Were you surprised that Simon and his mother spoke so easily of his grandmother's suicide and Patricia's near miss?

Suicide is usually a taboo topic especially when it occurs within one's own family. Were you surprised that Simon and his mother spoke so easily of his grandmother's suicide and Patricia's near miss?

I was surprised that the grandmother committed suicide. But the mother-son recollection of this searing tragedy and Pat Simon's own cheat at death over a bottle of sleeping pills underscored the depth of the bond, the power of their memories that kept embracing life in forward motion, and the unwavering trust and esteem they each held in mutual regard. Discussing familial suicide in the final days makes one realize that both diamonds and ashes are available in any life. But does each life carry such a tender and strong bond of family fealty that can make one look hard at it one last time, wrap it up and then move on to yet another moment?

This recollection is a great example of closure that lies the ugly bare with a lesson.

I think because they had such a close relationship, there wasn't any reason to hide who they were, what they had experienced, or not tell the truth. Being able to finally put a grief or a hurt or question or a mistake to rest is such a blessing.

Given their relationship it was not a surprise. This mother/son relationship was so close and so open and healthy that they were comfortable speaking of almost anything. These two were intelligent, loving people who cared deeply for each other but were very respectful of each other at the same time which meant that the hard things as well as the wonderful in their lives were not taboo subjects.

I was not surprised at all. They had an openness that truly had no barriers.

As one that comes from a family that hides skeletons in closets, and sweeps unpleasant memories under a rug, I find it quite refreshing to find openness and honesty in family discussions. Although Simon learned a few things about his mother in those final days that he did not know before, their relationship was a close one for many years with very few secrets between the two.

I wasn't surprised at all because of the closeness of their relationship. I hope I can have that type of relationship with my children because I want them to know me and appreciate my life and their family.

In addition to the closeness of their relationship, I think the knowledge both had of Patricia's impending death made it easier and quite relevant to surface these two topics.

No, I was not surprised at all. Maybe surprised about the suicide and the attempted suicide but not the fact that they could discuss it openly.

I wasn't surprised by the sharing and open relationship they had but think many would not come to that easily. I am fortunate to have a close relationship with my mother but my upbringing was atypical as well. There is still a stigma over mental health and suicide so imagine the disapproval then would be much higher than now to even speak of such things.