Editor’s note: Roger Berger wrote this letter about his son’s death.

Dear Editor,

One year ago, nearly to the day, my wife and I set out on a journey to visit Seneca Falls, New York. I decided I wanted to visit the town after I had read it was the inspiration for Bedford Falls, the fictitious town set in the Christmas movie classic “It’s a Wonderful Life.” The movie itself has been my personal favorite for the last 25-30 years of my life.

More specifically, I always admired the main character George Bailey, played by Jimmy Stewart (who hails from Indiana, Pennsylvania, by the way). George upheld the highest levels of integrity and cared deeply about the success of others in his small town, often at the expense of his own prosperity. In the end, he is rewarded by all of those he had helped over the years. They paid off his debt obligation to keep him from going to jail. I always well up with tears at the end of the movie, mainly because it seems so foreign in today’s society to even think about so many individuals attempting to help out another person. It all seemed a bit too idealistic. Until it happened to me. Not with money for an unpaid debt, mind you, but with something that means so much more.

Earlier this year, March 5 to be exact, I received news that no parent ever wants to hear. My 27-year-old son had committed suicide. I can’t begin to explain the unimaginable grief that followed. It truly can only be understood by those who have had to deal with the same issue. However, while trapped deep in the greatest despair of my life, something magical happened. I became George Bailey. To be honest, I don’t even know how to explain the support I’ve received over the last month. The cards, text messages, phone calls, emails, flowers, food, money and most importantly — prayers — flooded me by the hundreds.

I wouldn’t even know where to begin when it comes to thanking everyone. As I said during my son’s eulogy, the prayers of those people held me up, while my faith in Jesus Christ kept me going. Nothing will ever replace my son, that goes without saying. On the other hand, nothing will take away the memories he and I had created together over 27 years. Fortunately, I am blessed to have gone through this ordeal while living in small-town America, where people still care. Thank you to everyone who turned the Palmerton/Lehighton area into Bedford Falls, even if only for a short period of time. Additionally, thank you for helping a grieving father see what it feels like to be George Bailey.

Roger L. Berger

Lehighton