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One day my uncle put his head down on the table and cried.
“What’s the matter Uncle?”
He looked at me with his red puffy eyes for a long time.
“Do you know what depression is sweetie?”
I shook my head.
“Depression is like sadness,” he said.
“Why are you sad?”
“Not sad,” he said. “Depressed. I have been for a long time.”
“But you’re crying,” I said. “You must be sad if you’re crying.”
“No,” he said. “You need a reason to be sad. You don’t need a reason to be depressed.” He sighed. “It’s just who I am.”

6 comments add one below

  • avatar

    Jonathan Mills about 9 years ago

    This struck me late last night - I've struggled with depression since I was a teenager, and it never seems to get any easier. When Robin Williams committed suicide, what I remember most was how everyone in the world suddenly became an expert on depression, everyone saying how they understood what he was going through, how things were for him. I really doubt that. You don't need a reason to be depressed. Sometimes it's just who you are.

  • avatar

    Jonathan Mills about 9 years ago

    Obviously this is just my viewpoint. I can't claim to be an expert on depression any more than someone with chicken pox knows everything about herpes.

  • avatar

    Samantha Grace Bishop about 9 years ago

    I know where you're coming from, Jonathan. Nicely handled.

  • avatar

    Jonathan Mills about 9 years ago

    Thanks.

  • avatar

    Bunmi Oke about 9 years ago

    Well done. This is touching.

  • avatar

    Jonathan Mills about 9 years ago

    Thanks Bunmi

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