As we remember those who fought and fight to give us freedom in the United States of America, I remember that Carson shared with his mother and I that he had spoken to several service recruiters on multiple occasions. He wanted to join. He felt that purpose and was not afraid to respond. It hurt him deeply that his bipolar condition could not be accepted. He understood, but he was deeply hurt, allthemore a sign to him that because of his condition, he was rejected.
Judging by all of the comments I see on Carson's Facebook Memorial Page, I suspect he was a true warrior for the many; many of you, but he just didn't realize it.
Thank you all for your continued memorial comments to Facebook. Never feel ashamed to offer your hurting heart to others, and please do not be burdened for Carson, for Carson is no longer burdened.
Do not take your own life, for your heartbeat is melded into a fabric that covers many, maybe hundreds, maybe thousands. Each person you know, that knows you, knows of you, knows you through a friend, knows a friend through you, has heard of you in a story, has watched you from afar then told someone else; all of these are in the same fabric cover with you and me. Pull one thread, and the whole garment is touched, thrown inexplicably out of kilter, with utter consequences likely. You matter, even when you don't believe you do. Tell someone you are hurting. Let them help. They want to help. Don't give up. We need you with us!
I may sound like a broken record, but please give your heart to Jesus Christ. While we need and must maintain our freedom as American citizens, do not forget that you have a Saviour that has already secured eternal freedom and Heavenly Citizenship for you; an invitation to everyone, with no strings attached but to trust in Him.
Carson didn't know he would be bound with the chronic Bipolar disorder burden, and while he was still in right mind, at seven years old, he reached out, and Jesus took his hand, so that even now as I continue to mourn his loss, I know where my boy is. Jesus never failed Carson.
Do you know what tomorrow will bring? Are you sure you will be alive, coherent, functioning? Not a day is promised, but if you give your life to Jesus Christ today, right now, an eternity with Him IS promised.
Thank you all for your words of encouragement over this past year. We are blessed that you would make the time to think of Carson.
Todd Brooks (Carson's Dad)
Jeremiah 33:3
Being bipolar myself and having lost a brother to suicide after he served in the Marines 14 years who was most likely, but undiagnosed and untreated, bipolar .. your story is heartfelt on several levels. I look forward to exploring your site.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Joy, for your transparency. By ensuring others know of our true identity/condition, we disarm the stigma that is so often attached to our condition. The pain we often suppress to protect ourselves from scrutiny can actually be a healing balm to those that suffer similarly, but are afraid of further rejection by those that are uneducated in the different faces of mental illness. May God be glorified in your transparency, and may others be blessed by the same. You take care!
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