I wish I was not so out of the loop sometimes. I just learned last night that Ted Hafer, owner of The Grit vegetarian restaurant in Athens, committed suicide a couple of weeks ago. This news gave me quite a shock. He jumped off the top of the downtown parking deck... a place I know. I can visualize the view from the top of the parking deck--he was looking out over classic, beautiful, stays-with-you-forever Athens. I can imagine what the weather may have been like up there on a morning in November--cool, crisp, breezy... but I cannot understand what horrible things must have gone through his mind at that moment and led him to jump.
I never knew this man, but I knew his name and I loved his restaurant. He and his wife co-wrote one of my favorite cookbooks. He was a special part of Athens... and he was a husband and a father of two.
Here's the obituary that was published in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
I don't know what else I can say. Why do these things happen?
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11 comments:
This makes me sad too...I love that cookbook and thank you for turning me on to it. I can only say that it must have been depression leading his actions.
Dolores Jones
That is so tragic. It's hard to understand why people do such extreme things.
Life is fragile.
oh my goodness gracious, what a tragic ending. I will never understand why people take their own lives - it is one of the most selfish acts out there, since the loved ones of the person who committed suicide are left behind, heartbroken and torn forever. I will be praying for his poor family, who must now live on without their own loved one.
this is very sad.
This is indeed sad, Laura. Suicide is so hard to cope with.
Oh Laura,
What sad & unfortunate news. I have read so many posts on your blog about how much you love both The Grit cookbook & the restaurant itself. So much suffering. It's hard to comprehend.
Oh wow, that is incredibly sad. Because of you, I have come to know The Grit and their cookbook. My thoughts are with Ted Hafer's family. Suicide is an unthinkably tragic thing.
Oh, I'm so sorry for his family. My friend killed himself a few years ago and those of us close to him were so surprised because we didn't know anything was wrong. It's hard to know what goes through someone's head.
I got the cookbook after seeing it on your blog and feel like I know the restaurant too. I agree with Bazu, it's such a tragic thing.
(note: this is Midwest Vegan - I switched blogs)
Laura, I'm sorry about this sad news. This must have been a shock to you. I feel for Ted and his family and friends. I'm sure he was not being selfish or cruel in what he did because the mind is so powerful that it's difficult to understand it all. it's tough to reason it out when you're on the outside looking in. We just want to fix things, and it's so frustrating and sad. I'm sorry that it seems like this has hit you hard. *hugs* I am sad over the news and will be sending good thoughts your way.
Thanks, great blog.
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