<\/p>One year ago today, I found myself somewhere I never thought I would be\u2013the inside of a psychiatric ward. Like 16 million other Americans, I was suffering from depression, one that seemed to only intensify with each passing minute.\n

As days stretched into weeks, I reached a point where I thought I would never feel like myself again. Which made the prospect of not living anymore seem frighteningly appealing. In reflecting on how far I have come since then, I am also thinking a lot about what it took to pull me back from the brink. Along with my strong spiritual faith, what carried me to the other side more than anything was the tremendous support and care that I received from loved ones.<\/p>\n

Family drew in close. Most especially my aunts, Titi Nancy and Titi Lydia, cousins Aidita, Alexandra, Andrew, Carla and Marcella, sisters-in-law Barb and Pris and, of course, siblings Ray, Steve and Hilary.<\/p>\n

Friends near and far rallied around me. I am profoundly grateful to Molly, for being my lifeline when the darkness took over while I was in L.A. I am beyond thankful to Julie, Tiffany, Natalie, Sara, Guida, Viva, Heidi, Jackie, Cindy, Caroline, Marilyn, Pam, Jenn, Donna, Lee, Bobbi, Lauren, Louise, Dave, JP and Steve. And forever indebted to my two Lisas\u2013Lisa R. for giving me a home and TLC when I needed it desperately; Lisa L. for brightening up so many of my long days in the hospital. And every single person who reached out to me after I shared on here<\/a> what I was going through.<\/p>\n

$\"\"$ <\/a>

March 31st, 2017: A selfie to commemorate the turning point of three consecutive days not feeling depressed.<\/p><\/div>\n

Many years ago, a wise person told me the redemptive part of going through trials in life is it makes you more empathetic to other\u2019s hardships. It also heightens to a visceral place your appreciation for the fragility of life\u2013and desire to make the most of the time you\u2019re given.<\/p>\n

One of the high points after returning to my beloved NYC was going to see the musical \u201cOn Your Feet\u201d with dear friend Natalie. There\u2019s a part of the show that deals with singer Gloria Estefan\u2019s bus accident. As her post-recovery anthem, \u201cComing Out of The Dark\u201d played, the words resonated with me on a much deeper level\u2014<\/p>\n

Starting again is part of the plan<\/em>
\nAnd I\u2019ll be so much stronger holding your hand<\/em>
\nStep by step I\u2019ll make it through I know I can<\/em>
\nIt may not make it easier but I have felt you<\/em>
\nNear all the way<\/em>
\nComing out of the dark, I finally see the light now<\/em>
\nAnd it\u2019s shining on me <\/em>
\nI see the light <\/em>
\nComing out of the dark I know the love that saved me<\/em>
\nYou\u2019re sharing with me<\/em><\/p>\n

Thank God for new beginnings.<\/p>\n<\/body>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"