Depression

Elizabeth- practicing her Articles of Faith on the sidewalk!

Just yesterday morning I found out that the husband of a friend of mine- a girl that I visit taught at one point for about six months- had passed away last week. Due to complications of Depression. To say that I was shocked is putting it mildly. I knew that he had been struggling with Depression. She had told me of his struggles and of some of his thoughts and concerns. BUT!!!

They had been married in the Temple.
They have a gorgeous son who is about 3 years old.
His wife is gorgeous- talented beyond description- and currently teaches fifth grade.

All those BUTS made me not worry. I figured things would be okay. Things would turn out well. He would make things work.

Yesterday reminded me that LIFE happens sometimes. Even though we are married in the temple, even though we have children and even though we are talented (or should I say especially?) life can hit us upside the head, break our hearts and knock us for a loop.

We can lose a child at a very young age- right when they have entered into our hearts.
We can miscarry time and time again.
We can learn that we will never have children on our own.
We can lose a Father or a Mother to cancer. In fact, many of us do.

There are so many things that can happen. I know. As I came away from yesterday, my shaken up heart asked me "What can I learn from this?" What I have learned is Depression is serious. More serious that we generally make it out to be. And it's about others. Life is. If we can learn to love, to serve, to forgive and find ways to mend by looking out for others- even if a storm is raging at home-and find ways to be an example of that love and faith we will be happier. And we will have grown into the kind of people Heavenly Father knows that we can be.

This is my blog. My name is Megan Abbott.