In 2015 Silence The Assembly put out our final E.P called "Epitaph" where we wrote a song that touched on suicide and the effects it has on the people around the situation as well as the people in the situation. This is the story behind how that song came to be known to us as "Deaf Eyes."

The band and I had put out a pervious record called "Reconstruction" that lyrically dug into a lot that I personally struggled with in life. About three weeks after the release of the record the band got a Facebook message from a young lady who lived in Maryland that was so excited that she was able to get her hands on a copy of the record.

It was one of those moments as a musician when you realize that people actually listen to your music and enjoy the message you are sharing. We had no idea that our music was making reaching people out of state, we just thought that it didn't go further than Virginia where we were. I just happened to be on Facebook when the message came through; I was in awe as I read the message and all I could really say was "Thank you!"

A few weeks later I received a friend request from her on my personal Facebook page. I accepted and almost immediately I received a message from her again sharing her thoughts on the record and how happy she was that she discovered our band. But little did I know the amount of weight on this girl's shoulders and how much pain she was facing within life.

At this point in my life I had joined a band where all five of us had the same mindset, wanting to share love and hope to people whether they liked our band or not, we made it our ministry to spread love. The two of us became friends and would talk a few times a week on Facebook just to talk about the band and nothing really else.

I became so wrapped up in my own pride that I didn't once think about asking her how she was doing, it was all about what I was doing and how much praise I could get. Little by little the messages stopped coming in and I honestly didn't think anything about it.

Mid 2014 I received a Facebook message from her explaining to me that she was going to end her life and she just wanted to reach out to someone. I wasn't able to think that quick on my feet besides saying "Your life has value" and "Don't lose hope." I was at a loss for words, I would have never thought that I would be faced with someone losing hope and wanting to fade away like I did that night.

I called our bass player Sean and went to his house where I explained to him the situation, Sean contacted her and she told him the same thing. Sean looked at me and said let's drive to Maryland, which was at least a five hour drive from where we were.

Before we jumped in the car that night we received a Facebook message from the young lady's mother explaining that she was with her daughter and that she was okay. She thanked us for taking time out of our night to spend it messaging her and being there for her. If Sean hadn't have been there I wouldn't have known what to say and only God knows what would have happened.

A few months after that the band decided to record one last E.P and end things there, Sean and I wrote a song called "Deaf Eyes" for the young lady that struggled that night and fought through those dark days. I put myself in her shoes when I wrote the song and included the line "They scream let him die, but your voice speaks up and says, I want you alive."

For those struggling with suicidal thoughts, self harm, or hopeless for life, I want to remind you that you are beautiful, unique and special in every way. You have a bright future and your story isn't over yet.

You Are Loved. Your Life Has Value.