Remembering Rika

[imomus]

Two years ago today, Rika Hirata, my best friend when I lived in New York, committed suicide.



I don't really want to talk in detail about the circumstances of Rika's death here. I'll just say that it happened because she had a severe bipolar condition, and went through a series of misfortunes, and wasn't supported as she should have been by the people around her. Rika should still be here, and for me she is still here. Shortly before she died she told me 'I will always be with you'. She was right. But that doesn't stop me missing her.

The photo shows Rika eating dumplings with me at our favourite cafe, the Dumpling Inn on Eldridge Street, New York, February 3rd, 2001.

Comments

[honeychurch.livejournal.com]

I'm lucky not to be bipolar - I have clinical depression only, for which I am medicated (I'm lucky to have insurance and a prescription plan now, too) - but I remember what it was like before I was medicated and before I got help - it was bad, and I alienated all but those closest to me (my roommates at the time asked me not to live with them another year, and my relationship with a man whom I loved very, very much deteriorated and never recovered) - it was only because of those friends who tried to understand, as I'm sure you did for Rika, that I made it to when I could get therapy and medication. While things proved too much for her, I'm sure she was glad that she had you in her life, and, yes, she will always be with you.

But memory still hurts, so I'm sorry for your unhappy anniversary.