would probably tell daddy not to worry about us because mommy and mama are taking good care of us."
"Oh. That sounds like a nice message." Elodie said, "Are you mad at dad for killing himself?"
Finlee shook her head, "No. Not at all. I was, because I read a page of his diary. I know he was depressed, but also that he loved us. I love him too."
The video transitioned again. This time flipping to a room decorated like a faux OR room. It's the room of fourteen year old Quinten, who wants to be a brain surgeon like his dad when he grows up.
"So Q, what do you miss most about dad?"
Quinten gave a sad smile, "Everything. I miss just spending time with him. It's the most important thing a father can do for his children. Just be there for them, even when it's hard. Or when they feel giving."
Elodie comes out from behind the camera and sits beside her brother, "Remember suicide is never the answer. No matter how much pain you are in, or how much you feel like a burden, if you were gone forever, your family and friends would miss you. Don't cause a lifetime of pain for your temporary pain. It's hard asking for help, but it's worth it to be there for your family."
The video faded to a black screen, with the words 'the end' appearing in white letters.
Hope you enjoy. Comments are greatly appreciated.
What would you like to see happen next?