Returning member

[douglaid]

I was active here several years ago. I was a difficult birth, and under the care of a neurologist. He knew from an early age that I suffered from congenital depression, but my father "didn't believe" in depression, and hid the diagnosis from me. That was probably quite reasonable; Dale Carnegie seems to have believed the same. I married in 1971 and have 3 daughters, all married with children of their own. I never thought I would marry, but my wife and I seem to have "clicked" almost instantly. We were an item even before I was prepared to accept the fact. We are now in our 50th year of marriage. Notwithstanding that, a part of me seems unable to accept the situation, although I cannot imagine any different life. Am I simply a nut, or something?

[Mishmo]

Welcome back Douglaid,

Thanks for sharing your story. WOW 50 years. Congratulations to you both! Thats amazing. My grandparents made it to the 50 a few years back. Incredible. Not easy I bet, but somewhat an accomplishment in life? My grandfather says its all just long suffering haha.

When did you find out about the depression? I have suffered severe depression all my life... apparently didnt smile till after i started walking. And my mum says I was a terrible baby to try settle, I was never content. How have you managed to cope over the years? What helps you?

[smallwolf]

hi and welcome back. And congratulations on the marriage. Woohoo!

Still married also... less years than you and 2 kids that are now out of high school.

On your accomplishment ... one day many years ago my daughter asked why we (wife and I) were still married. (At least that was how I remember it.) Many of her friends parents were divorced.

Part of me is afraid to reply in case I reveal too much about myself. Keep in mind that I am also a glass half empty sort of person, negative, pessimistic etc. I never got excited at/with major life events - I will let you work that one out. Of course, you know very little about my upbringing, so what I will say is that life in the outside world was vastly different to what saw on television or in the movies.

That would perhaps be my emptiness. So I wonder what the emptiness you refer to comes from? accomplishments? belonging? doing? relationships?

One thing I can say is that you are not a nut - perhaps a role model for your children and friends, confidant for your wife. Something more than a person will get from the screen.