March 2023—YOU ARE NOT A FAILURE!

March 5, 2010, was the day our son, Jonathan, died by suicide. I hope you will listen to this song that our family produced in 2022 called, “There’s a Reason to Live.” Please share this song with your family and friends and within your community. It might save a life.

Each year in March, I like to look through Jonathan’s few belongings and reminisce about his life. Jonathan thought deeply on many subjects, and he liked to write about his feelings. I recently found some words that he had hurriedly written on a piece of paper that had been torn out of a spiral notebook. It read like a poem, so I typed it up.

Although Jonathan had dyslexia and could only spell words phonetically, I was grateful he took the time to put pen to paper and record these inspiring thoughts. I feel that his message is profound because it is obviously written from his own perspective of being knocked to the ground so many times in his life.

You can see Jonathan’s original handwritten version below.

Failure?

You probably feel like a
failure
because you can’t do 
anything right

But my experience tells me
every time you fall 
and pick yourself up
you get closer 
to the Light

Remember what you 
started
don’t throw 
yourself away

That’s what Lucifer 
wants you to do
but the Lord 
wants you to pray

Hold on tight to the
Iron Rod
even if the waves are
swift

And when you’re down 
and you have faith
your spirit 
He will lift

The Light of Christ 
is inside of you
but it will only work 
if you want it to

— Jonathan Fales