Jamie Raskin’s memoir addresses the double tragedies of his son’s suicide and the insurrection.

His son, Tommy, took his own life on the night before New Year’s Eve of 2020 and the Trump-fueled violent invasion of the Capitol happened seven days later.

Two observations.

One, revisiting the events of January 6 leaves one gobsmacked that Trump wasn’t banished from public service forever. How could THaT GUY run for president again — and win? After orchestrating such violence. After lying maliciously about voter fraud for months. After attempting a coup. Really?

Of course responding to that question requires a long answer, one that references a corrupt SCOTUS several times, one that questions Merrick Garland’s integrity, points to Aileen Cannon’s abject partisanship, and nails McConnell for not whipping the votes for conviction after the second impeachment.

Yawn. Right?

The second observation has to do with how reading about Jamie Raskin’s son’s despair affords me something like comfort and why? — because of recognition? Kinship?

It’s baffling. Different ages, different methods of suicide, somewhat overlapping mental health issues but not the same, and yet, I understand Raskin’s pain and in understanding the horror of his situation, I am engaged and feel wave after wave of compassion.

It’s alright if this makes no sense. It makes no sense to me either.

“Forgive me, but it’s hard to be human.”

Tommy Raskin as quoted by his father.