“Screams like a devil. Sings like an angel.” — R.I.P. Chester Bennington

I can’t believe the amazingly monstruous talent that is Chester Bennington decided his time on this Earth had come to an end. Yesterday, I stood in shock looking at my phone while reading the devasting news of his death. I thought to myself how naive I had been thinking that his lyrics where phantoms of the past. “He didn’t really want to die” — I used say. I did not know he was still struggling with these feelings. I’m actually mad at myself for being naive.
People say they want to die all the time and we should take this seriously. We are creatures of live. We are supposed to want to live. Life is a blessing and if your brain is telling you otherwise that means you need help.
Maybe I’m being a little drastic and dramatic but I’m fed up with losing people to mental illness. It’s okay not to be okay. Seek help! If you know someone with signs of depression or suicidal tendencies… Help! It’s not just a life. It’s all the people that somehow where touched by that person’s life. Some people never recover from losing a loved one like this. Help! Do something! It’s in all our hands.
Linkin Park played such huge part in my life during my teen years. In their music and lyrics I had place of comfort throughout angst, doubt and sadness. I felt safe and understood. In their sound I found a home. I was not alone.
When I was angry I could hear Chester screaming "Shut up when I’m talking to you" everytime I needed to get my point across. When I was sad I would turn up the volume of "My December" while I literally cried out the lyrics. I can fit in to my life, at some point, almost every song from Hybrid Theory to Living Things.
Chester Bennington’s lyrics helped me throught my melancholic years as a teen. His voice has shaped me into becoming the responsible, uplifting and positive adult I believe I am. Throught his words I have lived and I have learned so much. I am forever in debt to him and his bandmates for saving the life of the teenager I once was. Mental illness is a big deal. Be alert. You might save someone.