I, like so many others have suffered the painful loss of a loved one in my lifetime. The most painful were those who were young people with their whole life before them.

Probably the most disturbing, if not more painful than the others was the loss of a granddaughter who committed suicide.

I have given a good deal of thought to the topics of depression, despair and suicide.

I think the reasons are because of the losses I mentioned, and my own predilection to be happy and positive, no matter my circumstances. This has caused me to ask: 'Why do some remain happy and positive, even under very difficult circumstances while others become beyond unhappy and negative under even less difficult circumstances?

This is not an easy question to answer with any degree of certainty. I suppose, like most human characteristics, it is the result of both genetics and one's upbringing environment. 

Despair is the absence of hope. When a person has given up all hope of happiness they often conclude that there is no reason to go on living. This is the situation which leads to suicide. It is a very selfish perspective and especially when the person leaves behind others who depended upon them.

I do my best to sympathize with those who are depressed or despairing, but I cannot empathize with them because I have never been depressed or despairing.

I can however, empathize with those who have friends or family members who suffer from depression and despair, and those who have lost someone to suicide.