Words alone cannot explain how grateful I am to Karl for saving my life and giving me another chance to breathe and live again. A day doesn’t go by that I don’t think about him.

Today I decided to write a letter to express my gratitude to him by nominating him for this Award. I don’t want to talk about the circumstances that led up to me trying to commit suicide but on that evening, I was very depressed, locked up in my room with a bunch of pills and a knife in my hand. I called a few friends that night and no one answered their phone. Frustrated, I popped all the pills and with a knife on my vein, I was ready to take my life away. Suddenly, out of nowhere, I decided I will make one last phone call. I picked up my phone, dialed a random number, and Karl not knowing who I was, answered the phone. The rest is history.

Every time I think of that night, I am not sure what to think about it, but I strongly believe it was not a coincidence. God’s hands were in it. Now when I reflect on it, all I can say is that God had another plan for me and put Karl on my path to save me. Every morning when I wake up, I would cry in gratitude thankful to Karl for saving my life on that dreadful night I was so close to taking it away.

The 46 minutes and 16 seconds he stayed talking with me on the phone while on shift saved my life. Karl was there for me. He listened with empathy and without judgment. The calmness in his voice, his listening ear, his presence, and his patience with me on the phone made the biggest difference. His affirmation that I mattered in this world all changed my outlook that night. He made me feel safe because at that moment I felt like I was not alone. And just knowing that, saved my life. I can never repay him but I am eternally grateful because without him I would no longer be here.

Since the incident, he has made the effort to reach out to me almost every day. Now I am able to deal with my mental health issues thanks to him for not only encouraging me to get the help I needed but also following up to make sure I did and assisting me with the process. He gave me the confidence to do that. I got the help I needed which enabled me to get my life back on track. He will always be my hero and he is a perfect example of what a decent human being should be. Had he not answered that phone call that night, I will surely be a mere memory to my loved ones. He will forever have my gratitude. The words “thank you” seem so inadequate but yet they are all I have to offer.

Note: This is Karl's 2nd DAISY Award!