Sweetie, the hand is there as long as you need it....

Your welcome

If I had something better to offer than "Hang in there," I'd offer it. But that's all I've got. So hang in there.

Keep on keeping on. I am also one of those who cannot stand to be in that dark place and I understand that struggle of crawling out. Again, sending good vibes, healing, peace, and nice glass of wine your way (although I'll have a nice microbrew if that's okay with you.)

For every mean-spirited gossip hound out there there are five members in your community who genuinely care about you even though we've never met you. Let the haters hate, try to ignore them and know you're in our positive thoughts!

I want to give you some relationship advice.

Hahaha, no I don't. It just made me laugh to say it, considering all my success at creating and sustaining meaningful partnerships.

I can't even imagine that level of attention to a personal family issue. All I've got is, that sucks. It just sucks, plain and simple. But, I think you've got brass ovaries for owning it and soldiering through. Carry on, gutsy.

People will talk. That's what they do. No matter who you are Heather, people still love to talk. Your life just you know ends up in the NY times. Ahem.

Sometimes I think they want to discuss other peoples separations/divorces to death just to try and figure out what we did wrong. So they can save themselves from that. If only it were that easy. Hell if I could pinpoint where mine went wrong and explain it to people as a warning? Well I'd be rich. I'm not. Heh.

I have been where you are though and I hope you and Jon find your way. If you can't, well I hope you guys can keep things as good for the kids as possible. I believe both of you will do that.

Just know, a random stranger is thinking good thoughts your way.

I imagine that it *would* be strange to have such personal details on the news. But, I personally, want to say 'Thank You' for your openness and honesty. Not because we are in any way entitled to you or your life and feelings...but because it brings voice to the difficulty of navigating life with depression. And even more importantly, that it can be navigated successfully, even if it sucks in a big way sometimes. What you're going through is difficult and painful and sucky. And you're brave enough to share it.

You're not a stranger. I've read you for years. Your experiences have touched me and made me think. I've rooted for you, disagreed with you, cheered for you and have always been inspired by your strength. Thank you for all of that.

I wish that I could come cook for you and your family. I'm like the old Grandmother amongst my friends. Something wrong? Had a bad day? Here...a good meal will make everything better. Heh.

I ramble. All that to say...Thank you and my thoughts are with you. I'm cheering you on from out here in the frozen MW. Be well and take care of yourself.

I wish everything good for you, Jon, your daughters, and your dogs.

you have lots of hands holding you.

at no time did i doubt your capability in caring/doing the right thing for those sweet little girls; anyone that doubted don't know you, don't care to know you, want to see the bad in you.

i think you and Jon work so well together...you made the most beautiful children ever...and most of all, in all years of writing, pictures, chaos...truly love shone through. granted, we can't know your entire lives and what is going on...but we can see/read/feel love.

my fervent prayer this is really a trial separation that expires and is not renewed...that you realize how very good you are together as a family...and the world is a better place because the Armstrongs have survived.

You both have lived/struggled through so much...oh...oh...oh...you know what is best for the four (or six) of you...but fight for your family...ALL of your family.

Wishing you and Jon and your girls peace and happiness. Wherever your separation leads, I'm sure it will be where you all need to be. And congratulations for being grownups for your children. You should be very proud of yourselves for that.

I didn't comment on your first post. It touched me so closely and I simply didn't know what to say. As I read, I felt this feeling of dread and I kept thinking, hoping, praying, this would end with some light anecdote. And instead it ended exactly where it was headed. And I cried.

I read daily and have watched your struggle with mental illness as it mirrors my own. I've prayed and hoped each time things looked up, and was saddened each time your illness seemed to get the upper hand. But I never thought for a second that it would get to this: with Jon in one house, and you in another.

This internet world where we feel we know each other based on words on a page brings us together in a way that allows us to draw comfort from one another and I hope for your sake, and for Jon's, that you are able to actually draw that comfort.

But from the bottom of my heart, I beg of you, do not forget how much you love Jon. Remember every detail of him, and remind him if you can, to remember how much he loves you. Do not let him forget! The longer it goes, the easier it is to let that passion slip away.

I did it, I fought, I won. Sort of. I'm still ill, but we're getting through. And I would not let him forget. It helped.

I wish you and your family well.

Blogging does create an inexplicable sense of community. In all senses of the word; the ones that care and are concerned and a sprinkling of weirdos. Just like all communities. I told my husband about your post in the context of something like, "you know, my blogger friend. Because we both have blogs (mine is tiny for my family), naturally, we are in the same circle of friends". Only half joking.

At the end of the day you are one human being doing the best you can with what you have. And many of us can relate to those human terms. In a heartfelt, non-creepy way.

One foot in front of the other.

You are doing great! Keep going, and thank you for sharing yourself. You are so brave.

Oh for Christ sake, can't they find something better to talk about!

I very rarely comment, and have only sometimes posted in the community, but I'd like to offer you this.

I grew up w/ a father and a step-mother telling me I would be a worthless peice of shit and a whore just like my mother and my sister. From the age of 13 until 18 I heard it daily. No, I wasn't sexually abused, but mental abuse is just as hard. I have the background that serial killers and career criminals come from, and although it took years, I'm proud to say that I have hope. I have hope that the pain of people's past (or even their present) can be driven into the most beautiful future.

I didn't then, and contemplated suicide more times than I can care to relate. But I now have a son who's giggle lights up my world, and I know I was able to get through that past to make his world more beautiful.

You'll get through this. It may not seem like it now, and you may not even know why. Someday you'll get the understanding that only reflections can give.

I wish you all well, and the strength to fight.