Hi gracez

Its hardly for no reason. Of course you dont know me so you wouldnt know that my dad recently passed away, or that my step mom, who abused me physically and mentally growing up, decided it was important to disclude not only me, but my older sister from the obituary out of spite when my sister has never done anything against her, or that my mom has been crippled almost all my life, or that my son will no longer speak to me and hasnt in 17 years because my ex wife chose to tell him Im crazy. You dont know that Ive been homeless, penniless, addicted, drawn out, run over, jailed, and flattened by life because all you see is a smile. I dont talk about my issues, theyre mostly in the past and there are people here suffering now who need the space and attention. Ive come to PC to return some of the support Ive been given when I needed it. You dont know all those things about me so you wouldnt understand how good it feels to finally be able to smile genuinely and function.

Equally, I dont know anything about you, but I do know how depression darkens our lives and steals our joy and our ability to connect and feel anything besides sorrow and loss. I know how it makes us jealous, angry, envious of those who seem to have more than we do. I know I never knew what was really going on for the people I thought were so happy. I know sometimes I thought they were faking it too. I only wanted to add to the thread. It looked like a place where people could come and share their strengths as well as their problems. Im grateful that you started it and it seems to be helping many.

I dont know what your reason might be someday to smile and be happy, I only know that if Im here, I'll be there, cheering you on and beaming with joy for you.

Tc