The fact that this time of year can be filled with depression for many - and our community tends to be more susceptible than others. Please remember that you are not alone, that no matter how bad life may seem, no matter how dark things may get, that you always have someone who cares - if no where else, than here amongst this group.

I am just as susceptible to depression as anyone, and even though there are many blessings in my life, I still go through regular bouts of darkness - and every time I find a reason to keep going. Often I find that spur here amongst my peers, my friends. There is help out there for anyone who is suffering, please don’t be afraid to use it. And if you think that there isn’t anyone for you to talk to - then let me, or someone else here be the one to help. I am on this site at least once nearly every day, if for no other reason than to see if there have been any new stories or comments posted by those I admire and care about; leave a message and I will get back to you. I would post my phone number or e-mail, but that would not be prudent (and probably not allowed). But if you reach out to me in need of someone to talk to, I will message it to you.

I am not a professional counselor, but I have been there. And it was my friends here that saved me when I hit bottom. And to this day I still think of how much I owe them; were it not for Bailey Summers and Denise Trask, I would not be here today sending this message. I can never repay them for how much they helped me, but perhaps I can help someone else as they did for me.

In this season which should be filled with joy and hope, we need to band together and help each other - help those who are most in need, both here in our community, and elsewhere in the world. And perhaps in doing so we can help ourselves.

Happy Holidays to all of you, and may everyone find some small amount of joy in their lives this holiday season.