I just wanted to say hello and let you know I am back taking photos. I have actaully been posting photos for nearly a month but have been keeping a low profile until I felt I was ready to reintroduce myself.
As some of you may remember I went through a rather public breakdown here at the end of last year which involved my marriage finishing, attempting to end my life and some time in an institution to keep me safe. Followed by a tortuous two months in Australia trying to deal with lots of issues that I have put to one side throughout my life.
The love and support I received from people on this site, most of whom I had never met in the real world, touched me and gave me strength when I didn't want to continue on. Thank you for all your prays and thoughts throughout the last four months. On the hard days they have helped me get through to the next day.
Now, I am slowly on the path to recovery. I am taking one day at a time. Some are good days, some are bad but there are more good than bad at the moment. I am getting help from professionals and being given space to deal with my issues. I have changed the priorities in my life putting myself and my health first for probably the first time in my life. I am going to the gym five days a week and loving the time where I can just focus on me as well as losing some of that fat.
What the future holds for me, I don't know but at least now I can imagine a future although sadly not with the person I love and the mother of my two wonderful children.
Although I am grateful of everyone's concern for me I would like to thank a couple of people publicly for taking on board a lot of my burden when they didn't ask to.
I can never repay these wonderful people and because of them I am still here to see and photograph all these beautiful sunsets I witness on this Pacific Island.
Finally, if you need help seek it before it overwhelms you. What I have been through I wouldn't wish it on anybody but with help I will be stronger than before.
Thanks for reading my essay and I now look forward to seeing all your wonderful photos.
I am thrilled to see you back and sounding so positive - I am also very proud and impressed by your courage and determination - the folk on here are wonderful and so giving - I wish you all the best for the future :)
I am so pleased to see you back Andy, and to read your words of hope. I have thought about you many times over the past few weeks, wondering how you were getting on, so it is great to hear that you will be posting again.
I too have been thinking about you and hoping that you have found some inner strength and resolve. Looking forward to seeing your wonderful shots again from your amazing place in the world. Big hugs and my continued support x
Welcome back! You sound really good and have a healthy perspective. What God asks is that we depend upon Him moment by moment and not to worry about the future or fret about yesterday.
Yay! Andy I am grateful for your return - your photos are wonderful and a joy to view! I have often thought of you and hoped for you to find a peaceful place to be! Welcome back!
I am so glad you are back and well, @amandal kept me updated about you and so pleased you are on the road to recovery! We have all missed you and thought about you x
I'm soooo glad to read this and know you are on the (difficult but important) road to safety and happiness. I've missed your photos, but even more, the casual interactions around a photo here and there. All the best to you! Welcome back!
I would also like to say Thank You to you Andy. You helped me to face a few things in my life and seek help much sooner than I would have otherwise... if ever. It is a hard thing to admit when you are so used to being the strong person and the help to others. Reading of your struggles made me face reality. I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Glad to know you are doing so much better. I am too...slowly but surely. Love and hugs
So very glad to read such a positive post. I have often wondered how you are doing, especially as my own son has been going through a very deep trough of depression recently.
Andy, so glad you are back...........living has incredible lows and amazing highs................I wish for you many, many amazing highs because you have clawed your way back from one hell of a low my friend xx
Andy, I love that you shared your struggles and are teaching others through your experiences. You are real and that is refreshing. Thank you for trusting us with your pain. Soooo grateful to see you getting through it and a that you are a living testimony. Happy, too, that one of my very favorite photographers is posting once again. If everyday gets to be too much for you, post when you want to. Just stick around, cause we love you!:)
Thank you for sharing your experiences it has again touched my heart and will I continue to pray for you and your family. Everyday I pray will get better and it is so nice to see you again. Blessings always. Look forward to your amazing sunsets shots. Keep well.
Welcome back Andy, so glad to hear you are doing better, we have all missed your stunning photos and were all concerned for you. I am also so glad that the fantastic people in this community were a help and inspiration to you. It really is a privilege to be a part of it, and to meet such inspiring people even though it may not be in person.
Once again it is so good to have you back!
So happy to find this message and to find that you are back. Actually I looked for you again a few days ago, and was very sad to see that your account had been erased. Well, just welcomed with opened arms and ready to look at your wonderful captures.
Now that is some awesome news to see on here! I am so glad, Andy! You are so talented and we love to see your pics, but more than that, you are a good person,and are fighting to get your life back on some stable ground. We admire that. Stay strong! Keep fighting.
Wow, thank you everyone for your lovely words and support. I hope you all understand how important this community is and the power you have to help others when they are at their lowest. Hugs to you all. xox
@k1w1 I am really pleased that you have sought help Christine and that you are on the way to being in a better happier place. I know that some days can be a struggle but there is always the next day.
Part of me being so public about what I was going through was the hope that others that may be in a similar head space may seek out the help that they needed and i am really proud of you for doing just that. Kia Kaha x
I have seen your sunsets, sensed your ups n downs, sent silent prayers, and happy to see you around. It is wonderful and very brave if you to share. Take care. :-)
Isn't it a joy that you've been welcomed back so heartily by this amazing community! I'm really pleased to see you here again, in good care and feeling better. Be fully one of the circle again, let us see more of your beautiful photography and I could only wish that you might feel better, stronger and more in control of your life each day. Hugs...
So lovely to see you back Andy! And that you are having more good days than bad :) I missed seeing you and your photos around :)
I need to pull my poor forgotten camera out. no photos for almost 2 months
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Glad to know you are doing so much better. I am too...slowly but surely. Love and hugs
Once again it is so good to have you back!
Wow, thank you everyone for your lovely words and support. I hope you all understand how important this community is and the power you have to help others when they are at their lowest. Hugs to you all. xox
Part of me being so public about what I was going through was the hope that others that may be in a similar head space may seek out the help that they needed and i am really proud of you for doing just that. Kia Kaha x
I need to pull my poor forgotten camera out. no photos for almost 2 months