((((RACEKA))))

I am proud of you for walking on your treadmill. That is a start. You should be proud of yourself too. It is hard to make yourself do things when in the grips of depression but you did it. Taking that step however small it may be is still a positive step. One step that the depression did not get to steal.

I do hear you about the Christmas commercials. I feel so sad when they come on. I do not have any good memories of Christmas when I was a child or teen. I see the children smiling and playing and I wonder what that would have been like. What it would have been like to feel safe and happy.

But for me these last two years have been the only Christmas's I have felt safe and found the true meaning of the season. A time of sharing and loving that I did not know could exist. Even though I had children, Christmas's were not happy. Yes, to see my children smile was special but the circumstance was always the same.

I hope you get to feeling better. Know you are not alone. We are here and listening. We care. Sending gentle hugs and loving thoughts. Always.

dps