What Helps When There is Sorrow Within

As a photographer, I had many experiences that astounded me on just how powerful art can be as a means of connection. Few words needed, the art creates the connection. A real story follows…

I do not know his name. He showed up each week and would browse my pictures on display. I would wait until he asked questions about the pictures, then I would reveal the story to each one he asked about. In hindsight, I now know he bought one picture a week for around ten weeks.

I came in to work on my kiosk, Serenity Keepsakes, in Berlin one day and found an envelope that had been left for me with a Post-it noting that someone had dropped it off the day before.

Inside there was a message: “I want to thank you for being there. Each week I have been buying one of your pictures and hanging it up in the house. I would look at them each time I got depressed to remind myself of what is good about life and places I would like to go. I recently got divorced, there is just me and the two children. I was contemplating suicide, but through your pictures found hope, inspiration to be there for my kids and myself. Thank you for being there when I needed help.”

The above is written the best I can remember the experience. First, at no time did the topic of suicide come up verbally in my interactions with him. Second, I can take credit as the photographer, but not for the healing effect this man found through my photography. That credit goes to the art, not me. I do believe it was not just the pictures but the way each one came with a story.

This ended up as just one of many stories that came back to me on how my art helped others. My art had a life all its own, a very good life.

Suicide prevention can be about connection that has a positive effect on a person who is suffering.

You can make a difference by connecting and never know it. It can be an inspirational message through conversation, a medium such as photography, or through a story. Making a connection that fosters a sense of belonging or mutual understanding can spark someone to reconsider their darkest moments.

*Retired photographer Dale Hackett of Barre captured the beauty of Vermont and the region through his lens, focusing on waterfalls, flowers, covered bridges, sunsets, cows and more. Many of his prints came with a story of how or why the subject came to be photographed. He explained to us that, “My goal was to share art with people, to bring something into their life, that is joy, happiness.” Dale said receiving the note was “humbling.” 

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