One year ago today my daughter Anna was admitted to the hospital. Not because of a physical illness or need for surgery, but because of depression, suicidal ideation, and cutting. It was the beginning of what would be a very difficult year.
While this past year has been hard, God has given grace upon grace to meet this challenge. He brought together a strong support group of friends and family, teachers, and professionals who have helped her and us through it, “the legions of Anna” as my friend Michelle called them. They have worked very hard for her and for us, and I am very grateful. They are a testament to God’s faithfulness and love for us.
It has been 8 months since her last hospitalization. She has grown so much in the last few months. She is in a good place right now, and has a great support system in place at school, and has a wonderful psychiatric team too that has really helped her learn and cope and grow. I am so proud of her, and so thankful to God for all that He has done in her and through her.
This is not some quick jaunt but a long voyage we are traveling with her. I am far from thinking that everything will be all smooth sailing from here. I am sure there will be more challenges in the years ahead. But she (and we) are in a much different place, and we know that Jesus is at the helm of this ship and will steer it true.
Learning To Be Full Of Grace And Truth. 
I am so glad to hear that your daughter has a great support system. I did not necessarily have a great support system when I was going through my “dark days” over thirty years ago. I had one woman who visited me every day when I was hospitalized for the second time. She came for the purpose of helping me get through the day. She showed even on Sundays. She taught me how to laugh again. Without her visits, my life there would have been dull. It was her visits that brought me through.
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I am very sorry to hear that you could have used more support. That is true for too many. It is one of the reasons I am trying to be as open and transparent as I can about it in these posts. I am glad to hear you had more encouragement the second time around. We need more people like your friend around.
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So glad to hear this update Dan. Your family has been in our prayers too. I’m grateful to the Lord for modern medicine and so many supportive people to come alongside you all for the long haul. Blessings & Peace to the Ledwiths.
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Thank you so much Linda! =)
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A year ago this week our family also embarked on a painful journey when my Dad was admitted to the emergency room. I remember reading your stories in the hospital and praying for your family because we’ve been on a similar journey with our daughter. It is faith building to look back and see how God gets us through difficult times. Thanks for sharing your story.
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Thanks for your encouragement Frances. And for your prayers. I’m glad we both are able to be transparent about what we are going through in our respective blogs. We need to hear that God is sovereignly and lovingly at work in us through these things.
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I feel for you, Dan. I know what struggle is like. Sometimes, it does go on for years. Please, please, please stay very, very close to the Lord and don’t let the clouds of hurt and doubt cause you to lose sight of Him. I’ve only just recovered from that, after five years of horrible happenings. It’s so beautiful when His light shines again. He’s near. He is always near. I will be lifting you all up to the throne of grace from now on.
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