Remembering

Today, along with a crew of 10 volunteer photographers, I worked the DC Walk Out of Darkness - an event that brought some 2,000 people together in a suicide prevention effort.

The center piece was a four-mile walk around the monuments of downtown DC and it was a sight to behold to see the hundreds of participants marching for the cause, some bearing signs with photos of their lost ones.

All participants could chose to wear beads, each color representing a different circumstance. The girl featured here being consoled by a friend, wore three: orange for the loss of a sibling; green if you are personally struggling with suicidal thoughts, and blue as a supporter of the cause.

What struck me, as it did last year, is how suicide cuts across all socio-economic layers: some participants walked for siblings, others for children or spouse, others yet for grandparents; all ethnicities, all walks of life. Some had lost a loved one just a few shorts weeks ago while others many decades ago. For all, it was a comfort to be around others who've experienced such a loss, with all the understanding that comes from having lived through those very special circumstances.

A special day, for sure.