I remember and prayed for you. As your Dad would say, that encounter at the gym was a “divine appointment,” God knew what, who, and when you needed. Thanks for sharing.
I saw depression in my grandfather, dad, uncle and aunt. I have always been determined not to let it get me. I'm honest with God and probably more open with my feelings than some would like. That's just me.
I remember every Christmas Dad would get depressed but I never knew why. Finally, just a few years before he died, I said to him that I saw he got depressed every Christmas and in my very non counselor way, I said "what's your problem?" They were very poor when he was being raised during the depression and living in Talbot County MD. Many of the kids Dad went to school with came from wealthy families. Each year when they came back to school from Christmas vacation, the teacher would ask what everyone got for Christmas. Many got nice toys and new bikes because their parents could afford them. Dad said he was doing well if he got a piece of fruit. So when the teacher asked him, he said he lied and told her all of the great things he got for Christmas. That had bothered him ever since.
After he told me that, I told him that he had always made sure I had a nice Christmas and he was way to blessed to be depressed about what happened sixty some years ago. That clicked with him. He was entirely different for the few remaining years he had left. No more sadness at Christmas. Depression is real. We all need to face it and deal with it when it raises it's ugly head. Thanks for writing this.
Proud of you for sharing this, Bill. As you know, I too have lived the depression journey and 100% agree with your recommendation to trust the process of working with someone else to help you sort it out. I'm not sure we ever fully put it in the rearview, but when we sort through things and understand ourselves better, we can more successfully recognize the signals and avoid the deeper periods. It is well worth the effort and the initial discomfort you experience when you lean into working through it with someone else instead of trying to just push through on you own.
Thank you for sharing your deepest, most difficult times. I have also suffered from depression and it is a lonely place. Thank God for the people He puts in our path. He will never leave us or forsake us. Thank you, Bill.
You're such a great writer, and I always look forward to your substack articles. Your honesty and your willingness to share is so refreshing. Thanks for being a blessing to all of us!
May I share this on my facebook page. My mother committed suicide when I was 16. Alcohol was her meds. Back then things weren't discussed..She was a mean drunk and violent..One day in July, she was never home when we were there, but evidence was there she had been home during the day. Then one day before her 45th birthday, she litterally drank herself to death, even when the dr told her, if you don't quit it will kill you. It taught me a lesson, even in the 60's when it was cool to smoke pot, I never touched drugs, never drank, never smoked cigarettes. I am fortunate I don't have the depression or feel the necessity to rely on drugs and alchohol. Thank you for sharing your story. A lot of folks are embarrassed to admit they have a problem and try to handle it themselves.
Your testimony is a must-read. As a person who's been there, too, you put it perfectly into words. I remember crying while reading your book when I came to your story regarding that struggle.
I remember and prayed for you. As your Dad would say, that encounter at the gym was a “divine appointment,” God knew what, who, and when you needed. Thanks for sharing.
I saw depression in my grandfather, dad, uncle and aunt. I have always been determined not to let it get me. I'm honest with God and probably more open with my feelings than some would like. That's just me.
I remember every Christmas Dad would get depressed but I never knew why. Finally, just a few years before he died, I said to him that I saw he got depressed every Christmas and in my very non counselor way, I said "what's your problem?" They were very poor when he was being raised during the depression and living in Talbot County MD. Many of the kids Dad went to school with came from wealthy families. Each year when they came back to school from Christmas vacation, the teacher would ask what everyone got for Christmas. Many got nice toys and new bikes because their parents could afford them. Dad said he was doing well if he got a piece of fruit. So when the teacher asked him, he said he lied and told her all of the great things he got for Christmas. That had bothered him ever since.
After he told me that, I told him that he had always made sure I had a nice Christmas and he was way to blessed to be depressed about what happened sixty some years ago. That clicked with him. He was entirely different for the few remaining years he had left. No more sadness at Christmas. Depression is real. We all need to face it and deal with it when it raises it's ugly head. Thanks for writing this.
You are a blessing to me. Thankful for your honesty with this. Appreciate you.
"Your best days are ahead of you." - thanks, I needed that.
Proud of you for sharing this, Bill. As you know, I too have lived the depression journey and 100% agree with your recommendation to trust the process of working with someone else to help you sort it out. I'm not sure we ever fully put it in the rearview, but when we sort through things and understand ourselves better, we can more successfully recognize the signals and avoid the deeper periods. It is well worth the effort and the initial discomfort you experience when you lean into working through it with someone else instead of trying to just push through on you own.
Thank you for sharing your deepest, most difficult times. I have also suffered from depression and it is a lonely place. Thank God for the people He puts in our path. He will never leave us or forsake us. Thank you, Bill.
So many true words!
You're such a great writer, and I always look forward to your substack articles. Your honesty and your willingness to share is so refreshing. Thanks for being a blessing to all of us!
Thank you for sharing…someone definitely needs this message. Having been there, (not on the motorcycle) I can say your words are so spot on.
May I share this on my facebook page. My mother committed suicide when I was 16. Alcohol was her meds. Back then things weren't discussed..She was a mean drunk and violent..One day in July, she was never home when we were there, but evidence was there she had been home during the day. Then one day before her 45th birthday, she litterally drank herself to death, even when the dr told her, if you don't quit it will kill you. It taught me a lesson, even in the 60's when it was cool to smoke pot, I never touched drugs, never drank, never smoked cigarettes. I am fortunate I don't have the depression or feel the necessity to rely on drugs and alchohol. Thank you for sharing your story. A lot of folks are embarrassed to admit they have a problem and try to handle it themselves.
Yes 😊
Your testimony is a must-read. As a person who's been there, too, you put it perfectly into words. I remember crying while reading your book when I came to your story regarding that struggle.