Today is Mario Monday, and as always we are remembering Rader, who loved Mario the most.
This second week of June is an especially hard one for our family, between June 7 when he died by suicide at the age of 15, and June 13, his birthday (he should be turning 19 this Saturday). As I was thinking about what I wanted to post today, I went looking for music from Super Mario Galaxy, our family favorite Mario game.
Here's a sweet playlist of #SuperMarioGalaxy music (including some from Super Mario Galaxy 2), compiled by YouTuber Yoonchiya, which she describes as "good for studying, sleeping, crying, etc." I agree. It's a great mix of calming and poignant, and perfect as I'm reflecting on Rader's life today.
Yoonchiya curates playlists from video game soundtracks. This is her second Super Mario Galaxy one. You can find the other and much more on her YouTube channel. Thank you, Yoonchiya!
Yoonchiya kindly shared today’s Facebook post with her own followers. Here’s what she said:
Three years ago, we lost a fellow gamer and Super Mario Galaxy lover to suicide. The Rader Ward Foundation, led by Rader's mother in his memory, reached out to me about posting my SMG playlist on the anniversary. We talked, exchanged our experiences a bit, and in the process I discovered what an amazing foundation it is.
The Rader Ward Foundation is an organization dedicated to suicide prevention, providing mental health and grief support resources, and even gives out scholarships to children in need to attend Montessori schools. It's chock-full of info and, honestly, very heartwarming just to visit. Here is their website: www.raderward.com/
You can support them by liking their Facebook page (original post) or Instagram at www.instagram.com/RaderWardFoundation/
I'm not very good at writing about these things, but I tried my best!
On my SMG playlists, especially, I've noticed many lonely souls writing about how Mario and other games like these are their refuge. Some people post very emotional comments, and I wish I could be there for each and every one of you.
However, no matter what, I'm so proud of the loving and supportive community these videos have attracted. Not only the composers of this music, but all of you who listen, are making this world a better place <3
~Yoonchi