Mar 31, 2009  •  In Comang, Depression, Personal

Not Alone

Sometimes the worst thing you can do for a person suffering from depression is to leave him or her alone.

I am well aware of this fact. However, as a natural introvert I shy away from company and gravitate toward the comforts of solitude. Where I can be alone with my thoughts of despair and disarray.

So it is fortunate timing that I am no longer alone 24×7.

Wait, not fortunate, but gracious.

God must’ve known this would come up. You can never get anything past Him, I tell ya.

Well before our coming forth with my depression, our pastor’s family asked two favors of us, both of which can only help me on my way to recovery.

The first was to ask me to come help babysit their 4-month-old son a couple of days a week.


Picture taken two days ago. Yep, he’s at that stage where
he wants to put everything and anything into his mouth.

Isn’t he the cutest little thing? I still remember seeing him at the hospital right after he was born and marveling at how tiny he was (he was a preemie). Now, he is at normal height and weight, reacting to stimuli and gurgling and crying just like the rest of ’em.

I start babysitting next week. I think that getting out of the house on a semi-regular basis will definitely help establish a routine and a peace of mind. In addition, having someone be entirely reliant on me can only help reset my priorities.

The second favor involves someone I’ve written about before…

Yes, Comang the shih-tzu is back! And this time, for good. With the baby and a new apartment in a high-rise building, our pastor and his wife decided that it would be best for the dog to go to another family.

Forcing myself to walk Comang twice a day, clean up after him, and play with him does keep my mind away from its usual gloom and doom. Plus, it is a proven fact that dog owners are generally happier and healthier people. 

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6 Responses to “Not Alone”

  1. Amy I. says:

    I give you big props for sharing your struggles with your readers, and especially for writing about steps you’re taking to heal your depression. When I read stories like yours, it makes me feel a lot less alone in my struggles with depression, and I thank you for that. It sounds silly when I say this, but my dog has done more for me than any medication. I hope that you find comfort in his companionship and love, and know that there are lots of people out here sending you positive thoughts!

  2. Susan says:

    I will keep you in my prayers!
    You are not alone and you will be a conqueror Rom. 8:37 =]
    Keep your head up!

  3. I also admire you for sharing your plight with your readers. My best friend went through heavy depression and I never want to see her almost drop off the edge the way she did.

    Am adding you to my reader.

    Fabulously Broke in the City

    "Just a girl trying to find a balance between being a Shopaholic and a Saver."

  4. I’ve been suffering from depression on and off through university, and had an episode just this winter after our fiasco of a wedding. It really is hard to "get out here" when all you want to do is hide under the covers and cry. I hope you feel better soon, and that the puppy/baby cuteness factor helps. Have you tried the book "feeling good" by Dr. David Burns? It really helped me.

  5. Anita says:

    The babysitting is a wonderful idea. I often find joy in watching other children which is why I love when my neighbor’s girls come over to garden with me. Call me up if you ever want to hang out. I’ll bring snacks and we can wallow together in your fantastic house!

  6. Nagisaman says:

    Hello

    Haven’t read you much since you left Xanga, but I always enjoyed you there. Sorry to hear about the depression that visits you.

    As yet another of your readers who has experienced this, I’d like to chime in with my good wishes for you and also offer for your investigation three things that have helped me tremendously : 5HTP and also acupuncture. There is also a book By Jack Dreyfus entitled " A remarkable Medicine has been Overlooked" in which he details wide ranging beneficial effects the inexpensive seizure medication of Dilantin

    Best wishes to you

    Nagisaman

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