Today my brother, Jeff, would have been

[ikojo]

40 years old.

His life was cut short due to depression. Like many Americans he thought he could pull himself up by his bootstraps but untreated depression, like untreated heart disease is a killer.

I miss my brother.

To Jeff
I hope you have found peace.

[juliagoolia]

1. I am sorry for your family

And sorry for you personally that you lost your brother to this horrid disease. Some people live with the disease and manage it, others die of the illness. I am sorry it happened to your family too.

My stepfather lost two of his children (step sibs) to this awful ugly horrible disease. I don't know how a dad suffers and lives beyond these losses.

All we can know is that the pain they suffered has ended. If you've not suffered this pain you don't know that its as much of a pain as having a kidney stone. This is an ongoing agonizing pain the consumes a person and never lets up. It sucks all the light from a person until they are left in the dark with the wind blowing against a single flame.

Bless Jeff, and Bless Candy, and Bless Gregg.

[shesemsmom]

2. I know about depression

and I understand your loss. I am sorry for the pain that you and your familes feel

[ikojo]

3. Thank you for the kind words.....

Although I did not suffer to the extent Jeff did, I have been clinically depressed at various times in my life. I was able to hold on to something and sought and accepted help.

Yes, I know Jeff's pain has ended and as I have said since July 17, 2001, I hope he has found the peace that he never knew in life.

[nevergiveup]

4. A very empathic and wonderful response

[laruemtt]

5. i am very sorry for your loss.

:hug:

[fluffernutter]

6. remembering Jeff

and hugs for you :hug: I'm so sorry you are without your brother. Birthday anniversaries can be so difficult.

[ikojo]

9. Thank you fluffer and all of DU

Some info about my bro....I'd rather he be known for who he was in life not only that he died due to depression


He LOVED the music of the 60s and 70s...absolutely LOVED it. Led Zepplin was a favorite band of his. He also LOVED the Beatles. Both he and I liked John Lennon the best.

Although he was not politically active he admired my activism.

In addition to music he liked "classic" TV and collected VHS tapes of his favorite shows. I have the entire collection of Star Trek TOS because he had bought it.

When he was in an up mood, he could be one of the MOST generous people on the planet. There was nothing he would not buy someone, especially a niece or nephew.

I just wish he could have seen and accepted the good that was within instead of focusing only on our crappy childhood and the fact we had little contact with our dad.

[Danmel]

7. I'm so sorry

It is good though that you are able to talk about it. Too many people are reluctant to talk about mental illness. I hope that you and your family can find the peace that eluded your brother in life and that his soul is peaceful now.

[ikojo]

10. I do not feel shame in the fact that depression claimed

my brother. Left untreated it kills.

I cannot understand why people treat mental illness differently than physical illness. Until the culture gets over that nothing will change for mentally ill people.

[livinbella]

8. To those who do not know depression it is something like this:

Waking up at the bottom of a thousand foot pit with
no way out and no chance of help. You can get locked into a routine
where you feel absolutely powerless to do anything.
At its worst it is almost unbearable. To those who succumb
I guess it is unbearable.

Thank you for the timely post.