A Sad Day

You know, it's truly amazing how celebrities hold a spot in our hearts, some we love, we grow up with, we learn from, admire, and truly feel like we "know." I'm not sure why Robin William's death has touched me the way it has, but like a friend of mine said- "I feel like a part of my childhood is gone." I remember watching Mrs. Doubtfire a million times growing up- laughing so hard I almost peed my pants because it was just that funny. My other favorite is Aladdin, both movies I do not think I can ever watch again without just feeling sad.

"I'm going to miss you Genie." 

With his death brings about a serious issue that millions of Americans face every day, yet no one speaks up. Depression is a horrible disease that is not always easy to escape. How educated are you on the disease? Did you know that depression is the leading cause of suicide? 

*Suicide takes the lives of nearly 30,000 Americans every year

*For young people aged 15-24, suicide is the third leading cause of death

*80% of people that seek treatment for depression are treated successfully

*Suicide CAN be prevented through education and public awareness

If you know someone who suffers from depression, call them more often, text them- check on them and remind them that you care. Do not assume because they are not always available that they are okay- some of the weakest and lowest moments are the ones when no one is around to stop them. Robin Williams death also proves that money cannot buy happiness, so it does not matter what a person has on the outside, everyone has struggles. 

Personally, most of you guys know my struggle with depression- thankfully I made the decision to seek help. I wanted Braeden to grow up with a mommy and I didn't want to put the burden on my husband to explain to our son why his mommy decided she wasn't "worth" living anymore. I'll admit though- I remember those low moments very vividly.. I felt like I was a burden to every one I was around. That I was a joke, no one would ever take me seriously anyway. That if I died- who would even care? Who would miss me or even notice I was gone? All these feelings put together at the same time, can make for a very low moment. 

More personal, my fight was mostly with myself. I felt like a disappointment for struggling to get pregnant and not being able to get pregnant again. (Disclosure: I am VERY grateful for our son; but always wanted to have multiple kids.) I felt like what was wrong with me, isn't it a woman's responsibility to make children? Then I started noticing how many other women struggle with infertility and other baby making abilities. Things at home weren't going very good either, Calvin and I were always fighting- which I blamed myself for every argument and that just made it worse. Our financial status changed dramatically and we were hanging on by a frayed thread. Lastly of course, there was my own self image struggles. I was never pretty enough, skinny enough, toned enough, my hair wasn't cut right, my clothes weren't new enough, a lot of superficial issues drilled into my head from the airbrushed unrealistic images laid out that REAL women can never compete with. No one understood me, and I felt completely alone. 

Of course I understand all this now- but the point is that until you have dealt with depression or have been side by side with someone who has; it makes it very easy to make generalized statements like "suicide is selfish." I've read so many comments of un-educated people about Robin Williams death and it astonishes my how people are so naive to not realize that depression and suicide are huge and real issues that our country is facing. Our youth are committing suicide at a much higher rate that 5 years ago, and then higher then 5 years previous to that. Our generation and ones above us are not taking school bullying seriously, we are not using our brains to educate ourselves and others to help eliminate such unnecessary measures of death. 

Please share this blog, talk about these issues with your friends, family, and most of all TAKE IT SERIOUSLY! Life is too precious, and ends quick enough as it is. Take care of the ones you love and create a safe place for them to talk, cry, and come when they need it! And if you are reading this blog, and you suffer from depression yourself know this-- there is always help, and YOU are not the problem the disease is and as ugly as depression is- it can be overcome and controlled with help. 

Take life seriously, be kind to one another. Help your neighbors, your friends, and your family.. Pay it forward and always smile, because you never know how much such a simple gesture could make someone's day. 

With love.