We Love You and Will NEVER Forget You
Last night, Monday, November 16, Matt Kane committed suicide.
The thing is he had no idea how many people loved and cared for him, I myself
was one of those people. He will be missed tremendously. He made an impression
in all of are hearts. Today at Basking Ridge High School the halls were a
little quieter when the news was received. All those who love him were saddened
and we all pray for him and his family. One thing is that Matt is now in a
better place. I want him to know that there were never any empty eyes in
his presence. When you were around him your eyes were filled with
happiness and joy.
Matt Kane we all love you!
And we will never forget you!
-A Friend-
Forever... And ever... And ever...
It's November 17, and all I can think about is this.
So many of us knew and loved Matt,
and all we can do now is think.... think about all the good qualities Matt
had...all the good memories he gave us. I think about all the jokes he made and
his friendly personality... and as much as I miss him, I can't help smiling as I
think about the way he made others feel. I can't help feeling anger within me
either...so many people cared about him...why didn't he think about that before
he decided to take his life? Why didn't he see that people were there for him
and were ready to help him when he needed it? We all feel pressure all the time,
and we are all constantly stressed out...that's no reason to become suicidal
though. Matt was a really smart kid...I cry as I say this, but this was
the stupidest thing he could have ever done...none of us can help feeling some
guilt in us that maybe we could have figured this out sooner and maybe we could
have stopped this before it ended up here. He failed to see that there were so
many people who cared and he failed to see what an effect this would have on
everyone around him. Worst of all, imagine the impact this has on his
family...his little sister, his two older brothers, and worst of all, his
parents. Imagine having a child whom you loved with all your heart, and you find
that child dead the next day. Our hearts go out to his family and we pray
for them. As much as I hate saying this, many of us have gotten closer because
of this...look at what it takes for people to understand what life really means.
I pray to God that we will never have to experience this again, and I hope this
teaches everyone what something like this can do to everyone. Matt, we'll never
forget you and we'll always have a place in our hearts for you...forever...and
ever...and ever...
-A Friend-
Life Is Precious
Today, November 17, 1999, the halls of Ridge High School were filled only by the tear-filled faces of students and teachers, grieving over the loss of someone so special. Last night, junior Matt Kane thought it necessary to take his own life. No one could ever imagine that this popular, talented, bright young man would think in this manner. But he did. He did this because he thought he only saw "cold, empty eyes" wherever he turned. Every time he walked down the hallways of Ridge High School, he felt no comfort. He may have laughed and had good times, but deep down inside, there was no laughter. And now, he will no longer roam the halls of Ridge High School. We have to take this awful tragedy and turn it into a lesson about life. We have to realize that nothing, and I stress nothing, is worth killing yourself for. Life is the most precious thing you have, and you only get one life. So take a look at your friends, not just on the outside, but look inside them. Comfort them. Be there for them when they need you. Look within yourself. Take your chance to live as a blessing, and live your life as best you can. Live through hardship and pain. For nothing is as final and tragic as death. Let us all remember Matt for the wonderful person he was in life. Let's learn from this, and remember that such talented, kind people such as him with so much potential should not only live to their teenage years. We all wish he could realize just how wrong he was about himself. Let's realize for him, by not letting this happen again.
Matt, there will always be a special place for you within our
hearts, and there always has been.
-Anonymous-
People Do Care
Life is always throwing you trouble and difficulty, but you have
to know how to cope. IF you feel like you can't go on and life just isn't
worth it anymore, you are not alone. Everyone deals with this shit, you
have to understand that. Sit down, and make a list of good things in your life: if
you can't find any, THINK HARDER. There is always something in your
life that is meaningful to you. Whether it be the girl that smiled at you
at lunch today, or the way your mother always seems to understand, just write it
down. Write down the important people and what they have done for
you. Write down the people that you know care about you. Then look
at this list and know that death is not the answer. I can't imagine
something being so wrong in someone's life, that they cannot find one thing that
is worth living for. If nothing else, live for yourself. Keep
fighting. There is nothing more final than taking your life, and you can
never take it back. People hurt sometimes, and when your hurting, it's
hard to see the good in life but you have to try. You have to. You
have to do it for yourself, and for your family, and for your friends.
Whether you think so or not, PEOPLE DO CARE. There's still
hope, no matter what. Just whatever you do, don't give up, because that is
a choice you can never fix.
-Anonymous-
Recollections of Days Past
Today we all said good-bye to matt in our own ways.
He was a truly amazing person, who deserved to live his life.
I think that too many people are pondering over the incident,
not his memory. For us to accept the loss and think of him well,
we need to remember the good times, only then may we truly be happy.
Each and everyone of us must say good-bye in their own way, but we all
must do it.
We will remember you and love you eternally.
-A dear friend-
Matt Becomes A Part Of Us All
When I think back
and remember all the times I was with Matt, there was never a time where I was
with him and not happy or laughing hysterically. He was the type of person who
could lift anyone's spirit with his jokes or funny antics. I will cherish all
the joyous memories of Matt in my heart forever as I hope you will too. I hope
that a piece of Matt becomes a part of all of us, and that in each of our lives,
we can bring as much joy into the lives of as many people as he did. We will
never be able to bring him back must continue to praying and to never forget
Matt.
Finally, I would like everyone to
especially say a prayer for the Kane family as they work to get through this
very tough time. And I also would like to say my own prayer for all those
people who never knew or met Matt, because they are the ones who are truly
missing out on life the most.
We love you Matt
-A Friend
Share Your Hearts
Many of you who
visit this site in memory of Matt are sad, confused, hurt, and perhaps angry,
all of which are feelings that Matt was most likely dealing with for some time.
Please, please don't keep those feelings inside!
It may seem to you that everyone else has their lives together, that everybody
around you is doing just fine... everybody but you. IT IS NOT SO!!
We all deal with insecurity, feeling pressures from friends, teachers and
parents, feeling unloved, and just "not good enough".
Please share your feelings with others: a friend, someone at church, your
counselor, your parents or siblings. You are not alone and forgotten.
These feelings are nothing to be ashamed of.
If anything positive can come from
Matt's death, it must be that teens learn it is necessary to share your hearts
with one another, and that there is nothing you cannot take to your parents.
Matt, we all love you and we miss you. We are so sorry you felt so alone.
-Anonymous
Whosoever Does Not Perish In Death Lives
when the day ends what else is there left to say?
I read the lists and lists and lists of thoughts and memories
each one sends a flash of pain and agony through my stomach.
not because i shared these experiences... I would never be so pretentious as to
assume we were close...
no... I feel pain not because i shared them, these little snippets of his life,
the small freeze frame shot of a boy, no man, we all knew and loved; each memory
is for the individual to enjoy and cherish, a small time capsule not to be
forgotten; but we, you and I and all those who remember him, share something,
something communal. the memories we have may be different, but we all feel
the same pain...the loss of someone we love and trusted, someone who could make
us laugh at the drop of a hat...
Matt's passing has shaken every person who knew him, whether they had
significant times or just minor 'hi's' in a hallway.
However, Matt will never truly be gone, even if he isn't with us anymore...
although his body may only have been with us for these sixteen years, as long as
we keep our memories close to our hearts, he will live forever
-whosoever does not perish in death lives (lao tzu).
so whether he made you laugh, or cry or feel...something...always keep the good
times close at hand, and he will never be gone..
I guess what I'm trying to say is to remember all the good times you shared with
matt...keep the loving memory alive
-Anonymous-
One Of The Only People Who ALWAYS Put Others Before Himself
If you only knew how much we cared...
Matt was one of the most
wonderful people I have ever come encounter with. Everything he did, everything
he said, was kind. He was one of the only people who I knew that always put
others before himself. Whether it was the little things like, giving you his
jacket when you were cold, or the bigger things like, him making a fool out of
himself just to put a smile on your face... he always thought of himself last.
Whenever you were with him you had a good time, he made sure of that. I just
wish for one second he would have cared about himself a little more. I wish he
could have realized how many friends he had, I wish he could have realized how
many people care about him, and I wish he could have known that he had people to
go to in his time of need. Sometimes I think he's going to walk into school, and
be like "just kidding". I guess that's only a dream though. But maybe
then he would see all the people who truly cared about him and how many lives he
had an effect on. I hope you're in peace now Matt, I hope you're happy and i
hope you don't regret your decision. Everyone loves you and misses you
extremely... for, if only you knew how much we cared.
-Sarah-
Many People LOVED You
Sorry that I never
was able to meet, you or experience the wonder person I heard you were. But all
I know is that many people LOVED you and they showed it too late. I hope you
realize now how much people cared about you even if you couldn't see it. But it
is a lesson to us all, that we should be kinder to others and not bundle our
true feelings up inside. To your family, I give you my blessing and I will pray
for you every night. I will never forget how this situation effected our school,
and community. Once I thought how me dieing would effect my friends and peers,
and if they would dry or care about my death. I found my answer when I walked
down the hallways of Ridge the 17th of November.
-SOS
Who Is Matt Kane
Who is Matt Kane-
He was determination, he was someone who could succeed at whatever he put
his mind to. If you ever saw him swim you would know this. He is no
longer
lonely but has peace. He will be missed by many and remembered
always.
The world was never meant for one as beautiful as he.
-A Friend
Memories
I remember that in
school everyday I would go out of my way to walk down the 400 wing with him. I
did this because he always made me feel better. He was a great kid. What really
hits me the most me is that I felt he had it all together. At lunch I'd be
scrambling before a big test and he'd say "ahh its no problem James,"
and of course he'd have no problem. He was a fun kid and I wish we could have
become closer, however I feel blessed for the time I spent with him.
-Anonymous
I Cry As I Write This
I cried when I heard the news. I cried when I passed his locker, with the posted memoirs of the students to Matt; all of it surrounded by a circle of tearful mourners. I cry as i write this, for Matt, and for the people he left behind. Matt was truly an inspiration to us all; a wonderful person and friend. If he could only see the line of people that stretched outside the nurse's office, the number of people at his prayer service when we all heard the news. Forever will Matt be kept in our prayers and in our hearts. It is just unfortunate that it is only in hindsight that we realize how truly great a person is. Matt, you are truly a great person. I just wish you could have known that.
-Anonymous-
He Has Left A Lasting Impression In All Our Hearts
I didn't know Matt
very well, but from what I have heard and what I did know of him he was a loving
and kind person. He had a lot of potential and it is a shame this had to happen.
I don't really understand as to why he committed suicide, I don't think I will
ever really know. But the one thing is, is that he is probably happier where he
is right now. Right now there is so much stress and pressure in our society, I
can only hope that we can all look at this and take it in to consideration. Matt
will always be remembered, he has left a lasting impression in all our hearts.
My heart goes out to you, you will never be forgotten.
-Anonymous-
Long... But absolutely Beautiful
Where do I even
start? How can I even say anything without sounding like I've just repeated what
everyone else just said? I guess I can't really... Cause everyone's feeling the
same... I mean, have you seen the hallways??..whether you had a close tie with
him... or whether you just knew him by name.. the whole concept i think is just
plaguing everyone aside from the fact that he was such an incredible student (in
the top ten of his class!), an amazing athlete with a future as bright as the
sun, a great-looking kid!.. i could go on...but everyone knows this stuff
already... and everyone has their little links and memories to him that you hold
dear in your heart and everyone needs i think a little personal memory just to
keep to yourself...You know what though?.. I'm sorry it had to happen like
this... I'm sorry it had to be realized like this... but this served as the
biggest wake up call i think Basking Ridge has had in quite some time.... As
most of you know (from the letters posted up in response to all this), i guess
he was feeling in the midst of strangers among those closest to him... however
much you may try to prove him wrong, that we did love him, and that he was
actually amidst a sea of "warm, loving eyes"... you know what, we know
that... because look at the effect its had so far... but you can never say he
did though... and there's no way anyone's gonna go back and tell him that...
leave it be... he had an opinion... and we should've proved him wrong a while
ago... but since we can't now.... we've gotta start now... the past couple of
days were some of the most impacting days I've spent at Ridge so far... why?
because throughout the day... people bonded... the junior class bonded... the
whole school bonded... kids i was barely friends with lent me their shoulder so
i could sob right into it... knowing someone feels exactly the same pain i
feel... that was the kind of sincere ness i felt... i guess.. in a way ... this
is what he wanted... to have people actually care.. only while he was with us
may have been a little better.... now he has it.. he has accomplished his
goal... i hope... that in 2 weeks.. in a month... next year... this same loving
attitude towards each other will continue... i hope... no one will forget the
impact you may have on a single person's life... i hope... you keep reaching out
to those strangers who look like their in distress... and i hope... that one day
we can get rid of this system we call "cliques" and integrate
everyone... or at least try and take a couple steps towards it... no one should
have to feel alone... stay REAL... make sure you're friends know you love
them... let them know... hey.. they may not... matt, I've got to say i
have no idea where you are right now... because honestly i haven't been gone
yet... wherever you may be however... if at all you're present in some form
unconceivable to the human mind... i hope you're happiest now....
-Anonymous-
There is ALWAYS Someone Who Will UNDERSTAND
On Tuesday,
November 16, 1999. A terrible tragedy occurred. A young man who was
popular, talented, and loved by many, took his own life. He apparently
felt that there was no one he could turn to to talk about his feelings. But that
was not the truth... there was someone, I am sure, that he could have turned to.
There is always someone to turn to. No one knew what Matt was feeling,
because on the outside he was a wonderful, happy, and caring young man... but he
was apparently very upset inside. So, I beg you... please tell someone how
you are feeling... don't keep it inside... nothing is too small or too
"silly" for you to tell someone else... there is ALWAYS someone who
will UNDERSTAND!
Matt I know that you're in a better place now! We love you and miss you!
-Anonymous
The Most Precious Gift
Life is one of the
most precious gifts that we are given. The gift is wonderful and amazing.
When I look at life I see the most thrilling experience, mistakes, joys, love,
and time with those we care so much about. I see lessons in all these
things and from the lessons I learn about life and all that's around me.
Matt Kane was an inspiring person. Everyone on this planet is a wonderful
and amazing gift, open up to others and share yourself with others, we love you
and we want to know the beauty you hold inside
-Anonymous
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