Just last week this wonderfully sentimental, expertly crafted radio story about Carly Henley's life hit the airwaves. It is soothing to hear her father's sentiments as broadcast there, and while I'm overwhelmed when trying to assess Carly's vast impact on this world, I am exactly certain that there was nothing he could have or should have done differently with the hope and expectation of effecting a different result.
Y'know what Mr. Henley's words do mean, in the present? They afford further assurance that Carly had a grand environment during her short time on this earth. She managed to express herself so well, and was as bold and poised when so doing, beCAUSE she was suitably inspired and encouraged when taking those first daring steps toward being 'out there'... personally exposed to public scrutiny and attention.
I can sure guess that her unmissable physical beauty evolved to account for a lot of that, but one still needed a strong family background/support system to evolve confidently to a point where she could step boldly into the sometimes unforgiving society all around us.
Maybe it was that small hint of insecurity which drew scores of admirers to her for their being able to identify with Carly no matter her outer appearance. In some ways, Carly Henley was like the perfect weather storm, where those who would be drawn toward her by Carly's physical beauty were caused to stop in awe by the depth of her talent and sincere liking for her environment and the people within it. Those drawn near by her musical talent or by the vulnerabilities suggested by her lyrics were stunned that somebody with so much depth could have been so physically blessed. Perhaps the forces of those colliding masses of humanity are what comprise Carly's considerable image and her large following, even still.
My mind keeps challenging itself to try to measure the full impact of Carly Henley on her environment both before and after her passing. To do so is akin to standing on earth and attempting to measure the universe. Some of me wonders whether some parties marvel in the same way over every suicide victim, and then I'm caused to wonder if it is a product of mere physical beauty which has so very many people somehow "invested" in Carly's life and soul.
Were it not for the Zoloft factor the whole thing would be additionally complicated by those popular questions of "whyyyyyyyyyyyy??"
I can't say enough about how well the four-minute radio piece linked above was done. I love the hint within at what's to follow on the CD of Carly's music soon to come from Carly's family.
In related news, this writer has recently had the good fortune of connecting online with one of Carly's friends, who provided immeasurable validation in terms of mostly confirming an outsider's perceptions as to the way Carly Henley carried and presented herself.
The unnamed friend did something that turned out really wonderful and particularly touching in hindsight, after having been "begged" by Carly to do so.
It was comforting and rewarding to boldly share this blog with somebody deemed close enough to have known much of what I've only perceived, and to have heard them say that it "made them feel better".
Among the clarifications were that Carly was indeed the "Homecoming Queen" (as strongly implied by her crown worn in a video from the homecoming assembly) and that Carly did indeed win the "Highline Idol" competition with her early rendition of "The Skin You're In".
She had to be a considerably humble person not to have bothered to mention that her effort won the "Highline Idol" competition while describing her video for the YouTube audience.
Carly Henley was quite remarkable while she graced this earth and a large product of that brought her many enviable experiences during the short span of her life. Something additionally unique about Carly is that she is an early example of a young person who is very well preserved on the internet for the sake of all who have ever heard of her. Perhaps it is no wonder that her image remains impossible to measure.
Carly Henley was someone I'd never even heard of before she took her own life at the age of 20 while a talented, popular and attractive junior at university. She seemed the person nobody would ever guess for such a fate. The media doesn't generally cover suicide but Carly Henley could inspire so much caring and understanding and it has to start somewhere... I attempt to present this blog without hurting or offending Carly Henley's family or anyone else but suicide is a delicate subject.
I learned of the death of college student Carly Henley two days after her passing, on October 6, 2010. In the days soon to follow it became clear that scores and scores of people were wounded to the core by the loss. Wonderful evidence around the internet serves to almost suspend Carly Henley's personable allure, her impressive musical talent, and a short life the likes of which most anybody could envy.
Various reports tell of her short term struggle with depression of perhaps three months in duration. Significant in that was the introduction of anti-depressant drug Zoloft via prescription some two weeks before Carly took her own life.
Not lost on me now, finally, is the wording in the "Black Box Warning" with Zoloft, which states that antidepressants may increase the risk of suicidal thinking and behavior in persons younger than 25. Risk is especially heightened during the first two months of taking anti-depressants.
The labels on anti-depressant drugs in the U.S. were altered to reference young adults aged 18 to 24 just three years earlier - in 2007.
It is my belief, now, that Carly just happened to land among the small percentage of anti-depressant users who are susceptible to being so affected by a powerful drug such as Zoloft.
One need not ever have known such a remarkable woman to feel the pain all around at the loss of Carly Henley.
So many life lessons are so well represented by Carly Henley's compelling spirit. Let me see if I can help some to gain fuller appreciation for a woman who continues to inspire everyone who ever knew of her.
Various reports tell of her short term struggle with depression of perhaps three months in duration. Significant in that was the introduction of anti-depressant drug Zoloft via prescription some two weeks before Carly took her own life.
Not lost on me now, finally, is the wording in the "Black Box Warning" with Zoloft, which states that antidepressants may increase the risk of suicidal thinking and behavior in persons younger than 25. Risk is especially heightened during the first two months of taking anti-depressants.
The labels on anti-depressant drugs in the U.S. were altered to reference young adults aged 18 to 24 just three years earlier - in 2007.
It is my belief, now, that Carly just happened to land among the small percentage of anti-depressant users who are susceptible to being so affected by a powerful drug such as Zoloft.
One need not ever have known such a remarkable woman to feel the pain all around at the loss of Carly Henley.
So many life lessons are so well represented by Carly Henley's compelling spirit. Let me see if I can help some to gain fuller appreciation for a woman who continues to inspire everyone who ever knew of her.
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