When you walk through a storm
Keep your chin up high
And don't be afraid of the dark.
They say that the difference between a comedy and a tragedy is the thickness of the blade of a sword.
Depression can come about by various things happening...
It can happen because of a loss. Someone you love, loss a job that you need to support your family, loss of a your home because of losing your job and not being able to find new employment. Loss of your health, loss of your own self-worth, loss of friendships that seemed to have dried up and gone away.
Depression can come about by, being abused and degrade by others, teased, people trying to hurt you and make you feel alone and worthless.
I was born in 1949, I was 3 years old when I was diagnosed with suffering from Rickets (bone deformity due to lack of Vitamin D for absorption of Calcium) I had to have special shoes with wedges so I would not walk pigeon toed, and I had to wear braces on my lower legs (shades of Forest Gump). I was 5 years old when I was diagnosed with a severe speech impediment, and the family doctor had to snip at the muscle beneath my tongue to loosen my tongue, nine years of speech therapy at school (and 6 weeks of summer school). Boys would get in line to try and beat me up before school, or outside during recess. Not too many friends when your the goat. Any friend I ever had, I lost when my family would move every 3 or 4 years when my father was transfered to a new Army Base. Then it would be another group of bullies.
My summers were lonely, for the school bullies would continue the torment me. My only sanctuary was my families home and the public library. But I had to be careful not to be seen, when traveling between home and the library. My school grades were not that great, and I found it hard to read even though I tried very hard. I was not good at math either. This torment continued all through High School. It was in my 1st year of High School, that a teacher recommended I be evaluated for dyslexia. Found out that I had severe dyslexia with both letters and with numbers.
I remember crying when I could not understand the homework, specialy math and science homework. Many of the teachers did not have time for students having problems, seem that they thought we were the problem not the homework.
When I joined the U.S. Army (family business, I am the 5th generation of my family to serve a career in the Army). I blossomed, other than my Drill Sergeant in Basic, there were people to help me, and care about me, and respected me for my efforts to get better.
I became an Artillery Surveyor, Construction Surveyor, Draftman, Mapmaker, Nuclear-Biological-Chemical Warfare Specialist, Pipeline Design Specialist, Tactial Operation Center NCOIC, Junior and later Senior Instructor of MOS Training (Military Occupational Skills), and an Evaluator with the 85th Training Division of the U.S. Army for evaluating Commisoned Officers, and Non-Commisoned Officers, while in the field with their troops, practicing the U.S Militaries "Combine Arms (Land, Air, & Sea) Doctrine.
I suffered through combat, and loss of troops under my command and who lives I was held responsible for. I have had high points, in my life, but I have a lot more low points, than high. People who betray my trust, I never give them a 2nd chance to hurt me again.
I am 60 now, my health has deterroated, I have had eye surgury on both eyes for cataracts, lost my left kidney last year, 30 years ago I was diagnose with Ankliosis spondalitis, during that time span, I have gone for being 6 foot to 5 foot - 7 inches in height, recently my feet and ankles have swollen and I have trouble finding shoes that fit and give my feet good support (because of the rickets in my early life my left foot is a size 11?, my right foot is a size 10). My hip, knee, and ankle joints start to burn, when I try to mow the lawn (I can only do 600 feet at a time, and then I have to set down and rest for about 5 minutes). I have to have a Handicap Sign for my rearview mirror on the car. I am restricted on when and where I can go fishing, no more spending a whole day walking up and down a stream, wading in moving water. Now it is finding a place on a small lake, where I can launch my WaterSkeeter Poontube and gentle kick the fins on my feet to fish for bass and panfish. Just as long as it is not too far from my car to the shore.
I feel as if I do not have a purpose in life anymore. Somewhat how a Professional Athelete feels after leaving sports. I once was somebody important, someone who was given responsiblities, someone who was loyal, someone who took care of those who work under my control. Now I am nothing but a crippled old may who gave 27 years of service to his country, and nobody cares.
But no matter my low times, I know to call on him who we all will have to answer to during the final judgement. I ask to have this burden I carry to be eased, so that I can smile, and sing, and have a song in my heart... during the dark times....I always remember this song that has helped me when it was dark, and I thought that I would never see the light again.
When you walk through a storm
Hold your head up high
And don't be afraid of the dark.
At the end of the storm
Is a golden sky
And the sweet, silver song of a lark.
Walk on through the wind,
Walk on through the rain,
Though your dreams be tossed and blown.
Walk on, walk on with hope in your heart,
And you'll never walk alone,
You'll never walk alone.
I also remember the psalm I would sing when I would talk with God, when times were difficult...
Create in me a clean heart, O Lord, my God,
and renew a right spirit within me.
Cast me not away from Thy presence, O Lord;
Take not Thy Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of Thy salvation, O Lord,
and renew a right spirit within me.
Everyone you meet in life give you happiness, some by their arrival, others by their departure!
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I tried meds when I got depressed, but they made me worse, and I toughed it out with the help of some nutritional supplements, my friend and my fishing. Fortunately, I have some good friends who went through similar experiences, and together we helped to heal each other. For me, getting closer to God's Word and trying to determine what His plan for me is, has been very comforting and given me purpose when I feel like a failure. 
