BY NANCY STOOPS
Things happen in our lives that literally seem to make us feel as if we couldn’t possibly go on. When my brother, Rory,
Nancy Stoops M.A., M.F.T Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
committed suicide, I thought that was the end of me; but I survived. Then my other brother, Jeff, was murdered, and once again I thought for sure I was finished; but I went on. My father was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, and a week later he died. Now this one almost did destroy me, but I found my way out of the darkness and back to the living.
I’ve learned much of my life is out of my control and things happen that I hate. I also have learned that the only thing I have power over is myself, and how I play the cards I am dealt. When horrific things occur in our lives we feel as if we can’t breathe, move or go on. We sit around just praying for some relief from all of the pain. Prayers always help, but we also need to help ourselves out of the darkness. We can’t just wait around for some miraculous way to feel relief. We need to reach out and get some help when our pain is bigger than we are. If we stay in it, it will swallow us up.
We deserve to heal and to move on. I, too, have had to ask for help in the past. Get up and make that phone call to start living your life again. Don’t you think you have suffered enough and that it’s time to let go of your past and of all that pain? Isn’t it time to stop ignoring the red flags with your child or teenager and finally reach out and get them some help? Isn’t it about time you got some very much needed relief? Stop waiting for the tomorrows because too many have already come and gone; get help today!
This article was written by Nancy Stoops, M.A., M.F.T. Nancy is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. She runs free family support groups, a group on loss for seniors, and groups for teens. For more information about any of these services feel free to page her at (626) 935-3818. You may also email her at stoopsshecter@earthlink.net. Nancy’s book, “Live, Heal and Grow” is available for purchase at http://www.RoseDogBookstore.com or Amazon.com
