I wrote this on the sister site depressionconnection and wanted to share it here too.

I am in a really good frame of my mind right. The season hasn't gotten me depressed.

Last year, the day after Christmas my younger brother died. It was a sad and depressing event..naturally. I have mourned and grieved his loss all year. At times, I wept for hours. I ended up in the hospital twice this year, partly due to his death.

I was worried that I would slip into a depressive or anxiety filled state the closer I got to the anniversary of Mike's death. I have been working on my grief with my therapist and doing other measures to counter any depression...ECT, light therapy, meds, writing, kitchen therapy. I must admit that I am feeling good. No depression and very little anxiety. Any anxiety I have has been minor and easily handled.

One thing I did was to reframe my feelings about Mike. Instead of mourning his loss I decided to celebrate his life. I donated money and brought cookies to the homeless shelter where he died. I gave the money to honor Mike's life and to thank the shelter for the love and care they so unselfishly gave. The money will go to a man that has nothing, to make his Christmas better. It was healing to go there and tell them how much I appreciated what hey did for my brother.

I have learned that if I am grateful for someone to tell them. You never know if it will be too late. I believe in never being to late. I believe in making someday..today.

If you love someone, don't let them go, let them know.

David