It was the summer of 2004. Id just finished performing with the cast of Hairspray, in Bryant Park, when I got a jarring call from a relative, Your dad has been shot... What?!! I yelled. But hes ok! Hes in the hospital and is recovering well. What happened? As he went to take out the garbage, a stranger approached him and shot him in the chest. they said. Ok, Im on my way back to Gary, right now! When I arrived back home, the truth was revealed to me. We did some investigating... A stranger did not shoot your father. He confessed to shooting himself. We believe he is suffering from severe depression and may be bipolar. Additionally, he isnt cooperating with the hospital staff. We hope this changes after he sees you. When I walked into the room, my father was so embarrassed he could barely look at me. The gladiator was now stripped of his armor, revealing the broken man. I gave him a warm greeting and we had the talk of a lifetime. During my visits, we talked, laughed and were even comfortable enough to sit in silence. I was learning a person never before revealed to me. Before long, he cooperated with the staff, recovered and was released. My uncles took him in and he gradually moved back in his home. A year later, I got a call from Uncle Russell. Chester Jr, we need you to come home right away. I came here to check on your father... he killed himself...hung himself in the basement. We learned that he had not been taking his medication and was secretly still struggling with depression. Anytime I hear of someone dealing with this issue, it really hits home for me. Youll never know the weight of a persons internal gravity.... I decided to share this as a reminder to be a Light in someones life. Every second of life is a gift.
Posted on: Tue, 12 Aug 2014 22:36:34 +0000
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