Let's Remember

Greetings of peace, dear Mindspringers. I am sincerely asking you to remember in your thoughts and prayers a dear young friend of mine who belongs to the Mosque that I coordinate as Imama. My friend is transitioning from male to female, and has been berated and bullied all her life for being "queer". Our Mosque is LGBTQIA+ inclusive and affirmative, and I have been by her side throughout her transition with support and love. Last night, my friend chose to leave this world, for so many reasons, but chiefly because she hates herself, and feels that she is "unsaveable." Her suicide attempt was unsuccessful, and now she lays in the hospital psychiatric ward in a drugged out state of despair. I ask for your prayers and healing throughts for her. And if you wish, please send me your wisdom. I feel like I have failed my friend. I have not been able to save her (along with a therapist she was working with). I have seen the wish to live dissolve in front of me. Some Buddhists (and I respect both Buddhist and Islamic principles) take a vow to save others. I have taken this vow, but clearly, I am not enough. And I ask you, what if love is not enough to save those who are suffering on this journey? I meditate and pray and follow the truths and path, but suffering is still too much. What if love cannot save another from intense suffering. I have asked both my Buddhist and Muslim teachers these questions, but they remain unanswered. And so I ask you, please, what if love is not enough? What if sufferering will always be more powerful, enough to cause my friend to wish to leave this world? Thank you for reading this. I send you all sincere wishes of peace.