be present in the many moments of my life which, in many ways, connects to the definition of depression.
Despite my wife’s love, early, and accurate diagnosis, I, for years, tried to ignore my
seasonal depression and anxiety by telling myself the holidays should feel and mean less special as we get older.
And, considering my experiences, my fears of, an untimely and disruptive SCD crisis were warranted.
But with the assistance of a trained professional, I finally acknowledged the emotions I was experiencing.
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I also learned how to discuss, unpack and come to terms with my past traumatic experiences and fears. I was taught how to process and understand these emotions and experiences differently.
As a result, I began to understand the importance of each experience and accept the reality of how the weight and impact of these experiences can change over time.
And I began to appreciate the gift of each experience as a gift despite its outcome.
I’ve learned love lost is still love experienced, and the voice, lessons and influence of lost loved ones remain in our hearts and minds forever.
And most importantly, I learned how to manage my mental, spiritual and emotional health, and that has prepared and empowered me to face any unpredictable SCD crisis that I may experience.