I haven’t written a blog in about 8 months, life started
moving at an accelerated rate once we moved into our new home and I am not
really sure where the time has gone. We have seen so much progress in Vaughn
and Asher’s development in the past couple of months and I have started to
write the details down but for today I wanted to share with our friends and
family some of the moments that have surround my parents recently. Most of you
may know that a reporter from the Denver Post contacted my Mom about doing a
story on depression, how it steals the joy and life from the person it holds
prisoner and I want to share this link with the one of intent of bringing glory
to God. We trust Him with my Dad’s heart and know that help will come by
sharing my parents’ story…..
My Dad has struggled with depression for many years now; it
first began in 1997 when I was a senior in high school. He has been on and off
many different drugs and there are good years and bad years. He has struggled
to find the right career since this all began and just recently we decided as a
family that it was time to stop looking for a job and retire. My Mom works very
hard to support them financially and care for my Dad. I am so proud of them
both. They truly have lived out and understand, for better or worse, in good
times and in bad, in SICKNESS and in health. Depression is ugly. It is foreign
to me because I just don’t understand his state of mind because, he is my Dad.
My whole life he has been this immovable rock of strength and courage. He is
loving and strong and had such a witty sense of humor. He has given me the
greatest gift a daughter could ask for….a relationship. Our relationship is
priceless and when you feel and know that you are loved and cherished then it
makes it easy to have a relationship with the Heavenly Father because my
Earthly Father is such an amazing example of our strong, courageous, loving and
faithful God. Even though my Dad doesn’t look, sound or act like the man God
created him to be right now, that doesn’t stop me from seeing him exactly as
the gentle spirit he is….one who loves deeply, has great faith and adores
children. He was always fair and just as we were growing up and worked hard to
support our family so my Mom could be a stay at home Mom for our childhood
years. He taught us a love for family time, God’s word, camping, biking and
games. There wasn’t anything he wouldn’t do for my Mom, Jonathan or myself. He
took me on my first date when I was in high school so I would know what to
expect when courting. I loved going to dinner, just us. My parents owned a
business when I turned 16 and they gave me my first job where they taught me to
be on time, have respect for our customers and other employees and quality work
ethic.
I am proud of my Dad for opening up their home to a team
from the Denver Post and letting them into our world to show others what this
disease looks like. This wasn’t easy. My parents’ heart is to help others, to
shed some light into the darkness of this disease and bring about awareness. I
am thankful to the Denver Post for writing down my Dad’s story and the many
others that are without joy. Thank you Jennifer, Craig and Mahala for being so
honoring to our family while in my parents’ home. We will not lose hope; we
will choose life in the simple tasks and praise God faithfully for He is GOOD
always, even when we don’t know the next step to take in this journey. We will
choose joy as a family, because that is what family does and we will not allow
this illness to take from us what is ours, we will stand and fight on Dad’s
behalf and in the end, be united victorious when he returns to us.
Here is the link to the stories of the individual’s
interviewed, since the article was written my parents have sold their home and
will be staying with us until we are blessed by their new home. Please take the
time to read each testimony, ours is ¾ of the way down, titled: Edge of losing
everything
