Dear, Dear Sim ---
I dunno if you're churchy or not.... but when I read your latest post the old hymn popped into my head :
"May Those Who Come Behind Us Find Us Faithful." .... then I think of the epitaph on the Apostle Paul's headstone , stating something to the affect of " I have stayed the course. I have fought the good fight. I have kept the faith".
Now I'm not gonna get all churchy on you-- i dunno your Spiritual beliefs--- but I will tell you (because I have BEEN THERE, brother) that now IS the time for courage. Dig as deeply as you possibly can, and Locate what it is that you Do have Faith in (be It a Lord or the universe or nature.... something larger than yourself, something to hold on to ) --- dig dig dig until you reach it. If it takes outside help, then so be it. There is absolutely no shame in going forward to gain assistance when you're in the pits of Such Darkness.
I can't tell ya how many many thousands of times I have wished and wondered and wanted and fantasized...."if only mom had Told someone . . . If only she had sought Help."
I personally suffered a nervous breakdown a few months after the suicide death Of mom, and my own divorce. I was Seriously suicidal then myself and I got Real help only after two failed and damaging suicide attempts. (Nine more minutes in the circumstances I was in, said the doctor, 9 more minutes and my beautiful three babies at the time all under age 5 would have no mother forever.)....
I had inpatient then outpatient psychiatric care.... I had anti depressants (the RIGHT ones for my chemistry, finally ) aided by Lithium. This was temporary. ...
I was in counselling on my own for a full 18 months, following.
I got my life back.
I got to see those girls grow up.
I got to attend high school graduations and (thus far) one wedding. . .
I got to get married again.
I got to attend college. I got to achieve a degree. I got to work in my chosen field long and well.
I got to rescue an easy dozen pets over the years. ....teach n tutor and mentor more kids of all ages than I can count.
I got to make wedding cakes and travel around and meet amazing folks. . . .
I got to Be beside my Dad and take his last breath with him.... I got to Keep promises I had made years ago to myself.
I got to Become me.
It is absolutely NEVER too late; as long as one has breath and thought, one has Power.
"Where there's life there's hope" (bet you have heard that one)....
I know you CANNOT find hope right now. So borrow mine. Take from those of us whom love respect care for and admire you.... take a little hope from here, a little strength from another "fan"....
grab on as hard as you can n HOLD
It's not for Ourselves that we wish to see you Make It, Sim. It's for YOU : you've come so far. Don't you dare Fuckin give up now. Do Not allow that Darkness to take away what you've got left, the Life and joy and goodness you've got coming to you.
The darkness GOT my mom... And
I will be Damned if it'll EVER get me.
Dig . Fight. Fight as hard as you can against it. Enlist help; see a psych doc or walk into the ER. (I personally think Now is the time)....
Don't let it get you.
LOVE -- (alllllll the love i can send via an internet connection n a junky Android phone)....
Find your Faith, Sim n Hold ON! !!!!