Thankful and grateful
I have been overwhelmed by the support I have received since I shared my story. People I have not seen or heard from in over 20 years have reached out to me. Friends of Sean have reached out to me. Most importantly, people are sharing their struggles and talking about this common illness which is exactly why I shared my story. I found out yesterday of a sweet friend who is going through her own battle. I have prayed hard for my struggles to help someone else. I am so happy that my story and experiences will be able to help my friend. Most importantly, I am happy that she doesn't have to fight this alone, and I get to help her in her fight and help her overcome this! In one short post, I have achieved my goal. People are opening up about their struggles and talking about mental illness.
Many of you are probably wondering why I chose now to share my story. My family has been through a season in 2017. On January 3rd, Sean's step dad was in a horrible car accident that almost cost him his life. He spent 25 days in ICU in a medical coma, and almost 3 month recovering. He was a healthy man when he woke up January 3rd and went to work, and he is a healthy man today. It is only by the grace and love of God that I get to see and talk to Tim all the time. His accident has changed the way I look at life. I forgive quicker, say I am sorry more, and most importantly I love harder. Sean bought his family's business in March, and I am so proud of him. Starting a business is stressful, but Sean is going to do great things and he is laying the foundation for a wonderful legacy for our children. In a 3 month span, Sean has lost two very close friends in a tragic way. So, we are almost to August and things are getting back to normal, and we are feeling like ourselves again. I decided to share my story so people knew it is ok to struggle with everyday life. I wanted people to know that I have been there, and I want to be the person they can call if times get tough. I wanted people to know that an ordinary girl with a husband, two kids, and two college degrees has struggled and won! Statistics will tell you that mental illness is most common in people of poverty. I wanted people to know that I middle class girl with a great family suffers from a mental illness, and she is doing great! It can effect anyone!
I would have never been able to share my story without the support of my family a closest friends. Sean has encouraged me from day one to share and make a difference. He has not once encouraged me to keep this quiet. It takes a village to make it through everyday life, and from my family, Sean's family and my friends I have an incredible village.
I went on the Walk to Emmaus almost 2 years ago, and it changed my life. That is when God starting telling me to share my story. That is when my shame and guilt over having a mental illness was broken. God does some amazing things, and the ladies I spent 3 days with that weekend were placed in my life for a reason. God showed me that weekend that I was enough, and I knew when I left my walk that I would beat this illness! Even with the stress and worry of 2017, we have had a good year. God continues to show us that good will come out of every situation, and his love is the best love of all!
I was hesitant when I hit post Saturday night to share my story. It was the probably one of the best decisions I have made in my life. I have told Sean many times that I don't want to suffer for no reason. I want there to be a purpose to my suffering. God showed me many times over Saturday night and into Sunday that there is a purpose to my past suffering and experiences. I am honored to share my journey with you, and I am thankful and grateful I have the opportunity to break the stigma on mental illness.
Thanks for walking through this journey with me!
Many Blessings~
Susan
Many of you are probably wondering why I chose now to share my story. My family has been through a season in 2017. On January 3rd, Sean's step dad was in a horrible car accident that almost cost him his life. He spent 25 days in ICU in a medical coma, and almost 3 month recovering. He was a healthy man when he woke up January 3rd and went to work, and he is a healthy man today. It is only by the grace and love of God that I get to see and talk to Tim all the time. His accident has changed the way I look at life. I forgive quicker, say I am sorry more, and most importantly I love harder. Sean bought his family's business in March, and I am so proud of him. Starting a business is stressful, but Sean is going to do great things and he is laying the foundation for a wonderful legacy for our children. In a 3 month span, Sean has lost two very close friends in a tragic way. So, we are almost to August and things are getting back to normal, and we are feeling like ourselves again. I decided to share my story so people knew it is ok to struggle with everyday life. I wanted people to know that I have been there, and I want to be the person they can call if times get tough. I wanted people to know that an ordinary girl with a husband, two kids, and two college degrees has struggled and won! Statistics will tell you that mental illness is most common in people of poverty. I wanted people to know that I middle class girl with a great family suffers from a mental illness, and she is doing great! It can effect anyone!
I would have never been able to share my story without the support of my family a closest friends. Sean has encouraged me from day one to share and make a difference. He has not once encouraged me to keep this quiet. It takes a village to make it through everyday life, and from my family, Sean's family and my friends I have an incredible village.
I went on the Walk to Emmaus almost 2 years ago, and it changed my life. That is when God starting telling me to share my story. That is when my shame and guilt over having a mental illness was broken. God does some amazing things, and the ladies I spent 3 days with that weekend were placed in my life for a reason. God showed me that weekend that I was enough, and I knew when I left my walk that I would beat this illness! Even with the stress and worry of 2017, we have had a good year. God continues to show us that good will come out of every situation, and his love is the best love of all!
I was hesitant when I hit post Saturday night to share my story. It was the probably one of the best decisions I have made in my life. I have told Sean many times that I don't want to suffer for no reason. I want there to be a purpose to my suffering. God showed me many times over Saturday night and into Sunday that there is a purpose to my past suffering and experiences. I am honored to share my journey with you, and I am thankful and grateful I have the opportunity to break the stigma on mental illness.
Thanks for walking through this journey with me!
Many Blessings~
Susan
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