((((teary_me))))

Dearest friend. Even in the midst of the storm, you found strength to reach out. You found your voice to let us in. Thank you for that. I understand and I know how you feel. I myself have said those exact words just yesterday.

I know how it can seem to be when we are going through something, and the world and everyone around you feel so far away and like no one cares. Of how depression takes where we are and twist it into something it can use against us.

I know how the thoughts and emotions can get to twisting within so fast and suck us right within a vortex of feelings that we have learned to believe from a long time go. Something that is ingrained within us before we even knew how to think anything else.

I know how if the vortex keeps spinning, before we know it, it becomes as a twister that has lifted us up and we cannot even touch the ground. It throws us around relentlessly with no mercy or care as to what it is doing.

In those times, it fills our minds with things that are not true, and the faster it goes, the stronger it's hold on us. And though you try to stop it, it won't. It just keeps going and going and continues to fill our minds with lies.

Until you finally have to scream stop. Put on the breaks. And think about all you are. Think about all your friends who think you are a wonderful, caring person. Someone who gives of herself and reaches out to others to offer love and encouragement.

I see no one I could ever hate or want to be gone. You do not deserve to hurt. You never deserved anything that was. The lies depression is telling you are just that. And remember it does not care who it attacks for it has no respecter of person.

I know how it is that in this place it seems the darkness will never lift, and the pain will never cease. And how you feel as though you cannot breath and it feels as though you will choke for not being able to get enough air to go on.

You are strong teary, stronger than you even realize. I know how it feels you are hanging on by a thread, and even the thread is frayed and your fingers are griping yet sliding. But we are here to catch you and hold you up until you can get your footing once again.

We are never going to leave you. For you are worth every tear, every word, every letter. Someone told me to not think that everyday is going to be dark, or that the next few seconds are going to be dark. To live in the present for it is there that we find our strength.

I did not understand at first, but in that they were telling me not to listen to what I thought to be true. Not to let depression keep those old lies going. But to reach forth to what I know to be true now. To grab onto what I have learned.

I know in the midst of everything sometimes that is hard to get ahold of. But even if you can for a second, then grab it second by second. For you are worth so much, and I know for me----if you were not around my life would be missing one special friend. Someone I care and love very much.

We are not our past, for we are growing and learning everyday. Words of a friend are stronger than lies we were once told. I never understood that until over the past couple years. And I know that when you are in the storm, you cannot see that for all the debree flying around.

But hold on dear friend. For all storms come to an end, and the rainbow no matter how faint or strong comes. And we grow and learn if we faint not. We are all here for you, reaching out with open arms, quietly walking beside you and right here whenever you need us.

Whether you can feel it or not, you are needed and wanted. And I know that you can do this and the love and support of all of us is right here. Reach out when you can and hold on. For you are worthwhile and valuable to us and to yourself.

We love you and are here for you. Always. Sending you many gentle hugs and healing thoughts. Please keep reaching out and letting us know how you are. Even if all you can do is sign your name----we are here.

dps