Good morning from Riverworld, high in the Rocky Mountains. It's 7:28 in the am I awoke happy and well rested.

It was especially nice to recieve a reply from sabby for she left a feeling of safety and comfort in her wake.

I took the test for bi-polar and the test for depression this morning and my results were very encouraging. The tests said that I am NOT bi-polar and I do NOT suffer from depression. In other words, I am free and truly clear.

I hope everyone had a good holiday and that those who made the pledge were able to ride out the triggers of fireworks and family gatherings. I was especially thinking of you grey matter and hope things were okay for you. I understand about the PTSD! Everytime, and I mean everytime, the phone rings, I jump stright up out of my chair. There are days when I must mute it and just pick up messages later on.

I don't know if that startle response will ever go away, or at least become less severe, but I don't know yet what I can overcome with the power of the clear. I wish I could be Santa Clause and hand this gift to every one of the quarter million people who have passed through this place.

I make my pledge today to keep the darkness away . I will not think about ending this life which has become so rewarding. I will do this for the next 24 hours.

Depression can be a comfortable place. It can feel like a safe place, even with all the dispair it brings. It's easier to stay there-easier not to reach out for a solution or a change. It's like your safety net and venturing beyond might be even more scary than the depression itself.

But I ask you-how long do you want to live this way?

Hopefully, some of our friends who have already taken the pledge, who have experienced that lightness as the weight slips off your shoulders, will return and make their pledge again. And hopefully, some of you that are still afraid will find the courage to join us for a single day .

Peace and Love, Tea Have a great day!