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▲ pfdietz 19 hours ago

My older brother killed himself nearly 20 years ago at the age of 50. I don't think he ever considered himself successful. He had financial problems, alcoholism, and was lonely without any lasting relationships. When his resources were exhausted he just ended his life. There was nothing in the estate of value since his assets, such as they were, were less than tax liability he had accumulated. The owner of the house he had been renting tried to get us siblings to pay for repairs and cost of disposal, but we demurred (and told the court we'd be happy if that owner was named executor; they declined the honor.) I think his car just disappeared off the street one day, probably towed to an abandoned car lot and auctioned. At least the state recouped some of the owed taxes that way.

▲throwaway2037 8 hours ago | parent [-]

I'm curious to learn more, and I'm sorry for your loss. Did he always struggle with relationships? It does seems like people with good relationships (friends, family, lovers, etc.) have a much higher quality of life. Yet, for many men, it is very hard to build and maintain these.

▲pfdietz 6 hours ago | parent [-]

Yes, very much yes to all of that.

In contrast, I've been married for 45 years and have two grown children. He told me once, of course decades ago, that he envied what I had.