A Very Special Thank You

Writing this page is difficult for me for many reasons - I'm not a person who is good with words and there's also the fact that anyone who reads this other than those who are thanked on this page may know nothing of the devastation that depression can cause and so will never understand just how much I value the people mentioned on this page.

How can you possibly thank someone enough for sticking with you when you're depressed? I really don't know how I can ever thank them enough, but this is where I try. I have written and rewritten this page about fifty times and I still can't find the words to express how much these special people mean to me (this page has probably been on and off the site more times than most). These are the people who have stuck with me and are still supporting me today and the truth is that without these people I'd give up completely.

It's said that you only really find out who truly cares for you when you need them most; I've found that to be true. To me, depression has come to be known as the most effective patience tester in the known cosmos which, when I think about it on a rare "good day", is actually a good thing.

I used to think that hate was stronger than love because hatred is so destructive but know I know I was wrong. No matter how many people have tried to push me under, whether through no fault of their own or all out maliciousness, I'm still here on the day I place this on my site because of the following people and they receive more gratitude for what they've stuck with me through, than most people will ever receive in a lifetime.

My immediate family:

The most important and precious thing in the world is love. It's even more important when you're depressed and need as much of it as is humanly possible to take. Sometimes it is impossible to let others love you when you're in such a state. It's then that you really need it most and for people to give as much as they can. You've given me unconditional love in abundance over the years.

I love you dearly, not only for being the special people you are and the love you give me, but for never giving up on me when I need you most and for trying to understand what I'm going through. I know it hasn't been easy on you watching me go through what I'm going through, but I hope that with your continued support I will one day recover completely... one day I hope you'll have the "old me" back. Always there to support me - if it wasn't for you I wouldn't have made it through these tough times. They say you can choose your friends but not your family. I couldn't have picked a better immediate family if I tried - you're the best family anyone could ever ask for.

Always remember that I love you so much, no matter what happens.

I haven't forgotten others... I just need to figure out what I want to say (it's taken me months to get just this far with this page).