For five years he’s been in and out of so many hospitals I’ve lost count.

He’s was once imprisoned in Indonesia for months, it took the US ambassador to get him out. He’s been locked up in a psychiatric ward in Dubai for months. I had to wire money to pay for his entire stay before the UAE would release him. He’s been arrested, he’s attempted suicide, and he’s been incredibly hurtful to everyone who loves him when he’s in his manic cycle.

With all of that, I have never once, ever thought that he’d be better off if he were to die. Not one time.

I cherish every conversation I have with him, every memory we share, and I will never feel differently.

I live in worry every day but I will never give up hope that he’ll someday learn to stay medicated and figure out how to manage his illness.

I don’t believe the OP meant to be insensitive, but I can say with honesty that, had my son been successful in his suicide attempt, that comment would have been hurtful to me. Perhaps not everyone would feel that way, but I’m sure there are many who would.