Des Moines Woman Marks Suicide Survival With Kindness Gifts

A stranger handed a news reporter an envelope on a Des Moines street corner last week, and inside was a message that would touch thousands: "A year ago today, I chose life over suicide."

The woman, who wants to remain anonymous and goes by "Samantha," spent her survival anniversary doing something remarkable. She withdrew $310 from the bank, wrote heartfelt notes, and drove around Des Moines handing white envelopes to random people.

Each envelope had a sticker reading "Good things are coming." Inside, strangers found a $10 bill and Samantha's powerful note about choosing to live.

"It's simple things that can change a person's world, really," Samantha explained. "I don't want anyone to feel bad or hopeless."

Years ago, doctors diagnosed Samantha with a debilitating neurological disorder. The constant pain made her believe her family would be better off without her, and she decided to end her life.

But after getting treatment, something shifted. She chose to stay.

When reporter Todd Magel posted Samantha's note on social media, it exploded with thousands of likes and comments. People who understood the pain of suicide shared their own stories, and remarkably, there wasn't a single negative comment.

"I've never seen a post where there weren't negative comments," Samantha said, surprised by the overwhelming support.

Why This Inspires

Samantha's story matters because it transforms personal pain into public hope. Her envelopes reached people on the street, but her message reached thousands more online who needed to hear it.

She believes her struggle happened for a reason. "I think this all happened to me because God was like, no, that's not why I put you here," she reflected.

Her message to anyone struggling cuts through the noise with simple clarity: "I don't care if you are the worst person or you've made horrible mistakes. You're worth it. You are worth saving."

Samantha plans to repeat this act of kindness every year on her survival anniversary, turning her darkest moment into an annual celebration of life and hope.