The Last 2 ½ years were SHEER TORTURE! Sleeping was my only escape. I would sleep till 5:30-6:00 p.m. When I was awake, I was constantly thinking terrible, ugly thoughts and nothing would make them go away! I was constantly doing compulsions to myself or to my sisters, which really hurt because they are three AWESOME, DEAR, DEVOTED SISTERS AND I REALLY LOVE THEM!
MY WHOLE FAMILY HUNG IN THERE WITH ME THROUGH THESE LAST 2 ½ YEARS! It hurts me to say this but, I was very terrible and ugly towards them all. I was especially hard on my youngest sister! I don’t really know why. She is one of the kindest, sweetest people you’ll ever meet! I would like to thank her and my entire family for hanging in there with me and never giving up on me! Thanks for showing me what grace really means! I LOVE YOU ALL SO VERY, VERY, VERY MUCH!
Today I’m sitting here typing this blog entry as happy as can be! I’m listening to my Spotify play list! Trying my best to sing with all these professionals…Selah, Shane & Shane, Steven Curtis Chapman, and many others! (The key word is TRYING- sometimes I can’t keep up and I can’t always hit the high notes! When I try to hit high notes, it sounds more like screeching or someone dying! LOL)
I get to work in a lovely room that has windows all around it! I have an absolutely awesome, devoted and loving sister who stays home with me! We get along well and have fun together (till she beats me in Scrabble)! We play almost every day around 3:00.
Every morning I wake up between 8:00-9:00, take a shower, eat breakfast and while my sister goes for a walk, I do my devotion and make phone calls. She comes home (again I’m going into great detail because I want you to see what a miracle God has done for me!) and we have lunch. After lunch, I’ll work on my blog or play games on my phone. I’m really into Euchre right now, even though I’m not good at it.
2:30-3:00 pm is what we like to call ‘happy hour’. I have a snack and the drink that can put me in a great mood anytime of the day, coffee! After my snack, I’m taught a lesson in Scrabble (it also helps my head from getting too swollen! LOL).
After Scrabble, it’s back to work on my blog or texting my friends. After supper, it’s writing my blog or enjoying getting beat in Euchre! Don’t get me wrong I play to win. I like to win! I’m just being totally 100% honest and telling you that my partner and I don’t win a lot–ha ha ha! Do you know what is totally awesome and fun? It is when you call a loner-hand and you make all four points! I have another confession; this doesn’t happen that much either! LOL!
While this is all going on I’m singing with my Spotify music list. I ABSOLUTELY TOTALLY LOVE IT!
I admit that my day to day routine doesn’t sound that glamorous, but believe me after the last 2½ years that I’ve been through, it’s totally AWESOME! I no longer spend my days trying to get people mad at me! My sisters and I have a happy household again! We share lots of fun, joy and laughter! I usually go out three nights a week! On Wednesday night, my older brother takes me out. We typically go out for supper, then we might go for a ride or do a little shopping! On Friday night, my younger brother picks me up after work. We usually take supper to his house where my sister-in-law is waiting and we have supper and play cards (I would like to say that I win most of the time but, in all honesty I can’t)! We have a standing rule; loser buys ice cream. Let’s just say I’ve done my share of buying ice cream! On Tuesday or Thursday night (depending on everyone’s schedule) my sister and some friends go out for dinner. We have a great time! I have started affectionately calling it “Girl’s Night Out!“ In one month from today, Buddy Ball starts! YAY!
I, like everybody else, still have my good days and bad days! But on the whole, my life is AWESOME AND WONDERFUL!
My sisters and I are always joking around with each other! We laugh together a lot! We have pure fun and really enjoy each other’s company! On evenings at home my sisters and I like to unwind from the day by watching baking shows, uplifting movies or family friendly drama series. Something upbeat and pleasant. Then it’s off to bed! One of my sisters helps me to bed due to my walking being so hard. My older sister and I pray together before we say goodnight! It’s a very special time for me!
I now treasure every special moment we share! The last 2 ½ years, during my depression we sure didn’t share any special moments! I invite you to stop, look at the moment you are in right now and enjoy, relish and treasure it! Because you never know what is up the road!
Comments
20 responses to “Lovely Days”
Cate, you have written about your depression in a straightforward honest way. Depression is a serious illness and can not be “jollied out” of the state of mind you were in. You write about the kindness of your sisters during this time and how much you appreciate it now. You were able to get through all this and now life is good. Please keep writing about your life with CP – singing to spotify, all your interests and your place in a large, active loving family. I do like the way you write.
Cate, I took a page out of your book, persevered, and finally got this into your blog space – I hope. I have to press that I am not a robot. xoxo Aunt Mandy
Aunt Mandy,
WOW!!!! I’M IMPRESSED!!!! You’re going to be a technology genius before you know it!!!! It’s a beautiful day here and I’m going for lunch with my dear friend!!!! I hope you have a wonderful day!!!! Thanks again for persevering and for the encouraging comments!!!!
Cate,
What a delightful post and beautiful picture of you and the girls. What a joy to know that Jesus has walked you through the bad times and you are now on the other side and He is still walking with you each day. It was a joy to share lunch with you and the family yesterday and to experience the peace and love that is in your home once again.
It was great to see your car pull up yesterday!!!! I’m so glad you came and had Easter lunch with us!!!! Thanks for being a faithful reader and responder to my blog!!!! Thanks for all the prayers you have prayed for me!!!! You, Janet Todd, I know God looks down upon you and says Welll done my good and faithful servant!!!! I LOVE YOU SO VERY, VERY, VERY MUCH!!!!
Hey Cate!
Thanks again for sharing another wonderful blog post. I am always looking forward to the beginning of the week so I can read the new entry.
I’m really happy that things have turned around for you. I know how challenging the last couple of years have been, and you are so lucky to have the commitment of your sisters to help you get back to your happy self.
I believe that happiness and joy is a skill that someone has to practice. Once it is achieved, it is important to do things to maintain happiness such as focusing on health, practicing your faith, having meaningful things to do, etc. I have noticed during the last year that you have made a commitment to doing things to make you happy, and I know that it took consistent, hard work. I’m very proud of you for making this commitment to yourself so you can share your positivity each week in your blog posts. I’m looking forward to the next one!
I JUST WANT TO SAY A BIG THANKS!!!!
Looking at the lovely picture with this blog, I see echoes of your mom and dad in those faces. It makes me smile.
Reading about the life you and your siblings have built that focuses on goodness, kindness, simplicity, joy and family, I see the faith of your mom and dad in all your lives. It makes my faith stronger. It reminds me of the truth of Hebrews 11:4. By faith, your parents still speak, even though they are gone.
And I also know where your (and your siblings) strength comes from through the dark times – the faith of your family.
You are a blessed lady my friend. And a great blessing to so many!!
Thanks for your sweet comments!!!! Thanks for all the love and support you have given me through the years!!!!
Rob and I are SO excited to see you and all the family in less than a week. What a wonderful day that will be. We especially can’t wait to see “happy Cate”, but you know we have loved you so much- happy or sad!! Always!!
I’m excited to see YA’LL too!!!! I’ll actually talk to YA’LL!!!! We’ll have a fun weekend together!!!!
Wow great blog Cateybug you sure lifted my spirit up on this Blessed Easter morning!! I love learning more and more about you and your family God bless you sister ❤️
I can always count on you to respond on Sunday!!!! I really appreciate you!!!! Thanks for reading and responding to my blog so faithfully!!!!! I Love you brother!!!!
Welcome back Cate!!❤️❤️❤️
You are loved- you are blessed- and you bless us!!!😘😘😘
Thanks for your comments!!!! MY DEAR, SWEET COUSIN!!!! I CAN’T WAIT TO SEE YOU AGAIN!!!! I’LL ACTUALLY TALK!!!! YOU HAVE ALWAYS BEEN AND ALWAYS WILL BE A VERY SPECIAL COUSIN TO ME!!!! I LOVE YOU SO VERY, VERY, VERY MUCH!!!!
Cate, you are my favorite Euchre partner and we do win a lot. I so look forward to playing with you when we finally figure out how to find each other😂! What I like most about this blog is the relationship you have with your sisters! You are a very special family🥰
Thanks for responding!!!! You are my favorite Euchre partner on phone Euchre!!!! I LOVE YOU!!!!
Cate, I’m so glad you’re on the other side of all that darkness and now living AWESOME days 😊This post is a great reminder to practice gratitude every day for even the seemingly simplest of things and to focus on truly living in the moment. These are two things I know I need to keep working on. Thank you!!! 💕 Oh and Scrabble and cards are two of my favorite games! I just learned how to play Backgammon too, but hate when I can start to tell I’m about to lose 😬
It’s truly AWESOME to be in-touch with you!!!! Thanks for responding!!!!
I love you very much Cate!!
I LOVE YOU VERY, VERY, VERY MUCH!!!! YOU, HANNAH, ARE ONE OF GOD’S MOST BEAUTIFUL AND WONDERFUL MASTERPIECES!!!! I’M SO PROUD OF YOU!!!! THANKS, FOR CHOOSING A CAREER TO CARE FOR AND HELP PEOPLE!!!!