The Gift Of Friendship

This morning when I woke up, the air was heavy with the cold temperatures. And my feelings of late. 

Like a robot, I got up and went through my morning chores. Then sat down here at the computer with cereal and my beloved cup of coffee. 

I have been trying to find a doctor to get a medication check, but the process seems like walking through molasses. I can't seem to get anything finalized. You wait for phone calls that don't seem to materialize. 

The days creep along.

I am as familiar with this as I am with my face in the mirror. I can feel myself sliding down into a place I have known all of my life. I have done everything I know to do. I know it is time to see someone. 

A few minutes ago, sitting here at my computer, I saw the lady who brings my mail park in front of my house through this window. She started walking toward the porch with a package.

I hadn't ordered anything. I wondered what it was. 

I brought it inside and opened it at the kitchen table.

Inside the box were two beautiful tablecloths. In two of my very favorite colors. One the color of sunshine. One the spirited red I so love.

There had been tears in my eyes all morning, held barely in check. But now they overflowed.

And then I unwrapped these...

In case you can't read it, here is what the framed words say: 

"Life's challenges are not supposed to paralyze you;

They're supposed to help you discover who you are."

- Bernice Johnson Reagan

How to explain the gratitude I felt right then for my blogging friends and readers. Somehow they seem to know when I need a little lift. Because that is exactly what I've been feeling of late: paralyzed.

Look at this precious tiny red and white cup and saucer.

The note said: Sometimes our days and weeks just fly by and you wonder, "what happened." Anyway, I finally got these things together. I used these for years and they were always special to me...I hope they will be for you as well.

Hoping these will brighten your day.

I stood in my kitchen and stared at the tableau in front of me in amazement and gratitude. 

Now I want to start a discussion on a topic we often avoid...

Depression

I want to explain something to you, for those of you who may not know someone with severe depression. Or have turned away from them because they make you feel uncomfortable. 

Life events trigger the sliding scale of depression for those who suffer from it. But what's important to understand, is that it is always there, lurking just underneath the surface. 

Please, if you have a family member or friend with this disease, here are some of the things you should not do: 

1. Do not tell them to pull themselves together and get over it. If they could, they most certainly would. They are not thinking clearly. Their decision-making processes are right now cloudy. 

2. Do not sigh with aggravation and tell them to do what you would do. Yes, you may think they should react to things as you would. But their brain is wired differently. That is why it is a disease.

3. Do not try to propel them too far out of their "comfort zone" without the proper medical help. You will only make them feel more desperate. And likely to do something impulsive.

 Here are some of the things you should do:

1. Tell them you care about them. And that you are there for them for better or for worse.

2. Steer them toward the proper medical help, if they seem incapacitated. They may not at this time be capable of seeing the forest for the trees. 

3. Remember that they are suffering, even though you can't see the source of their pain. This is not a reflection of anything but the chemicals not functioning properly in their brain.

I know no one likes to think about these things. But likely most of you know someone who suffers from debilitating depression. 

But you may be able to make all the difference in the world to someone who has gone deep within themselves. And cannot find their way out. 

We as women must reach out and help one another. Talk to one another.

Do you know someone with severe depression?