Preserve Your Holiday Family Memories With A Local Company

ECB Staff on December 26, 2022

Isn’t it time to preserve those treasured family video and audio memories you have on old formats like 16mm, cassette, and VHS by transferring them to modern digital formats like DVD, CD, and thumb drives?

Stray Moose Productions is a local one-stop audio-visual production, duplicating and transfer specialist.

“Why send your memories out of town when we can do it all right here in the Great Falls area?” – Stray Moose Productions

Stray Moose Productions can transfer your VHS and SVHS video tapes of movies, home movies and other content to DVD for you quickly and affordably. They are located in Black Eagle.

They also transfer 8mm and 16mm home movies to DVD, Beta to DVD, and cassette, reel-to-reel and vinyl to CD.

Stray Moose Productions also does professional video work for your special events such as weddings and memorial services.

Call 406-727-6670 or email info@straymoose.com

They are located at 3 Anaconda Hills Dr., Black Eagle, MT – next to Anaconda Hills Golf Course and across from the Black Eagle Community Center.

5 Tips for Managing Multi-State Living Arrangements With a Pet

Candace Sigmon on August 15, 2022

Owning multiple homes in the United States is a dream for millions of young Americans. You can enjoy multiple climates, geographical diversity, and various lifestyle choices when you own homes in Florida and Great Falls, Montana. But what if you own a pet and live in different states? Read on for tips to manage both.

1. Have Vets in Montana and Florida 

You must keep your pet healthy as you divide your time between Montana and Florida. After all, traveling between both states can be time-consuming and stressful. The best way to guarantee your pet remains healthy is to have vets in both states. You can reduce your vet costs by purchasing an excellent pet insurance policy. However, check pet insurance coverage and considerations and the reviews of insurance providers to search for the best deals before buying. Also, use pet sitters when you’re busy and check for fleas and ticks to guarantee your animal has no problems. 

2. Ensure Your Pet Stays Comfortable in Both Homes

When you have homes in multiple states, your pet can become overwhelmed — and this could become detrimental to their overall well-being. Ensure your pet remains comfortable by buying items for both homes, such as a quality bed or crate, a cat tree, and a harness. Although customer ratings can be a valuable resource when evaluating products, look for websites with product reviews from veterinarians. That way, you can feel confident you’re buying the best products for your pet. 

3. Save Money for Unexpected Costs 

Continuously moving between Florida and Montana can be expensive over time. You’ll want to budget to ensure you have disposable income for any unexpected issues. Try cutting costs such as choosing streaming options over cable, purchasing deep freeze items to store away, and limiting unnecessary outings. If you spend half of your time in Florida and half in Montana, you can save money by finding affordable auto and health insurance in either state. 

4. Give Your Pet Plenty of Exercise 

Ensure your pet has ample exercise when moving between states. For example, there are many excellent hikes near Great Falls, and Florida has one of the most desirable climates in the United States. Take your dog for a walk in nearby national parks and on local beaches. That way, your pet will feel as normal as possible despite moving around.

5. Use Organization Apps

One of the best ways to stay organized when you have multi-state homes is by using organization apps. ClickUp is one of the most popular organization apps. It allows you to boost your productivity, plan daily tasks, and set goals. For example, you can set yourself a checklist before you travel between Montana and Florida to ensure you don’t forget anything. 

Looking After Your Pet Doesn’t Need To Be Confusing

Living between Montana and Florida doesn’t need to be complicated when you have a pet. You can make the process seamless by following the tips in the article. Visit E-City Beat for information on life in Montana.

How CPAs Can Help Your Business Grow

Janice Russell on May 10, 2022

Whether you’ve decided to start a new business or you’re ready to take your existing business to the next level, it’s a good idea to enlist the help of a Certified Public Accountant (CPA).

Many new small business owners make the mistake of thinking they can handle all of the financial aspects of their businesses themselves. While the average business owner can handle a certain amount of these tasks, it’s always better to have an experienced professional you can call on. Here are some of the things a CPA can help you with as you grow your business, brought to you by E-City Beat.

Laying Down a Strong Foundation

There’s nothing more important than starting your business the right way to ensure that all of the systems you set in place contribute to your success.

In terms of creating a strong foundation, a CPA will assist you with the following:

  • Determining the best business structure for what you’re doing, such as an LLC or sole proprietorship.
  • Analyzing the financial aspects of your business plan.
  • Help you choose accounting software that meets your needs.
  • Advising and assisting with your business bank account.
  • Ensuring that your accounting procedures are in line with government regulations and requirements.
  • Ensuring you understand the importance of maintaining separate business and personal expense accounts.

Essentially, a CPA can lay the groundwork for your business finances so that you have a blueprint to follow and refer to as you move forward with your operations.

Dealing With Ongoing Financial Tasks

Once things get going for your business, you’ll need to maintain the accounting system implemented by your CPA. However, you won’t be going at it alone as your CPA can take over the ongoing financial tasks necessary.

Some of those tasks may include:

  • Ensuring that the independent contractors you hired are classified correctly by the IRS.
  • Keeping you updated on your financial statements so that you have a thorough understanding of the nooks and crannies of your business.
  • Overseeing the payroll and payment processes for all employees.
  • Advising on the estimated tax payments you should be making throughout the year
  • Determining which employees should receive W2 and 1099 forms, and when.
  • Reviewing and finalizing your books to ensure that all your paperwork checks out before submitting your business tax returns to the IRS.

While you can do many of these tasks on your own, it’s best to delegate as many as you can to a professional.

Supporting Your Business’s Growth

When it comes time to grow your business, having a CPA on your payroll can be a critical resource as they can help you manage the entire process.

A few things they can do to support the growth of your business include:

  • Helping you determine which areas are prime for growth by providing insight on your cash flow patterns, inventory management, financing, pricing, and so on.
  • Advising you on equipment and property leasing and purchasing
  • Preventing you from getting audited by the IRS and helping you with the process should you get audited
  • Creating financial forecasts and a budget to help you make better business decisions
  • Assist you with the sale of your business if necessary

These are just a few ways that a CPA professional can work with you to help your business grow. You can choose to have them take care of all your accounting and financial tasks or just some specific ones that you’re unable to manage. Either way, they’re an asset to small business owners.

Pros and Cons of Buying an Existing Business

Janice Russell on April 20, 2022

If you’re ready to leave your unfulfilling career behind to become your own boss and you’re not quite sure of what you want to offer or sell, buying an existing business may be a great option. But just like for a startup, there are pros and cons to consider before taking the plunge. E-City Beat presents a list of positive and negative outcomes to help you decide if buying an existing business is the right move for you.

Positive Outcomes

The products or services you sell are already market-tested. You know there is a need for what the business is selling, and you can generate more sales by allocating money for online and offline advertising. The Digital Marketing Institute suggests investing in online marketing strategies like SEO, social media ads, and retargeting ads that will expand your reach and take your products and services further. You can also advertise the change in business ownership in your local newspaper or on your local radio station to bring renewed awareness to the brand.

Your clientele is already established. Introduce yourself as the new owner by offering special discounts and promotions to your existing customers. If you’re planning on introducing new products or services, give free samples to garner interest, and ask for feedback–positive and negative–that will help you decide if you should expand your offerings or stick with the products and services that already bring you revenue.

Your brand is already established. If the existing business you’re planning on buying benefits from great brand recognition and has a strong online presence, all it takes for you to keep it going is to regularly post fresh content online to retain the attention of your followers and to connect with other companies for cross-promotions and co-branding in order to increase your exposure.

Your supply chain is already in place. Unlike starting a business from scratch, which would not only involve deciding on a business structure, finding funding, and filing all the proper documentation with the state, but also finding suppliers for your materials and equipment, buying an existing business lets you skip all those steps, bypass the “trial-and-error” phase, and go straight to the fun of running a successful venture of your own.

Negative Outcomes

Deal Studio notes that it’s difficult to appraise an existing business. You’ll have to figure out what made the business a success, and how to keep that momentum going once it changes ownership. Some businesses have valuable assets but don’t generate much revenue, whereas others have fewer assets but generate a lot of money. For this reason, projecting future earnings may be a better way to valuate a small business.

Your equipment and software may be outdated. Buying new equipment will add to your startup costs, and you may have to invest in training, for yourself and for your employees, to learn how to use it. If you’re dealing with older proprietary software, you may have to hire a computer programmer to redesign programs that will work on the newer operating systems found on the market.

You may have to roll out new processes and technologies. If you’re buying an older business, chances are its website is not yet equipped with integrated customer relationship management and enterprise resource planning systems. You’ll also have to update and optimize the website for faster page loading, and to allow customers to buy directly from your site using API banking.

You may have a hard time making it “your” business. Personalize it and make changes that are more reflective of who you are and where you want the business to go. For example, you can redesign the company logo to make it your own. If you’re on a tight budget, use an online business logo creator to design one yourself instead of hiring a graphic designer.

Buying an existing business can be a profitable endeavor. Thorough knowledge of the products and services you’re offering, along with an understanding of social media advertising, will help you grow your company and increase brand awareness as you put your own stamp on it.

Great Falls Area Company Transfers VHS To DVD – And Much More

ECB Staff on March 21, 2022

Stray Moose Productions is a local one-stop audio-visual production, duplicating and transfer specialist.

“Why send your memories out of town when we can do it all right here in the Great Falls area?” – Stray Moose Productions

Stray Moose Productions can transfer your VHS and SVHS video tapes of movies, home movies and other content to DVD for you quickly and affordably. They are located in Black Eagle.

They also transfer 8mm and 16mm home movies to DVD, Beta to DVD, and cassette, reel-to-reel and vinyl to CD.

Stray Moose Productions also does professional video work for your special events such as weddings and memorial services.

Call 406-727-6670 or email info@straymoose.com

They are located at 3 Anaconda Hills Dr., Black Eagle, MT – next to Anaconda Hills Golf Course and across from the Black Eagle Community Center.

Are You Making One Of These 6 Common Mistakes That Many New Business Owners Make?

Janice Russell on March 15, 2022

Planning on entering the world of entrepreneurship in the near future? If so, you’ll be in excellent company. Recent data shows that over 500,000 new businesses are created each month. In the U.S., tens of millions of individuals can currently call themselves business owners. Whether they run a brick-and-mortar or an online boutique, new individuals become entrepreneurs each and every day.

If you’re ready to become a small business owner yourself, there is a steep learning curve ahead. However, certain lessons are more important to learn than others. Here are six common (and preventable) mistakes that many new entrepreneurs make.

Not selecting the correct business entity

Choosing the right business entity/structure is more important than you may believe. Oftentimes, new entrepreneurs will simply stick with a sole proprietorship filing. Although this selection can occasionally be an appropriate choice, it can cost you big time in the long run.

Instead consider registering your business as an LLC, which has a number of exceptional advantages. Among these benefits are tax breaks and reduced paperwork. One of the biggest benefits is the protection an LLC provides your personal finances. In the event of a lawsuit or uncollected business debt, entrepreneurs with LLCs cannot have their personal assets taken from them. Prior to forming an LLC, be sure to review all state-specific rules and regulations.

Doing business “under the table”

A shocking number of business owners conduct business illegally. Home-based business owners — and those with physical locations — will sometimes fail to file the proper paperwork for inspections, a sales tax permit, and a business license.

Even if you plan to run a business as a hobby, do not conduct your transactions “under the table.” While some justify this practice by citing that others do this, make sure that you are doing everything 100% legally. Selling products without proper licensing or inspections can lead to massive fines and jail time.

Not spending enough time on branding

Creating brand awareness among potential customers is critical to separating yourself from the competition. Your website, social media pages, business name, and logo are all essential to attracting and retaining customers.

While some tasks such as web design are best handled by qualified professionals, you can discover unique business names by using a business name generator. You can also use a logo creator online to design an attractive logo. Once you’ve downloaded and customized your logo, you can add it to merchandise, marketing materials, business cards, and much more.

Forgetting to plan for emergency expenses

Just as with your personal life, emergency expenses can (and often do) arise when running a new business. Unexpected fees and broken equipment are only some of the many expenses that can arise without warning.

Avoid having to take out loans or business credit cards by setting aside a separate emergency fund. Plan to save between $1,000-$1,500, as this amount can cover some of the most common expenses. From repairs to anything else that may come up, you can avoid significant financial setbacks.

Working too many hours

Many new entrepreneurs treat their bodies and minds like machines. With so many tasks and expectations, it is common for business owners to work 60, 70, or even more than 80 hours per week. Although this may be necessary at select times, overworking yourself should never become a habit. Just because you own a business does not mean that you’ve developed superhuman abilities. Rest and leisure are as important as they were before launching your new venture.

Prevent burnout by scheduling regular time off and self-care each week. You can create a monthly planner to stay on track with your tasks and schedule downtime as well. There are customizable monthly planner templates that allow you to add your own graphics, sticky notes, and videos.

Spreading yourself too thin

Last but not least, new business owners have a reputation for spreading themselves too thin. On top of working too many hours, they often release a vast product/service list that isn’t defined. If this sounds like you, narrow down your offerings so that you’re selling what you do best. Expand only when you’ve mastered the basics of business ownership.

Avoiding these six common mistakes is key to running a successful business. Beyond this list, treat every other mistake as a learning experience. Rather than getting upset at yourself, learn from every bump along the way.

E-City Beat explores various issues and their effects on Great Falls and Montana residents.

Starting A Business: Effective Tips For Parents With Disabilities

Gwen Payne on February 28, 2022

Managing parenting while living with a condition while launching your new business – it’s a lot for the best of us! But there are so many strategies out there to get your small business up and running while tending to your kids and taking care of yourself. Work-life balance is real – and the extra income you earn from business can go a long way in supporting both you and your family.

The U.S. Department of Labor writes that ‘entrepreneurship is a flexible route to economic independence for people with disabilities.’ How can you get started? Here are some tips, courtesy of E-City Beat.

Set Up a Business Account

Many entrepreneurs leave things like business structure and accounts to the last minute. However, it is prudent to set yourself up with a separate business bank account. This way, you’ll have your personal finances held separately from your business ones, which can reduce confusion when it comes to accounting or tax time. In addition, if you commingle funds, it could lead to losing liability protection when you’ve formed an LLC as a business entity for your startup. This will also cause you to be held personally liable for debts and lawsuits in the company name, so it is best to avoid mixing up finances.

Funding Opportunities

There are lots of grants and loans out there to help make entrepreneurship more accessible for disabled parents. Here are some of your main options:

If you’re looking for more options, check out this handy resource by the Disability Digest outlining how you can go about finding the perfect grant for your needs.

Set Up a Home Office

Over half of all small businesses are run from someone’s home. By working from home, you’ll be able to save on rent and work from the comfort of your own space. You’ll also be able to set up a space that is accessible to your needs – for example, with adequate turning space for a wheelchair or reduced decor stimulus if you’re neuro sensitive. And the best part? You’ll be close by to keep an eye on the kids and keep parenting going while you get your work done.

Hiring Candidates With Disabilities

According to this report by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, about 20% of workers in the U.S. are disabled. You’d be able to contribute effectively to your community while raising the confidence, skills, and self-esteem of other disabled employees. Not to mention, hiring skilled workers to get the job done well will be critical to your success.

The best way to find qualified candidates is to look up job boards and reach out. Be sure to prepare onboarding documents and arrange check-ins with your employee to ensure they’re settling into your workplace culture.

Marketing

Getting the word out about your small business will be crucial in its success. Don’t be shy to tell friends and family and anyone else who will listen about your new venture. Networking is a great way to market and gain opportunities like potential funding, interested talent, and more through the process.

Consider digital marketing strategies for your business too. Harnessing social media platforms and running advertising through PPC and SEO marketing can give you a significant leg up. Don’t forget to market your story, too – a disabled parent entrepreneur is a unique and compelling brand narrative you can take advantage of!

Running your small business is a great way to build a better future for you and your family. And it is a fulfilling and satisfying journey that is full of rewards – both material and emotional. Use these tips to get started on your dream business today!

How Parents of Special Needs Kids Can Lower Fatigue and Feel Better

Gwen Payne on February 2, 2022

Being the parent of a special needs child is rewarding but challenging. You may often feel wiped out at the end of the day with little time to address your own mental or physical health. The earlier you figure out how to take care of yourself, the better the outcomes will be for you and your child.

Evaluate Your Fatigue Level

Assess your fatigue level before drawing up a self-care plan. If you check one or more of these boxes, you have to commit to change, or you may find yourself experiencing burnout. Ask yourself the following questions.

  • Are you able to get good quality sleep and look after your body?
  • Do you have a network of people you can turn to when necessary?
  • Have you lost a sense of purpose or fulfillment beyond your role as a parent?

Cover the Basics

While serving as someone’s rock, don’t forget that you aren’t one. You’re a human being. You need at least six to eight hours of sleep and fuel in the form of a balanced diet. In your circumstances, this is easier said than done. But try to prepare nourishing meals while your child is at therapy or set a bedtime routine so you can sleep soundly while your kid does.

Moments of Joy

Put relaxation on your schedule to reduce stress. Socialize with people who lift your mood, get a massage or haircut, or take your child to the park if they’re amenable, and you can enjoy a walk while they play.

Amidst the struggles, it can be hard to recognize the small victories. Start a gratitude journal. Take five minutes and savor moments where your child made progress, your partner was there for you, or anything else you appreciated about your day or week. This practice has tremendous benefits.

Counseling and Support Groups

Parenting is difficult, period. Having a special needs kid can feel overwhelming. But, guess what? You’re not alone. 

  • Look for safe spaces on the internet. Talk to other parents in similar situations and share tips. 
  • Visit a therapist if possible. You can hash out feelings of shame or failure or take your significant other along for couple counseling.
  • Lean on your social support structures. You might not be able to go on vacation, but people who care about you will offer you a little respite at home. You can work out what wouldn’t classify as overburdening. For example, your neighbor who’s getting groceries anyway might be happy to get yours regularly too. If you have the financial means, hire the assistance you need. 

Personal Aspirations

For the sake of your long-term emotional well-being, your life has to be about more than just your child. Pursue hobbies that give you pleasure, or start a low-maintenance business. Work on getting further education. This goal is easier than ever with opportunities for self-paced distance learning online. 

You can combat exhaustion by eating and sleeping well, prioritizing breaks, and asking loved ones for help. Focusing on the things you can control maintains balance and positivity for you and your child.

What You Need to Know to Have Safe and Budget-Friendly Holidays

Daniel Sherwin on December 4, 2020

You want to be able to safely spend time with your family and friends this holiday season, but you also want to be able to do so without putting any pressure on your budget. After all, we’re all worried about our health and finances these days.

Luckily, there are a couple of ways you can still enjoy the holidays with the folks you love, without putting your health or your community at risk.

You can also do so without putting your budget into the red. You can use the following information from E City Beat to figure out how.

The True Costs of COVID

So your main concern is budget, and that’s understandable. With unemployment rates continuing to climb in most states, including Montana, people are looking for all sorts of ways to cut costs. That is, without cutting the joy out of the holiday season.

But let’s be clear: inviting your extended or out-of-state family into your home for the holidays could put every single one of your lives at risk. Not to mention that any resulting community spread will only lead to further restrictions and shutdowns. This means you’ll likely need to trim even more from your budget in the coming months.

Not convinced by personal and public health risks? Well then consider the potential bills of a hospital stay due to coronavirus. The average treatment can top out at $20,000 or more.

Although the CARES Act does guarantee help with COVID-related medical bills, getting that help can be a chore. So keep this in mind as you plan your holiday celebrations.

Safer Holiday Gatherings

If you do want to celebrate with people outside of your own household, the safest way to do so is outdoors. You need to be able to stay at least 6 feet apart from others in order to make this work, and you’ll need extra sources of warmth during the cold winter months.

A couple of DIY fire pits could prove useful. With a few materials and a little hard work, you can put together some pretty impressive fire pits in less than a day. Then your loved ones will have a nice, cozy and safe area to spend the holidays together. Another completely free option is to host a virtual celebration.

We know this doesn’t have the same feeling as seeing your loved ones in-person, but this is the best way to gather with the people you love and still keep them safe from the coronavirus. Plus it’s completely free.

Budget-Friendly Online Gifts

If you don’t want to take any risk this year, you can still spread holiday joy by sending thoughtful presents to your friends and family. For the little ones on your list, you’ll want to shop early. Since there is a must-have gift every year, buying early ensures you’ll snag a deal on their presents, and it gives you plenty of time to ship everything.

Edible gifts, like cookies and other seasonal treats, are also a thoughtful and inexpensive way to show you care. You can safely drop holiday treats off on a doorstep or send them via post. Just be mindful of recommended dates for getting your holiday packages to their destination on time without spending a fortune.

The pandemic may be ongoing, but it doesn’t have to ruin your holidays. Plan to celebrate outdoors or online with your loved ones, and you should be able to keep everyone safe. Also, look for ways to keep costs low, so you won’t be stressed about your budget.

Need a break from traditional print and TV news? Check out E-City Beat for the latest.

Great Falls Suicide Survivor Speaks Out

ECB Staff on June 11, 2018

Editors note: for obvious reasons, E-City Beat is respecting the writers request for anonymity.

Suicide has no face because it is the face of everyone; I am one of those faces, I just happened to survive but I wasn’t supposed to. Suicide lives in the minds of those with radiant smiles and intoxicating laughs, in those you talk to everyday in bubbly fascinating conversations or serious political debates; but while this entire normalcy is taking place you would never guess that thoughts of suicide are also racing through their minds, over and over like a budding orgasm begging for sweet release.

The thought of suicide is toxic yet comforting at the same time, it is your escape out of whatever is tearing you apart; suicide lets you leave this world on your own terms, when you are ready – sounded like a pretty decent deal to me at the time.

“The thought of suicide is toxic yet comforting at the same time, it is your escape out of whatever is tearing you apart; suicide lets you leave this world on your own terms, when you are ready – sounded like a pretty decent deal to me at the time.”

As a suicide survivor I’ve witnessed the devastating effects that my actions had on my family, particularly on my husband and my child. Nothing can prepare you for the conversation with a teenager who came home, found your goodbye letter to him and then found you – it’s over a year later now and my child is still reeling from what he witnessed, what I did to him. It was never supposed to be that way, he was never supposed to find me, but that’s what happened.

To survive in the first place is quite hard; because you failed at the one thing you were dead serious about doing (pun intended). I had not reached out to anyone; no one knew that this was coming, just as many others have done before me. I had been thinking about suicide for a long time but I hadn’t been serious about it, I had been serious enough to be saving up prescription pills “just in case” I ever decided to go through with it.

The day happened, I snapped; I think that is what occurs with the majority of people who commit suicide. An event, someone says literally says the wrong thing to your already suicidal mind and you just snap and say I’m done. It was quite peaceful for me, the decision to die, which looking back is quite odd because in my everyday life I’m petrified of dying. In that moment, I was totally calm, I took hundreds of crushed up pills, drank some alcohol and water left out my letters to my husband and child and just waited – it didn’t take long.

I woke up in the hospital, which is the last place you want to be when you’ve just tried to commit suicide. I’ll never forget the look on my husband’s face, so many emotions – anger, resentment, love, gratitude, shock, bewilderment. Everyone has so many questions to ask you after you attempt suicide and you just want the world to be quiet. After the hospital stay, there is the mental hospital stay (which is a shocker to someone who’s never walked down that path before). Then there’s group therapy, individual therapy, doctor’s appointments, medical bills, the list goes on and on.

Coming home to the house where I attempted to end my life was emotional to say the least; Mind blowing. Horrific. Hopeful…Because my story DID NOT END THERE!

“Coming home to the house where I attempted to end my life was emotional to say the least; Mind blowing. Horrific. Hopeful…Because my story DID NOT END THERE!”

The very recent deaths of famed fashion designer Kate Spade and world-renowned Chef and TV Food Star Anthony Bourdain really rocked me to my core and are what prompted me to write this article. They are two people, two faces, two lives that lived life extraordinary and because of their stature got to experience many things that most of us do not. None of that matter though; I can speculate, that like myself, the day before their deaths they presented themselves to the world as happy, normal people; moving about their regular activities that would not raise alarm to anyone to suggest that suicide was racing through their minds.

When someone is serious about committing suicide they are not likely to reach out for help, talk to anyone about it or give any noticeable indication that something is wrong. That is not to say that if someone who does reach out shouldn’t be helped, they absolutely should; because one day they could end up JUST LIKE US.

I urge all of you out there who are spouse’s/partners of someone with depression, anxiety or mental illness of any kind, stand by them! I know it’s hard and it may feel unfair to you but people don’t ask to have a mental illness but they do ask for love and support just as if they were going through any other illness. It could be you one day in the same shoes, as this strikes the mind in our weakest moments and has a power all its own.

To those of you thinking about suicide, I’m not going to tell you to reach out; what I will tell you is to think of everyone you are going to leave behind. Whose birthday are you going to miss? Whose graduations? Whose weddings? If you are married, what is this going to do to your spouse? If you have kids, what is this going to do to them? I know what it did to mine. The death of you leaves behind such trauma, when confronting what is bringing you to the point of suicide would actually be easier. Trust me, I’ve been there.

I’m alive today; so grateful that I wasn’t successful in my attempt, that my last breath wasn’t on my kitchen floor. Suicide, like a drug, still floats through my mind like a stabbing thorn on my bad days however I know how much I have to live for and I look forward to the days of being old and gray.

Suicide has no face because it is the face of everyone. Be Kind.

By a Great Falls anonymous friend, neighbor, family member, co-worker, and suicide survivor.