Depression in Full Remission after 35 years

I write this post to give others Hope. I had challenges in my childhood as many people do. I also accidentally fell about 30 feet while hiking in the Rockies when I was 17, in 1984. When I fell, I suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI) and was comatose for about 5 Days. I had depression as a teen even before I fell.
However, I have been lifted up by my Faith, Family, Friends, and a wonderful church community. Six weeks ago, my psychiatric wrote Depression in Full Remission on the report after our appointment. I wrote the poem below, to give people Hope and to celebrate Life.

“Depression in Full Remission”

Depression in Full Remission
The doctor’s report read
25 letters in four words

Depression in Full Remission
It seems such a simple way to end a storm
that has lasted 35 years.

What has ended the storm?
Thousands of pills, anti-depressants, Selecive Serotonin Reuptake Inhibiors ingested over all those years?
Countless hours of therapy?
These are effective for so many
Perhaps they made a difference for me, and kept me alive.

I believe Gratitude is the single factor that has shownme the continuing light offered through Life. Talking with someone whose life is more limited than mine allows me to realize my pain is relative. If someone with little family in a wheelchair can announce on a daily basis, “Keep Hope Alive”, how can I choose to do anything but hug hope to my chest and kiss dreams on the forehead?

Gratitude has laid down the pavement steps for me to find the Grace that shines through most any situation.
Is it always easy?
No, but seeking first to find the light blue in the sky has dispelled so many dark clouds.
Gratitude has been the lightning rod, redirecting the painful jolts reality can bring.

Thank you for the ability to hear the birds chirp, to share hugs and truly talk with our children.
Thank you for the opportunity to walk forward with the knowledge that someone far greater than I has my back with the hope that I might share that knowledge.
Thank you to someone far greater than I
for Kids,
for Hugs
and for Gratitude.

By Shannon Parkin

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