Depression and Suicide in Still Listening to Spirit

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Traci Smith-Cone's entry on depression and suicide is eloquently written and as right on as anything I have read lately or in the past that might give someone who doesn't suffer depression.

The very first woman friend I made almost 20 years ago here in Our Town is Barb. I saw her every day for a soda or two at Moe's Frontier Bar. As a bartender, she was the best--I enjoyed the sodas anyway. But as a confidante, encourager, and good hearted woman, she is the best.

She listened to me talk about the depression and its effects. Ten years ago, she began to have deep depression and other illnesses that have finally disabled her. The worst of which was a debilitating dizziness that the doctors have found nothing to cure it.

She told me about 2 years into the depression that she used to listen to me and think "Oh for God's sake, suck it up, cheer up, get over yourself. Now, I really understand what this is like, and I want to apologize."

She is such a sweetheart, I never, ever received even a hint that she wasn't listening sympathetically and acknowledging what I was suffering was real. I told her this and praised her for it as she helped me through many, many years of ups and downs.

Anyway, MY depression of the summer is lifting through work, being useful, and being exposed to so many people from so many places, all eager to hear about life here or our tours, or even the merchandise.

Bless me! Four hours of work is a good answer for financial, mental and even some physical woes. Some days are challenging, schedules and passengers and drivers don't always 'behave' as they should. But acceptance and quick thinking make me feel very competent and able to do what I do well.

Rain, clouds, mist, sprinkles all the moisture in the air is 100% I poured me a small paper cup of goldfish from the Depot's stash. Crispy and good. An hour later? Less crisp, more soggy, just from sitting on my counter. Sigh. Even uncrispy they are goooooood!

So, all I can say, as I usually do--Blessed be!

And please read what Traci wrote and share it as you wish. It is profound and telling..