June 20, 2008

The Healing Power of a Class

By BOB KOCHERSBERGER

My 28-year-old son, Charlie, died last year on July 5. After years of emotional illness and serious substance abuse, he committed suicide.

My daughter, a graphic designer in Chicago, headed for the airport to come home. My wife, an Episcopal priest, told her bishop, the members of her congregation, and her fellow clergy. We had to make plans for the funeral, which turned out to be a good one. But while I shook hundreds of hands and smiled politely, I was in shock.

For a while, I