Jules, we are all very glad that you are back with us.  Don't stay away too
long, okay!
Gwen

===========================
Welcome back Jules.

I enjoyed your recent pictures very much
and hope you will post many more in the
future.

Get better fast and take good care of
yourself.

Hey! Arthur...keep up the good work!

Hi Julian - haven't been on ASA to feel like I know you well, but I do WISH
you well, and I am so relieved that you are still among us to share things
with us.

Listen to that dog of yours - sounds like a wonderful companion.

Thank you so much for keeping in touch!

What do we think of you?

We think you are a dear friend who has a great capacity for loving and
giving others joy who has been dealt some hard knocks and for a few
brief moments couldn't cope. I know I, for one, can say "there but for
the grace of God go I."

We think you are a man of great courage to put your feelings of shame
behind you, to admit your pain and brokenness, and to start the hard
journey back to wholeness.

We think we are fortunate to be allowed to share the journey with you.

Peace be with you, brother and friend.

Songbird

Jules, oh my goodness, I am so, so glad you are alright!! Don't you
ever think for one minute your life has no value.

My grandmother was a suicide a few weeks before my parents wedding back
in 1953. Who knows what her real intent was - I think it was a cry for
attention. However, what she did - its been 53 years this month she's
been gone, and the reverberations still echo. She hurt so many people,
and oh, what she missed. What everyone in the family lost, and could
never get back. No one can just check out and not leave a devastating
hole in the fabric of other people's lives.

You know how the Bible always says "and it came to pass". Absolute
truth. It (good or bad) doesn't come to stay. Events and feelings come
and go - although I know when you are in the bottom of the hole, its
hard to believe you will ever come out again.

You can't decide your life is worthless - because it isn't entirely
yours alone. If there are people who love you, who care about you,
family and friends and neighbours whose lives you impact and change -
there are a world of people who value your existence. You aren't locked
in to the way things are now. The beauty of life is having the ability
to move on to new experiences, new opportunities, new ways of doing
things - if you could fast forward 6 months or a year, everything may
be different.

I hope you are getting the help and supports you need. I'm thinking of
you (a few hundred miles north of Evelyn).

Hang in, hang on!

Mary G.
Toronto

Jules ,
I have been where you are,at the bottom of a dark pit but envision in
that pit a ladder.try for the second step back up that ladder,I think
you are already on the first step?
Take it easy and work up the rungs of that ladder as you feel able,
slowly,slowly.If you slip back a rung or two dont worry you will take
that step back up again and keep repeating one of my favourites "this
too shall pass" and it will.
Most Sincere Kind Regards
Michelle

Ronny:
Good! :-)

Ronny:
Taking each day at a time is pretty much the way of it. And sometimes
it's just taking each hour or minute at a time! But it's worth it. It
truly is.

Ronny:
It is a very bad place to be when you get to the place where you think
there is no point in carrying on. Been there and back. And what I've
found is that there isn't (a) point in carrying on;but there are many
points in carrying on! Many reasons to carry on. :-) Sometimes we just
don't see those though because our focus is so completely on the things
that are bothering/upsetting us so much.

Ronny:
Your walking carpet has been something that has almost convinced me to
get another dog! :-) I'm sure my 5 cats would love that! LoL Especially
the oldest one that has taken to sleeping in the old dog house!:-)

Ronny:
It's good to have friends who tell you hard truths! Oh sure there are
times that quiet,comforting words are needed and I'm all for that. But
there are also times we need something more like a swift kick in the
butt from a good friend or friends! LoL You know,just a reminder,a wake
up call as to how important we are to some people. And being told and
retold that is very important for a person. And you know how little you
and I see of each other on this group,yet,to me,I already have a strong
connection to you and I would damned well miss that a whole lot if it
were gone! A saying a whole lot is putting it mildly. So I'm selfish.

Ronny:
I think you're human and so am I. So we are as God made us,human and
that is good. And no,I am not in the least bit ashamed of you. Upset
with you a bit? Yes. But then it is a natural thing for a person to get
upset at the idea that they could of easily lost something they put
great value in.

Ronny:
Don't think I've got to see those yet;but did see the ones from Italy.

those.

Ronny:
Just getting a smile on my face just thinking about you visiting your
Grandad! :-) Just hearing of that and thinking of the pics you have
posted before of those visits-all of that makes me happy to think about
and think on! :-)

See you later. :-)

Hi Jules

We don't know each other as I am very new to this group but what I feel
from reading the messages of love and concern from others here about
and for you, it seems to me that you are a very valued member of this
group and I really hope to see more of your posts.

The wise words and warm welcome that I have received here since I first
wrote only a few days ago have helped me greatly so I know those words
of concern for you are so genuine.

Each day at a time is all anyone can do sometimes and as was said
sometimes just each hour or minute is all you can look at getting
through.

I wish you wellness and happiness and I, like others here, would never
judge you for I too have been where you are and I am still here so I
know one can make it back from that slippery slope.

A friend of mine took his own life some seven years ago and I am sure
if he had been able to see how many people loved and cared for him he
may have felt differently, it is just that sometimes people do not show
how they really feel.

Be well Jules and know that a great many people care about you and you
are obviously a shining light in this group

Liz

Hi Jules.....So glad you're back.   I  enjoy your pics and messages.   When
I was your age I too fell into that God awful abyss of depression.   When I
mended I realized just how strong a person I had become and you will too.
Trust me.    I'm glad you found your perspective --- that really helps a
person realize that the sad feelings aren't forever.    Take care......June

Julian, I strongly urge you to get into therapy to deal with your
feelings about this.  If you are depressed most of the time, you
should talk to a doc about getting some anti-depressant meds.

We all care a lot about you, and we were all deeply disturbed
that you even thought about ending it all, especially without
discussing it with us first.  ;^)